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KUALA LUMPUR, 8 April 2020: At a time when the stock markets are being impacted by the global Covid-19 crisis, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd (Rakuten Trade) continues to meet the needs of investors.

Rakuten Trade, the country’s first and only fully digital equities broker, reported a surge in account openings during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. More than 11,000 new accounts were activated (+100% month-on-month); of which more than 64% were during the first phase of the MCO period alone.

Mr Kaoru Arai, Managing Director, Rakuten Trade, said, “We attribute the high volume of appeal to many now working from home and other brokers still requiring some form of face-to-face contact. In view of this, we see many investors opting for a 'zero contact' equities trading platform like Rakuten Trade. The easy to use, non-face-to-face trading platform, and seamless account activation process that comes with using a digital platform like ours have become key benefits to enabling investors to trade in equities. Seamless, real-time trading coupled with affordability and greater control are an attractive package.”

In tandem with the surge in account activations, Rakuten Trade also recorded a 20% increase in trading value in March 2020, month-on-month.

“Increased market participation bodes well for the equities market as it will contribute towards market liquidity and resilience. Investors see the current equities market climate as an opportunity to “bottom fish” in fundamentally strong small to mid-cap stocks that have dropped in price but will eventually rise again. They are in for the long run and understand the importance of holding these investments in the current climate," said Mr Arai.

Expanding its digital services to cater to more experienced traders, Rakuten Trade recently launched its third product – RakuMargin. RakuMargin offers an automated facility limit approval of up to RM100,000 and carries the same low brokerage fees as its Cash Upfront and Contra Accounts.

More recently, Rakuten Trade launched HIVE, an effort to generate investment and trading ideas for clients from KIBB and Rakuten Trade’s Research and algorithm teams. Using Telegram, HIVE provides avid investors with consensus trading signals, stock picks, counter performance and where applicable "Take Profit" suggestions.

Rakuten Trade will continue to introduce new innovative products and services to its platform. As at 31 March 2020, it generated close to RM11 billion in trading value on Bursa Malaysia and activated almost 70,000 trading accounts in less than three years, further testament to Rakuten Trade’s appeal factor in attracting a new generation of investors who are inclined to trading completely online.

*We achieved 70,000 account opening on 6th April 2020

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 March 2020: Following on the heels of the company’s Cash Upfront and Contra Trading accounts, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd (“Rakuten Trade”) announced the launch of its third product in three years.

 Calling it the industry’s most innovative third-party margin financing platform to-date, Rakuten Trade’s RakuMargin (楽マージン) product offers several first-in-market features. A 3^rd party margin trading platform, RakuMargin is powered by Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad.

 New to Market! Completely online sign up process

• New to Market! Automated facility limit approval of up to RM100,000
• New to Market! Digital signature capabilities to accept the margin facility
• Rakuten Trade’s signature low brokerage fees ranging from RM 7 to RM100
• 8% annual interest on outstanding balance with a rollover fee of 0.5%
• 1.75% annual interest on available cash balance

 Mr Kaoru Arai, Managing Director of Rakuten Trade, said, “We are excited to begin our RakuMargin services especially as this is the first time the product carries our brand name. Raku means easy and together it describes how easy it is to trade using the product. We developed RakuMargin based on client feedback with the aim to digitalize current industry offerings and disrupt the online equities trading arena. 

 “As a fully digital platform, we must be nimble and flexible in the products introduced in order to pique the interest of potential traders. With a constantly evolving market landscape, our clients expect from us innovation and convenience, combined with an affordable and seamless trading experience. Driven by this, Rakuten Trade is once again raising the bar with our new RakuMargin trading platform,” added Mr Arai.

 To celebrate the RakuMargin official launch, Rakuten Trade also kicked off its Trade RakuMargin, Fly ANA Campaign with ANA (All Nippon Airways). Eligible RakuMargin traders will receive:

• 1,888RT Points for a COMBO Account opening (combination of a Cash Upfront and RakuMargin account),
• brokerage waiver on the 1^st successful trade executed within 15 business days of account activation, and
• the chance to win two roundtrip tickets to Tokyo, Japan.

 Since its business launch in May 2017, Rakuten Trade has successfully created a new group of digitally savvy independent investors who are keen to trade equities completely online. Its activated trading accounts has doubled in less than a year, bringing the figure to almost 60,000 accounts. Given that it caters to a growing digitally community, about 80% of its clients are below 40 years old with less than three years’ trading experience.

 “Our steep upward growth is testament to our unique FinTech business model, the ability to anticipate the fast-changing digital landscape and the committed concerted efforts of the talented people behind the company,” added Mr. Arai.

For more information on Rakuten Trade, please visit mat.rakutentrade.my or download iSPEED.my app via Google Play Store or Apps Store.

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 October 2019 – Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd’s (“Rakuten Trade”) contribution to financial literacy relating to digital equities trading was recently recognised by Securities Commission Malaysia (“SC”) at its annual investor education flagship event, InvestSmart Fest 2019 (“ISF 2019”).

Rakuten Trade was the recipient of the Digitalizing Services for Retail Participation Award for its efforts in providing retail investors with an easy-to-use digital equities trading platform from account opening, execution, settlement of trade, research and trading ideas as well as rewards and financial knowledge. The platform has spurred a keen interest among many first-time investors to start trading shares.

The only fully digital equities broker in Malaysia, Rakuten Trade was among three companies to receive accolades from SC for their role in educating retail investors and enhancing investment growth.

Mr Kaoru Arai, Managing Director of Rakuten Trade, said, “It is such an honour to be recognised by the SC for our efforts as a relatively young FinTech company. The award is testament to the fact that younger Malaysian retail investors are open to digital equity trading that is simplified and convenient.”      

Since its launch in 2017, Rakuten Trade has been disrupting the way investors buy and sell shares on Bursa Malaysia. To-date, it has generated more than RM6 billion in trading value in Bursa Malaysia, activating more than 40,000 clients of which more than 70% have had less than 3 years trading experience. It also has an in-house Research Team, that releases concise research reports daily, to cater to its clients’ needs. 

ISF 2019 was launched by YB Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs. Themed ‘Invest Smart-Bijak Labur’, ISF 2019 saw capital market institutions, associations, industry players and relevant agencies assemble at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre from October 18 to 20 to heighten awareness on investment opportunities available in the Malaysian capital market.

For more information on Rakuten Trade, please visit mat.rakutentrade.my

 Figure 1:From left to right: Tan Leng Leng – Senior Manager of Business Development,
BonusKad Loyalty Sdn Bhd; Rhyner Cheong – Head of Commercial, BIGLIFE Sdn Bhd;
Kaoru Arai – Managing Director, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd; Deon Lee – Deputy General Manager, BLoyalty Sdn Bhd.

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 August 2019 – Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd's (“Rakuten Trade”) first-in-market loyalty programme has remitted almost 45 million Rakuten Trade (RT) Points to more than 37,000 accounts in the last two years. This reflects a 31 per cent increase in earned RT Points year on year.

 The rewards ecosystem combines some of the country’s leading loyalty brands – AirAsia BIG, B Infinite by Berjaya Group and BonusLink – under one umbrella. As a result, RT Points continue to appeal to its growing client base year on year, with the conversion ratio increasing by 142 per cent in the programme's second year ending 31 July 2019.

 Mr. Kaoru Arai, Managing Director, Rakuten Trade, said, “Our robust rewards system plays an invaluable part in ensuring clients have an optimal trading experience. We made key changes to the rewards after our first year, in line with our efforts to continuously improve our services to better cater to the changing lifestyle preferences and in keeping with our digital-centric business model.

 “As a result, our Rewards Program was recognised at a recent regional loyalty awards winning Best Partnership in a Loyalty Program (Gold) and Best Loyalty Program for a Financial Brand (Bronze). Going up more established brands we are proud to have emerged a winner, beating out other brands across South Asia, Southeast Asia and the ANZ region. These wins would not have been possible without the strong support of our affiliate partners who have steadfastly stood by us since day one."

 RT Points are earned when clients engage with the Rakuten Trade platform. Points are automatically earned when clients conduct trading activities, referrals, share transfers as well as from marketing campaigns run by Rakuten Trade. The points can then be converted into AirAsia BIG, B Infinite and/or BonusLink Points on an equal value conversion approach. In addition, clients also earn extra RT Points whenever Spanish football club FC Barcelona wins a match during the UEFA and La Liga season, as a result of Rakuten Group’s 3-year global sponsorship with the Club that started in 2017. 

 The loyalty programme was enhanced this year to complement consumers’ lifestyle preference of instant rewards. Today, clients are rewarded as they activate their digital trading journey with Rakuten Trade and within 10 days of account activation, they can earn up to 4,500 RT Points*.

 *T&C apply.

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KUALA LUMPUR, 22 July 2019 – Malaysia’s first completely online equities broker Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd (“Rakuten Trade”) recently took home two industry awards - Best Partnership in a Loyalty Program (Gold), and Best Loyalty Program for a Financial Brand (Bronze) for its Rewards Eco System Programme at the 2019 Loyalty and Engagement Awards by Marketing Magazine in Singapore.

 Rakuten Trade’s unique award-winning Rewards Eco System combines three of the country’s leading loyalty providers AirAsia BIG, B Infinite by Berjaya Group and BonusLink under a single robust platform.

 The Loyalty and Engagement Awards is the only Awards in the Asia Pacific region that focuses completely on customer loyalty and engagement. Rakuten Trade went up against more than 77 other brands, 48 communication/marketing agencies and 133 unique campaigns from across South Asia, Southeast Asia and the ANZ region. In the category of Best Partnership in a Loyalty Program, finalists included: 7 Eleven Malaysia, Caltex, Great Eastern Life Assurance, HiltonHonors, ION Orchard, Petronas, True Digital Group and Rakuten Trade.

 For more information on Rakuten Trade’s award-winning Rewards Eco System, please visit mat.rakutentrade.my.