IG Group is a British company that has played a significant role in the development of online trading and financial services. Here is a brief history of IG Group:
1974: IG Group was founded in London by Stuart Wheeler as a spread betting business. Spread betting involves speculating on the price movement of financial instruments without actually owning the underlying asset.
1980s: IG Group expanded its services and became one of the pioneers in offering spread betting to retail investors. During this period, the company established itself as a leading provider of financial derivatives.
1995: IG Group launched its online trading platform, allowing customers to trade financial instruments over the internet. This move marked a significant step in the evolution of the company and the financial industry as a whole, as online trading became more accessible to individual investors.
2000s: IG Group continued to innovate and expand its product offerings. The company introduced contracts for difference (CFDs) to its platform, allowing traders to speculate on the price movements of various financial instruments without owning the underlying assets. CFDs became a popular trading instrument due to their flexibility and the ability to trade on both rising and falling markets.
2010s: IG Group expanded globally, opening offices in various countries and acquiring other financial firms. The company also continued to enhance its technology, providing traders with advanced trading tools and features.
2018: IG Group faced challenges when regulatory changes were implemented in the European Union, specifically related to the marketing and sale of CFDs to retail clients. These changes impacted the industry as a whole, but IG Group adapted its business model to comply with the new regulations.
2020s: IG Group continued to be a major player in the online trading industry, adapting to market trends and technological advancements. In 2020, IG Group announced the acquisition of tastytrade, a US-based online brokerage and trading education platform, expanding its presence in the American market.
Throughout its history, IG Group has been at the forefront of financial innovation, providing retail investors with access to a wide range of financial instruments and markets. The company’s commitment to technology, regulatory compliance, and customer service has contributed to its success in the competitive online trading industry.