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Photo: Meritz Securities |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jihyun] SEOUL, South Korea — A seismic shift has occurred in South Korea’s overseas stock brokerage market. Meritz Securities reportedly claimed the top spot in U.S. stock trading volume last month, dethroning the "untouchable" duo of Toss Securities and Kiwoom Securities.
A Quiet Overturn of the Status Quo
According to industry sources on the 12th, Meritz Securities emerged as the leader in U.S. stock transaction volume (contracted amount) last month. This marks a significant disruption to the established hierarchy where Toss Securities held first place, followed by Kiwoom Securities and Mirae Asset Securities.
The ranking was confirmed through "internal aggregation" conducted among the marketing departments of the top 10 domestic brokerages. While not a public government statistic, this data—exchanged and cross-validated monthly by marketing staff—is regarded within the industry as the most credible metric for real-time market performance.
Why Meritz is "Managing Expressions"
Despite this landmark achievement, Meritz Securities has refrained from public fanfare. Sources suggest this "stealth mode" is a strategic response to the current regulatory environment.
"Financial authorities are currently wary of the excessive concentration of investment in U.S. stocks and are discouraging aggressive marketing," a source familiar with Meritz's internal situation explained. "There is a concern that a loud celebration of their #1 rank might provoke regulatory scrutiny. Internally, they are elated but are deliberately maintaining a low profile."
Competitors in Disarray
The sudden rise of Meritz has sent shockwaves through competing firms.
Toss Securities & Kiwoom Securities: Previously considered a "fortress" at the top, both firms are reportedly reeling from the speed of Meritz's ascent.
Industry Sentiment: An official from a rival major brokerage noted, "While we saw Meritz climbing into the top three, few expected them to topple the Toss-Kiwoom dominance so quickly. The internal atmosphere at the former leading firms is one of significant shock."
The Battle Ahead: Platform vs. Platform
Meritz Securities is reportedly determined to prove that this victory was not a fluke but a permanent market shift. Having demonstrated its sheer trading power, the firm is preparing for a "platform-to-platform" total war to solidify its dominance and capture the market with an overwhelming lead.
Alphabiz 김지현 기자(ababe1978@alphabiz.co.kr)
