ThinkMarkets Acquires FX Broker Japan Affiliate Acquisition

Leading online multi-regulated Forex and CFDs broker ThinkMarkets has acquired Japanese forex firm Japanese Affiliate. The move enabled ThinkMarkets to expand its operations in Japan by opening ThinkMarkets Tokyo office.

ThinkMarkets is regulated in multiple jurisdictions but needed to acquire a JFSA license from Japan’s financial watchdog which requires local partnership.  Tokyo-based Japan Affiliate is regulated by the JFSA and with a Type 1 Financial Instrument Business Operator license.  The acquisition will enable ThinkMarkets to launch its next generation trading platform, ThinkTrader for mobile, Tablet and Desktop.

According to ThinkMarkets CEO Anees Nauman, the expansion of the firm’s trading services to Japan represents an exciting milestone.

“Tokyo is one of the world’s largest foreign exchange trading hubs.”

Anees also said that the firm’s entry into Japan is consistent with its global expansion plan.

ThinkTrader Now Available in Japan

ThinkTrader will enable the firm’s Japanese clients to trade 24/7 cryptocurrency-based contracts for difference (CFDs), inclusive of weekends. Over the Counter (OTC) derivative transactions related to crypto-assets will be included under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.  The inclusion has been in effect per the changes made in May 2020.

ThinkMarkets will especially capitalize on non-stop cryptocurrency trading in Japan, which has a high crypto adoption rate. The associated volatility of various crypto assets is expected to create an ideal trading environment for CFDs investors.

ThinkTrader was among the first established brokers to add Bitcoin and altcoins to tis CFD offering in 2017.

ThinkMarkets to Face Stiff Competition in Japan

Using ThinkTrader, the firm is now employing a mobile-focused approach to trading, leading to increased trading activity through mobile devices. The ThinkTrader platform offers over 80 indicators, over 50 drawing tools and 14 chart types.

ThinkMarkets will however have to withstand the highly-competitive Japanese markets which often pose a disadvantage to retail brokers.  For instance, the maximum leverage in the market for retail brokers is limited 1:25 compared to 1:100 for institutional investors.

There are also additional restrictions by the JFSA on trading strategies such as hedging, scalping, EAs and arbitrage.

In Similar ThinkMarkets news, the firm chose FinClear as its trade clearing Partner to stay ahead of competition in Australia.   FinClear has been acclaimed as the leading wholesale trading access services provider in the Australian market.

Additionally, ThinkMarkets opened trading offices in Johannesburg, South Africa through a local brokerage firm acquisition and SA financial watchdog’s licensing.  ThinkMarkets is also licensed by the ASIC in Australia and the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).