According to latest data from HDFC Securities, the company has crossed 30,000 active global investors as nearly 2 lakh more Indian investors express interest. Since its launch on InvestRight in August 2024 and on HDFC SKY in September 2025, the platform has seen assets under management cross USD 250 million (approximately ₹2,500 crore) as of August 2026. This scale underscores how quickly Indian investors are embracing global markets once access barriers are removed. The platform's investor base spans a broad cross-section of India: primarily aged 25-45 (75.5% combined), with average age of 37; income levels ranging from under ₹1 lakh to over ₹1 crore annually; and occupations spanning entrepreneurs, salaried professionals, students, and retirees. Women currently make up 17.3% of investors, a segment HDFC Securities sees as a key growth opportunity going forward.
According to Dhiraj Relli, MD & CEO of HDFC Securities, global investing is no longer optional for Indian investors despite India's position as one of the fastest-growing major economies. As reported by The Economic Times, the Nifty 50 has declined by approximately 8.5 to 9.5% year-to-date, while major US indices including the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq have delivered positive returns ranging from 9% to 13%. The significant depreciation of the Indian Rupee against the US Dollar further highlights the importance of currency considerations, with dollar-denominated assets serving as a buffer during such times to safeguard investor wealth. Relli emphasizes that global markets are no longer a diversification option for Indian investors to consider, they are becoming a core pillar of how long-term wealth should be built.
The behavioral data reveals compelling evidence about why global investing works and why investors are sticking with it. 76% of funded investors have invested in international stocks, 35% have added ETFs, and 14% have gone further with managed or thematic portfolios, with significant overlap showing investors building layered, diversified exposure rather than one-off bets. The average number of holdings per user has increased from around 11 stocks last year to approximately 15 stocks this year. 27% of new investors are choosing to start their global journey with ETFs rather than single stocks, compared to less than 2% a year ago. Additionally, 70% of investors make multiple deposits, and 76% increase their deposit sizes within the first year, signaling growing conviction rather than one-time curiosity. SIP participation has grown to 8.67% of investors (up from 8.03% in 2025), with a median deposit of USD 546, showing that disciplined, systematic global investing is gaining ground.
The most compelling evidence that global investing is now accessible to every Indian investor comes from where these investors live: over 50% hail from Tier-II and Tier-III cities such as Nagpur and Coimbatore. As Viram Shah, Co-founder & CEO of Vested Finance, explains, "More than half of these investors are from outside the top eight cities. A few years ago, global investing was mostly something people in Mumbai and Bengaluru did. Today someone in Nagpur or Coimbatore can open an account, send money abroad, and buy a US-listed ETF in the same week." The platform's investor base spans a broad geographic footprint, with the company committed to deepening access to global markets and extending its reach further into India's regional towns. HDFC Securities has partnered with Vested Finance, which provides the underlying infrastructure for international investing, while HDFC Securities handles the brokerage interface and client experience.
According to Relli's analysis reported by The Economic Times, investors face significant barriers including the LRS limit of USD 250,000 per financial year, TCS application above this threshold, and differential capital gains taxation on overseas assets. Currency conversion costs can materially impact returns on both entry and exit, with these costs being a hard cap that investors must understand upfront. The company emphasizes that global investing works best as a patient, planned long-term allocation rather than a reaction to the latest Wall Street rally. For Indian investors, Relli advises a prudent approach to allocate around 10-15% of their portfolio to global equity markets, with the ideal allocation varying depending on individual risk appetite, financial goals, and investment horizons.
As reported by The Economic Times, Relli advises that investors should consider ETFs or basket investing for new entrants or those lacking confidence, as these options help mitigate risks associated with individual stocks. The company observes that investment outflows into overseas equity and debt are rising sharply, with growth coming from both existing diversified investors expanding their portfolios and genuine first-time international investors. Managed portfolios themed around innovation, blockchain, AI, and balanced multi-asset strategies are seeing high engagement, pointing to appetite for expert-curated global exposure as well as self-directed investing. The availability of more products such as index funds and sector-agnostic ETFs in the Indian market is expected to enhance global access for Indian investors. HDFC Securities provides a comprehensive platform with simplified USD transfers via HDFC Bank, fractional investing starting at just $1, recurring investment options, curated US baskets, extended trading hours, and comprehensive research tools.
