GITNUXREPORT 2025

Securities Industry Statistics

Global securities industry hit $95 trillion in 2023, driven by digital and algorithmic trades.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average tenure of a securities broker in the US is around 7 years

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The securities industry employed over 2.3 million people worldwide in 2023

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The number of securities analysts globally reached approximately 30,000 in 2023

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The total number of securities-focused tech start-ups globally reached over 1,200 in 2023

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The securities industry held approximately 30% of financial sector employment in major economies in 2023

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The global securities industry employs roughly 2 million in compliance and regulatory roles as of 2023

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The average fee for stock trading in retail brokerages decreased to $4.95 per trade in 2023

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The average commission rate for mutual funds in the US was approximately 1.2%

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The average commission rate for ETF trades in the US decreased to $0.00 per trade, effectively commission-free in 2023

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The average expense ratio of passive index funds was around 0.07% in 2023

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Approximately 85% of retail investors in the United States own some form of securities

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The number of retail brokerage accounts in the U.S. surpassed 85 million in 2023

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Approximately 55% of institutional investors in the US utilize some form of securities lending

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The percentage of retail investors using mobile trading apps rose to 78% in 2023

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The percentage of securities in the US held digitally as of 2023 is around 92%

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The median age of securities traders globally is approximately 42 years

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The share of retail investors in ETF trading increased to 60% in 2023

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The number of active investors in China's securities markets surpassed 150 million in 2023

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Approximately 45% of securities transactions in emerging markets are conducted via mobile devices

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The percentage of retail investors with investments in international securities increased to 48% in 2023

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The global securities industry was valued at approximately $95 trillion as of 2023

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The U.S. securities industry managed assets worth over $50 trillion in 2023

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The number of securities exchanges worldwide exceeded 200 in 2023

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The issuance of new securities in global markets reached over $10 trillion in 2023

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The average annual return of the S&P 500 was approximately 10.5% in 2023

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The total market capitalization of all U.S. equities was about $45 trillion in 2023

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The global hedge fund assets under management totaled approximately $4.7 trillion in 2023

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The total number of ETFs worldwide surpassed 5,500 in 2023

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The global bond market size reached $133 trillion in 2023

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The global investment in fintech solutions for securities trading increased by 35% in 2023

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The global securities lending market is estimated to generate revenue of around $9 billion annually

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The global securities industry saw an increase of 14% in green bonds issued in 2023

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved over 250 new ETF filings in 2023

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The number of robo-advisors managing securities assets worldwide increased by 45% in 2023

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The value of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) worldwide reached over $320 billion in 2023

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The total assets held in securities-based lending programs worldwide reached approximately $1.2 trillion in 2023

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The percentage of securities exchanges adopting blockchain technology increased to 50% in 2023

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The global securities industry annual revenue exceeded $365 billion in 2023

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The adoption rate of securities industry regulations to mitigate cyber risks increased to 65% in 2023

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The overall securities industry profit before taxes in North America was estimated at $55 billion in 2023

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The securities industry's contribution to global GDP was approximately 4.8% in 2023

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Over 70% of securities firms globally have adopted multiple cloud-based solutions in 2023

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The volume of ESG-related securities issued worldwide increased by 65% in 2023

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The total global derivatives market was valued at approximately $1.2 quadrillion in 2023

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The number of securities firms worldwide increased by about 8% in 2023, reaching over 12,500 firms

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The securities industry's infrastructure investments in cybersecurity increased by 40% in 2023

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The US accounts for approximately 60% of all securities traded globally

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The total value of securities related to mergers and acquisitions in 2023 was over $3.5 trillion worldwide

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The volume of stock market trades in the US averaged about 7.5 billion shares daily in 2023

Statistic 50

Algorithmic trading accounts for roughly 60-70% of all equity trading volume in the U.S. stock market

Statistic 51

Cryptocurrency securities trading volume increased by 120% in 2023 compared to 2022

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The average trading daily volume on the London Stock Exchange was approximately 1.7 billion shares in 2023

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The percentage of securities traded electronically exceeded 85% in 2023

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Nearly 65% of securities transactions in the US are settled T+2 days

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In 2023, about 40% of trading volume was influenced by high-frequency trading algorithms

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The number of cross-border securities transactions increased by 18% in 2023

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The average daily value of options traded in the US surpassed $560 billion in 2023

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The average duration of securities transactions from order to settlement decreased to 2 days in 2023

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The global market share of the top 10 securities exchanges accounted for approximately 70% of total global equities trading volume in 2023

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The percentage of securities transactions cleared through electronic systems in Europe surpassed 90% in 2023

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The average daily value of commodities traded on securities exchanges globally was around $15 billion in 2023

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The share of alternative securities like structured products and derivatives in total trading volume increased by 10% in 2023

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The percentage of securities transactions settled via blockchain or DLT increased to 15% globally in 2023

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The proportion of securities transactions performed on dark pools declined slightly to 18% in 2023

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Approximately 72% of securities firms globally reported increasing revenue from digital trading platforms in 2023

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Key Highlights

The global securities industry was valued at approximately $95 trillion as of 2023
The U.S. securities industry managed assets worth over $50 trillion in 2023
Approximately 85% of retail investors in the United States own some form of securities
The volume of stock market trades in the US averaged about 7.5 billion shares daily in 2023
The average fee for stock trading in retail brokerages decreased to $4.95 per trade in 2023
Algorithmic trading accounts for roughly 60-70% of all equity trading volume in the U.S. stock market
The number of securities exchanges worldwide exceeded 200 in 2023
The issuance of new securities in global markets reached over $10 trillion in 2023
The average annual return of the S&P 500 was approximately 10.5% in 2023
The total market capitalization of all U.S. equities was about $45 trillion in 2023
The number of retail brokerage accounts in the U.S. surpassed 85 million in 2023
The global hedge fund assets under management totaled approximately $4.7 trillion in 2023
Cryptocurrency securities trading volume increased by 120% in 2023 compared to 2022

The securities industry is booming in 2023, with a staggering $95 trillion global valuation, over $50 trillion managed in the U.S., and an ever-expanding landscape driven by technological innovations, record-breaking securities issuance, and a rising tide of retail and institutional investor activity.

Employment and Industry Composition

The average tenure of a securities broker in the US is around 7 years
The securities industry employed over 2.3 million people worldwide in 2023
The number of securities analysts globally reached approximately 30,000 in 2023
The total number of securities-focused tech start-ups globally reached over 1,200 in 2023
The securities industry held approximately 30% of financial sector employment in major economies in 2023
The global securities industry employs roughly 2 million in compliance and regulatory roles as of 2023

Employment and Industry Composition Interpretation

With security and scrutiny at the industry's core, a 7-year average broker tenure hints at high-stakes turnover, while the staggering global workforce of over 2.3 million—including 30,000 analysts and 1,200 tech startups—underscores both the sector's expansive reach and its relentless evolution within nearly a third of major economies' financial employment.

Fees and Cost Structures

The average fee for stock trading in retail brokerages decreased to $4.95 per trade in 2023
The average commission rate for mutual funds in the US was approximately 1.2%
The average commission rate for ETF trades in the US decreased to $0.00 per trade, effectively commission-free in 2023
The average expense ratio of passive index funds was around 0.07% in 2023

Fees and Cost Structures Interpretation

In 2023, the once-stodgy world of trading saw fees evaporate and expenses shrink, transforming investing into a surprisingly affordable playground where even passive index funds can be a cost-effective knight in shining armor.

Investor Demographics and Behavior

Approximately 85% of retail investors in the United States own some form of securities
The number of retail brokerage accounts in the U.S. surpassed 85 million in 2023
Approximately 55% of institutional investors in the US utilize some form of securities lending
The percentage of retail investors using mobile trading apps rose to 78% in 2023
The percentage of securities in the US held digitally as of 2023 is around 92%
The median age of securities traders globally is approximately 42 years
The share of retail investors in ETF trading increased to 60% in 2023
The number of active investors in China's securities markets surpassed 150 million in 2023
Approximately 45% of securities transactions in emerging markets are conducted via mobile devices
The percentage of retail investors with investments in international securities increased to 48% in 2023

Investor Demographics and Behavior Interpretation

With over 85 million U.S. retail brokerage accounts and a staggering 92% of securities held digitally, it's clear that today's investors, averaging around 42 years old, are wielding their devices—whether mobile, global, or international—to increasingly take control of their financial futures in a fast-evolving, digitized securities landscape.

Market Size and Valuation

The global securities industry was valued at approximately $95 trillion as of 2023
The U.S. securities industry managed assets worth over $50 trillion in 2023
The number of securities exchanges worldwide exceeded 200 in 2023
The issuance of new securities in global markets reached over $10 trillion in 2023
The average annual return of the S&P 500 was approximately 10.5% in 2023
The total market capitalization of all U.S. equities was about $45 trillion in 2023
The global hedge fund assets under management totaled approximately $4.7 trillion in 2023
The total number of ETFs worldwide surpassed 5,500 in 2023
The global bond market size reached $133 trillion in 2023
The global investment in fintech solutions for securities trading increased by 35% in 2023
The global securities lending market is estimated to generate revenue of around $9 billion annually
The global securities industry saw an increase of 14% in green bonds issued in 2023
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved over 250 new ETF filings in 2023
The number of robo-advisors managing securities assets worldwide increased by 45% in 2023
The value of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) worldwide reached over $320 billion in 2023
The total assets held in securities-based lending programs worldwide reached approximately $1.2 trillion in 2023
The percentage of securities exchanges adopting blockchain technology increased to 50% in 2023
The global securities industry annual revenue exceeded $365 billion in 2023
The adoption rate of securities industry regulations to mitigate cyber risks increased to 65% in 2023
The overall securities industry profit before taxes in North America was estimated at $55 billion in 2023
The securities industry's contribution to global GDP was approximately 4.8% in 2023
Over 70% of securities firms globally have adopted multiple cloud-based solutions in 2023
The volume of ESG-related securities issued worldwide increased by 65% in 2023
The total global derivatives market was valued at approximately $1.2 quadrillion in 2023
The number of securities firms worldwide increased by about 8% in 2023, reaching over 12,500 firms
The securities industry's infrastructure investments in cybersecurity increased by 40% in 2023
The US accounts for approximately 60% of all securities traded globally
The total value of securities related to mergers and acquisitions in 2023 was over $3.5 trillion worldwide

Market Size and Valuation Interpretation

In 2023, the securities industry, valued at nearly $95 trillion and fueling over half of U.S. assets, continues to grow exponentially—more exchanges, innovative fintech investments, a surge in ESG securities, and widespread adoption of blockchain—highlighting a dynamic, billion-dollar global economy that is increasingly digital, green, and interconnected, all while striving to keep pace with evolving cyber and regulatory challenges.

Trading Volumes and Activity

The volume of stock market trades in the US averaged about 7.5 billion shares daily in 2023
Algorithmic trading accounts for roughly 60-70% of all equity trading volume in the U.S. stock market
Cryptocurrency securities trading volume increased by 120% in 2023 compared to 2022
The average trading daily volume on the London Stock Exchange was approximately 1.7 billion shares in 2023
The percentage of securities traded electronically exceeded 85% in 2023
Nearly 65% of securities transactions in the US are settled T+2 days
In 2023, about 40% of trading volume was influenced by high-frequency trading algorithms
The number of cross-border securities transactions increased by 18% in 2023
The average daily value of options traded in the US surpassed $560 billion in 2023
The average duration of securities transactions from order to settlement decreased to 2 days in 2023
The global market share of the top 10 securities exchanges accounted for approximately 70% of total global equities trading volume in 2023
The percentage of securities transactions cleared through electronic systems in Europe surpassed 90% in 2023
The average daily value of commodities traded on securities exchanges globally was around $15 billion in 2023
The share of alternative securities like structured products and derivatives in total trading volume increased by 10% in 2023
The percentage of securities transactions settled via blockchain or DLT increased to 15% globally in 2023
The proportion of securities transactions performed on dark pools declined slightly to 18% in 2023
Approximately 72% of securities firms globally reported increasing revenue from digital trading platforms in 2023

Trading Volumes and Activity Interpretation

In 2023, with daily US stock trades surpassing 7.5 billion shares and algorithms dictating up to 70% of those moves, the market’s digital heartbeat—where over 85% is executed electronically—echoes a data-driven symphony, while cryptocurrencies and alternative securities surge in influence, all amid faster settlements and a tightening grip of electronic and blockchain systems, revealing a financial landscape increasingly choreographed by code and quickening pace.