Do those who criticise Pisces actually just misunderstand it?

This summer, the government will introduce the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (Pisces), a new framework for buying and selling private company shares that some believe could revitalise the UK’s capital markets. Others, however, are not so sure. Having been involved in the development of the framework, guest author Myles Milston, CEO and co-founder of Globacap, explores what he believes are the misunderstandings at the heart of the criticisms.

In 1998, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had an idea: formally create a regulatory framework for venues allowing securities to be traded outside of the traditional stock exchange.  

And so, the alternative trading system (ATS) was born, leading to deep and liquid private markets driven by the likes of Nasdaq Private Markets and Forge. 

Fast forward 27 years, and the UK is finally following suit. With private markets now booming, thanks to improved liquidity, bolstered funding and technology-enabled efficiency, the government has plans for a private markets’ framework of its own. 

Much of the criticism levelled at Pisces can be boiled down to one thing: a lack of understanding of how platforms will work

Myles Milston, Globacap

Enter the proposed Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System, or Pisces for short.

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