Guangzhou Futures Exchange Opens Lithium Carbonate Futures to Overseas Traders

Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GFEX) on July 3 launched “specific domestic product” access for its lithium carbonate futures and options, allowing overseas traders to participate more directly, according to Jiemian News. Overseas traders can use foreign-currency funds as margin. For margin valuation, GFEX will use the onshore yuan central parity rate published by China Foreign Exchange Trade System (CFETS) on the day as the benchmark; the exchange currently allows U.S. dollars as eligible margin currency with a 0.95 haircut. Before market close, the market value of foreign-currency margin will be calculated using the previous trading day’s CFETS yuan central parity rate, and the benchmark rate and discounted amount will be reset at daily settlement.