Bursa Malaysia, the country's exchange, has introduced an API Gateway to facilitate the onboarding process for retail investors. This innovative solution aims to increase efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and promote greater market participation.

The API Gateway has already garnered support from five prominent brokers, including AmInvestment Bank Berhad, FSMOne, Hong Leong Investment Bank, Malacca Securities, and Moomoo Securities Malaysia. By streamlining the investor's onboarding journey, this gateway enables quick trading, updates, and reactivation of accounts, providing a seamless experience for retail investors.

Bursa Malaysia's efforts to promote growth and participation from retail investors, especially the younger generation, are yielding positive results. As of Q1 2024, local retail investor participation in the securities market stood at 22%, while participation in the derivatives market stood at 17% for FKLI and 25% for FCPO, respectively.

The launch of the API Gateway marks a significant step towards enhancing the onboarding process for retail investors, reflecting the exchange's commitment to customer-centricity and technological advancement. With increasing retail investor participation and new tools like Trading Reminders, the Malaysian equities market is poised for greater efficiency and growth.

This development is part of a broader trend, with Webull recently launching its discount brokerage in Malaysia, providing access to trade Bursa Securities and Bursa Derivatives alongside US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) via the Webull Malaysia app. The broker secured a Capital Markets Services License for Dealing in Securities and Dealing in Derivatives from the Securities Commission Malaysia last month.

Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad has also introduced Trading Reminders, a new tool highlighting listed companies that exhibit unusual trading activity. This is part of the exchange operator's enhanced investor protection measures aimed at fostering an efficient and vibrant trading environment.

In conclusion, the launch of the API Gateway by Bursa Malaysia marks a significant milestone in enhancing the onboarding process for retail investors, reflecting the exchange's commitment to customer-centricity and technological advancement. With increasing retail investor participation and new tools like Trading Reminders, the Malaysian equities market is poised for greater efficiency and growth.