How to Pivot into Multi-Asset Brokerage
If you’re running a profitable brokerage, you know how important it is to develop a risk management plan for the entire business if things go south. And it doesn’t matter what kind of assets you offer—regulators pressure everybody, be it a CFD broker, a crypto exchange, or even a stock broker whose business is already so strictly controlled that they can’t make a false step without paying huge fines to SEC.
The obvious answer to such risks is diversifying your trading instrument offering. This way, you won’t rely on a single income stream (say, from CFD trading) but will also have other business branches that bring revenue (say, a crypto or US stock offering).
After all, when one door closes, two windows open. Different markets balance the entire situation—when one trading instrument declines, you can be sure that there’s another on the rise. And that’s why pivoting into a multi-asset brokerage model will help your business survive.
Breaking down the benefits
- Expanding the client base by offering various asset classes attracts a broader range of investors, each with distinct investment preferences and goals.
- Diversification enables clients to distribute their investments across various markets, thus reducing overall portfolio risk.
- A diversified approach creates various revenue opportunities from commissions, trading fees, and payments for order flow.
- A diverse range of investment options can distinguish a brokerage, making it a preferred choice for investors seeking convenience and variety.
- A broker with a diverse asset class offering can hedge clients’ positions in various markets, improving risk management and ensuring the safety of brokerage revenue.
Steps to pivot to multi-asset brokerage
Conduct thorough market research
When conducting market research, assess client demand and understand which asset classes your clients are interested in, such as stocks, forex, cryptocurrencies, options, futures, etc. Additionally, evaluating and analyzing competitors’ offerings helps identify gaps and opportunities in your services.
Assess your financial situation
Before offering new types of investments, you need to get the proper licenses. This means following rules, paying fees, and putting more money in the bank. So, before expanding to a multi-asset offering, it’s essential to assess the risks and compare them with the expected positive outcomes.
Upgrade infrastructure and technology
There are not many truly multi-asset trading platforms on the market, so there are two ways to go: first, have several trading platforms to accommodate your diverse offering; second, beggars can’t be choosers, so just pick one of the few truly multi-asset platforms available and suitable for your budget. When you’re looking for a truly multi-asset trading platform, keep in mind that it should support multiple asset classes seamlessly and offer real-time data, analytics, a user-friendly interface, and valuable tools for clients.
Make sure that integrations with third-party venues won’t be a hassle: you’ll need lots of them, no matter the asset classes you choose. Custodians, clearing, CRMs, and many other indispensable partners should be available either as a turnkey integration or connectable via APIs in a matter of hours.
Focus on regulatory compliance
To excel in the industry, it’s critical to fully understand the unique regulatory requirements that accompany different asset classes. Compliance with these regulations is non-negotiable, so ensure your firm meets every standard to operate legally and responsibly.
Additionally, obtaining the necessary licenses and certifications is pivotal in demonstrating your commitment to offering top-tier trading and advisory services across various asset classes. This not only allows you to operate legitimately but also instills confidence in your clients and partners, showcasing your dedication to upholding the highest standards in the industry.
Enhance client communication and marketing
Launch targeted marketing campaigns to promote new offerings and emphasize the benefits of a diversified portfolio and the convenience of accessing multiple asset classes through one platform.
Offer dedicated support services to strengthen client relations. Assisting clients as they transition to new asset classes through webinars, tutorials, and dedicated support teams can help build trust and loyalty. This level of support can elevate the overall client experience and set your brokerage apart in a competitive market.
Train and develop your team
Make sure that your team receives thorough training in different asset classes so they can offer knowledgeable advice and support. Additionally, think about improving your advisory services to help clients make well-informed investment decisions in a variety of asset classes.
Case study: A successful pivot
A Turkish financial services group (further referred to as the client) specializing in stock investments and credit services approached Devexperts with a request to provide a multi-asset trading platform. The client used to offer only instruments listed on the Borsa Istambul and service Turkish residents but wanted to expand with an OTC offering and go live worldwide.
Devexperts provided a customized solution, the DXtrade platform, which allows simultaneous trading of OTC and listed instruments. The platform also features a ‘quick trading mode’ and integrated reporting systems.
After a successful first instance in Malta, the client launched the platform in Turkiye, Indonesia, and Australia and accumulated millions of users.
Conclusion
Pivoting into a multi-asset brokerage model offers numerous advantages, including diversifying revenue streams, attracting a broader client base, reducing portfolio risk, and enhancing client experience.
By following the outlined steps to pivot to a multi-asset brokerage, including conducting thorough market research, assessing financial readiness, upgrading infrastructure and technology, focusing on regulatory compliance, and enhancing client communication and marketing, brokerage firms can position themselves for success in a competitive market.
Embracing a diverse range of investment options and providing comprehensive support and training for the team can further solidify a brokerage’s position as a preferred choice for investors seeking convenience and variety.
The case study of a successful pivot serves as an example of how implementing these strategic steps can lead to sustainable growth and success in the financial services industry.