FYI - For Your Innovation

FYI - For Your Innovation


Transforming Retail Investing in Korea with Toss Securities CEO Seungyeon (SY) Kim

September 26, 2024

In this episode of FYI, Brett Winton, ARK Invest’s Chief Futurist, and CEO/CIO Cathie Wood, engage in a discussion with Seungyeon (SY) Kim, the CEO of Toss Securities. SY shares his journey from working at global tech giants like Google and TikTok to leading Toss Securities, a company often dubbed the "Robinhood of Korea." The conversation explores the unique approach Toss Securities takes by integrating social media features into its trading platform, fostering community engagement among investors. They also discuss the retail investing landscape in Korea, the potential global expansion of Toss Securities, and the intersection of social media, finance, and AI in reshaping the future of trading.


"In a couple of years time, I don't think we might need apps or mobile phones to trade stocks." - SY Kim


Key Points From This Episode:

  • SY’s career journey from Google and TikTok to becoming the CEO of Toss Securities.
  • The unique social media features integrated into Toss Securities' platform.
  • Comparisons between Toss Securities and Robinhood, and the distinct approach SY’s team takes.
  • The impact of social engagement on trading volumes within the Toss platform.
  • The potential role of AI in the future of trading and investing.
  • The growing interest of Korean investors in U.S. equities, driven by market trends and cultural factors.
  • The importance of innovation in both the tech and financial sectors and its implications for the future.
  • The regulatory environment in Korea and how it supports innovation in financial services.
  • Toss Securities' ambitions for international expansion, particularly in the U.S. market.
  • The relationship between crypto market trends and the growth of retail investing in Korea.