Webull Financial is set to become the first brokerage in Japan to offer commission-free trading for U.S. equities. The move is expected to drive similar offerings from competitors in the Japanese market.
Webull's entry into the Japanese market with commission-free U.S. stock trading aims to lower barriers for investors and could pressure domestic brokerages to follow suit, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape for retail trading in Japan.
Webull Financial is set to become the first brokerage in Japan to offer commission-free trading for U.S. equities, a move anticipated to set a new trend among its competitors in the market. The platform operator, which has seen its app downloaded 55 million times globally since its founding in 2016, launched its local version in Japan through Webull Securities (Japan) Co. Ltd., an entity licensed by the Financial Services Agency.
Initially, Webull Japan will provide access to thousands of U.S.-listed stocks and hundreds of ETFs, including fractional shares. The platform aims to attract investors with free trading tools such as stock-specific analyst ratings, technical analysis tools, financial news, and industry data. As part of its launch promotion, Webull is offering a three-month complimentary trial of Nasdaq TotalView.
Bernard Teo, Head of Asia-Pacific for Webull, expressed enthusiasm for the launch in Japan, calling it the largest market in the Asia-Pacific region and following successful expansions into Singapore and Australia. He stated confidence in Webull's ability to offer a convenient mobile trading tool and stock trading environment with competitive commissions. Wataru Kojima, CEO of Webull Securities (Japan) Co. Ltd., noted the increasing interest in investing in Japan, particularly in U.S. stocks, citing recessionary concerns and low interest rates as contributing factors. He highlighted Webull's unique and user-friendly format as an attractive solution for both experienced and new investors.
Webull Japan plans to expand its offerings to include Japanese securities in mid-2023, with U.S. Options and securities from China and Hong Kong expected later in the year. The Webull trading platform has a global presence, with operations in the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and South Africa, facilitated by entities licensed by relevant regulatory bodies in each region.
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