Saxo Capital empowers investors with multiasset online trading globally

Online trading is increasingly becoming the standard channel through which investments are made. Year on year, online brokerages have seen sustained growth, amid surging equity volume. Daily average trades at the start of the year among some American online firms rose up to 18 per cent from the previous year, while some of Asia's largest online brokerages posted record trading.

With the growing affluence in Asia-Pacific, compounded with the number of high-net-worth individuals and travellers coming into the region, traders have become more discerning, increasing preference to trade independently and cautious of the credibility and trust placed in financial institutions.

"Online trading levels the playing field for the smallest to the biggest investors wanting to trade global products in global markets without having to open accounts in various countries," says Kazuaki Takabatake, Saxo Capital Markets Asia-Pacific CEO. "We empower our clients to make the trading decisions and actually trade by themselves."

Parent company Saxo Bank began laying its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region in 2006 after the investment specialist secured its capital markets services licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. It also holds a commodity broker licence from International Enterprise Singapore. Saxo Capital Markets Asia-Pacific also functions as the Copenhagen-based bank's regional headquarters, supporting its Hong Kong, Tokyo and Sydney operations, and individual clients who reside within these time zones.

"We have strict risk management policies that are in line with Singapore's regulations, which add assurance to our clients," Takabatake says. "They can count on our constant development, innovation and risk management efforts, especially as we broaden our footprint."

Amid the ever-increasing importance of security and trading transparency, Saxo Capital Markets leverages its status as the only online trading and investment provider based in Denmark, which ranked as the cleanest country in Transparency International's 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index. Its retail clients gain seamless desktop-web-mobile access to more than 14,500 stocks from 29 exchanges, 160 spot foreign exchange crosses and options, including gold and silver, and 8,300 contracts for differences.

For experienced margin or professional investors, Saxo Capital Markets also provides futures trading and other asset classes, portfolio and risk management solutions. Other products available for trade through its platform are exchange-traded funds, exchange-traded commodities and bonds.

It offers its award-winning White Label solution to institutions that want to provide an easy-to-implement, multiasset online platform for trading and investment without the prohibitive development costs. The operation, post-trade processing, online risk management and back-end system are handled by Saxo Bank, enabling customers to focus on client service and acquisition.

"Being among the very select few in the world to provide multiasset classes from a single account differentiates Saxo Capital Markets," Takabatake says. "This capability has driven our success - and the success of our broad client base."

Saxo Capital Markets has customised its platforms to suit different traders - from its core and proprietary SaxoTrader, to the dynamic and robust SaxoWebTrader and various SaxoMobileTrader interfaces, including bespoke iPhone, iPad and Android trading apps for the demanding investor on the go. All platforms are available in more than 20 languages, and are fully integrated under one account and available in multiple currencies. Reflecting Saxo Bank's emphasis on innovation, information technology, security and risk management, its platforms and solutions are developed in-house.

The opening of an information office in Shanghai is aimed at generating awareness of Saxo Bank and Saxo Capital Markets in China. The office is also leading the Chinese translation of Saxo Bank's Tradingfloor.com financial portal where Chinese investors can find free trading tools, news and opinions.

"China faces endless possibilities as the markets open up and become more regulated - and Saxo will be there when the floodgates open," Takabatake says. "We envision Saxo Capital Markets strengthening its brand and becoming the No 1 online trading provider across Asia-Pacific in the coming years."

Saxo Capital Markets
Website: www.saxomarkets.com.sg