A Market for Professional Investors in 'Bisangjang Stock Trading' to Be Established

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] A trading platform for unlisted stocks tailored for individual professional investors is expected to be established.

On the 22nd, according to the financial investment industry, unlisted stock trading platform companies such as Dunamu (Securities Plus Unlisted) and PSX (Seoul Exchange Unlisted) are working on creating platforms specifically for individual professional investors.

Starting from July, as trading of unlisted stocks among general investors will be effectively halted, separate services will be provided for high-net-worth individuals registered as professional investors.

An industry insider said, "We are preparing a professional investor market separate from the general investor market," adding, "Until now, professional investors mainly traded through financial companies' private bankers (PBs), but recently, there has been increasing demand to trade independently using platforms."

Previously, the Financial Services Commission mandated that from July, general investors can only trade unlisted stocks on platforms such as Securities Plus Unlisted and Seoul Exchange Unlisted if the issuing company has submitted disclosure documents like business reports.

Currently, companies that have adjusted their systems to meet these standards and submitted disclosure documents to platform operators within the deadline set by the Financial Services Commission account for less than about 5% of all unlisted trading companies. Most major companies, including Viva Republica (Toss), K-Bank, and Yanolja, did not meet the Financial Services Commission's criteria.

Going forward, general investors will be unable to purchase stocks of unlisted companies that do not meet the Financial Services Commission's standards, though selling will still be allowed. However, professional investors will be able to continue both buying and selling as before.

Individual professional investors are those who possess a certain level of expertise, assets, and risk tolerance regarding financial investment products. Once registered by meeting requirements such as income and assets, they can invest in a wider range of financial products with fewer restrictions than general investors.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.