The PlayersThere are three different types of players in the...

The Players
There are three different types of players in the marketplace:

* Market Makers (MM) - These are the players who provide liquidity in the marketplace. This means that they are required to buy when nobody else is buying and sell when nobody else is selling. They make the market.

* Electronic Communication Networks (ECN) - Electronic communication networks are computerized order placement systems. It is important to note that anyone can trade through ECNs, even large institutional traders.

* Wholesalers (Order flow firms) - Many online brokers sell their order flow to wholesalers; these order flow firms then execute orders on behalf of online brokers (usually retail traders).

hope this helps the newbs