Abstract: Systems and methods of selling employee stock options (ESOs) and other compensation instruments. The method may comprise receiving a sale order for the employee stock options from a seller. The method may also comprise the step of determining a winning bidder based on bids submitted by at least two bidders that specify a price for the employee stock options. The method may further comprise suspending the auction until there are qualifying bids from at least two bidders. The method may also comprise transferring a derivative in place of the employee stock options to the winning bidder, wherein the derivative entities the holder thereof to buy a quantity of securities of an issuer at the price.

Abstract: Systems and methods of selling employee stock options (ESOs) and other compensation instruments. The method may comprise the steps of receiving a sale order for the employee stock options from a seller, where the sale order indicates the price of the employee stock options to be sold and the number of employee stock options to be sold. The method may also comprise the step of determining a winning bidder, from the at least two bidders, of an auction for the employee stock options based on bids submitted by the at least two bidders that specify a price for the employee stock options. The method may further comprise suspending the auction until there are qualifying bids from at least two bidders. The method may also comprise transferring a derivative in place of the employee stock options to the winning bidder, wherein the derivative entitles the holder thereof to buy a quantity of securities of an issuer at the price.