Main content

Has stock trading become 'gamified'?

Trading apps have opened the door to millions of new investors, but some are critical of their game like appearance that could obscure the risks.

Mobile trading apps have been booming in popularity, opening the door to millions of new, often young or first time investors. For many in the finance sector it is great news, but questions remain about whether people always know the amount of financial risk they are taking on.

One criticism in particular is that some of these new platforms look, act and react more like a video game than an investment platform. Is that the essential appeal that attracts new users, or does it just obscure the risks?

Rob Young speaks to the boss of one of the biggest platforms in this sector, Yoni Assia, the boss of eToro. He hears too from Vicky Bogan, professor at Cornell University鈥檚 business school, who studies the "gamification" of finance as well as Professor Erik Gordon, at the University of Michigan's Business School. And Sarah Pritchard from the UK's regulator the Financial Conduct Authority tells Rob about efforts to encourage young users to invest safely, and how protecting them is their priority.

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Tue 18 Jan 2022 08:32GMT

Broadcast

  • Tue 18 Jan 2022 08:32GMT

Podcast