Singapore, 23 June 2026 – Orient Futures Singapore is pleased to announce that it has been granted Overseas Intermediary (OI) status by the Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GFEX), further strengthening the firm’s ability to provide international market participants with direct access to China’s evolving derivatives markets.
The approval marks another milestone in Orient Futures Singapore’s continued expansion of its China market access capabilities and reinforces its position as a gateway for overseas institutions seeking participation in China’s onshore futures and options markets.
The announcement comes ahead of the internationalisation of GFEX Lithium Carbonate Futures and Options, which are scheduled to commence trading for overseas participants on 3 July 2026. The launch will mark the first internationalised product listed on GFEX and represents a significant development in China’s continued efforts to open its futures markets to global investors.
“The approval of GFEX Overseas Intermediary status represents another important step in our commitment to connecting global market participants with China’s derivatives markets,” said Marcus Goi, Chief Executive Officer of Orient Futures Singapore. “With Lithium Carbonate Futures and Options scheduled to become the first internationalised products on GFEX on 3 July 2026, international investors will gain direct access to a market that plays an increasingly important role in the global battery materials supply chain. We are pleased to be able to support our clients’ participation in this next phase of China’s market opening.”
Preparing for the Internationalisation of Lithium Carbonate Futures and Options
The approval positions Orient Futures Singapore to facilitate client access to GFEX’s flagship Lithium Carbonate Futures and Options contracts when international trading commences on 3 July 2026.
As a key raw material used in lithium-ion batteries, lithium carbonate has become increasingly important to the electric vehicle, energy storage, and broader clean energy sectors. The internationalisation of these contracts is expected to provide global producers, consumers, traders, and institutional investors with additional tools to manage price risk and participate in China’s onshore lithium price discovery.
The development also reflects the growing influence of China’s commodities markets within global supply chains, particularly in sectors associated with the energy transition and advanced manufacturing.
Expanding Access to China's Futures Markets
With the addition of GFEX Overseas Intermediary status, Orient Futures Singapore further broadens its ability to support international participation across China’s regulated futures exchanges.
The inclusion of Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GFEX) further strengthens Orient Futures Singapore’s China market access offering. The firm now holds Overseas Intermediary status across five Chinese futures exchanges: the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE), Shanghai International Energy Exchange (INE), Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE), and Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GFEX). Collectively, these access arrangements provide eligible international participants with a comprehensive gateway to China’s internationalised futures and options markets through a single brokerage relationship.
Beyond its Overseas Intermediary framework, Orient Futures Singapore also provides access to China’s broader derivatives market through the Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) scheme, offering clients multiple pathways to participate in China’s rapidly evolving financial and commodity markets.
Supporting Global Participation in China's Growth Markets
Established to support China’s strategic development priorities, GFEX focuses on products linked to green development, advanced manufacturing, and emerging industries. The introduction of international participation in Lithium Carbonate Futures and Options represents an important step in integrating China’s new energy commodity markets with global capital and risk management needs.
Through its expanding China market access capabilities, Orient Futures Singapore remains committed to helping institutional clients navigate and participate in China’s increasingly internationalised derivatives ecosystem.
About Orient Futures Singapore
As an Overseas Intermediary of the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE), Shanghai International Energy Exchange (INE), Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE) and Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GFEX), Orient Futures Singapore provides direct access to trading, clearing, and settlement for internationalised futures contracts in China. Our parent company, Shanghai Orient Futures, is one of the largest broker by aggregated trading volume across China’s five regulated exchanges.
Beyond China market access, Orient Futures Singapore is also a member of the Singapore Exchange (SGX), Asia Pacific Exchange (APEX), and ICE Futures Singapore (IFSG). Corporate clients can additionally trade on the B3 Exchange through us, further expanding their global trading opportunities.
With a seamless trading experience, low-latency infrastructure, and a dedicated support team across trading hours, Orient Futures Singapore remains committed to providing clients with efficient, secure, and reliable market access.
Media Contact:
Jed TEO, Head of Marketing
Orient Futures Singapore
marketing@orientfutures.com.sg
www.orientfutures.com.sg
