As we all know, the oil industry today is more sophisticated
than ever, thanks to the sanctions and a complex governance,
petrodollars and many more. To leverage on all aspects, including
economic incentives, vertical integration is preferred. In general,
vertical integration is associated with gaining more market power
and oil industry is no exception to this: that is promotion of
imperfect competition in the market. Studies suggest that due to
this activity in oil industry, it is able to regulate the
performance efficiency of those small companies with excessive
profits. Typical examples are that of the companies in the
gulf.
Now let's look at the differences between exchanges and OTC.
- OTC means the Over The Counter, i.e. deals with shares,
equities and derivatives. Whereas exchange market is a platform
where the currencies are traded. Multiple currencies are traded
with each other.
- OTC is decentralized, meanig there are a lot of mediators in
the transaction, as against exchange market which is completely
centralized meaning transactions are carried out through
centralized source.
- OTC is standardized, that is there is a regulatory body which
overlooks of the consumer rights. In exchange markets there is no
specific agreement for this purpose.
- In OTC market, all the terms and conditions associated with a
transaction involves only the parties involved unlike the exchange
market, which is very transparent and the prices of currencies are
highly visible.
Hope this helps. Do hit the thumbs up. Cheers!