The Evolution of Financial Markets: Analyzing Structural Transformations from Traditional Exchanges to Digital Platforms
The global financial system has undergone profound transformations over the past century, evolving from fragmented, physically localized trading floors into vast, interconnected digital ecosystems. This evolution reflects not merely technological progress but also shifts in economic theory, regulatory frameworks, and investor behavior. The structural transformation of financial markets is driven by globalization, technological innovation, and the democratization of finance , each reshaping the way capital flows, information circulates, and risks are managed. Today, digital platforms dominate the financial landscape, symbolizing a new era in which the traditional paradigms of market participation, efficiency, and regulation are being redefined. Historically, financial markets were built on the principle of physical exchange. The origins of modern trading can be traced back to the 17th century with the establishment of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange in 1602, where shares of the Dutch E...