Large asset holders that have the ability to topple the market or cause a flash crash with a single trade can trade anonymously. So if I'm understanding this correctly such an asset holder might be someone who's holdings are prone to volatility & they would like to get rid of them quick without revealing their identity. Okay, the global market topology is complicated, I can see the benefit of this. What amazes me is 1/3 of US stocks are traded in such a manner. What are they hiding?

"Hey we'll sell you this car but it would be better if you did not know my name was Rodney Trotter"



BBC News - Dark Pool trading: Useful or dangerous?

More than one-third of US stocks are now traded through so-called dark pools.

They allow extra-large, electronic trades to happen anonymously through private venues.

However that anonymity worries some regulators and dark pools may face new rules.

Leisha Chi spoke to Seth Merrin, chief executive of one of the world's biggest dark pools, Liquidnet.