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Over-the-Counter (OTC)

A decentralized market where securities are traded directly between parties without a central exchange or broker. OTC markets allow for more flexible trading conditions and tailored contracts compared to standardized exchange-traded products. Since there’s less regulation and transparency in OTC transactions, they are generally considered to be higher risk.

Example: OTC trading includes transactions in corporate bonds, where buyers and sellers negotiate directly rather than through an exchange.

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