Methods and systems are provided for operating a contracts exchange without conventional counterparty risk measures used by existing futures exchanges such as collateral, margin accounts, position limits, price change limits and regular settlement times. Traders on the contracts exchange hold substantially, or exclusively, cash and/or liquid exchange-traded assets or liabilities. Traders maintain transparent balance sheets which can be made available to third parties. A trader holding assets or liabilities that are illiquid or approaching illiquidity should demonstrate diligence in divesting such holdings. The trader's holdings are marked to their fair market value using acceptable accounting standards. Traders may also be required to obtain and maintain surety guarantees.