NSE IX Global Access Soft Launch Draws 2,000 Investors in a Day, Signalling Rising Interest in Global Markets
NSE International Exchange’s newly soft-launched Global Access platform has recorded strong initial traction, with nearly 2,000 investors enrolling on the very first day, reflecting growing interest among Indian investors in overseas equity markets. The platform, which allows direct access to global stocks starting with the United States market, is expected to expand to more than 30 international markets within the next three to six months.
Announcing the development at the Global Securities Markets Conclave 2.0, NSE IX Managing Director and CEO V Balasubramaniam said the early response indicates strong demand for simple and cost-efficient global investing solutions among Indian investors.
“Just yesterday (February 25), we opened the soft launch, and I’m told by my team that already 2,000 clients have already enrolled in a single day,” Balasubramaniam said.
The rapid enrollment reflects a structural shift in investor behaviour, with Indian investors increasingly seeking diversification beyond domestic markets. Rising income levels and growing financial awareness are encouraging investors to allocate part of their portfolios to global equities.
The Global Access platform represents one of the most significant initiatives to simplify outbound investments through India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City.
Digital Onboarding and Fractional Investing Make Global Investing Accessible
The Global Access platform has been designed to simplify the process of investing in overseas markets by reducing operational barriers that traditionally discouraged retail participation. Through a dedicated subsidiary, NSE IX Global Access, investors can complete digital onboarding within seconds and begin trading in global securities.
“We are enabling that anybody could in 30 seconds flat do a video KYC from wherever they are, and they could actually just use our gateway to trade on international markets,” Balasubramaniam said.
Key features of the platform include:
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Digital onboarding through 30-second video KYC
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Access through mobile and web platforms
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Fractional investing in global equities
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Investment in international ETFs
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Competitive transaction costs
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No traditional demat account required initially
Fractional investing allows investors to buy small portions of high-priced global stocks rather than entire shares, making overseas investing more accessible for retail investors with limited capital.
The simplified onboarding process is expected to accelerate adoption among younger investors who prefer digital-first investment platforms.
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Expansion to 30 Global Markets Planned Within Six Months
While the United States market is currently available during the soft-launch phase, NSE IX plans to expand the platform’s reach to more than 30 international markets over the next three to six months. The expansion will provide Indian investors with broader exposure to global sectors and economic cycles.
“In the next three to six months, we should have more than 30 markets available for access to people,” Balasubramaniam said.
The platform operates under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) framework, which allows resident Indian investors to remit funds overseas for investment purposes within regulatory limits.
The phased rollout approach allows NSE IX to stabilise operations in the US market before expanding to additional global exchanges. Once fully operational, the platform could become a major gateway for Indian investors seeking international diversification.
The initiative is aligned with India’s broader financial market strategy to channel cross-border investments through domestic financial infrastructure.
NSE IX Strengthens Its Position as India’s Global Financial Gateway
The outbound investment platform complements NSE IX’s strong presence in inbound international trading activity through GIFT City. According to Balasubramaniam, NSE IX currently holds more than 99 percent market share in trading and incremental business at the international financial centre.
“As we move towards Viksit Bharat, this is another kind of diversification which Indian investors need,” he said.
The exchange is positioning itself as a comprehensive global investment gateway that supports both inbound and outbound capital flows. The Global Access platform is expected to play a key role in meeting the growing demand for global diversification among India’s expanding middle class and high-net-worth investors.
The initiative could also deepen liquidity at GIFT City by attracting both domestic and international market participants.
Sustainable Finance and Foreign Listings Add to NSE IX Growth Story
Alongside outbound investing initiatives, NSE IX is also expanding its international product offerings and listings. The exchange recently announced the listing of Asia’s first blue bond, marking a milestone in sustainable finance development in the region.
“Today we are very happy to announce that we just got the first blue bond also to be listed on NSEIX. So, in fact, I am told this is Asia’s first blue bond,” Balasubramaniam said.
The development follows the listing of an international green bond from Sri Lanka last year and reflects growing interest in sustainable finance products.
NSE IX is also preparing to host its first foreign equity listing, with a company from Cyprus expected to list soon.
“We are getting probably the first company from Cyprus which will also do a list on to us,” he said.
The Cyprus listing is expected to leverage the country’s role as a gateway to European markets and aligns with ongoing India–EU trade discussions.
The listing is expected to involve Ellinas Finance, with the secondary listing anticipated in early March 2026.
Technology Investments Strengthen Exchange Infrastructure
NSE IX is also investing in technology infrastructure to support future growth. Balasubramaniam highlighted the exchange’s focus on operational resilience and advanced technologies.
Recent initiatives include:
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AI integration in training programs
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Infrastructure upgrades
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Near-disaster recovery site deployment
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Zero-data-loss resilience systems
These technology enhancements are aimed at supporting higher trading volumes and improving system reliability as global participation increases.
Here’s What Happened Today and Why Traders Reacted
The strong response to the NSE IX Global Access platform attracted market attention because it signals rising demand for overseas investments among Indian investors.
Key Developments
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2,000 investors enrolled on Day 1
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US markets live on platform
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Expansion to 30 markets planned
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Fractional investing enabled
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Digital onboarding introduced
Why Traders Reacted
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Rising outbound investment trend
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Diversification demand increasing
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Financial sector innovation
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GIFT City growth expectations
Financial services companies and brokerage platforms could see increased competition as overseas investing becomes easier.
What This Means for Investors and Markets
The Global Access platform could reshape how Indian investors allocate capital between domestic and international markets.
Short-term impact
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Increased interest in overseas equities
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Brokerage sector competition
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Technology platform adoption
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Investor diversification trends
Long-term impact
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Structural growth in outbound investments
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Stronger GIFT City ecosystem
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Greater global diversification
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Integration with global markets
For investors, the strong early response to NSE IX’s Global Access platform signals a major shift toward global investing, with easier access to international markets likely to become an increasingly important component of portfolio diversification in the coming years.
