Spot trades may be conducted on exchanges that function as trade platforms where financial instruments can be bought and sold. It would be important to be familiar with some well-known exchanges, such as the American Stock Exchange or "ASE," the New York Stock Exchange or NYSE, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or CME, and many others. Traders should also be aware that not all stock exchanges offer their clients spot trading. On NYSE, for example, traders buy and sell stocks that are going to be delivered immediately. This is known as a spot market. At CME, traders exchange futures contracts.

The spot market refers to the marketplace where financial instruments, like commodities, currencies, or securities, are traded for immediate delivery. Prices in this market reflect the current market value, or spot price. In contrast to futures contracts, which are agreements to buy or sell assets at a future date, spot transactions settle within a short time frame, typically two business days.

Exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the Forex market, provide a platform for buyers and sellers to trade these assets. While some spot markets operate through centralized exchanges, others, like forex, are decentralized, operating over-the-counter (OTC) via electronic networks. Spot markets are known for their liquidity and transparency, making them essential for short-term traders and investors.