Infinance,third market is the trading ofexchange-listedsecurities in theover-the-counter (OTC) market. These trades allowinstitutional investors to trade blocks of securities directly, rather than through an exchange, providing liquidity and anonymity to buyers.[1]
Third market trading was pioneered in the 1960s by firms such asJefferies & Company although today there are a number of brokerage firms focused on third market trading, and more recentlydark pools.[2]