GTN, the global fintech powering investment services through a unified API platform, has secured a Type 1 licence from Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission. This regulatory milestone establishes Hong Kong as a key gateway alongside Singapore, positioning GTN to connect global firms to US$3 trillion in regional liquidity.
The announcement underscores GTN's expansion in one of the world's most dynamic financial regions. Hong Kong now joins the UK, US, Singapore, UAE, and South Africa as GTN's sixth regulated jurisdiction. The Type 1 licence, which authorises dealing in securities, allows GTN to operate a dedicated local team in Hong Kong, enhancing services for Greater China-domiciled institutions and facilitating two-way order flows between China and global markets.
STRATEGIC DUAL-HUB COMPLETION
GTN's Asia-Pacific strategy hinges on complementary hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore. Singapore, where GTN holds a Capital Markets Services licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, has served as the primary regulated base for regional operations. The Hong Kong licence completes this "dual-hub" model, leveraging Hong Kong's unique position as a bridge to mainland China via programmes like Stock Connect.
"GTN has provided access to Hong Kong and China markets across its network for several years and has witnessed increasing demand from clients globally to trade in this high-growth region," said Manjula Jayasinghe, co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of GTN. "Securing a regulatory licence and establishing a dedicated team in Hong Kong reflects GTN's continued commitment to the Greater China region. This milestone enables GTN to facilitate customer order flow from Greater China into global markets, while further enhancing its ability to provide access to Greater China markets for clients across the GTN network."
ENHANCED CLIENT CAPABILITIES
The licence unlocks a suite of advanced features for GTN's clients worldwide, including brokers, banks, asset managers, and fintechs. Key offerings include dedicated Greater China servicing with direct regulatory oversight, seamless access to Hong Kong securities and Stock Connect, and regulated fractional trading for HKEX-listed stocks—a capability expanded from GTN's 2025 initiatives.
Fractional trading democratises access to high-value Asian equities, allowing retail apps to offer micro-investments starting from as low as US$1, including fractional bonds. GTN's single API integration spans 90-plus markets and eight asset classes, slashing time-to-market for partners. As a single counterparty, it automates the full investment lifecycle—from digital onboarding to post-trade settlement—reducing technical and regulatory hurdles.
GTN's infrastructure is cloud-native, blending institutional-grade execution with fintech agility. Recently recognised as "Best API Solution" at the Benzinga Global Fintech Awards 2025 and listed among CNBC and Statista's World's Top Fintech Companies 2025, the firm employs over 600 professionals across 14 countries. Backed by investors like IFC from the World Bank Group and SBI Ventures Singapore, GTN is scaling amid global demand for accessible trading tools.
REGIONAL GROWTH CONTEXT
Hong Kong's financial ecosystem is evolving rapidly. GTN's entry coincides with heightened investor interest in Asian equities.
For global firms, GTN's Hong Kong hub means direct exposure to China's capital markets without standalone compliance burdens. Local partners gain outbound access to worldwide opportunities. "This latest licence upgrades GTN's Asia-Pacific operation with a dedicated local team in Hong Kong and connects global firms to US$3 trillion in capital flows between China and the rest of the world," the company stated in its release.
Competitors in the brokerage-as-a-service space, such as DriveWealth and Alpaca, have eyed Asia, but GTN's multi-jurisdictional footprint and API prowess set it apart. With fractionalisation and micro-portfolios gaining traction—especially post-2025 expansions—GTN is poised to power the next wave of retail investing apps targeting Asia's burgeoning middle class.
FUTURE EXPANSION OUTLOOK
GTN's regulatory momentum signals broader ambitions. The firm continues to prioritise jurisdictions with high-growth potential. Its mission—"transforming the accessibility of investment and trading opportunities for all"—resonates in a world where democratised finance meets institutional reliability.
As Asia-Pacific liquidity swells, GTN's dual-hub strategy not only mitigates risks across borders but amplifies opportunities. For fintechs and incumbents alike, partnering with GTN offers a scalable path to embed advanced trading without the grind of in-house builds. In Hong Kong's competitive arena, this licence cements GTN as a formidable player, ready to channel Greater China's flows into global markets and vice versa.