Settlement Date
The settlement date is the specific calendar day on which the terms of a financial contract must be fulfilled. On this day, the buyer pays the agreed price, and the seller delivers the underlying asset, effectively closing the contract.
For derivatives like forward contracts, this date marks the end of the agreement and the point at which the final profit or loss is realized. The timing of settlement is critical for liquidity planning and tax considerations in cryptocurrency accounting.
If settlement is physical, the actual asset changes hands; if it is cash-settled, the difference between the contract price and the market price is paid in currency. Delays or failures in settlement can lead to legal disputes or financial penalties.
Proper tracking of these dates is fundamental to maintaining a disciplined trading strategy.