Market hits back at Hong Kong plans to bar retail access to dark pools

SFC proposals to keep retail investors on the lit market come under fire

The suggestion by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) that it might limit access to alternative liquidity, or dark pools, to institutional investors only has been criticised by market participants in Hong Kong who say that a greater diversity of investors aids price discovery.

On February 27 the Hong Kong securities regulator released a consultation paper on the regulation of dark pools within Hong Kong which included the suggestion to put a block on retail participation.

Proposals from