The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is the largest stock exchange in the world and has been a cornerstone of global finance since its founding in 1792. Located on Wall Street, this iconic institution serves as a marketplace for investors to buy and sell securities such as stocks, bonds, options and derivatives. The NYSE is home to many of the world’s leading companies including Apple Inc., Microsoft Corporation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Amazon.com Inc., ExxonMobil Corp., Walmart Stores Inc., Bank of America Corp. and AT&T Inc. With over 2 trillion dollars worth of market capitalization listed on its books at any given time it's no wonder why so many people consider it one of the most important exchanges in existence today!At its core, trading on the NYSE works similarly to other markets: buyers place bids for shares they wish to purchase while sellers offer their own asking prices for those shares; when there's an agreement between buyer/seller then that trade occurs with each side having made money from that transaction depending upon which party had set their price higher than what was eventually accepted by both parties involved . Additionally , all trades are subject to certain rules set forth by regulators like FINRA or SEC (Securities Exchange Commission). These regulations ensure fair play among traders - meaning everyone has equal access regardless if they're buying or selling high-priced stocks - while also protecting investors against fraudulent activities such as insider trading .In conclusion ,the New York Stock Exchange remains one of most influential financial institutions around due not only because it provides access millions but also because offers robust regulatory oversight which helps maintain integrity within marketplace itself . This combination makes perfect sense considering how much money flows through this exchange every single day – making sure everything runs smoothly just part job description !