Quote from Angrycat:
Thank you. A voice of reason.
No liquidity provider is obligated to blow up his firm and his investors to provide bids for you shmoes to hit.
The reason you all need liquidity providers is because the SEC has imposed so many rules, the liquidity has been sucked out of the market. Over the past couple of years, the SEC has been sticking it to market makers - making it virtually impossible to hedge positions in some cases. So, if the market gets violent, the bids are pulled.
In fact, more than a few market makers DID blow up today. Are any of you going to thank them for providing a bid for you to hit by paying their mortgage? As a matter of fact, you too can provide liquidity. Any of you can make a two sided market any time you want.
Never mind the black boxes. Where were YOUR quotes? Didn't want to take the risk? Then why should anyone else?