Shyft by Standard Bank brings JSE shares onboard, paving the way for smarter local investing
Shyft by Standard Bank has added JSE shares to its platform, allowing South Africans to invest locally with ease. In an interview with BizNews’ Alec Hogg, Shyft head Glynn Allen discusses the platform’s rapid growth, upcoming features like fractional shares, and the renewed focus on empowering investors through education and seamless access to both local and global markets.
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In a significant development for South African investors, Shyft by Standard Bank has added Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) shares to its platform, enabling seamless access to both local and international markets. This move, as discussed in a recent interview between BizNews founder Alec Hogg and Shyft head Glynn Allen, marks a new chapter in democratising investing for South Africans.
Hogg, a long-time supporter of Shyft and its predecessor platforms, highlighted how the platform has evolved over the past decade. He noted the remarkable innovation in foreign exchange access and online trading, especially the significant cost advantages Shyft offers over traditional forex outlets. However, the integration of JSE shares onto the platform signals a renewed focus on domestic investment.
“Your timing was brilliant,” Hogg commented, referring to the strong performance of the JSE in dollar terms, outpacing U.S. markets this year. Allen confirmed that the response to the new feature has been overwhelmingly positive, with up to 70% of offshore users now trading on the local exchange. Additionally, new users are increasingly opting to invest locally, bringing funds back from offshore accounts in response to the favourable rand-dollar dynamics.
Allen credited the community around Shyft, particularly BizNews readers, for much of the platform’s evolution. “We've added over a hundred new instruments on the JSE based on client feedback,” he said. The success reflects a growing appetite among South Africans to re-engage with the local market, particularly as global conditions shift and exchange rates become more favourable.
As part of Standard Bank, Shyft is working to merge its capabilities with its legacy platforms, including WebTrader and the longstanding Online Share Trading system. This will provide a single, intuitive experience for investors while maintaining the advanced functionality long-time users have come to expect. According to Allen, the goal is to launch a comprehensive Shift Trader offering later this year, combining global market access with advanced charting tools, derivatives, and more asset classes.
Education remains a cornerstone of Shyft’s strategy. Hogg raised concerns about losing the strong educational ethos that helped drive early adoption of online share trading. Allen reassured him that Shyft is doubling down on investor education, leveraging Standard Bank’s research team and offering webinars, articles, and market data. “We want to empower users to make informed decisions,” he said, adding that educated investors tend to be more active and consistent in their trading.
A game-changing feature on the horizon is the introduction of fractional share investing, set to launch offshore by year-end, and locally in early 2026. This will allow users to invest precise amounts, such as R100 monthly, in high-value shares like Tesla or Berkshire Hathaway - making investing more accessible than ever.
Allen also confirmed that Shyft is lowering entry barriers to ensure fractional investing is viable for all, aligning with the growing demand for low-cost, high-flexibility investment tools. Additionally, Shyft plans to expand auto-invest features and integrate them with fractional shares and tax-free investment accounts, further catering to South Africans looking for long-term growth.
Beyond the technical advancements, there’s a deeper mission at play: bringing investment capital back to South Africa. Hogg reflected on how Shyft started as a tool for global investing, but with its latest moves, it feels like “coming home again”. Allen agreed, citing the platform’s “Invest in Mzansi” theme and plans to highlight well-known local companies to inspire investor confidence.
Although the investment business within Shyft is only three and a half years old, the platform has already seen impressive growth. With JSE access just a few months old, 20% of offshore investors have already adopted it. “We hope to match local users with our offshore client base by mid-next year,” Allen concluded.
It’s a bold vision, one rooted in innovation, education, and a renewed belief in South Africa’s economic potential.