Today, New York-based bitcoin exchange itBit announced that it had launched its Global OTC Agency Trading Desk. This agency offers over-the-counter trades between large investors and is targeted toward clients who are interested in transactions over 100 bitcoin. This service is similar to brokerage services offered by Binary Financial or Barry Silbert's Genesis Trading.

By using an OTC trading desk like the one introduced by itBit, large investors can make trades directly with other traders, without using an exchange. Many institutional investors prefer this because it allows them to execute trades without affecting the exchange order books or market prices.