Gotrade, one of Malaysia’s fastest-growing investment apps, is taking another big leap toward making investing simpler and more inclusive. The company has officially launched options trading for its users across Southeast Asia a move that opens up a world of new opportunities for everyday investors.
The expansion is powered by Alpaca, a trusted brokerage infrastructure API that helps platforms connect users with stocks, ETFs, fixed income, and now, options. Together, Gotrade and Alpaca are reshaping what global investing looks like in emerging markets.
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“Options trading is a natural evolution for our users,” said Norman Wanto, CEO of Gotrade. “We’re changing the landscape by making a tool that was once reserved for institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals available to everyone.”
For years, investors across Southeast Asia have faced tough barriers to global investing from high order fees to complicated regulations and large minimum balances. Yet, that hasn’t stopped the region’s growing interest in finance. As of 2025, Malaysia has more than five million investors, while Indonesia counts over seventeen million, showing just how strong the appetite for investing has become.
Gotrade was built to meet that demand. From day one, the platform has aimed to make investing as easy as possible, letting users buy U.S. stocks for as little as $1. With the addition of options trading, Gotrade is helping investors take the next step giving them more tools to diversify portfolios, manage risks, and potentially grow their returns.
But this isn’t just about adding a new feature. Gotrade is focusing on making options trading approachable. Through in-app visuals, educational tooltips, and simple explanations, users can now trade strategies like long calls and long puts in just a few taps. And the company isn’t stopping there new strategies like covered calls and cash-secured puts are already in the works.
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Behind this innovation is Alpaca’s Broker API, providing a solid backbone for Gotrade’s trading experience. The technology ensures that trades happen smoothly, securely, and efficiently, allowing the platform to scale as its user base continues to grow.
“Partnering with Alpaca gives us the freedom to innovate and scale quickly, which is critical for building a better investing experience in emerging markets like Southeast Asia,” added Wanto.
Alpaca’s Co-Founder and CEO, Yoshi Yokokawa, shared the excitement:
“Gotrade’s focus on user experience has been key to building trust and driving growth across Southeast Asia. We’re proud to support their mission by providing the technology that helps them bring innovative financial products to more people.”
The partnership between Gotrade and Alpaca goes back to 2021, when they first joined forces to offer fractional U.S. stock trading. This new milestone marks the next chapter in their collaboration one that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible for retail investors in the region.
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In essence, Gotrade’s new options trading feature is more than just a product upgrade it’s a step toward financial empowerment. By combining intuitive design with powerful technology, Gotrade is giving millions of everyday people the chance to invest smarter, trade with confidence, and take control of their financial future.
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