Design discussion on the ISDA Common Domain Model

Abstract

A new initiative from the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) aims to establish a Common Domain Model (ISDA CDM): a new standard for data and process representation across the full range of derivatives instruments. The resulting standardisation of workflow will not only reduce the cost of traditional processing but will also facilitate new platforms using distributed ledger technology and enable processing via smart contracts. The design of the ISDA CDM is at an early stage and the draft definition contains considerable complexity and ambiguity. This paper contributes by offering insight, critical analysis and discussion relating to important topics in the design space such as data lineage, timestamps, consistency, operations, events, state and state transitions.