The Moscow Exchange will begin trading cash-settled futures contracts on the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF starting July 9, the exchange announced.
The new instruments provide domestic investors with a streamlined mechanism to gain exposure to the South Korean equity portfolio without holding the underlying shares directly.
The launch marks a notable expansion of the exchange’s derivative offerings, targeting cross-border asset classes that have seen increased interest from regional traders.
By offering cash-settled contracts, the exchange mitigates the logistical complexities associated with physical delivery of foreign ETF shares, which can be subject to settlement delays and regulatory hurdles.
This development comes as Russian equity markets have shown renewed momentum, with both the ruble-denominated MOEX Index and the dollar-denominated RTS Index posting gains in recent sessions.
The introduction of South Korea-focused derivatives aligns with broader efforts to diversify trading instruments and attract liquidity to the derivatives segment.