If an exchange didn’t exist, how do you think a little guy could even trade? An exchange does two things: it creates a center for liquidity to congregate and provides assurance of settlement.
...and provide orderly and regulated markets. And btw, the little bloodsuckers are the ones who attract the big fish, and without big fish, there won't be any exchange.
I can help refer you with off-exchange block trades of OTC stocks. Min $100k and would expect discounts up to 20-40%.