In a strategic move that marks a turning point in the Saudi Arabian financial brokerage sector, Derayah Financial announced the launch of commission-free trading for Saudi stocks for its clients. This decision reinforces the company's position as the largest independent brokerage platform in the Kingdom and underscores its commitment to providing innovative solutions that align with global developments in financial markets.
A qualitative shift in the business model
This announcement follows the company's successful launch of commission-free trading services in the US market in 2024, completing the suite of services offered by Derayah to local investors. They can now access both the Saudi and US markets with zero trading costs. This bold move aims to remove traditional barriers to entry for individual investors, thereby expanding the trader base and boosting liquidity in the financial market.
Global and local context
Historically, trading commissions have been a barrier for small investors and active traders, reducing their profit margins. With the global trend towards "zero commission" models, which originated in Western markets and revolutionized investor behavior, Derayah Financial's move brings this advanced global experience to the local market. This shift not only benefits investors but also intensifies competition among brokerage firms to offer the best services and technologies.
Alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
The company explained that the decision to eliminate commissions is fully aligned with the objectives of the Financial Sector Development Program, one of the programs under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to enhance financial inclusion and increase savings and investment rates among individuals. By reducing costs, Derayah contributes to making investment more affordable and accessible to a wider segment of society, thus promoting a culture of both institutional and individual investment.
Digital leadership and sustainable growth
Commenting on the event, Mohammed Al Shamsi, CEO of Derayah Financial, affirmed that this initiative aligns with the company's commitment to facilitating access to financial markets and providing investors with genuine value at minimal cost, in line with global best practices. Al Shamsi added, "We are working to align our services with the Vision's objectives for developing the digital financial sector, and in the next phase, we will focus on developing data-driven and financial technology-based solutions.".
Numbers that reflect confidence
It is worth noting that Derayah Financial has a proven track record of growth, providing its clients with access to more than 43 global markets. Its client base witnessed a remarkable 17-fold increase between 2016 and 2025, exceeding 600,000 accounts, while total client assets surpassed SAR 55 billion, reflecting the company's strong financial position and its ability to develop sustainable and diversified business models.
