Australian share trading is no longer confined to the bright lights of the ASX order book. A significant portion of institutional share trades now takes place in ‘dark pools’—private trading venues that match buyers and sellers away from the public gaze. But what exactly are dark pools, why do they exist, and what do the latest 2025 regulations mean for investors and market transparency?

What Are Dark Pools—and Why Do They Matter?

Dark pools are private exchanges or forums for trading securities, allowing investors—typically large institutions like super funds or investment banks—to buy and sell large parcels of shares without broadcasting their intentions to the wider market. Unlike the public ASX, where orders are visible and prices are transparent, dark pool trades are only revealed after the fact.

Purpose: Minimise market impact from large trades (i.e., avoid moving the price against themselves).
Users: Institutional investors, fund managers, and, increasingly, algorithmic trading firms.
Scale: In 2024, nearly 20% of ASX trading volume was estimated to occur in dark pools, according to ASIC data.

For instance, if an industry super fund wants to offload $100 million in BHP shares, placing the order on the open market could push prices down before the trade is complete. In a dark pool, the transaction is matched privately, reducing this risk.

How Do Dark Pools Operate in Australia?

Australia’s equity market structure is among the most sophisticated globally, with both lit (public) exchanges and dark (private) pools operating under strict regulation. Major banks and brokers operate their own dark pools, such as UBS PIN or ASX Centre Point. Trades are often matched at the midpoint of the prevailing ASX bid and ask price, aiming to deliver ‘best execution’ for clients.

Key features:

Price Discovery: Dark pools reference public market prices but do not contribute to price discovery themselves.
Anonymity: Counterparties are typically anonymous, reducing information leakage.
Types: Broker-crossing systems, exchange-operated dark pools, and independent crossing networks.

ASIC has long monitored dark pool activity, requiring operators to meet transparency and reporting standards. In 2025, new rules came into effect tightening post-trade reporting timelines and boosting surveillance, aiming to curb potential abuses such as ‘predatory trading’ or unfair price advantages.

Pros, Cons, and the 2025 Regulatory Crackdown

Dark pools have sparked vigorous debate in Australia’s financial community. Supporters argue they improve liquidity and allow for efficient, low-cost execution on big trades. Critics warn they may undermine market transparency and create a two-tier market.

Benefits:

Reduced market impact for large trades
Lower trading costs for institutions
Potentially better prices for big orders

Risks and Concerns:

Reduced transparency for retail investors and smaller traders
Potential for price manipulation or information asymmetry
Fragmented liquidity, making it harder to gauge true market sentiment

2025 Policy Update: ASIC’s latest reforms, effective January 2025, include:

Mandatory near-real-time reporting of all dark pool trades
Stricter oversight of crossing systems and algorithmic trading in dark pools
New disclosure requirements for institutional participants

This push aims to strike a balance: preserving the benefits of dark pools for big trades, while ensuring a level playing field and robust market integrity for all participants.

What Should Investors Know?

For most retail investors, dark pools might seem remote, but their impact is real. They help shape share prices, trading volumes, and the overall efficiency of Australia’s sharemarket. As the regulatory landscape evolves in 2025, transparency is set to improve, but vigilance remains essential—especially for those investing via managed funds or ETFs, where dark pool execution may affect outcomes.

Smart investors should:

Understand how their broker or fund manager executes trades
Keep an eye on ASIC’s ongoing market structure reviews
Watch for changes in bid/ask spreads and trading volumes, which may signal shifting liquidity patterns