In financial contract, a contract for difference (CFD) is a derivative instrument in which a person (seller), on behalf of himself/herself, buys an asset from another person (buyer). This contract for difference gives rise to a contract for Difference (CFD) between these two parties. The most common example of a CFD is the forex or swap market. The major feature of a CFD is that the trader pays to buy the difference in value between the prices of two different currencies.
When trading in CFDs, the trader is not actually buying anything but just speculating on the movements of the underlying asset. The most common form of a CFD is the contract for difference, i.e., the buying and selling of one currency on behalf of the trader with the intention of making a profit. In forex trading, the two major types of CFDs are the naked option contract for difference and the covered option contract for difference. With naked options, the contract is open to trading without any actual assets being held by the trader; while the covered option contract for difference allows trading of stocks and other derivative instruments with the guarantee of the investment on the underlying asset.
CFDs leverage meaning is conducted on the over the counter (OTC) commodity market, the largest and most liquid financial markets in the world, where trades are executed daily in the billions of dollars. The CFD trading strategy can be used in either spot markets or forward markets, depending on the underlying assets being traded and the level of risk associated with them. CFDs provide a unique opportunity for investors and traders to gain exposure to the underlying market without having to own the physical commodity. Traders can speculate on the movements of currencies and can make a profit if they correctly identify the entry and exit points of the market.