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Indeed, this is the first time I heard such a thing is even possible. When buying stock I got the impression I would own that part of the company and never read that I may not be able to sell that property if the company in question so wishes. I thought it was a relatively liquid investment but apparently not necessarily so?

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Shares are often halted for major news. I think it’s meant to protect sellers from situation where many sell with a market order and the price goes near 0. This would result in a wealth transfer from more naive “Main Street” traders to “Wall Street” market makers. Although if the market makers are effective enough, you wouldn’t need the halt at all.

Do people even hold the physical stock titles anymore? There is nothing preventing someone from selling a physical title. Its why I'm weary of a cashless society.

Stocks are not bearer instruments.

Anyway, you are going to sell your paper certificates in the few hours trading is halted? To whom? Your next for neighbor? Someone on the sidewalk?

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