Fragmented Order Book

Order

A fragmented order book, particularly prevalent in cryptocurrency exchanges and options markets, describes a situation where liquidity is dispersed across multiple venues or order types, rather than concentrated in a single, centralized location. This dispersion can arise from various factors, including the proliferation of decentralized exchanges (DEXs), the use of over-the-counter (OTC) desks, and the increasing sophistication of algorithmic trading strategies. Consequently, price discovery becomes more complex, and executing large orders can encounter greater slippage and impact the market more significantly.