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⚡ Quick Answer
Rakuten Trade is a solid choice for Malaysian investors who want to trade Bursa Malaysia stocks with low fees and a user-friendly platform. It shines for local equity investing but falls short for US stocks compared to newer platforms like Moomoo. If you’re focused on Bursa, Rakuten Trade is one of the best options available.
What Is Rakuten Trade?
Rakuten Trade is a Malaysia-based online stockbroking platform launched in 2017 as a joint venture between Rakuten Securities (Japan) and Kenanga Investment Bank. It was one of the first fully digital brokers to challenge traditional banking stockbroking in Malaysia — and it reshaped pricing expectations for the industry.
Today it’s a licensed broker regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia and Bursa Malaysia, with over 300,000 accounts opened since launch.
Rakuten Trade Fee Structure
Fees are where Rakuten Trade has historically won. Here’s the current breakdown:
| Trade Type | Rakuten Trade Fee |
|---|---|
| Bursa Malaysia shares (standard) | 0.1% of trade value, min RM 7 |
| Bursa Malaysia (RTX Pro tier) | 0.05% of trade value, min RM 7 |
| US stocks (via Rakuten US) | USD 1.88 per trade (flat) |
| ETFs (Bursa) | Same as shares (0.1% / 0.05%) |
| Account opening | Free |
| Annual fee | None |
| Inactivity fee | None |
The RTX Pro tier (0.05% brokerage) is available once you’ve traded a certain volume — making it more attractive for active traders who do significant monthly volume.
Key Features
Bursa Malaysia Access
This is Rakuten Trade’s strongest suit. You get access to the full Bursa main market, ACE market, and LEAP market. Real-time quotes, advanced charting, and order types (limit, market, stop-loss) are all available. The platform is built for Malaysian equity investors.
US Stock Trading
Rakuten Trade added US stock access via Rakuten US — you can trade NYSE and NASDAQ listed stocks. However, the flat USD 1.88/trade fee means it’s less competitive for small trades compared to platforms that offer commission-free US trading (like Moomoo’s Malaysian offering).
RTrade App
The mobile app is clean and well-regarded among Malaysian investors. Portfolio tracking, watchlists, order management, and Bursa announcements are all in one place. Desktop trading is also available via the web platform.
R Points Rewards
Rakuten Trade has a loyalty points system (R Points) where you earn points on trades that can be redeemed for rebates. For active traders, this is a meaningful way to reduce effective brokerage costs over time.
Margin Financing
Rakuten Trade offers margin accounts for experienced investors who want to leverage their positions. This is standard among Malaysian brokers but not typically recommended for beginners.
Rakuten Trade vs Competitors
| Feature | Rakuten Trade | Moomoo MY | Webull MY | Maybank Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bursa shares fee | 0.1% (min RM 7) | 0.03%–0.08% | 0.05% (min RM 8) | 0.1%–0.3% |
| US stocks fee | USD 1.88/trade | USD 0 commission | USD 0 commission | USD 15/trade |
| Bursa real-time data | ✓ (free) | ✓ (free) | ✓ (free) | ✓ (paid upgrade) |
| Fractional shares (US) | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| IPO subscription | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Margin account | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Loyalty rewards | R Points | Moomoo coins | Paper trading, no loyalty | None |
For pure Bursa Malaysia investing, Rakuten Trade remains competitive — but Moomoo has undercut it on both Bursa and US stock fees. If US stocks are your priority, Moomoo’s commission-free US trading is a significant advantage. Claim Moomoo’s welcome reward here if you want to compare for yourself.
Account Opening Process
Opening a Rakuten Trade account is fully digital and typically takes 1–2 business days. You’ll need:
- MyKad (Malaysian IC) — permanent residents need a passport
- Bank account details (for fund deposits)
- CDS account (Central Depository System) — Rakuten Trade opens this for you as part of the process
No minimum deposit is required to open an account, but you’ll need sufficient funds in your trading account to actually execute trades.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- One of the lowest Bursa brokerage fees for retail investors
- No annual fee or inactivity fee
- Clean, reliable mobile app
- R Points rewards system adds real value for active traders
- Supports IPO subscriptions
- Regulated by Securities Commission Malaysia — reputable and trustworthy
Cons
- US stock fees (USD 1.88/trade) are higher than commission-free competitors
- No fractional shares for US stocks
- Research tools are decent but not as advanced as Moomoo’s built-in analyst reports
- App can feel dated compared to newer platforms
Who Should Use Rakuten Trade?
Rakuten Trade is a great fit if you:
- Primarily invest in Bursa Malaysia stocks
- Participate in Bursa IPOs
- Want a reliable, regulated broker with a proven track record
- Are an active enough trader to benefit from the RTX Pro rate
Consider alternatives if you:
- Want to invest heavily in US stocks — Moomoo’s commission-free US trading is significantly cheaper
- Want fractional shares to start small in expensive US stocks
- Prefer a platform with more integrated research and analysis tools
Our Recommendation
Rakuten Trade earns its reputation as one of Malaysia’s best local stock brokers. For Bursa-focused investors, it’s hard to beat the fee structure and the reliability of the platform. The RTX Pro tier makes it especially attractive if you’re an active trader.
If you also want US stock exposure, consider pairing it with Moomoo — use Rakuten Trade for Bursa, Moomoo for US. Claim Moomoo’s welcome reward here — they often offer cash vouchers or interest-free margin for new sign-ups.
Bottom line: Rakuten Trade is still a top-tier choice in 2026, particularly for investors who are serious about the Malaysian market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rakuten Trade safe and regulated?
Yes. Rakuten Trade is licensed by the Securities Commission Malaysia and is a Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia. It’s a joint venture with Kenanga Investment Bank, one of Malaysia’s established financial institutions.
What is the minimum amount to start investing with Rakuten Trade?
There’s no minimum deposit to open an account. To trade, you need enough in your account to cover the minimum trade value — typically RM 100–RM 300 depending on the stock you’re buying.
How does Rakuten Trade compare to Moomoo for Bursa stocks?
Moomoo offers lower Bursa brokerage rates (from 0.03%) compared to Rakuten Trade’s standard 0.1%. However, Rakuten Trade supports IPO subscriptions and has a well-established track record in Malaysia. For Bursa-only investors, Moomoo is cheaper but Rakuten Trade is more feature-complete.
Can foreigners open a Rakuten Trade account?
Yes, but you’ll need a valid Malaysian work permit or permanent residency. Pure tourists or short-term visitors cannot open an account.
Does Rakuten Trade support Syariah-compliant investing?
Rakuten Trade provides access to Bursa Malaysia’s Shariah-compliant stock list, so you can filter and invest in only Shariah-approved counters. It does not have a separate dedicated Islamic investing account structure.
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