Rakuten Securities Review | Is Rakuten Securities Reliable? A Complete Analysis of Japanese FSA Regulation, Global Business, and User Experience

1. Brand Background and Development History

Founded in 1999 , Rakuten Securities is a subsidiary of Rakuten Group, Inc., a Japanese e-commerce and financial technology giant.

• Parent company : Rakuten Group, Inc. (listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, stock code: 4755.T)

• Headquarters : Tokyo, Japan

• Business coverage : Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia

• User scale : More than 7 million customers (mainly in the Japanese market)

• Market Position : One of the top two online brokerage firms in Japan, tied with SBI Securities

📌 Evidence:

• Rakuten Securities Japan official website

• Wikipedia Rakuten Securities

II. Supervision and Compliance

1. Supervision by Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA)

• Rakuten Securities holds a Category 1 Financial Instruments Dealer license in Japan and is regulated by the FSA (Financial Services Agency) .

• It is also a member of the Japan Securities Dealers Association (JSDA) .

📌 Evidence:

• FSA official website

2. Overseas regulatory qualifications

• Malaysia : Rakuten Trade is regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC Malaysia) .

• Australia : Holds ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) license

• Hong Kong : regulated by SFC (Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission)

This multinational regulatory layout ensures its cross-border compliance.

III. Account Types and Trading Conditions

IV. Trading Products and Market Coverage

• Securities : Japanese stocks (Topix Main Board), US stocks, Hong Kong stocks, Malaysian stocks

• ETFs & Funds : ETFs and mutual funds in major global markets

• Foreign Exchange (Rakuten FX) : Mainstream currency pairs, low spreads, leverage is subject to regulatory restrictions

• Futures and derivatives : Japan Nikkei 225 futures, commodity futures, etc.

📌 Evidence: Rakuten Securities Product Introduction

5. Trading Experience and Technology Platform

1. Trading Platform

• Rakuten Market Speed : flagship trading software for professional users

• Rakuten FX Platform : Designed for Forex Trading

• Mobile applications : iOS and Android, simple interface

2. User Experience

• Modern interface, integrating research and trading functions

• Deeply integrated with the parent company Rakuten's ecosystem (e-commerce, payment, points), Rakuten Super Points can be used for investment

📌 Evidence: Rakuten Market Speed

6. Deposit and Withdrawal Methods

Advantages: Linked with Rakuten Pay and the points system, providing a unique localized experience.

VII. Customer Service and Support

• Customer service channels : telephone, online ticket, physical branch (Japan)

• Supported languages : Japanese, English (overseas branches support Chinese and Malay)

• Service hours : 5x24, extended hours available for some overseas markets

📌 Evidence: Rakuten Securities Contact Information

8. Media and User Reviews

1. Media coverage

• Nikkei Asia : Calls Rakuten Securities one of Japan's most competitive online brokerages.

• Bloomberg : Reportedly, it attracts young investors through a points system.

2. User word of mouth

• front:

• Strong compliance and endorsed by regulators in multiple countries.

• Integrated with the Rakuten ecosystem, point investment is unique.

• The platform is stable and suitable for long-term investment.

• Negative:

• The fees are higher than some international Internet brokerages.

• International market coverage is limited.

• Non-Japanese user experience is limited.

IX. Risk Warning

• Language barrier : Local services in Japan are mainly in Japanese, and international users need to rely on overseas subsidiaries.

• Fee issue : The transaction fees are higher than those of online brokers such as eToro.

• Market positioning : More suitable for local investors, with limited globalization.

10. Overall Rating (0–10 points)

• Regulatory Compliance: 9/10 — Multi-national Regulated, FSA Master License

• Trading experience: 8/10 — Stable, unique points system

• Deposits and Withdrawals: 8/10 — Local Payments Offer a Clear Advantage

• Fee level: 7/10 — Fees are high

• User reputation: 8/10 — Highly recognized in the local market

Overall score: 8.0/10 – A top choice for Japanese investors, with a gradual expansion into Southeast Asian markets.

📌Conclusion
Rakuten Securities has established a strong position in the Japanese market, leveraging the Rakuten Group's fintech and retail ecosystem. Its FSA-regulated status, secure fund segregation, and points-based investment model have made it popular among local investors. While its fees and international presence may be limited, it remains one of the most distinctive compliant brokerages in the Asian market.