Expiring futures are linear derivative contracts that are used for price-discovery and risk transfer that settle to the price of the underlying asset at a specific date and time in the future. It is standard for futures markets to list multiple contracts at consecutive intervals (often weekly, monthly, and quarterly). As there are multiple contracts listed on one underlying asset, each with a different expiration, futures create what is known as a "term structure" or futures curve. Futures curves greatly expand the ways market participants can hedge future cash flows and express a forward-looking view on underlying asset prices.