- India’s investment landscape is evolving rapidly, with digital platforms making financial products more accessible. How do you see investor expectations changing, particularly around access to global markets and portfolio diversification?
Investor expectations are evolving beyond simply accessing global markets. Today, they want a seamless investment experience where technology brings everything together — from digital onboarding and payments to efficient movement of funds and simplified tax reporting. The expectation is increasingly shifting towards a single account that offers access to multiple currencies, exchanges and global markets, making diversification simpler and more convenient. Equally important is transparency and trust, supported by strong regulatory frameworks and regulated entities that bring technology and market access together. Ultimately, investors want fewer barriers, greater choice and the confidence to invest globally with ease.
- What are the key barriers that have traditionally limited access to global investing for Indian investors, and how can technology-led financial infrastructure help address them?
One of the biggest barriers to global investing for Indian investors has traditionally been a lack of awareness and clarity. Many investors are still unfamiliar with the regulatory framework governing overseas investments, including the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), how international markets operate, and the associated tax, nominee, foreign exchange and trading costs. Trust is equally important. Investors want confidence that their funds and investments are secure and that they are dealing with credible, regulated brokerage financial institutions. This is where technology-led financial infrastructure plays a critical role. By combining regulated global brokerage partnerships with seamless digital onboarding, transparent processes, simplified fund movement and investor education throughout the journey, we can make global investing more accessible, understandable and trustworthy. The goal is not just to enable access to international markets, but to give investors the confidence and clarity to participate in them.
- How does VTI IFSC’s role as a Global Access Provider differ from that of a conventional brokerage or investment platform? What gap in the financial ecosystem is the company looking to bridge?
Unlike a conventional brokerage or investment platform, ViewTrade IFSC operates as a Global Access Provider, bringing together the technology, regulatory framework and operational infrastructure required to enable global investing. With our carrying broker infrastructure established in GIFT IFSC, we aim to facilitate the opening and maintenance of investment accounts for eligible resident and non-resident Indians, in accordance with applicable Indian regulations and IFSCA guidelines. The gap we are looking to bridge is the disconnect between global market access and the infrastructure needed to make it seamless. We work with our partners to address the complexities of technology, compliance and operations, while delivering an integrated, end-to-end digital experience for investors. Our vision is to make global investing more accessible by simplifying the infrastructure behind it.
- What role can GIFT City play in connecting India’s financial institutions with international markets, and how do you see its importance evolving over the next few years?
GIFT City is strategically positioned to become a key bridge between India’s financial ecosystem and international markets, catering to both inward and outward investment and financial requirements. The presence of IFSCA as a unified regulator creates an enabling environment for domestic and international financial institutions, helping streamline regulatory processes and improve operational efficiency. What makes GIFT City particularly promising is the pace at which it has evolved in a relatively short period. Through an innovative and collaborative approach, it is building a globally competitive financial ecosystem where institutions can establish and operate within a well-regulated and efficient framework. Over the next few years, I see GIFT City playing an increasingly important role in facilitating cross-border investments, strengthening India’s global financial connectivity and positioning the country as a more significant participant in international markets.
- Financial services are increasingly moving towards API-driven, modular infrastructure. How is this changing the way banks, brokers, fintechs and wealth platforms build and offer investment products?
API-driven and modular infrastructure is fundamentally changing how financial services are built and delivered. It allows banks, brokers, fintechs and wealth platforms to integrate investment capabilities into their existing ecosystems without having to build the entire infrastructure from scratch. Through APIs and SDKs, institutions can retain their own brand identity, front-end experience and customer relationships while seamlessly connecting to global markets and investment services. This creates greater flexibility, accelerates innovation and allows businesses to focus on what they do best, while relying on specialised technology partners for the underlying infrastructure. Ultimately, it is about making financial services more connected, scalable and seamless for the end investor.
- AI and automation are beginning to influence multiple stages of the investment lifecycle, from onboarding and operations to execution and customer support. Where do you see the most meaningful opportunities for these technologies, and what limitations should the industry keep in mind?
AI and automation have the potential to add value across the entire investment lifecycle, from onboarding and customer support to operations and platform development. The biggest opportunity lies in using data intelligently to understand investor behaviour, personalise experiences, simplify processes and build more scalable technology infrastructure. However, in financial services, innovation must go hand in hand with responsibility. Data privacy, information security and appropriate regulatory safeguards cannot be compromised. AI should complement human decision-making, not replace the judgement and accountability required in financial services. Ultimately, the goal should be to use technology intelligently to make investing more efficient, accessible and customer-centric, while ensuring trust remains at the centre of the experience.
- As global investing becomes more digitally accessible, how can financial institutions balance seamless customer experiences with regulatory compliance, cybersecurity and investor trust?
As global investing becomes more accessible, the real challenge is to make the experience seamless without compromising on trust, security or compliance. Financial institutions must build on technology infrastructure that integrates regulatory requirements, robust cybersecurity and transparent processes right from onboarding to ongoing investment management. This requires working with credible, regulated financial intermediaries and using technology to simplify processes, ensure secure movement of funds and provide greater visibility to investors. Ultimately, compliance should not be seen as a barrier to innovation, but as its foundation. The objective is to make global investing simple and accessible while giving investors the confidence that their interests, information and investments are protected.
- Looking ahead, what are VTI IFSC’s key priorities for the next phase of growth, and what changes do you expect to see in India’s global investing ecosystem over the next three to five years?
Our focus over the next three to five years will be on continuously improving the customer experience, solving challenges across the investment journey, from the simplest requirements to the more complex needs of the industry. We also see significant opportunities in enabling greater participation by foreign investors in Indian markets while expanding the range of investment products and services available through GIFT City. Our larger vision is to build a more connected wealth ecosystem that enables seamless global diversification and strengthens the entire investment value chain. As India’s global investing landscape evolves, we believe GIFT City has the potential to emerge as a leading international financial centre. At ViewTrade IFSC, we aim to contribute to this journey by building technology-led, regulated infrastructure that serves not only India’s growing financial needs but also the requirements of global markets.
