At ViewTrade, our team is critical to our success – and we want to give them the spotlight they deserve! Check out our interview with Levi Tsai, Customer Success, and stay tuned for more employee profiles in the future.
What was your first job?
My first job was with ViewTrade, where I worked in client services for the Asian market. My role involved supporting sales, onboarding new clients, identifying and resolving client issues in collaboration with our US team, and coordinating product launches.
What excites you about financial technology today?
The most exciting aspect of financial technology today is the democratization of equity trading through fractionalization, which allows small retail investors to access the vast opportunities of the US stock market. Cross-border transactions are becoming increasingly seamless, and with the rapid advancement of information and AI technology, global markets are more accessible than ever. Unlike a decade ago, investors are no longer limited to their domestic markets. Fintech innovations, such as APIs that connect everything on a single app, offer one-stop solutions and significantly reduce intermediary and friction costs. Personal wealth management has never been more convenient, enabling investors to use various data sources to make informed decisions. Additionally, programmatic and AI-driven trading strategies are making it easier to analyze market sentiment and execute trades efficiently.
Where do you see financial technology and finance evolving in the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years, while AI and robotics-advisors will continue to grow, the role of human financial consultants will remain crucial. History often repeats itself, albeit in different forms, and creative thinking—something only humans can provide—will be essential. Although AI can offer insights, it may also produce false positives or misinterpretations that require human oversight.
As competition intensifies in the financial space, regulatory technology (RegTech) will become increasingly important. The finance industry relies heavily on regulatory compliance and trust. Firms that can efficiently adapt to a dynamic regulatory environment will have a better chance of sustaining their business and gaining client trust. RegTech may not drive immediate growth, but it will ensure long-term stability by helping firms comply with both domestic and local market regulations.
Trust and reputation are paramount in the financial industry, where people’s lives and money are at stake. Wealthy individuals are willing to pay for access to financial markets because they value the safety, service, and trust that reputable firms provide.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
In this rapidly evolving industry, I’ve gained insights into the different investment appetites, trading patterns, and regulatory landscapes of various markets. I’ve had the privilege of working with experts in the US market infrastructure, which has been invaluable in my role. It’s been fascinating to help Taiwanese brokers democratize the US market through fractional trading, assist Hong Kong brokers with institutional trading setups like DVP and Fidessa connections, and manage the trading patterns of ultra-wealthy clients.
Over the past year, we’ve addressed concerns about the transition to T+1 settlement, which has been a significant worry for overseas investors due to the pressure it places on settlement processing times. We also helped a Singaporean client connect to the night session, enabling 24-hour trading in the US market. In the last five years, nearly all Taiwanese brokers have transitioned from NQI to QI status, thanks in part to ViewTrade’s collaboration with TConsult, where we hosted seminars to highlight the benefits of becoming a QI.
In summary, it’s been a rewarding journey to grow alongside ViewTrade and our clients, ultimately benefiting overseas investors in local markets.
