Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a standardized contract is traded. The contract obligates a buyer and a seller to settle the contract based on a price determined for an effective date. The contract is traded over-the-counter or through an exchange and cleared by a clearinghouse that guarantees payment to the buyer of any amount owed to the buyer from the seller as a result of the contract and that guarantees payment to the seller of any amount owed to the seller from the buyer as a result of the contract. An over-the-counter or exchange traded instrument is utilized to determine the rate that is used to determine the price of the contract.