How is trading a stock "skimming money from your retirement account." You choose to put your retirement money in the market, that doesn't imply others shouldn't be able to trade in that market for other reasons. Not sure what you mean by "legitimate business settles daily" -- are you suggesting stocks should trade only once a day? (They already do settle as opposed to trade daily, not instantly, but I know that's not what you meant.) If you want a lower liquidity asset that's not volume traded for whatever reason, you're welcome to buy bonds, preferred, etc.