GIFT City in Gujarat hosts India's International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). A company can register as a broker-dealer in the IFSC with trading rights on a recognised IFSC exchange such as India INX or NSE International Exchange. It can serve non-residents, NRIs, eligible Indian entities and resident individuals investing under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme, in products permitted in the IFSC. It is a legal way to build an international brokerage while operating from India.
- GIFT City IFSC lets you run an international brokerage legally from India.
- Broker-dealers register with IFSCA and hold trading rights on an IFSC exchange.
- Clients can include non-residents, NRIs, eligible Indian entities and residents investing under LRS.
- Net worth requirements apply; foreign entities have figures set by IFSCA, Indian entities follow exchange rules.
- A principal officer with finance qualifications and five years' experience is required.
Looking for a CRM and client portal for an IFSC brokerage? Global onboarding, KYC, client portal and reporting.
For years, Indian founders who wanted to build an international brokerage had to look abroad. GIFT City changes that: India's International Financial Services Centre lets you serve global clients from Indian soil, under an international regulatory framework.
Why GIFT City is attractive
- International business from India, with Indian talent and costs.
- A dedicated regulator, IFSCA, focused on international financial services.
- IFSC exchanges such as India INX and NSE International Exchange.
- Tax incentives for eligible IFSC units; confirm the current position with a tax adviser.
Who you can serve
| Client type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Non-residents | Individuals and institutions outside India |
| NRIs | Non-resident Indians |
| Indian entities | Non-individual residents eligible to invest overseas under FEMA |
| Indian resident individuals | Within the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme, in permitted products |
Setting up a broker-dealer: the essentials
- Form your entity in GIFT IFSC: company, LLP or other permitted structure, Indian or foreign-owned.
- Obtain trading rights on a recognised IFSC stock exchange.
- Register with IFSCA as a broker-dealer and, if needed, as a clearing member.
- Meet net worth requirements: set by the exchange for Indian entities, with specific figures for foreign entities under the IFSCA framework.
- Appoint a principal officer with a professional or postgraduate qualification in finance, law, accountancy or economics and at least five years' relevant experience.
- Build your technology and compliance, then launch.
Technology for an IFSC brokerage
An IFSC brokerage needs global-grade onboarding and KYC, a CRM and back office, client portals, apps and reporting. We can help design and integrate these around your exchange connectivity. Compare the other routes in our India brokerage guide.
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with SEBI, the exchanges, IFSCA or RBI and a qualified adviser before you start.