March 16, 2013
FT article: BBG threatens to sue CFTC
FT article: BBG threatens to sue CFTC (subs required) Bloomberg has taken the first step towards suing CFTC over what they see as an un-level playing field in margin holding periods and block sizes between exchange traded interest rate swapfutures and SEF traded interest rate swaps (Bloomberg's All-Q is intending to be one of the approved SEFs). Futures have a CFTC prescribed minimum margin holding period of one day and CME / ERIS have set IR swapfutures holding periods of 2 days CME deliverables and ERIS standards (and 5 day for ERIS flexes) whereas swaps have a CFTC prescribed minimum holding period of 5 days. Block sizes are also to be set by CFTC for swaps whereas exchanges set them for swapfutures.