GREENWICH, Conn. — Interactive Brokers (Nasdaq: IBKR), a prominent automated global broker, has announced a significant expansion of its offerings, launching direct access to equities listed on the Korea Exchange (KRX). This move positions Interactive Brokers as the first major US-based broker to provide seamless trading capabilities in Korea’s substantial $1.8 trillion equity market, marking a new frontier for global investors seeking diversified portfolio exposure.
The Korean equity market holds considerable weight on the global stage, ranking fourth among Asia’s equity markets and tenth globally by market capitalization. It boasts a robust daily trading volume exceeding $10 billion, a liquidity level comparable to many established European exchanges. This dynamic market is a hub for leading global innovators, including category-defining semiconductor manufacturers like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, and automotive pioneers such as Hyundai Motor, alongside numerous other consumer technology companies with extensive international footprints.
For international investors, Korea represents a critical entry point to gain exposure to Asia’s technological leadership and industrial innovation. The launch by Interactive Brokers is designed to integrate this vital market into the broader global investment landscape, enabling clients to build truly global portfolios with the same unified trading experience they expect across all asset classes and regions.
Seamless Access and Advanced Trading Features
Interactive Brokers’ new offering provides eligible clients worldwide with immediate and efficient access to Korean equities. Key features include same-day account enablement, real-time execution, and transparent institutional-grade pricing. Clients can now trade Korean equities and derivatives alongside an extensive array of over 170 global markets, encompassing stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds, all from a single, integrated platform.
David Friedland, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Interactive Brokers, underscored the strategic importance of this expansion. “Korea is one of Asia’s most dynamic equity markets, and access to the KRX enables our clients to more comprehensively manage their Asian exposure,” Friedland stated. He further added, “This launch is a natural extension of our mission to continually expand market access, ensuring our clients can seize investment opportunities wherever they exist. This market has long deserved a place in truly diversified portfolios, and Korean equities can now be traded with the same ease and efficiency as other markets on our platform.”
Comprehensive Support for Global Investors
The access to Korean equities through Interactive Brokers is comprehensive, covering more than 1,800 listed securities. The platform supports multi-currency transactions, with highly competitive FX conversion commissions as low as 0.20 basis points, or 0.0020% of the trade value. Furthermore, it offers integrated portfolio margining across global holdings where applicable, providing a holistic view and management of diversified portfolios. For advanced traders and institutions, API access is also available, facilitating sophisticated algorithmic trading strategies.
Existing Interactive Brokers clients can swiftly begin trading Korean equities by enabling KRX market data and trading permissions directly within their Client Portal. New clients are able to open accounts online, with the majority of approvals typically completed within one business day, streamlining the onboarding process significantly.
The service is available to clients in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia, among other countries served by IB LLC. However, it is important to note that access to equities on the Korea Exchange through Interactive Brokers is not available to residents of Korea, clients of Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc., or clients of Interactive Brokers India Pvt. Ltd.
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., a member of the S&P 500, has built its reputation over four decades with a strong focus on technology and automation. Its affiliates provide automated trade execution and custody services across a vast array of global markets and asset classes, serving a diverse client base that includes individual investors, hedge funds, proprietary trading groups, financial advisors, and introducing brokers. The company consistently receives industry accolades for its sophisticated platform, advantageous execution prices, and comprehensive suite of trading, risk, and portfolio management tools.
This strategic expansion into the Korean market reinforces Interactive Brokers’ commitment to providing unparalleled global market access, empowering investors to capitalize on opportunities in one of Asia’s most innovative and liquid economies. By removing traditional barriers, the broker is enabling a new level of diversification and efficiency for investors worldwide.
