The concept of stock trading has grown leaps and bounds over the last few decades. Let’s take a trip back to the 17th century. At this point, the idea of ‘trading’ merely existed between merchants and although we saw the birth of stock exchanges which formalised processes, it wasn’t until the 20th century that tech-led trading was implemented.
Fast forward to today, the rise of fintechs and neo-brokers has democratised investing by making it more accessible and affordable for retail investors of all ages and demographics.
This evolution has resulted in rapid innovation to bring more people greater access to a wider range of investment options and has empowered individuals to take control of their financial futures.
From merchants to tech-led trading
Until recently, investing was often seen as the domain of the wealthy or well-connected. Many alternative asset classes, such as private equity or venture capital, were only available to institutional investors or high-net-worth individuals.
This left many retail investors without access to these potentially lucrative opportunities, limiting their investment options and the potential for portfolio diversification.
Fintechs and neo-brokers have changed the game. By leveraging technology and modernising the investment landscape, they have made investing more accessible and user-friendly than ever before.
At the click of a button, fintechs and neo-brokers are helping retail investors reach the top shelf by enabling them access to a range of asset classes, including those that were previously out of reach.
The changing landscape of younger customers is another key factor driving the accessibility of investing. A FINRA study for a sample of US investors in 2020 revealed that almost two-thirds of new investors were under 45.
Democratising investing for all ages
With the rise of Millennials and Gen Z, the investment industry is facing a new generation of customers who have grown up in a digital world. These customers are more tech-savvy than their predecessors and are more likely to use digital tools to manage their finances.
One of the key benefits of these new investment platforms is that they have made investing more affordable. Many traditional investment options, such as managed funds or financial advisors, tend to come with high fees that eat into investors’ returns.
Fintechs and neo-brokers have disrupted this model by offering low-cost and sometimes even commission-free investing options. This makes investing accessible to a wider audience and puts retail investors in control of their investment strategy.
Of course, it’s important to note that investing always comes with risks. However, by providing access to a diverse range of assets, fintechs and neo-brokers are giving retail investors the opportunity to make informed decisions about their investments and build well-diversified portfolios. With the right tools and resources, investing can be a powerful tool for achieving financial goals and building long-term wealth.
Over time, self-direct trading has gained prevalence over-relying on a financial professional. Online trading, followed by mobile apps, is the most common method for placing trades, according to a study by the National Financial Capability Study (NFCS) in the US.
Younger and newer investors are much more likely to use a mobile app for placing trades than older respondents or more experienced investors.
When making investment decisions, investors most often rely on research and tools provided by brokerage firms, business and finance articles, financial professionals, and friends, family, or colleagues.
Among younger investors, a majority (60 percent) use social media as a source of investment information, compared to 35 percent of those ages 35 to 54, and only 8 percent of those 55 and older.
To meet the changing demands of customers, a range of tools and services have emerged in the market that are easier to use and lower in cost.
These platforms allow customers to invest in a range of products, including stocks, precious metals, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and cryptocurrencies.
Many of these platforms are reducing barriers to entry by offering features such as fractional investing, which allows customers to buy a part of the whole shares at amounts as low as US$1. Fractional investing is an example of how Fintechs are making investing more accessible to a wider range of people.
Role of fintech innovations
In the past, buying a single share of stock could be prohibitively expensive for some investors and a basket of five regularly could easily run into a few thousand each month.
However, fractional investments allow them to diversify to a basket of five stocks at US$1 a piece, costing less than your daily coffee, making investing more accessible to a wider range of customers, including those who may not have considered investing in the past.
In addition to fractional investing and transparent fees, Fintechs are able to level up by offering users access to research tools and educational resources to support enhancing their financial literacy.
Similarly, many users are seen moving towards using ETFs to get access to sectors and themes where stock picking is not that straightforward. This has given a tremendous rise to the global Assets under management for ETFs from US$5 Trillion in 2018 to US$10 Trillion in 2022. Players who offer ETFs on a fractional basis are further reducing the barriers to access.
Overall, the increasing accessibility of investing is a positive development that is empowering retail investors to take control of their finances and build long-term wealth. Fintechs and neo-brokers are leading the charge in this shift, providing easy-to-use digital tools, transparent fees, and educational resources.
With the rise of a younger, tech-savvy generation, it is likely that this trend towards accessibility will only continue to grow as demand increases. As more people realise the benefits of investing, and more platforms emerge to cater to their needs, the investing landscape will continue to evolve, making it easier for anyone to participate in the financial markets.
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