The announcement in October 2017 that the European Commission (EC) and US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) had reached agreement on the mutual recognition of derivatives trading venues marked a big step forward in achieving cross-border harmonization between the European Union (EU) and US.

However, the agreement has spawned a number of important questions about the practical implications of how cross-border trading will work. This guide attempts to answer those questions. In particular, it analyzes the effect of mutual recognition on the order flow of trades executed on these venues, highlighting benefits and pointing to areas where further alignment would be welcome. The guide is also intended to help market participants navigate the numerous regulatory requirements related to trading on recognized venues by providing answers to commonly asked questions.