An ECN (Electronic Communication Network) broker is a type of brokerage firm that provides traders with direct access to the interbank market, where liquidity providers, such as banks and financial institutions, trade with each other. Unlike traditional brokers, ECN brokers do not take the opposite side of their clients' trades, but instead pass them on to liquidity providers, ensuring that orders are executed without any conflict of interest. This allows traders to access deep liquidity and benefit from tight spreads, as well as the ability to trade with other traders on the network. ECN brokers also offer transparency and anonymity, allowing traders to see real-time market data and execute trades without revealing their identity.