Zerodha is an Indian financial services company headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It operates as a stock brokerage firm offering retail and institutional brokerage services, currency and commodity trading, mutual funds, and bonds. The company is widely recognised for popularising the discount brokerage model in India.
| Zerodha | |
|---|---|
| Type | Private company |
| Industry | Financial services, stock broking |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founders | Nithin Kamath, Nikhil Kamath |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Country | India |
Zerodha was founded in 2010 by brothers Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath. The name is a portmanteau of "Zero" and the Sanskrit word "Rodha", meaning barrier. The company introduced a flat-fee brokerage structure at a time when most Indian brokers charged commissions as a percentage of the trade value, which contributed to its rapid adoption among retail investors.
Zerodha is a member of the major Indian exchanges, including the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as a stock broker and depository participant.
The company's services are delivered primarily through its online trading platform, Kite, alongside a suite of related products. Coin is its platform for direct mutual fund investments, while Varsity is an educational initiative providing material on markets and investing. Through its associated venture Rainmatter, Zerodha has supported start-ups working in the Indian capital markets and fintech ecosystem.
Zerodha is regarded as a pioneer of the discount broking model in India. By offering low, flat brokerage fees and a technology-led trading interface, it helped expand retail participation in Indian equity markets. The firm has consistently been counted among the largest stock brokers in India by active client base on the NSE.