Gotrade Partners with Alpaca to Launch US Options Trading Across Southeast Asia
Gotrade, one of Southeast Asia’s leading investment apps, has launched US options trading for retail investors across the region, in partnership with Alpaca, a global brokerage infrastructure provider. The move expands Gotrade’s mission to make investing in global markets more accessible, transparent, and affordable for everyday users.
This product launch marks the next chapter in Gotrade’s collaboration with Alpaca, which began in 2021 with the introduction of fractional trading in US stocks. Now, Gotrade users in Malaysia, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian markets can trade options directly within the app through an intuitive, mobile-first interface designed for simplicity and education.
“Options trading is a natural evolution for our users, and we’re changing the landscape by making a tool previously reserved for available to everyone,” said Norman Wanto, CEO of Gotrade. “Partnering with Alpaca gives us the freedom to innovate and scale rapidly, which is critical for building a better experience in emerging markets like Southeast Asia.”
Takeaway
Expanding Access to Global Markets
Historically, investors in Southeast Asia have faced barriers to such as high minimum balances, steep transaction fees, and complex regulatory frameworks. With the addition of US options trading, Gotrade aims to eliminate these obstacles by offering users the ability to engage in low-cost, high-flexibility strategies—from long calls and puts to, soon, covered calls and cash-secured puts.
The integration of Alpaca’s Broker API ensures that Gotrade’s options platform operates on scalable and reliable infrastructure, capable of handling real-time order execution and trade settlement with the identical precision used by institutional trading systems. Alpaca’s API also underpins risk management, account funding, and order routing, ensuring compliance and performance across markets.
“Gotrade’s product-first approach has been a key factor in building trust and driving growth in Southeast Asia,” said Yoshi Yokokawa, CEO and Co-Founder of Alpaca. “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership by providing the infrastructure they need to launch innovative products rapidly.”
Takeaway
Empowering Retail Investors with Simplicity and Education
Central to Gotrade’s approach is making complex financial instruments understandable and approachable. The new options feature includes visual aids, in-app tooltips, and guided learning modules to assist users navigate diverse strategies and assess risk effectively. Investors can execute trades in just a few taps, without needing prior experience in derivatives markets.
Since its founding, Gotrade has sought to democratize investing for Southeast Asia’s quick-growing retail market. Its platform already enables fractional from as little as $1, allowing first-time investors to diversify internationally. The launch of options trading builds on that foundation—offering both and leverage opportunities to a user base that values simplicity and transparency.
As of 2025, Malaysia and Indonesia together represent over 22 million active retail investors, a figure expected to continue growing as platforms like Gotrade reduce barriers to entry and enhance financial literacy.
