Shard Capital, founded in 2010, is a prominent wealth manager headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Initially established as an institutional fixed income broker, Shard Capital has transformed into a comprehensive financial services provider, currently managing over £2 billion in assets. The firm operates as a private company, maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit while delivering high-level investment management services to a diverse clientele, including high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), institutional investors, and corporate clients.
Throughout its journey, Shard Capital has achieved significant milestones, including the expansion of its service offerings beyond fixed income brokerage to encompass investment management, capital markets services, and alternative investment fund management. The company has developed a reputation for its client-centric approach, focusing on transparency and aligning its interests with those of its clients. This ethos allows Shard Capital to deliver tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of its partners.
The business model of Shard Capital includes retail forex services, institutional offerings, and alternative investments. The firm also manages a direct lending fund aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and a seed-stage technology fund that focuses on sectors such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. This diverse range of services is supported by a team of over 90 professionals, ensuring that clients receive the highest quality of service.
Shard Capital operates under the oversight of several regulatory bodies, ensuring compliance with industry standards. The primary regulatory authority for Shard Capital is the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. The FCA registration number for Shard Capital is 538762.
The firm's regulatory licenses are valid and cover various financial activities, including investment management and brokerage services. Shard Capital adheres to strict compliance measures, including Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols, to protect client interests and maintain the integrity of its operations.
Client funds are held in segregated accounts, ensuring that they are protected and not mixed with the firm's operational funds. This practice aligns with industry best practices and enhances client confidence in the safety of their investments. Additionally, Shard Capital participates in investor compensation schemes, providing further assurance to clients regarding the security of their funds.
Shard Capital offers a wide array of trading products and services, catering to the diverse needs of its clients. The firm provides access to a variety of forex currency pairs, including major, minor, and exotic pairs, enabling clients to engage in global currency trading.
In addition to forex, Shard Capital offers Contracts for Difference (CFDs) across multiple asset classes, including indices, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. This extensive product range allows clients to diversify their trading portfolios and capitalize on various market opportunities.
The firm is committed to regularly updating its product offerings, ensuring that clients have access to the latest financial instruments. Shard Capital also provides retail trading services and tailored solutions for institutional clients, including white-label solutions for financial advisers and other intermediaries. Furthermore, the firm offers asset management services, focusing on delivering customized investment strategies that align with client objectives.
Shard Capital supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, providing clients with robust trading tools and features. These platforms are well-regarded in the industry for their user-friendly interface and advanced charting capabilities.
In addition to the popular trading platforms, Shard Capital has developed its own proprietary trading platform, which offers unique features and functionalities tailored to meet the demands of its clients. The firm also provides a web-based trading platform, allowing clients to trade seamlessly from any device with internet access.
For mobile trading, Shard Capital supports applications for both iOS and Android, ensuring that clients can manage their trades on the go. The firm employs various execution models, including ECN (Electronic Communication Network) and STP (Straight Through Processing), to facilitate efficient and transparent trading.
The company's technological infrastructure is robust, with servers located strategically to ensure low latency and high-speed execution. Shard Capital also offers API access, enabling clients to engage in automated trading and algorithmic strategies.
Shard Capital provides various account types to accommodate different trading preferences and strategies. The standard account typically requires a minimum deposit, offers competitive spreads, and may include commission structures based on trading volumes.
In addition to standard accounts, Shard Capital offers premium account types for experienced traders, including VIP and professional accounts. These accounts come with enhanced features, such as lower spreads, higher leverage, and personalized support.
The firm also caters to specific client needs with specialty accounts, such as Islamic accounts for clients requiring Sharia-compliant trading options and corporate accounts for businesses looking to trade on behalf of their entities.
For those who wish to practice before trading with real funds, Shard Capital provides a demo account option, allowing clients to familiarize themselves with the trading platform and strategies without financial risk. The leverage offered varies by product, with a range that accommodates both conservative and aggressive trading styles.
Shard Capital implements overnight fees for positions held beyond the trading day, which are clearly outlined in the trading conditions provided to clients. This transparency ensures that traders are well-informed about potential costs associated with their trading activities.
Shard Capital supports a variety of deposit methods, including bank transfers, credit cards, and e-wallets, to facilitate easy funding for clients. The minimum deposit requirements vary depending on the account type, with detailed information available on the firm's website.
Deposit processing times are generally swift, with many methods allowing for instant funding. However, specific processing times may vary based on the method chosen. Shard Capital does not impose deposit fees, ensuring that clients can fund their accounts without incurring additional costs.
Withdrawal options are equally flexible, with clients able to withdraw funds using the same methods used for deposits. Withdrawal processing times may vary, but the firm aims to process requests promptly. Shard Capital also maintains a transparent fee structure for withdrawals, with details provided to clients upon request.
Shard Capital prioritizes customer support, offering multiple channels for clients to reach out for assistance. Clients can contact the support team via phone, email, live chat, and social media, ensuring that help is readily available when needed.
The firm's customer support services are available during business hours, covering multiple time zones to accommodate its international clientele. Shard Capital provides support in several languages, enhancing accessibility for clients from diverse backgrounds.
To empower clients, Shard Capital offers a range of educational resources, including webinars, tutorials, and e-books. These resources are designed to enhance trading knowledge and skills, helping clients make informed decisions.
Additionally, the firm provides regular market analysis services, including daily updates, news, and research reports, keeping clients informed about market trends and opportunities. Shard Capital also offers a suite of trading tools, such as calculators, economic calendars, and signal services, to assist clients in their trading endeavors.
Shard Capital primarily serves clients in the United Kingdom, with additional coverage extending to various international markets. The firm has established regional offices to enhance its service delivery and client engagement.
However, there are certain countries and regions from which Shard Capital does not accept clients. This includes jurisdictions subject to specific regulatory restrictions or where the firm does not have the necessary licenses to operate. Clients interested in opening accounts are encouraged to check the firm's website for the most up-to-date information on accepted regions and any special restrictions that may apply.
In summary, Shard Capital stands out as a comprehensive broker, offering a diverse range of financial services and products tailored to meet the needs of its clients. With a strong focus on compliance, customer support, and educational resources, Shard Capital is well-positioned to serve both retail and institutional investors in today's dynamic financial landscape.