Regional Stock Exchange Definition

By Akhilesh Ganti
Updated October 02, 2022
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What Is a Regional Stock Exchange?

A regional stock exchange is a stock exchange that is located in a region outside that country's primary financial center. Often, companies that cannot meet the strict listing requirements of a national exchange may qualify for a listing on a regional exchange, though a company that qualifies to be on a national exchange may also register for a listing on one or more regional exchanges.

Key Takeaways

  • A regional stock exchange is a stock exchange not located in that country's primary financial center, and where regional companies are listed.
  • Often, companies that cannot meet the strict listing requirements of a national exchange may qualify for a listing on a regional exchange.
  • Regional stock exchanges add to overall market liquidity and increase the efficiency of financial markets.

Understanding Regional Stock Exchanges

In the United States, a regional stock exchange is one that exists outside of New York City, which is seen as the nation’s financial center and home to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). 

Regional stock exchanges trade in over-the-counter (OTC) and localized companies, which are too small to register on a national exchange. By increasing participation in markets, regional stock exchanges add to overall market liquidity and increase the efficiency of financial markets. There are seven regional exchanges in the U.S. that are registered with the SEC.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was formed as part of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In 1934, major regional stock exchanges existed across the United States, including the Boston Exchange, Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Chicago Exchange, and Pacific Stock Exchange (originally the San Francisco Stock Exchange and Los Angeles Oil Exchange before the 1957 merger). Each of these clearinghouses had a distinct focus. By January 1935, there were a total of 34 stock exchanges.

These four major regional exchanges each had a specific market that they focused on. They were:

  • Boston: Primary focus is on mutual funds.
  • Chicago: Trades regionally listed stocks, and stocks from other exchanges, including the NYSE, AMEX, and NASDAQ, to service the needs of its regional financial institutions.
  • Pacific: Known for servicing the options market.
  • Philadelphia: Primary focus on providing a market for derivatives and options from various sectors (metals, oil, semiconductors, banks, utilities, and currency).

The NASDAQ acquired the Philadelphia and Boston exchanges, while the NYSE procured the Pacific Exchange, ending their time as independent entities. In 2018, the NYSE's parent company reached an agreement to purchase the Chicago Exchange.

These are the exchanges currently registered with the SEC:

  • BOX Exchange LLC
  • Cboe BYX Exchange, Inc.
  • Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.
  • Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc.
  • Cboe EDGA Exchange, Inc.
  • Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc.
  • Cboe Exchange, Inc.
  • Investors Exchange LLC
  • Long-Term Stock Exchange, Inc.
  • MEMX, LLC
  • Miami International Securities Exchange
  • MIAX Emerald, LLC
  • MIAX PEARL, LLC
  • Nasdaq BX, Inc.
  • Nasdaq GEMX, LLC
  • Nasdaq ISE, LLC
  • Nasdaq MRX, LLC
  • Nasdaq PHLX LLC
  • The Nasdaq Stock Market
  • New York Stock Exchange LLC
  • NYSE Arca, Inc.
  • NYSE Chicago, Inc.
  • NYSE American LLC
  • NYSE National, Inc.

Regional Stock Exchanges Overseas

Similar to the United States, other nations also have national exchanges. The London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) are examples of foreign national exchanges. These countries may also have regional stock exchanges. For example, the U.K. has The International Stock Exchange on the Channel Islands and the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange, which covers British territories in the Caribbean.

Regional stock exchanges abroad may also function as the primary exchange for a group of closely situated countries. For example, the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières SA (BRVM) is a regional stock exchange that serves Côte D'Ivoire, Senegal, Niger, and five other West African countries.

What Are the Major Stock Exchanges?

The major stock exchanges in the U.S. are the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. There are many other stock exchanges, which include the Boston Stock Exchange, the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), the Chicago Stock Exchange, and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.

What Is the Biggest Stock Market in the World?

The largest stock exchange in the world by market cap is the New York Stock Exchange with a market cap of over $24.6 trillion as of July 2022. The largest after that in order are Nasdaq, the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and Euronext.

How Many Stock Exchanges Are There in India?

There are currently seven stock exchanges in India. A total of 28 stock exchanges have exited the Indian market.

Article Sources
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  1. Nasdaq. "Regional Stock Exchanges."

  2. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. "Securities Exchange Act of 1934," Page 5.

  3. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "News Digest, December 31, 1956," Pages 3-4.

  4. Securities and Exchange Commission Historical Society. "Report on the Government of Securities Exchanges," Pages 2, 6-7.

  5. Joseph Gregory Martin. "Seventy-three Years' History of the Boston Stock Market, from January 1, 1798 to January 1, 1871," Self-Published, 1871.

  6. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "Report of the Advisory Committee On Market Information: A Blueprint For Responsible Change."

  7. The New York Times. "Market Owner Agrees to Buy Pacific Exchange."

  8. Nasdaq. "NASDAQ OMX Group to Complete Acquisition of The Philadelphia Stock Exchange."

  9. Nasdaq. "NASDAQ OMX Group Completes Acquisition of the Boston Stock Exchange."

  10. Intercontinental Exchange. "Intercontinental Exchange Agrees to Acquire Chicago Stock Exchange."

  11. NYSE. "The History of NYSE."

  12. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "National Securities Exchanges."

  13. Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange. "FAQ’s," Select "What is the ECSE?"

  14. The International Stock Exchange Group Limited. "About TISE."

  15. Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières. "Background."

  16. Statista. "Largest Stock Exchange Operators Worldwide as of July 2022, by Market Capitalization of Listed Companies."

  17. Securities and Exchange Board of India. "Details of Stock Exchanges."

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