In the late 1990s, a group of American entrepreneurs saw the future of trading. Over-the-counter (or “off exchange”) foreign exchange trading was generating significant profits for large banks and corporations and, likewise, it lured individual traders who were increasingly becoming interested in participating in this large, but seemingly closed, market.
However, individuals with relatively small capital and no access to proprietary bank-to-bank computer systems were only able to trade currencies as futures through two exchanges. There was no method for traders to participate in the over-the-counter (OTC) forex market. The rapid pace of the currency market made it very difficult to trade on exchange, as most exchanges still traded currencies in the pit – an age-old system requiring multiple interactions to place a single trade. In addition, there were only a handful of currency markets available to trade, with inconsistent pricing and trading volumes. The pricing spreads fluctuated to widen significantly during times of increased market volatility, and market liquidity was not sufficient for overnight trading.
Meanwhile, Internet technologies were making rapid advances, and small upstarts recognized that these new technologies could solve the service delays and other problems faced when trading currencies with exchanges. These entrepreneurs became forex dealers who saw the Internet as an ideal avenue to provide customers with what they needed – instant and efficient access to the rapidly moving currency
However, individuals with relatively small capital and no access to proprietary bank-to-bank computer systems were only able to trade currencies as futures through two exchanges. There was no method for traders to participate in the over-the-counter (OTC) forex market. The rapid pace of the currency market made it very difficult to trade on exchange, as most exchanges still traded currencies in the pit – an age-old system requiring multiple interactions to place a single trade. In addition, there were only a handful of currency markets available to trade, with inconsistent pricing and trading volumes. The pricing spreads fluctuated to widen significantly during times of increased market volatility, and market liquidity was not sufficient for overnight trading.
Meanwhile, Internet technologies were making rapid advances, and small upstarts recognized that these new technologies could solve the service delays and other problems faced when trading currencies with exchanges. These entrepreneurs became forex dealers who saw the Internet as an ideal avenue to provide customers with what they needed – instant and efficient access to the rapidly moving currency
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