The Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE) has expanded the array of its ICE Clear Credit and ICE Clear Europe’s credit default swap (CDS) clearing suite, fortifying its offering across several new European country options.

ICE is a comprehensive network of exchanges and clearing houses, having recently implemented enhanced rules governing disruptive practices last week. In light of a lingering European debt crisis, ICE has opted to enhance its CDS capabilities following its inaugural launch of CDS in 2011.

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The new additions of sovereign single names on ICE Clear Credit’s offering include many former and current European laggards, Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Spain. Moreover, ICE Clear Europe has also bolstered its suite with the addition of Austria and Belgium amidst heightened interest.

ICE Clear Credit now boasts a total of eleven CDS instruments, including:

• Brazil
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Mexico
• Portugal
• Russia
• South Africa
• Spain
• Turkey
• Venezuela

Alternatively, ICE Clear Europe now clears CDS instruments for the following countries:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Ireland
• Italy
• Portugal
• Spain