"Our Australian equities trading team that has operated out of Hong Kong since 2007 will now move to Sydney, while we expect to add several new traders in the coming months."

Previously, Instinet was able to trade for domestic Australian institutions through its Hong Kong-based Instinet Pacific Limited subsidiary by virtue of its remote ASX membership. Instinet was the first firm to be granted such a membership when it obtained the license in 2007. Additionally, Instinet has been a member of the ASX Settlement and Transfer Corporation (ASTC) since 2008.

Glenn Lesko, CEO of Instinet in Asia, said the new full ASX license represents a new phase of growth for the company.

"Since being granted the first remote participation license in September 2007, we've grown to become the 11th largest institutional broker in Australia," said Lesko. "With our electronic trading tools, sales trading capabilities, and access to global liquidity, we are clearly gaining momentum in Australia, and by coming onshore we have realised the next step in our plans for growth."

John Fildes, COO of Instinet in Asia, said the onshore licence would give Instinet clients the local advantages of trading with an Australian-based company.

"By coming onshore and being closer to our clients we have realised the next step in our plans for growth here," added Fildes. "Our Australian equities trading team that has operated out of Hong Kong since 2007 will now move to Sydney, while we expect to add several new traders in the coming months."

On November 30, 2009, Instinet traded 3.7 percent of Australia's total equities value, and Mr. Lesko expects the growth to continue in 2010.

"The Australian market is becoming increasingly aware of the transparency and cost benefits associated with Instinet's agency-only model," he said. "As one of the world's largest agency brokers, we are perfectly positioned to deliver those benefits to Australian investment firms now that we are fully onshore."

He continued: "2008 and 2009 brought the issues of cost and transparency into sharp focus in Australia. As the market changes again in 2010, particularly with the predicted opening up of the market to competitive trading venues, these issues will be more important than ever since funds now realise that every basis point saved has a direct impact on the return to its members. Instinet's ability to reduce these costs has been the central tenet of our business throughout our 40-year history."