PFOF is going away, but the problem isn’t

Ahead of upcoming MiFID rules that ban PFOF, some firms are introducing new structures that directly link single market-maker venues with affiliated brokers. These structures offer even less competition for retail order flow than their predecessors.

In an apparent win for small investors, new MiFID rules that ban payment for order flow (PFOF) take effect across Europe from 2026. This practice – where market makers pay brokers for the privilege of trading against retail order flow – has been criticized for nurturing conflicts of interest, undermining best execution and reducing market transparency. Regulators are clamping down in the hope that eliminating PFOF ensures fairer markets and better outcomes for small investors.

However, what seems like a step forward may, in reality, be a step sideways – or even backward. Ahead of the ban, some German firms are pioneering new, tightly-integrated structures that directly link single market-maker venues with affiliated brokers. These setups are even more closed off than their predecessors, raising concerns they could exacerbate, rather than eliminate, the very risks regulators are targeting.

Here are some practices we have recently observed in the market:

• A retail broker that claims to have over 1 million subscribers has partnered with a regional German stock exchange to launch a new retail-focused exchange, which it now offers as an additional execution venue.
  [1]
  This alternative exchange currently has two market makers: one affiliated with the broker and an independent market maker.
• The most prominent single market maker venue is launching a broker, which should help the firm to capture more captive retail order flow. According to the broker’s website, orders are placed “exclusively” on the affiliated single market-maker venue.

We first raised 

A slightly different scenario exists where brokers offer their customers a choice of where they’d like their order executed. In brokers’ marketing or client-facing interface, preference is given to one particular venue, usually one that operates a single market maker model.

Finally, practices also exist where a third party covers clearing or custody fees when brokers route their orders to them. This is in effect a cost discount or bundled service that incentivises brokers to send client orders to specific institutions for execution.

While the upcoming PFOF ban was intended to curb the practice in Germany , it won’t capture scenarios where retail orders are sent to markets where affiliated liquidity providers get preferential treatment, or in some cases have exclusive access to order flow. Various regulators including the Dutch 

Now, with the PFOF ban looming, single market-maker venues are tightening their relationships with affiliated brokers. These new structures offer even less competition for retail order flow than their predecessors. This is because the affiliated market-makers no longer even have to pay for retail order flow, but may still get to execute it on highly preferential or exclusive terms.

Better outcomes for affiliated market makers – but potentially worse outcomes for retail investors. Is this really what regulators had in mind?

To discuss this paper – or any other market structure topic – reach out to the Optiver Corporate Strategy team at 

Optiver V.O.F. (‘Optiver’) is a market maker licensed by the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets to engage in the investment activity of dealing on own account. This communication and all information contained herein, including any attachments, are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual addressee(s) or, on a need to know basis, their employees and directly appointed agents. This document is for informational purposes only. It is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and must not be relied upon when making any investment decisions. This document has been provided to you without charge for your convenience only. All information contained in this material is factual information and does not reflect any opinion or judgement of Optiver. This document does not take into account the investment objectives or financial situation of any particular third-party. All investments involve risk and no portion of this document should be interpreted as legal, financial, tax, or accounting advice, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation to buy or sell any future, option, swap, or other derivative or financial instrument. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided herein. Optiver does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of any information or opinions in this document. Any trading activity conducted with Optiver shall at all times be subject to the current Optiver Terms of Business. Please contact your Optiver representative for a copy of the latest version of these terms of business.