[Edaily Reporter An Yu-ri ] kakaopay Securities announced on the 13th that it has obtained a license for investment trading (securities). This allows the company to move beyond its existing brokerage business to directly buy and sell securities, and to participate as a lead underwriter for initial public offerings (IPOs).

On the 1st of this month, financial authorities approved kakaopay Securities’ application for additional registration of financial investment business units (1-1-1 Investment Trading Business—Securities). As a result, kakaopay Securities now has the authority to not only broker securities but also directly underwrite, trade, and sell them.

This approval is expected to serve as a turning point in linking kakaopay Securities’ strengths in retail and investment banking (IB) businesses. In addition to having built up a retail user base centered on brokerage services, the company can now use its own capital to underwrite and supply products, creating a structure where the two business areas interlock.

The most anticipated area is the IPO underwriting and placement business. With the ability to conduct underwriting, the legal foundation for public offering subscription services has been established, and the company views this as a key link connecting its investment banking and retail businesses while attracting new users.

The product lineup for users is also expanding to include retail bond trading and domestic and international fractional share trading. Furthermore, the company can now diversify its revenue streams using its own capital through the expansion of its Sales & Trading (S&T) business, participation as a liquidity provider (LP) for exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and diversification of bond management.

Shin Ho-cheol, CEO of kakaopay Securities, stated, “With this investment trading license, we have laid the groundwork to leap forward as a full-service securities firm that goes beyond brokerage to directly acquire and supply products.” He added, “We will combine our large retail user base with our investment banking capabilities to create differentiated synergies unique to kakaopay Securities.”