What is stock exchange and its functions?

#1
A stock market is a place where investors can buy and sell financial instruments like stocks, bonds, etc. Many intermediaries in the stock market facilitate trade like stock exchanges, depository participants, custodians, brokers, banks, etc.

A stock exchange is a platform that allows investors to trade securities at the market price. There are two major stock exchanges in India – the National Stock Exchange or NSE and the Bombay Stock Exchange or BSE.

A stock exchange performs the following functions:

• It determines the market price of securities based on their demand and supply.

• You can only trade in stocks that are listed on a stock exchange. The listing happens after the exchange verifies various aspects of the company. This helps make dealing in stocks secure.

• It regulates new share issues, initiates better trading practices, and spreads awareness about stock investing among people.

• It provides a ready market for buying or selling securities. This assures investors that they can convert their shares into cash whenever they want.

• Stock exchanges allow healthy speculation to ensure liquidity and offer opportunities to investors to benefit from fluctuating stock prices.

• A stock exchange is an indicator of the economic conditions of a country.

• It ensures that listed companies submit their balance sheet and annual report to control the trading environment and protect the investors.
 
#2
Great tips which help understand what the stock market is all about. However, stock exchange is not responsible for the control of the operations. It is a sphere of officials like SEC and so on.
 
#3
All actions are the sole responsibility of the investor.
This should be understood from day one.
Otherwise you won't get anywhere.