OANDA
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Financial services |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founders | Michael Stumm and Richard Olsen |
| Headquarters | 17 State Street, Suite 300, New York , US |
| Key people | Otakar Šuffner (co-CEO), Marek Vašíček (co-CEO) |
| Products | Online trading, foreign exchange data, currency conversion |
| Parent | FTMO |
| Website | oanda |
OANDA is a US-based multinational financial services company providing online trading, foreign exchange data and currency conversion services. It was founded in 1996 by computer scientist Michael Stumm and economist Richard Olsen.[1] OANDA initially provided exchange rate information over the Internet and launched its online foreign exchange trading platform, fxTrade, in 2001.[2]
The company received investment from Index Ventures in 2005 and a group led by New Enterprise Associates in 2007.[3] OANDA was acquired by a fund managed by CVC Capital Partners in 2018 and by Czech trading company FTMO in 2025.[4][5]
History
[edit]OANDA was founded in 1996 by Michael Stumm and Richard Olsen. It grew out of a Zurich-based econometrics company associated with Olsen and initially focused on providing exchange rate information and online currency conversion.[6][2] In 2001, OANDA launched fxTrade, an online foreign exchange trading platform for retail investors.[2] Olsen stepped down in 2012.[7]
The company has received several rounds of investment. Index Ventures invested US$17 million in OANDA in 2005, its first round of institutional financing.[2] Two years later, OANDA received a further US$100 million from investors led by New Enterprise Associates, with participation from Legg Mason, T. Rowe Price and Cascade Investment.[3]
In 2018, CVC Asia Fund IV, a fund managed by CVC Capital Partners, acquired OANDA.[4] CVC agreed to sell OANDA to Czech trading company FTMO in 2025.[5][8]
FTMO's financial statements later showed that the acquisition cost approximately US$422 million.[9]
Products and services
[edit]OANDA provides online trading services as well as foreign exchange data and analytics. Its trading businesses offer different financial instruments depending on the jurisdiction, including foreign exchange and derivatives linked to stock indices, commodities, equities and precious metals.[10]
OANDA also provides currency-data services for businesses, including an exchange rates API. Its currency converters provide current and historical exchange rate information.[10]
In 2012, HSBC launched a margin foreign exchange trading service for eligible retail customers in Hong Kong using OANDA's trading platform.[11]
Regulatory matters
[edit]In August 2020, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) ordered OANDA Corporation to pay a US$500,000 civil penalty for violations of capital, reporting and supervision requirements. The CFTC found that OANDA had at times failed to meet minimum net-capital requirements and had breached restrictions on equity withdrawals. It also identified reporting and supervision failures. The regulator said it found no indication that customers had suffered losses as a result of the capital and equity-withdrawal violations.[12]
In May 2025, the National Futures Association (NFA) ordered OANDA to pay a US$600,000 fine and to make a good-faith effort to provide up to US$428,592.26 in restitution to customers affected by a pricing-display issue. The case also involved findings related to capital requirements, customer security deposits, promotional materials and supervision. OANDA settled without admitting or denying the allegations.[13]
References
[edit]- ↑ Mandelbrot, Benoit B.; Hudson, Richard L. (2004). The (mis)behavior of markets: a fractal view of risk, ruin, and reward. New York: Published by Basic Books. pp. 254–58. ISBN 978-0-465-04355-2.
- 1 2 3 4 "Venture capital for Swiss tech startups surges". SWI swissinfo.ch. SRG SSR. 22 September 2005. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- 1 2 Lee, Oliver (3 October 2007). "Retail platforms: Investment in Oanda platform underlines retail sector's importance". Euromoney. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- 1 2 Kimberley, David (18 June 2018). "Bargain Hunters? Exclusive Details on the OANDA-CVC Acquisition". Finance Magnates. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- 1 2 Mareš, Michael (5 February 2025). "Miliardové FTMO dál roste. Kupuje finanční platformu OANDA". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). Economia. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Halls, Michael (June 2003). "Research—Coming From a Trading Floor Near You". Global Finance. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- ↑ Steiner, Doug (24 January 2013). "How do you run the world's most innovative online forex trading firm?". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "FTMO Building Global Trading Powerhouse – Completes Acquisition of OANDA from CVC" (Press release). FTMO. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Mertová, Jana (8 September 2026). "FTMO vystřelily tržby na 8,8 miliardy. A prozradili, za kolik koupili Oandu". Forbes Česko (in Czech). MediaRey, SE. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- 1 2 "OANDA Group". OANDA. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "HSBC rolls out FX margin trading to Hong Kong retail customers". Euromoney. 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "CFTC Orders Toronto-Based Firm to Pay $500,000 for Violating Capital, Reporting, and Supervision Rules" (Press release). Commodity Futures Trading Commission. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "In the Matter of OANDA Corporation". National Futures Association. 29 May 2025. Retrieved 22 September 2026.