STG Group, a multi-asset trading firm, has launched abroker-dealer division called STG Securities. The division will operate withinthe group’s broader electronic market-making and trading operations.The launch reflects a wider industry trend of trading firmsexpanding into market-making and broker-dealer services. For example, MarexGroup acquired UK market maker Winterflood Securities in December2025. Winterflood servesover 400 institutional clients and provides execution, market-making, andcustody services.STG Integrates AVT Into Securities DivisionFounded in 2022, STG Group has gradually expanded acrossglobal markets. In 2024, it acquired Automated Volatility Trading, a U.S.options group previously part of Barclays and later GTS. AVT’s operations havebeen integrated into STG Securities to enhance the firm’s systematic optionscapabilities.STG Securities will use STG Group’s existing technology,quantitative expertise, and capital to provide liquidity on exchanges andthrough partnerships. The division is led by Kirill Gelman, who has over 20years of experience at AVT and its predecessor firms, overseeing strategy inoptions trading.STG Provides Capital, Market LiquiditySTG Group provides risk-bearing capital and quantitativemethods to manage trading opportunities in real time. STG Securities will focuson applying this expertise on exchanges, offering liquidity to marketparticipants.The group was founded by principals from Squarepoint andoperates independently of its investment management business.Hidden Road Gains Broker-Dealer ApprovalOther firms have recently taken similar regulatory steps.Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC, a subsidiary of Hidden Road, receivedapproval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority to operate as abroker-dealer. The announcement followed the company’s disclosure of adefinitive agreement to be acquiredby Ripple for $1.25 billion. With the registration, Hidden Road can expandits fixed income prime brokerage platform. The licence allows it to provide prime brokerage, clearing,and financing services for fixed income assets. The firm said the approvalsupports the development of its fixed income operations and broadens servicesavailable to institutional clients.This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.