The Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC), the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX), and nine securities firms, have signed an agreement to develop a Share Margin Trading System aimed at enhancing market liquidity, stimulating trading activities, and further modernising Cambodia’s capital market.
The signing ceremony was held at the Non-Bank Financial Services Authority (FSA) building on September 2, 2025, with the participation of H.E. Sou Socheat, Director General of the SERC, and H.E. Hong Sok Hour, CEO of the CSX, along with representatives from the nine securities firms currently operating in Cambodia.
Participating firms include RHB Securities (Cambodia) Plc.; Canadia Securities Co., Ltd.; ACLEDA Securities Plc.; Campu Securities Plc.; Royal Group Securities Plc.; Yuanta Securities (Cambodia) Plc.; SBI Royal Securities Plc.; Golden Fortune Securities Plc.; and Cambodia Securities Plc.
The new share margin trading system is expected to be implemented within eight months of the signing date.
What is the Share Margin Trading System?
Share margin trading allows investors to purchase shares without providing 100 per cent cash upfront, using margin facilities offered by securities firms. Investors must provide collateral, either in cash or in securities they currently hold.
H.E. Sou Socheat explained that Cambodia’s current market operates on a 100 per cent ‘Good Faith Deposit’, with Delivery Versus Payment and a T+2 settlement.
“Today’s agreement marks a milestone for the securities market,” he said. “It transforms our market from investors passively waiting until they have enough cash, to actively trading through margin mechanisms.”
Speaking to B2B Cambodia, Socheat added: “This system will allow securities firms to play a greater role in the secondary market and enable investors to borrow securities and cash to trade more actively.”
Currently, Cambodia’s securities market has around 2,000 active daily traders, with daily total trade value averaging between USD 100,000 and USD 150,000. The SERC Director General expects that the new system will increase both trading volume and the number of traders.
“A more active market will drive development and contribute to Cambodia’s economic growth,” he asserted.
A Step Forward for Cambodia’s Capital Market
H.E. Hong Sok Hour remarked that this launch represents both a sector milestone and a shared vision for market development.
“It signals our commitment to advancing Cambodia’s securities market in line with international practices,” he said.
Despite being established for over 10 years, Cambodia’s capital market remains young and with limited participation. “It is growing but has not yet reached its full potential,” Sok Hour noted.
While real estate remains Cambodia’s most popular investment, the CSX CEO emphasised that investing in stocks does not require abandoning property. Drawing on experiences from various markets, including neighbouring Vietnam, he highlighted that both stock and real estate markets can grow together.
“Investors can continue investing in real estate, but they should consider allocating 5 per cent to 10 per cent of their total investment to the securities market. Even this modest share can significantly support capital market development,” he said.
The Share Margin Trading System is expected to attract greater interest from domestic and international investors, expanding opportunities across Cambodia’s securities sector.
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