January 2026 Summaries

Alpaca has introduced 24/5 trading for US equities to its Trading API users, allowing access to the market from Sunday 8:00 PM ET to Friday 8:00 PM ET, which caters to the demand for more flexible trading hours similar to crypto markets. This feature is particularly beneficial for algo traders and developers, enabling them to trade stocks according to their preferred schedules, react to after-hours events, and explore new trading strategies without additional setup. However, trading outside regular hours poses risks such as lower liquidity, wider bid-ask spreads, higher volatility, and potential discontinuities in price. The trading setup remains straightforward, maintaining existing authentication, funding, and risk controls, with real-time data included in the Algo Trader Plus subscription. Margin buying power during overnight sessions is up to two times, while Day Trading Buying Power does not apply, and orders requiring it may be rejected if insufficient funds are available. While this development offers expanded opportunities, it also involves significant risks, particularly with margin trading, and users are advised to carefully consider the associated risks and their investment objectives before participating.

Financial insecurity is a significant concern among young Australians, with many unable to save regularly or enter the housing market despite holding stable jobs, partly due to traditional financial institutions failing to meet their evolving needs. Instead, they are turning to social media for financial advice, often receiving unqualified guidance. Pearler, founded by Nick Nicolaides and Hayden Smith, aims to address this gap by offering a long-term investing app designed to help everyday Australians achieve financial independence without the complexities and hype of traditional financial services. By partnering with Alpaca, Pearler enables users to access global markets, particularly US stocks and ETFs, while using a passive, buy-and-hold investment model that focuses on long-term wealth building through educational tools and community insights. Looking to the future, Pearler plans to expand its offerings to include digital assets like cryptocurrencies and tokenization, while also catering to high-net-worth individuals through tailored solutions, furthering its mission to make global investing simple and accessible for the next generation of investors.

PT Valbury Asia Futures, a prominent Indonesian brokerage with three decades of experience in forex and commodity trading, has launched a new US stock trading service in partnership with Alpaca, a leader in brokerage infrastructure API. This initiative aims to make US equities accessible to Indonesian investors, who have historically faced challenges such as high fees and complex regulations in global investing. By leveraging Alpaca's Broker API and OmniSub technology, Valbury allows clients to trade US stocks with minimal investment, thereby lowering the barriers to entry and enabling portfolio diversification. This move comes in response to a surge in financial literacy and a growing number of retail investors in Indonesia, reaching 17 million in 2025, and promises to consolidate various asset types on a single platform for a streamlined customer experience.

Alpaca, a prominent provider of brokerage infrastructure APIs, has secured $150 million in Series D funding led by Drive Capital, elevating its valuation to $1.15 billion, and gained a $40 million line of credit to bolster its global expansion efforts. The investment, which includes notable participants such as Citadel Securities and MUFG Innovation Partners, underscores confidence in Alpaca's mission to democratize financial services and enhance its brokerage infrastructure. With its scalable APIs and self-clearing custody, Alpaca offers access to a diverse range of financial products and has established partnerships with over 300 organizations across 40+ countries. The company has seen significant growth, powering millions of brokerage accounts and reporting a substantial increase in revenue. Alpaca aims to use the new funds to strengthen its global investment infrastructure, expand its product offerings, and secure regulatory licenses in key markets, while continuing to innovate in tokenization and Shariah-compliant investing solutions. This funding round and strategic initiatives highlight Alpaca’s commitment to maintaining a leadership role in modernizing global capital markets, while also emphasizing the inherent risks and regulatory considerations associated with its diverse investment offerings.

TF Capital, a fintech company based in Montenegro, is addressing the challenge of limited global market access and high fees faced by investors in Southeast Europe by offering US stock and ETF trading and high-yield savings accounts through a mobile platform. Partnering with Alpaca, a provider of brokerage infrastructure APIs, TF Capital aims to democratize financial growth opportunities traditionally reserved for the wealthy by providing a user-friendly investing experience that includes fractional trading and low fees. The company is committed to enhancing financial literacy and responsible investing in the Adriatic Region, as over 60% of its clients are new to investing. TF Capital plans to expand its offerings further, leveraging Alpaca’s infrastructure to include features like 24/5 trading and securities lending, aspiring to significantly grow its assets under management and transform retail investing in Montenegro and beyond.

Alpaca has been recognized as the Best Broker for Algorithmic Trading in 2026 by BrokerChooser, underscoring its commitment to providing advanced API-based trading infrastructure for developers and active traders. The award reflects Alpaca's focus on scaling trading capabilities with features like Level 3 options, VWAP and TWAP order types, and integration with various platforms, enhancing the tools available for building sophisticated trading strategies. Alpaca has introduced numerous products and initiatives, such as Multi-Leg Options Trading and Direct Market Access, and has established memberships with financial institutions like the FICC and Nasdaq to bolster its market access. With over 7 million brokerage accounts across more than 40 countries, Alpaca continues to support fintechs and institutions in creating innovative financial products. Despite its achievements, Alpaca emphasizes the importance of understanding the risks associated with its offerings, including options trading, margin trading, and cryptocurrency investments, urging customers to conduct due diligence and consider regulatory implications.

Alpaca, a leading broker-dealer and provider of brokerage infrastructure APIs, announced its intention to acquire Zincmoney IFSC Private Limited, a broker-dealer regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority in India. This acquisition is aimed at leveraging Zincmoney's India-focused licenses and infrastructure as a gateway into the rapidly expanding Indian market, enhancing Alpaca's mission to broaden access to modern financial services globally. The move will combine Alpaca’s global brokerage capabilities with Zincmoney's local expertise, allowing for expanded offerings, such as international securities and diversified portfolio solutions, to Indian clients. The acquisition, pending regulatory approval, positions Alpaca to strengthen its full-stack brokerage infrastructure, facilitating the quick and compliant launch of investing and wealth products for brokers, banks, and fintechs. Zincmoney’s regulatory expertise and India-first product set are expected to complement Alpaca's multi-asset infrastructure, enhancing embedded finance solutions and customer payment facilitation. The acquisition reflects Alpaca's strategy to fortify its global presence, with Mayuresh Kini set to become CEO of Alpaca India, further integrating Alpaca's and Zincmoney's operations.