A trading account is your account with a licensed stockbroker that lets you place buy and sell orders. To invest in Bursa Malaysia shares you generally need a trading account and a CDS account. Most brokers open both through one online application using your MyKad. Compare brokerage fees, markets, account structure and platform before you choose.
Understand how CDS and trading accounts fit together before you apply. Start with our IPO Pink Form guide.
What is a trading account?
A trading account is the account you hold with a stockbroker that lets you send buy and sell orders to the market. In Malaysia, stockbrokers are licensed by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and are participants of Bursa Malaysia. When you tap "Buy" in a broker app, the order goes through your trading account.
It is often called a brokerage account, share trading account or online trading account. They all mean the same thing.
Trading account vs CDS account
| Trading account | CDS account | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Places buy and sell orders | Records the securities you own |
| Held with | Your stockbroker | Bursa Malaysia Depository, opened via a stockbroker |
| Holds shares | No | Yes |
| Needed to invest in Bursa | Generally yes | Generally yes |
Why beginners generally need both
The trading account is the counter where you place orders. The CDS account is the safe where your shares are kept. Some brokers open a CDS account in your own name, others hold your Bursa shares through a nominee account. Both work for everyday investing, but the difference matters for IPOs. Read How to open a CDS account in Malaysia for the details.
How a Bursa trade is executed
You place an order
Choose the stock, the quantity and the order type (for example a limit order at a price you set). Bursa shares normally trade in board lots of 100 units.
Your broker sends it to Bursa Malaysia
The broker checks you have enough cash or trading limit, then routes the order to Bursa Malaysia's trading system.
The order is matched
If a seller's price meets your buy price, the trade is executed. Your broker sends you a contract note.
Settlement
Bursa trades settle on T+2, two market days after the trade date. The shares are then recorded in the CDS account linked to your trading account.
Brokerage and other fees
Every Bursa trade has three layers of cost:
- Brokerage: set by your broker. This is where brokers differ most.
- Clearing fee: charged by Bursa Malaysia, the same whichever broker you use.
- Stamp duty: charged by the government, the same whichever broker you use.
Some examples from official broker pages, checked on 4 October 2026:
| Broker | Bursa brokerage (as published) |
|---|---|
| Rakuten Trade | RM1 up to RM100; RM2.88 for RM100.01 to RM9,999.99; 0.1% for RM10,000 to RM99,999.99; RM100 above RM100,000 |
| Webull Malaysia | 0.05% of total trade amount, RM0 platform fee |
| Moomoo Malaysia | RM0 commission for 180 days for new users (promotion); standard rates after that, check Moomoo's pricing page |
Fees change, and some brokers also charge platform, market data or currency conversion fees. Look at the total cost of a typical trade size for you, not just the headline number.
Bursa and US / international market access
Not every Malaysian trading account gives you the same markets. Based on their official Malaysian pricing pages (checked 4 October 2026): Moomoo lists Malaysian, US, Hong Kong and Singapore stocks; Webull lists US, Malaysian, and Hong Kong and China markets; Rakuten Trade lists Bursa, US and Hong Kong. If you only want Bursa, you do not need to pay for features you won't use. If you want US stocks too, compare currency conversion costs and US commissions.
Platform quality, research tools and beginner friendliness
- Ease of use: can you find the order screen, your holdings and your contract notes easily?
- Research tools: charts, financial data, announcements and screeners. Some apps include more of this for free than others.
- Guidance for beginners: learning content, clear fee screens and responsive support in your language.
- Reliability: does the app stay stable during busy market openings?
How to open a trading account
Choose an SC-licensed broker
Use the comparison points below. You can check a firm's licence on the Securities Commission Malaysia's public register.
Apply online with eKYC
Most brokers let you upload your MyKad and complete identity checks in the app. Have your bank details ready.
Confirm your CDS arrangement
Ask whether you will get a CDS account in your own name or a nominee account. If you plan to apply for IPOs, this matters.
Wait for approval
Timing depends on the broker and how complete your application is.
Fund the account and place your first trade
Start small while you learn how orders, fees and settlement work.
Funding and withdrawals
Brokers usually accept online banking transfers, and many support FPX or DuitNow. Deposits must normally come from, and withdrawals go to, a bank account in your own name. Third-party transfers are commonly rejected. Check each broker's funding methods, cut-off times and any currency conversion steps if you trade foreign markets.
What to compare before choosing a broker
- RegulationLicensed by the Securities Commission Malaysia.
- Bursa Malaysia access and brokerageTotal cost for the trade sizes you will actually make.
- CDS arrangementOwn-name CDS account or nominee? Important for IPOs.
- US and international marketsOnly if you will use them. Check FX costs.
- Account opening and fundingOnline eKYC, approval time, deposit methods.
- Platform and research toolsCharts, data, announcements, beginner content.
- Customer supportHours, channels and language.
- Current promotionsA tie-breaker only. Read the terms and expiry date.
Your next step
Broker-specific guides: Moomoo Malaysia review, Webull Malaysia review, Moomoo vs Webull and the Rakuten Trade guide.
中文重点：交易账户怎么开？
- 交易账户是你在持牌券商开的下单账户；CDS账户负责托管股票。大部分新手两个都需要，通常一次申请就能同时开立。
- 交易成本包括：券商佣金（各家不同）、Bursa清算费、政府印花税。比较的是总成本，不只是佣金。
- 马股成交后T+2交收，股票记录在关联的CDS账户。
- 只做马股还是也要美股？先想清楚，再比较券商。详见券商比较。
Trading account FAQ
What is a trading account in Malaysia?
A trading account is your account with a licensed stockbroker that lets you place buy and sell orders for Bursa Malaysia securities, and with some brokers, foreign markets too. It is separate from the CDS account, which records the securities you own.
Do I need both a trading account and a CDS account?
Generally yes. The trading account lets you place orders, and the CDS account (in your name or through a broker's nominee) records the shares you own. Many brokers open both in a single application.
How long does it take to open a trading account in Malaysia?
It depends on the broker and how complete your application is. Online eKYC applications are often processed within a few business days, while paper applications can take longer. Do not wait until the week of an IPO deadline.
What fees do I pay when trading Bursa Malaysia stocks?
Brokerage, which each broker sets, plus a Bursa clearing fee and government stamp duty that apply on every trade regardless of broker. Some brokers also charge platform or market data fees. Compare the full cost, not just the headline brokerage.
Can I trade US stocks with a Malaysian trading account?
With some brokers, yes. Moomoo, Webull and Rakuten Trade all list US stock pricing on their official Malaysian websites. Market access, currency conversion and fees differ between brokers.
Which is the best trading account in Malaysia?
There is no single best account for everyone. The right one depends on whether you trade only Bursa or foreign markets too, how often you trade, the size of each trade, whether you need a CDS account in your own name, and how much guidance you want from the app. Our broker comparison explains how we weigh these.
Sources we checked
- Rakuten Trade official fees page (Bursa, US and HK brokerage, clearing fee, stamp duty).
- Webull Malaysia official pricing page (MY market and US market tabs).
- Moomoo Malaysia official pricing page.
- Bursa Malaysia (Bursa Assist): CDS and trading account requirements.
Checked on 4 October 2026. Broker fees and promotions change often.
This guide is general educational information. It is not a recommendation to open an account with any specific broker. BursaNews is not a licensed financial adviser and this is not investment advice.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page go to broker sign-up pages. BursaNews may earn a commission if you open an account through them, at no extra cost to you.