What is the OTC Link® ATS?

OTC Link Going Public Attorneys

OTC Link LLC (OTC Link) is owned by OTC Markets Group Inc.  OTC Link is an electronic inter-dealer quotation system that displays quotes from broker-dealers for many over-the-counter (OTC) securities.  OTC Link is registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer and as an alternative trading system, and is a member of FINRA. 

Most of the issuers quoted by the OTC Link are unable to meet the minimum listing requirements for trading on a national securities exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ).  OTC Link® ATS is an Alternative Trading System for broker-dealer subscribers to provide investors with an electronic trading experience nearly identical to that of trading a security on a national stock exchange like NYSE or NASDAQ.  OTC Link® ATS directly links a network of U.S. broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services for domestic and international securities.

“Market makers” and other broker-dealers who buy and sell OTC securities can use the OTC Markets OTC Link to publish their bid and ask quotation prices.  OTC Link is registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer and as an alternative trading system, and is a member of FINRA.

OTC Link does not require companies whose securities are quoted on its systems to meet any listing requirements.  With the exception of some foreign issuers, the companies quoted on OTC Link tend to be closely held, extremely small and/or thinly traded.

Some companies quoted by the OTC link are not SEC reporting issuers and they do not file periodic reports or audited financial statements with the SEC even though they may file reports that are available to the general public through the OTC Markets website.  Some broker-dealers are required by Rule 15c2-11 under the 1934 Act to have specific information about the issuer.

To  speak with an OTC Markets lawyer please contact Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney at 101 Plaza Real S, Suite 202 N, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 416-8956, or by email at [email protected].  This securities law blog post is provided as a general informational service to clients and friends of Hamilton & Associates Law Group and should not be construed as, and does not constitute legal advice on any specific matter, nor does this message create an attorney-client relationship.  Please note that the prior results discussed herein do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Hamilton & Associates | Securities Attorneys
Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney
101 Plaza Real South, Suite 202 North
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Telephone: (561) 416-8956
Facsimile: (561) 416-2855
www.SecuritiesLawyer101.com