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No need for concern at Zerodha
The conspiracy theories that we are subjected to is never-ending. We had recently shared this blog post trying to answer them. If you haven’t read it, please do. Coming back to the above particular issue on client securities, we operate in a completely transparent manner, and here is why you needn’t be concerned.
- Zero debt: Firstly, most financial irregularities have debt as the main catalyst – borrowed money that needs to be repaid. We at Zerodha have had zero debt right from the beginning.
- We have done no margin funding till date and when we start, we will have no legacy issues in following the SEBI June 2019 circular that requires funding to be only through own funds.
- Forget pledging client securities to NBFCs, we do not even keep client securities in our pool account. All client securities are always in their respective Demats at all times.
- We have one single brokerage deal for all our customers. We don’t distinguish HNIs from others. We have never advised or sold any product promising returns. The only thing we do as a business is to offer execution platforms for someone who has an intent to buy/sell. No conflict of interest.
- By having a single deal for all, our operational risks are reduced significantly.
- We have never had issues in terms of securities not being credited to our clients’ Demat accounts, securities being moved out without authorization, or with client fund payouts.
- Our own funds are over 25% of all our client funds put together. This has to be among the highest in the industry in terms of skin in the game, all accrued from organic revenue. Zero external funding or borrowing.
Our banking exposure is only to HDFC Bank and Government securities. As safe as it can get.
We have stopped prop trading in Zerodha completely.