John Lin opens a window.

When the doors of the SIMEX open outcry trading pits closed, our Founder, John Lin, opens a window. He sees a gap in the fresh frontier of electronic trading and sets off to create Grasshopper.

John hires James Leong as his first trader

Together they conceptualise their first custom algorithmic programme. James would move on to become a key executive for Grasshopper.

Grasshopper makes the commitment to become a full-stack technology company that trades.

The firm embraces a new future that combines trader instinct with micro-structure capability, and is determined to build in-house, leading edge technology.

Grasshopper expands and shifts offices to China Square Central.

T-Kiang Tan joins as CTO

TK, an early pioneer in electronic trading from UBS O’Connor, Lehman and Mizhuho joins Grasshopper as CTO.

Grasshopper hits a million futures a month.

Grasshopper regularly ranks top 10 on the key exchanges it trades in Asia.

The firm expands to 40 employees.

Grasshopper commits to custom re-building its trading and data platform from scratch.

This lays the technology and data management foundation for competing at a whole new level. Grasshopper begins studying Blockchain technology and Artificial Intelligence.

Formation of Tilde

What started out as a study in disruption led to a profound interest in cryptocurrencies. Tilde, Grasshopper’s digital asset division, offers professional OTC execution and advanced market making services for the crypto ecosystem.

FSA Japan approves Grasshopper as a regulated high speed trading firm and Rebecca Weinrauch joins at COO.

Rebecca Weinrauch joins as COO of Grasshopper after her major roles with KCG/Getco. The firm now has more than 60 employees spanning trading and technology and trades half a trillion in notional value monthly.