In general, trading mechanism is divided into two (2) parts, namely multilateral and bilateral. Multilateral is a mechanism of transaction (buy / sell), among many parties with many parties to the bargaining system openly on exchanges. While bilateral transactions is only done by a party with a party that usually occur outside the exchange, known as over-the-counter (OTC).

Multilateral mechanisms applied in futures trading is aimed at the formation of prices (price discovery), hedging (hedging), as well as other economic benefits. This mechanism generally can be done handover physical commodity. While the mechanism of off-exchange (OTC) or known as the Alternative Trading System (SPA) held only for the purpose of speculation and settlement in cash.