A system for an electronic-based market is disclosed. The system operates
with a model where a trader is designated to enter orders for contracts
on behalf of a subscriber. The model uses assets of the subscriber that
are placed into an account that is accessible by the electronic market to
cover risks associated with trades initiated by the trader. The system
includes a plurality of client stations for entering orders into the
electronic market by traders and a server to receive the orders and match
the orders in accordance with matching criteria. The server maintains for
the subscriber and the subscriber's associated traders a trading account
that is accessible by the electronic market. The server also includes
offsetting, clearing, default, and margin protocols functions to
administer the market. The market uses species contracts that are derived
from a contract genus.