A credit default swap (CDS) is a type of credit derivative enabling investors to swap or transfer their credit risk with another party, known as the protection seller. By purchasing a CDS, the protection buyer can mitigate the risk of default by having the protection seller agree to compensate them in case the borrower, who is the reference entity, fails to repay its debt obligations. This financial instrument serves as an insurance contract in the credit market, particularly for corporate bonds, government agency debt, or even emerging market bonds.
Seniority of covered debt is SNRFOR (Foreign Debt).