A swap is a derivative contract through which two parties agree to exchange cash flows or financial instruments over a specified period, based on a notional principal amount. Swaps are primarily used to manage financial risk, hedge exposures, or speculate on changes in interest rates, currency values, or asset prices. Unlike options or futures, swaps are typically over-the-counter (OTC) instruments, meaning they are negotiated directly between parties rather than traded on an exchange. The fundamental idea behind a swap is that each party has a comparative advantage in borrowing or holding a particular asset or liability, and by exchanging cash flows, both parties can achieve more favorable financial outcomes. Swaps can be classified into different types depending on the underlying variables, including interest rate swaps, currency swaps, commodity swaps, and equity swaps. Equity derivatives, specifically, are financial instruments whose value derives from the price of an underlying equity security or equity index. Among equity derivatives, equity swaps are an important class that allows parties to exchange returns on equity assets without directly buying or selling the underlying shares. Equity swaps can be tailored to meet specific needs, such as transferring market exposure, managing portfolio risk, or achieving tax-efficient investment strategies. A currency swap is a type of swap where two parties exchange principal and interest payments in different currencies. It is commonly used by multinational companies to hedge foreign exchange risk or to obtain financing in a currency that may not be readily available from local markets at competitive rates. In a typical currency swap, Party A agrees to pay Party B interest and principal in one currency, while Party B pays Party A interest and principal in another currency. For example, a U.S.-based company needing euros might enter a currency swap with a European firm needing U.S. dollars. The U.S. company agrees to pay interest on the euro principal to the European company, while receiving interest on the dollar principal in return. At the end of the swap term, the notional amounts are exchanged back at the pre-agreed rate. This mechanism allows both parties to effectively manage their foreign currency exposure and reduce