The online stock market has evolved from a closed system for professionals into a democratized digital ecosystem that empowers millions of retail investors. While this shift has lowered barriers to entry, it has also introduced new psychological and technical risks that modern traders must navigate. The Digital Evolution of Trading
: In the late 1990s, firms like E*Trade pioneered direct-to-consumer online brokerage, drastically reducing commissions.
: Trading moved from physical "shouting" pits to electronic systems in 1971 with the launch of NASDAQ , the world's first electronic stock exchange.