market maker
A trader who buys and sells securities to provide liquidity and narrow price spreads.
A market maker is a firm or individual that stands ready to buy and sell a security, like a stock or cryptocurrency, at any time during trading hours. They profit from the difference between what they pay (the bid price) and what they charge (the ask price)—this gap is called the spread.
Market makers exist because they solve a practical problem: without them, buyers and sellers would struggle to find each other quickly, and prices could swing wildly between trades. By constantly offering to trade, market makers provide liquidity, making markets more stable and efficient. When you see a market maker mentioned in news, it usually signals that a security or asset has enough trading activity to attract professional participants, or that regulators are concerned about fair pricing.
Written once as a plain-English reference, not as advice. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy or sell anything.