Note: If you are insterested in investing in an Asian company, remember that some of them are also listed on exchanges outside Asia. The famous Alibaba Group Holding Limited is for instance traded on the both the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (SEHK:9988) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BABA).

Best Brokers and Trading Platforms

1. Interactive Brokers (IBKR)

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is widely recognized for its extensive access to global markets, including those in Asia. It offers direct access to major Asian exchanges such as the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX), and Singapore Exchange (SGX). Interactive Brokers provides robust access to Asian equities, forex, and futures markets, making it an excellent choice for traders looking to diversify their portfolios internationally.

All in all, you will get access to over 135 markets in 33 different countries worldwide. IBKR is also known for low commission rates and for having an advanced trading platform with powerful tools for both professional and retail traders.

2. Saxo Bank

Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank offering a wide range of trading services, including access to over 40,000 financial instruments across global markets. It is particularly strong in its coverage of Asian markets, and offers both extensive market access and advanced trading tools for traders who want to engage with Asian markets. You will for instance be given access to stocks, ETFs, forex, commodities, and bonds on Asian exchanges.

Saxo Bank offers advanced trading platforms like SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO and have competitive pricing with tiered pricing structures.

3. eToro

The broker eToro gives you access to a wide range of instruments and exposure to markets in different parts of the world, including Asia. You can even get exposure to China, by trading in iShares China Large-Cap ETF on eToro.

The eToro trading platform is famous for having very strong support for social trading. If you are just getting started getting exposure to Asia, following in the steps of more experienced Asia-focused traders can be very helpful.

eToro is itself an Asian company, as it is headquartered in Israel. You can trade asian markets using a eToro Standard Account.

4. IG Group

IG Group is a UK-based broker known for its wide range of trading instruments and user-friendly platform. It offers strong access to Asian indices, forex, and shares, catering to both beginners and experienced traders. With IG Group, you will get access to over 17,000 markets, including major Asian indices and stocks. The user-friendly platform comes with a range of educational resources, and trading tools, and IG Group is also known for their competitive spreads and low fees. Last but not least, IG Group is often praised for its customer service. IG Group’s combination of accessibility, comprehensive market coverage, and educational resources make it a solid choice for traders interested in Asian markets.

5. TD Ameritrade (via thinkorswim)

While TD Ameritrade is primarily known for its focus on the U.S. market, it also provides access to other markets, including those in Asia, through its thinkorswim platform. The powerful thinkorswim platform comes with advanced trading tools and charting capabilities, and will give you access to major global markets, including Asia. Thinkorswim’s robust platform is ideal for traders who need advanced tools to analyze and trade on Asian markets.

6. Monex Securities

Monex Securities, a part of Monex Group, is a Japanese broker that provides strong access to local and regional markets. It is particularly focused on the Japanese market but also offers access to other Asian exchanges. Monex Securities is an especially good choice if you want acess to the Tokyo Stock Exchange combined with detailed market research and insights into the Japanese economy. The fees and other tradition costs are competitive, and the user-friendly interface is tailored to the needs of both novice and experienced traders. Monex Securities is a top choice for traders focusing on the Japanese market, offering local expertise and deep market access.

Examples of well-known stock exchanges in Asia

• BSE (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange), India
• Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan
• Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Hong Kong
• Shenzhen Stock Exchange, China
• Shanghai Stock Exchange, China
• National Stock Exchange, India
• Korea Exchange, South Korea
• Taiwan Stock Exchange, Taiwan
• Singapore Exchange, Singapore
• Tehran Stock Exchange, Iran

Are there any stock exchanges in Central Asia?

Yes, there is. While Central Asia is not exactly known as a major hub for stock trading, several stock exchanges are active here, including the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange in Almaty, the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange (KSE) in Bishkek, the Stock Exchange of Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek, the Tashkent Stock Exchange in Tashken, Uzbekistan, and the Central Asian Stock Exchange in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Many of them were established in the late 1900s or early 2000s, and are thus young compared to most internationally well-known exchanges in other parts of Asia, e.g. the BSE which was founded in 1875 and the Tokyo Stock Exchange which roots go back to 1878.

What are the ASEAN Exchanges?

ASEAN Exchanges is a collaboration of seven exchanges in South-East Asia:

KLSE, Bursa Malaysia (formerly Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange), Malaysia

HNX, Hanoi Stock Exchange, Vietnam

HOSE, HoChiMinh Stock Exchange, Vietnam

IDX, Indonesia Stock Exchange (formerly Jakarta Stock Exchange), Indonesia

PSE, Philippine Stock Exchange, Philippines

SET, The Stock Exchange of Thailand, Thailand

SGX, Singapore Exchange, Singapore

ASEAN Exchanges was established to promote these capital markets and improve their liquidity in various ways, including streamlining investor access to and within ASEAN, and increase harmonisation. The ASEAN Exchanges collaboration launched the ASEAN Trading Link in 2012, thus creating a gateway for securities brokers that wish to give their clients easier access to these seven exchanges. It is also possible for traders to speculate on ASEAN equity indices.

This article was last updated on: September 16, 2024