Alpaca

API-first brokerage for stock trading

San Mateo, California, United States

About Alpaca

Alpaca Securities LLC operates in the stock brokerage industry by providing an API-first brokerage service that allows other businesses to create their own trading applications. This service enables companies to integrate stock trading functionality into their platforms without the need to become brokers themselves, saving them time and resources. Alpaca's API supports seamless trading experiences for users and includes features like Local Currency Trading, which allows international investors to trade US stocks in their local currency. Additionally, Alpaca offers crypto wallets and coin pair trading, expanding the financial services available to its clients. Unlike traditional brokers, Alpaca focuses on a business-to-business model, catering primarily to other companies that want to offer trading services to their customers. The goal of Alpaca is to simplify the trading process for businesses and their users while providing a secure and efficient platform for executing trades.

San Mateo, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2015Year Founded
$84.5MTotal Funding
CONVERTIBLECompany Stage
Fintech, Financial ServicesIndustries
201-500Employees

Benefits

Competitive salary & stock options
Medical, dental, & vision
Home office setup stipend
Monthly Brex Card stipend

Risks

Increased competition from fintech platforms like GUGU offering commission-free trading.
Potential regulatory challenges in international markets may complicate Alpaca's expansion.
Self-clearing transition introduces operational risks in managing settlement processes.

Differentiation

Alpaca offers API-first brokerage services, enabling businesses to build trading applications.
Alpaca supports local currency trading, simplifying US stock trading for international investors.
Alpaca provides crypto wallets and coin pair trading, expanding financial services for clients.

Upsides

Alpaca's self-clearing transition enhances asset transfers and securities lending opportunities.
Partnership with Derayah Financial accelerates Middle Eastern business expansion for Alpaca.
Alpaca's limit orders and extended hours trading for fractional shares lead retail trading.