Liquidnet, the electronic marketplace for institutional-only block trading, has received broker registration certification from the Financial Supervisory Agency of Japan.
This approval brings Liquidnet closer to full entry in the Japanese market, which will allow Japanese buy-side institutions to join Liquidnet’s global Membership of nearly 400 firms that form a new global institutional marketplace for Japanese equity trading.
“Liquidnet’s entry into Japan means that as a global trader, I will have access to liquidity in one of the most significant world markets via a proven large-block trading venue,” says Steven Wood, the Executive Director and Global Head of Trading Investment at Schroders Investment Management Limited. “My firm is looking forward to the day that the Liquidnet system is live in Japan.”
Liquidnet currently supports trading in 20 equity markets globally, and its Member firms collectively manage more than USD13 trillion in equity assets under management. The firm plans to launch Japanese trading capabilities this summer for its Members based outside of the country, and trading by Japanese-domiciled firms by year-end.
“We are extremely pleased and honored to be recognized by the FSA as a qualified broker,” adds Seth Merrin, the CEO of Liquidnet. “Providing the ability for Japanese asset management firms to be able to execute large-block equity orders securely and anonymously is critical for our growth as a global institutional marketplace.”