Fujitsu & exchanges bring CONNEQTOR ETF platform to Australia
A new partnership between Fujitsu, the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) will introduce the CONNEQTOR electronic ETF trading platform to the Australian market.
The collaboration has resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the aim of providing a more efficient and automated trading environment for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Australia.
Platform capabilities
CONNEQTOR, already in use in Japan, is an electronic Request for Quote (RFQ) platform designed to automate and streamline the process of negotiating ETF trades for institutional investors. The system eliminates the need for manual intervention, providing a simplified and more transparent workflow for requesting and executing quotes on ETF trades.
The platform is intended to automate and simplify the RFQ process, significantly decreasing the time and effort required from traders. Its introduction is expected to facilitate greater price discovery through increased transparency and competition among market participants, as well as attract increased participation and liquidity in the Australian ETF market.
Since its inception in Japan in early 2021, CONNEQTOR has gained over 290 users who have benefited from cost reductions and improved trading efficiency. The system achieved a monthly trading value record of JPY 306.4 billion in mid-2025.
Role of each partner
Under the agreement, Fujitsu will develop and provide a SaaS-based RFQ platform based on CONNEQTOR, tailored for ASX. Fujitsu will also be responsible for ongoing development, provision of services, and support to facilitate the platform's effective utilisation. TSE will provide licensing for the CONNEQTOR system as well as support the platform's implementation in Australia.
Industry response
"Australia's ETF market is one of the fastest-growing globally. Fujitsu's global experience in digital transformation, combined with the proven success of the CONNEQTOR platform in Japan, uniquely positions us to unlock greater efficiency, transparency, and liquidity for Australian investors, strengthening growth in the Australian financial markets."
Peter Grassi, Chief Executive Officer for Oceania at Fujitsu, highlighted the significance of this opportunity for the Australian financial sector.
Andrew Walton, General Manager, Trading at ASX, stated, "ASX is excited to partner with Fujitsu and TSE to explore the opportunities the Fujitsu RFQ platform can deliver for the Australian market. With the ability to increase liquidity and price discovery, ASX sees the potential to support the development of this market segment and its participants. We will be engaging extensively with the Australian industry to gather feedback to assess the feasibility of launching this platform in the first half of 2026."
Satoshi Takura, Senior Executive Officer at Tokyo Stock Exchange, said, "It is great to join forces on the feasibility of a service based on TSE's CONNEQTOR. By providing international and diverse market functions, we hope to contribute to the development of the global ETF market from a technological perspective."
Masaru Yagi, Corporate Executive Officer, EVP at Fujitsu, also commented: "Fujitsu is excited to explore this opportunity to provide the Fujitsu RFQ platform for the Australian Securities Exchange. Leveraging our deep experience in building and maintaining financial infrastructure with cutting-edge technology, we're confident that our strong partnership with the Tokyo Stock Exchange will unlock even greater value for the ASX and its global customers."
Outlook
Fujitsu intends to expand the RFQ platform's reach to additional exchanges globally in cooperation with TSE, and to assess further opportunities for partnership beyond the Australian market. The next step in the process will involve industry engagement to determine the requirements and readiness for a full launch in Australia, with the feasibility of implementation being explored for the first half of 2026.
