FAQ – Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers (And Maybe a Few Surprises)

  1. What is BLOX Markets?

    BLOX Markets is a financial technology company that is the parent company of Openpool.

  2. What is Openpool?

    Openpool is a new retail focused US equities trading venue being developed BLOX Markets.

  3. What type of trading venue are you?

    We are building an Alternative Trading System (ATS), specifically a Reg NMS Stock inverted trading venue.

  4. What is an Alternative Trading System?

    An Alternative Trading System (ATS) is a trading venue that provides a platform for buying and selling securities outside of traditional stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or NASDAQ Exchange. An ATS can include electronic communication networks (ECNs) or dark pools.

  5. How does an ATS make money?

    An ATS typically generates revenue through transaction fees. These fees might be per share or based on the volume of shares traded.

  6. What are the benefits of an ATS?

    By offering alternative venues for trading, ATSs provide market participants with additional options for executing trades, often with different pricing structures and levels of transparency compared to traditional exchanges.

  7. Do you operate retail auctions?

    No. We are building a continuous trading venue and do not plan to operate retail auctions, batch auctions, or a speed bump.

  8. Do you operate private rooms?

    No. We do not plan to operate any private rooms or hosted pools. We believe in a fair access model and are open to all applicable participants.

  9. Who can be a member of Openpool?

    Once launched, any registered U.S. broker-dealer may become a member of Openpool, which exclusively allows registered broker-dealers as subscribers. Additionally, all firms must maintain good standing with a self-regulatory organization (SRO) and meet specific eligibility criteria to qualify as subscribers.

  10. When do you plan to launch?

    We are now targeting first half of 2026 but our launch date is flexible and a moving target.

  11. Do you offer an equity rights program?

    Yes. We offer an equity rights program similar to the exchanges.

  12. How can we learn more?

    Stay updated by subscribing to our latest news and insights updates via email or blog, and connect with us on Linkedin or Twitter. If you have any questions or interested to learn more, don’t hesitate to contact us.