JSE, CFDs, fractional shares. What’s next for Shyft?

The addition of JSE-listed stocks on Shyft is just one of many feature enhancements in the pipeline for the award-winning global money app powered by Standard Bank.

JSE-listed shares now available on Shyft

Valdene Reddy, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s Director of Capital Markets, is excited about adding shares listed on the JSE to Shyft.

“We share the same vision, to increase accessibility to get South Africa saving and trading,” Reddy said at the launch of JSE-listed shares on the Shyft platform, held at the JSE’s headquarters in Sandton in March.

Adding locally listed instruments to Shyft means South Africans can now invest in familiar consumer brands at competitive rates. For Shyft users, it offers affordability, accessibility, and diversification to their existing offshore share portfolios.

“South Africans deserve the ability to invest in the companies and sectors that drive their local economy. The JSE obviously plays a central role in that. It really allows users to build truly well-rounded portfolios, mixing global exposure with local insights,” says Glynn Allen, Head of Shyft.

What’s next for Shyft?

Allen says the JSE launch kicks off an exciting period of new feature rollouts on Shyft.

Some upcoming enhancements include:

• Improved user experience – faster transactions and stronger security.

• Trader-focused features – new capabilities like CFDs.

• Fractional shares – making high-value stocks more accessible.

“For many new investors, even the cost of a Naspers share can be quite a barrier when you have to have a minimum requirement of R5,000 to purchase a single stock,” says Allen.

Low-cost trading with Shyft

BizNews editor Alec Hogg recently repatriated 40% of the BizNews portfolio on Shyft into rand-based stocks. During the live webinar with Allen on 28 March 2025, Hogg noted that the fee for a € 3,443 transaction was only €15.82.

Allen says the trading platform market is very competitive. “We try to keep that price point as low as possible for our customers.”

Shyft’s annual safe custody fee for JSE-listed shares is only 0.12%, or 12 basis points, compared to the 20 basis points for its offshore offerings. Allen adds that the custody fee is also capped. “The maximum you will ever be charged for custody on local shares is R350.” Shyft also doesn’t charge any monthly admin fees or levies.

“Additionally, our customers benefit from the integration and convergence of our other global features, allowing them to use Shyft for travel, shopping, and making international payments using the same wallets,” says Allen. “This integration is one of our unique advantages.”

The Standard Bank advantage

Shyft’s Standard Bank affiliate also gives the platform a competitive edge over other retail investment apps. As the largest bank in Africa, Standard Bank’s scale allows it to offer the cheapest forex in the market and the lowest trading fees. The bank already has significant share-trading operations like ASI, OST, and Webtrader.

Allen says the long-term plan is to have Shyft as the one-stop shop for all your investment and trading capabilities. 

Webtrader customers will be able to migrate to Shyft easily in the near future. “We can do that for them as long as they are registered as a Shyft customer. They will just log into Shyft, and their Webtrader portfolio will be there for them.” Customers can transfer their shares to Shyft simply and quickly. To find out more, contact Shyft’s support and customer experience centre.

“When Standard Bank delivers, it’s solid, and you know it’s been properly tested,” Hogg says.

Allen says the BizNews tribe is welcome to ask for additional counters they would like to invest in on Shyft, as the app constantly adds new instruments. 

And you don’t need to be a Standard Bank customer to use Shyft. Shyft’s core mission is to make investing more accessible, whether you’re a seasoned investor or just getting started, without restrictions by borders or banks.

Visit Shyft to download it now, no matter where you bank. Shyft operates under the license of The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP number 11287).

*The content provided is for informational purposes only. You should always research and/or seek professional advice before making investment decisions.