: To ensure both parties follow through, the exchange requires them to put down margin —a small fraction of the total contract value (e.g., $50 for a micro contract vs. $500 for standard). This acts as a security deposit, not the total cost.
The story of buying commodity futures is best understood through the lens of a "Standardized Agreement," where two parties—a (like a farmer) and a speculator (like a trader)—lock in a price today for a transaction that happens later. 📖 The Tale of the Coffee Roaster and the Speculator
: Sarah and Alex enter a futures contract through a regulated exchange. They agree on a price of $1.10 per pound for delivery in six months.
: Alex is "short" (he promised to sell at $1.10). Since the price is now $1.50, he is facing a loss.
: Three months later, a freeze in Brazil causes coffee prices to jump to $1.50 per pound.