A Swap Execution Facility (SEF) is a platform that facilitates the trading of swaps between market participants. SEFs were created as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was enacted in response to the financial crisis of 2008.The goal of a SEF is to increase transparency and competition in the over-the-counter (OTC) swaps market by providing a central place for market participants to trade swaps. This can help to reduce counterparty risk and increase liquidity in the market.SEFs work by providing a platform for market participants to negotiate and execute swap transactions. They may offer a variety of trading methods, such as request-for-quote (RFQ) systems or electronic order books, and may also provide market participants with access to pricing information and other data.SEFs are overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and are required to register with the CFTC and comply with its regulations. They are also subject to oversight by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for security-based swaps.In summary, SEF's are a centralized platform for facilitating OTC swaps trading, that increase transparency, competition, and reduce counterparty risks for market participants, and are overseen by CFTC and SEC.