Korean securities firms are about to gain seamless access to global markets through a new unified trading infrastructure, eliminating the complexity of managing separate connections to dozens of exchanges worldwide. GTN, a global fintech infrastructure provider, and Koscom, Korea's leading capital markets IT specialist, have signed an agreement to build what they're calling a "Global Order Hub" that will let Korean financial institutions trade across more than 90 exchanges and eight asset classes through a single gateway.

What Problem Does This Solve for Korean Finance?

Until now, Korean securities firms wanting to access international markets have faced a fragmented landscape. They've needed to build or maintain separate technical connections to different exchanges, each with its own requirements, compliance rules, and operational overhead. This complexity has limited their ability to compete globally and slowed their expansion into new markets. The new Global Order Hub consolidates all of this into one streamlined connection, allowing Korean firms to focus on trading strategy rather than infrastructure management.

Koscom, which is majority-owned by the Korea Exchange (KRX) and the Korea Securities Depository (KSD), selected GTN specifically because of its proven track record serving over 500 financial institutions across 52 countries. GTN operates under regulatory licenses in six jurisdictions, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in the US, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa, and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong.

"This project will help strengthen the stability of global trading for Korean securities firms and expand their access to global markets," said Yoon Chang-hyun, Chief Executive Officer of Koscom. "We will continue to support efforts to strengthen the global competitiveness of Korea's financial investment industry."

Yoon Chang-hyun, Chief Executive Officer of Koscom

How Will This Infrastructure Work in Practice?

The Global Order Hub operates as a unified API (Application Programming Interface), a technical standard that lets different software systems communicate seamlessly. Rather than Korean firms needing to integrate with 90 different exchange systems, they'll connect once to GTN's infrastructure, which handles all the complexity behind the scenes. This approach dramatically reduces the technical burden and cost of global expansion.

GTN's infrastructure spans multiple asset classes and geographic regions:

• Market Coverage: Access to more than 90 exchanges across equities, bonds, derivatives, and other asset classes through a single connection.
• Regional Expertise: GTN recently secured a Type 1 license from Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission in March 2026, establishing a dedicated Greater China team and creating a regional dual-hub alongside Singapore.
• Institutional Scale: The company operates with over 600 professionals across 14 countries, serving 500 financial institutions globally.

The agreement also includes a memorandum of understanding with QV Labs Inc., a Korean fintech company specializing in AI-driven quantitative investment platforms and algorithmic trading solutions. This partnership will extend the Global Order Hub into value-added services, including global investment information for Korean investors and transaction cost analysis (TCA) of overseas orders.

Why Is This Timing Significant for Asia-Pacific Finance?

This announcement reflects a broader shift in how Asian financial markets are integrating with global trading infrastructure. Korea has long been a major financial hub, but Korean securities firms have historically faced barriers when competing internationally. By partnering with an established global fintech provider, Koscom is essentially removing those barriers and positioning Korean firms to compete more effectively with larger international players.

"GTN/Koscom Global Order Hub provides Korean financial institutions a one-stop shop gateway to trade over 90 exchanges and 8 asset classes. While Korean financial services institutions have ready access to US markets, the GTN/Koscom Global Order Hub will seamlessly expand this coverage to all global markets," said Manjula Jayasinghe, co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of GTN.

Manjula Jayasinghe, co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of GTN

The timing also matters because GTN is actively expanding its Asia-Pacific presence. The company's recent regulatory approvals in Hong Kong and Singapore signal confidence in the region's growth potential. By establishing this partnership with Koscom, GTN is deepening its footprint in one of Asia's most important financial markets while helping Korean firms modernize their infrastructure.

What Does This Mean for Retail and Institutional Investors?

While the Global Order Hub is primarily infrastructure for securities firms and financial institutions, the benefits will eventually reach individual investors. When Korean brokers can more easily access global markets, they can offer their clients better execution, lower costs, and faster access to international investments. The transaction cost analysis services mentioned in the partnership will help firms optimize their trading, which typically translates to better pricing for end customers.

The inclusion of AI-driven quantitative investment platforms through QV Labs suggests that Korean investors may also gain access to more sophisticated algorithmic trading tools. These tools, once available primarily to institutional traders, are increasingly being made available to retail investors through streamlined infrastructure like the Global Order Hub.

Steps to Understanding This Infrastructure Shift

• Recognize the Problem: Korean securities firms previously needed separate technical integrations for each global exchange, creating operational complexity and limiting their competitive reach in international markets.
• Understand the Solution: The Global Order Hub consolidates access to 90+ exchanges through a single API connection, allowing firms to focus on trading strategy rather than infrastructure management.
• Consider the Implications: This infrastructure upgrade positions Korean financial institutions to compete more effectively globally while potentially offering Korean investors better access to international markets and more sophisticated trading tools.

The Global Order Hub represents a significant modernization of Korea's financial infrastructure. By removing technical barriers to global trading, Koscom and GTN are helping Korean securities firms compete on a more level playing field with larger international competitors. For investors, this means better access to global markets and potentially lower costs when trading internationally through Korean brokers.