What comes first, OTC derivatives trading volumes or the CCP?

In a couple of recent discussions about central counter-party clearing for OTC derivatives in the global capital markets, we have come across the view that the move towards central clearing has not been as comprehensive as expected earlier. What this is referring to is the fact that the number of central counter-parties (CCPs) has not changed significantly when we look at the global markets. In the developed markets in the US and Europe, the presence of existing CCPs and the difficulty for new CCPs to break into the market has been an important reason. In the case of emerging markets, the fact that the volumes of OTC derivatives traded are quite low means that only CCPs in large markets such as Brazil and China are expected to be viable. Hence, not too many CCPs are going to crop up in the smaller emerging markets. This belief is understandable, but we must take into account the fact that the maturity of capital markets in these regions is low. As the emerging markets evolve, the presence of CCPs would encourage more trading in OTC derivatives products and allow for greater innovation and also standardization in the long run. These could be factors that increase volumes for OTC derivatives trading in smaller markets in regions such as Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Also, until recently, the emphasis for the respective regulators and governments with regard to derivatives trading has been on exchange-based trading. The presence of a local CCP and the greater transparency that ensues in OTC derivatives trading would encourage both regulators and governments alike to allow for more trading and clearing of these products due to better oversight. Hence, this is a virtuous circle and decision-makers who are looking mainly at current OTC derivatives volumes before they decide whether to have or not have a CCP in their domestic market should also look at the potential for trading of OTC derivatives products in the long run. Similarly, the market participants also should take a positive view towards CCPs in smaller markets, as initial focus should not be whether the CCP would be profitable and competitive regionally and globally, but whether it fosters safer trading and clearing of OTC derivatives and allows for higher trading volumes in the region than before.