Not boring ... it's a fascinating topic ... involving questions...

Not boring ... it's a fascinating topic ... involving questions of fairness and transparency
So you were absolutely right to raise it

As I see it ... maybe too simplistically ... there are :-

1. The originally registered holders who have relinquished their right to trade, during the loan period
2. There are the borrowers who have a right to trade until covering and ending their right to trade

So I don't see any increase in the numbers of shares available to trade.

Being a simple soul, with only one brain, or perhaps half a brain, that's how I see it

I am sure the system could be made a lot more transparent, with real time computer
recording of names of parties and their trading right changes, plus immediate public access.

Currently we have secrecy with delays resulting in smoke and mirrors.
What is wrong with full real time disclosure?