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Quasi-dark trading: The effects of banning dark pools in a world of many alternatives

Author

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  • Johann, Thomas
  • Putnins, Talis
  • Sagade, Satchit
  • Westheide, Christian

Abstract

We show that "quasi-dark" trading venues, i.e., markets with somewhat non-transparent trading mechanisms, are important parts of modern equity market structure alongside lit markets and dark pools. Using the European MiFID II regulation as a quasi-natural experiment, we find that dark pool bans lead to (i) volume spill-overs into quasi-dark trading mechanisms including periodic auctions and order internalization systems; (ii) little volume returning to transparent public markets; and consequently, (iii) a negligible impact on market liquidity and short-term price efficiency. These results show that quasi-dark markets serve as close substitutes for dark pools and consequently mitigate the effectiveness of dark pool regulation. Our findings highlight the need for a broader approach to transparency regulation in modern markets that takes into consideration the many alternative forms of quasi-dark trading.

Suggested Citation

  • Johann, Thomas & Putnins, Talis & Sagade, Satchit & Westheide, Christian, 2019. "Quasi-dark trading: The effects of banning dark pools in a world of many alternatives," SAFE Working Paper Series 253, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:safewp:253
    DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3365994
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Mike Derksen & Bas Kleijn & Robin de Vilder, 2020. "Effects of MiFID II on stock price formation," Papers 2003.10353, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2020.
    2. Duffie, Darrell & Antill, Samuel, 2017. "Augmenting Markets with Mechanisms," Research Papers repec:ecl:stabus:3623, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    3. Marta Khomyn, 2020. "Essays on Modern Market Structure," PhD Thesis, Finance Discipline Group, UTS Business School, University of Technology, Sydney, number 2-2020.
    4. Paul J. Irvine & Egle Karmaziene, 2023. "Competing for Dark Trades," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 23-020/IV, Tinbergen Institute.
    5. Ibikunle, Gbenga & Li, Youwei & Mare, Davide & Sun, Yuxin, 2021. "Dark matters: The effects of dark trading restrictions on liquidity and informational efficiency," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    6. Neumeier, Christian & Gozluklu, Arie & Hoffmann, Peter & O’Neill, Peter & Suntheim, Felix, 2023. "Banning dark pools: Venue selection and investor trading costs," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    7. Zhang, Zeyu & Ibikunle, Gbenga, 2023. "The market quality effects of sub-second frequent batch auctions: Evidence from dark trading restrictions," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    8. Gomber, Peter & Sagade, Satchit & Theissen, Erik & Weber, Moritz Christian & Westheide, Christian, 2023. "Spoilt for choice: Determinants of market shares in fragmented equity markets," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Dark Pools; Dark Trading; Liquidity; Price Efficiency; MiFID II; Double VolumeCaps;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G19 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Other

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

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