Trading Software Development: A Step-by-Step Guide

Fintech

Product Development

April 23, 2025

Trading Software Development: A Step-by-Step Guide

Artkai has been an expert in trading software development and modernization for more than 10 years, and we guarantee the quality and reliability for clients. Our portfolio is constantly expanding with a large number of not only traditional trading platforms but also crypto projects and trading platforms, such as CEX.IO and Huobi, which bring our clients large profits.

In this guide, we decided to share all the insider secrets and tips about trading platforms. Namely, let's look closer at the tech stack's features and relevant functionality and what exactly to focus on to get a high-end, profitable solution.

Key steps in trading platform development

Whether it is stock trading software or a stock trading app, the approach and development will depend on the project. Based on our top solutions, we gained many insights into the main steps for trading platform development.

Discovery

At this stage, requirements for a trading platform or stock trading software are collected. Traders are interviewed to understand their interaction logic and pain points when using other trading software. Immersing yourself in user groups' personal strategies and analyzing market data can give you an idea of trading platform development. Next, we create deliverables that provide a visual understanding of the process:

BRD (Business Requirements Document) with a description of goals, functionality, and user groups.
User personas with behavioral patterns, problems, and expectations.
Customer journey map with visualization of the user's path on the platform.
Market research report with an overview of competitors and essential trends.
Product backlog with a prioritized list of the main functions.
Project estimation with a timeline by development phases and scope of work.

Design

Further, the design stage focuses on building fast, clear, and logically reasoned interaction for both users of the stock trading and crypto trading groups. The main goal is to create compelling interfaces. Therefore, the final part of this stage is deliverables:

UX wireframes with the main scenarios such as asset management, registration process, and stock trading).
High-fidelity interactive prototypes for web and mobile versions.
Design system with color palettes, component styles, and typography. Let's take a closer look at the main components of this system and benefits that will effectively impact your product.

The main parts of the trading platform design system are:

Typography, which contains headings, texts, and system fonts.
Color palette with palettes for optionally dark and light product themes and system colors of interfaces.
Interactive elements (buttons, checkboxes, etc.).
Input components (time and date selectors, inputs, etc.).
Information blocks of notifications, statuses, and badges.
Graphic components (graphs, tables).
Maps and panels (analytical modules, navigation panels, etc.).

Implementing a quality design system will give your company several advantages:

Accelerated development, as all components will be ready for implementation.
Better scalability.
Simplified communication between all parties to the project.
Consistency, as all screens will look consistent, improving the user experience.

*Please note that the components provided are flexible and may vary according to the technical specifications of your project.

Architecting

The purpose of the architecture stage is to lay the technical foundation that will ensure stability, regardless of whether it is a trading software or a stock trading app, with the main deliverables being a comprehensive blueprint that guides the subsequent development phases. This involves defining the core components, their interactions, the technology stack, and non-functional requirements.

The list of essential deliverables from the architecture design stage of a trading platform development or stock trading platform depending on the specifics of the product:

System Architecture Diagram that provides the fundamental visual representation of the system's structure and component interactions.
Data Model that ensures data integrity, consistency, and efficient retrieval.
API Specifications for enabling communication between different internal components and potential external integrations.

Security Architecture that outlines the fundamental security principles and mechanisms that will protect the platform and its users.

Development

Based on the discovery, design, and architecture stages results, you can proceed to the direct step of trading software development. In the context of financial markets, the focus of development can be on different aspects depending on the type of platform, such as brokerage integrations, volatility processing, transaction recording, etc.

The technology stack for trading software development is selected individually for each type of product and depends on the functionality of the stock trading app and the workload.

*The following stack can be adapted to trading platform software development and modified according to your business needs:

1. Frontend:

Web: React, Vue.js, or Angular with TypeScript or JavaScript for building robust and responsive web applications with dynamic data handling.
Mobile: React Native (TypeScript/JavaScript) for cross-platform development, or native development with Swift (iOS) and Kotlin (Android) for optimal performance.

2. Backend:

Node.js (TypeScript): Event-driven, non-blocking I/O for real-time applications and scalable APIs.
Go: High-performance, concurrent language suitable for core trading logic and low-latency systems.
.NET (C#): Mature framework for building scalable and secure enterprise-level applications.
Java: Robust and widely-used platform for building large, high-performance systems.
Python: Versatile language for rapid development, data analysis, and backend APIs.

3. Databases:

Transactional: PostgreSQL (open-source, reliable, extensible), MS SQL (feature-rich, strong tooling).
Time-Series: InfluxDB (high-performance for time-stamped data), TimescaleDB (PostgreSQL extension for time-series).

4. Cloud Deployment:

AWS (Amazon Web Services): Comprehensive suite of cloud services for scalability and reliability.
Azure (Microsoft Azure): Enterprise-focused cloud platform with a wide range of services.
GCP (Google Cloud Platform): Strong in data analytics, machine learning, and containerization.

Final deliverables:

Ready frontend and backend parts of the trading platform.
Implemented APIs for market data, authorization, and trading.
UI with screens.
Implemented a storage and indexing scheme in the database.
The cloud infrastructure is set up.
Staging to test the functionality.

QA testing and audit

After the development is completed, the full testing of the trading software follows since even the slightest bug can lead to market malfunctions. Let us highlight the main types of testing:

Unit testing with testing of each component. For a trading platform, this may include checking the logic of order validation, etc.
Integration testing to check the interaction between modules, such as databases and third-party APIs.
User acceptance testing (UAT) with representatives of target groups in real-life scenarios.
Performance/load testing with simulated scenarios under high load.

After that, you can get:

Test and performance optimization report
Security report
Instructions in case of failure
Detected errors
CI/CD pipelines with automated test runs

Deployment

The final technical stage's main goal is the fast and stable operation of the system without failures.

Deliverables:

Customized cloud environments
Containerized services
Load balancing strategy
Dashboards with performance monitoring
Access and error logs
Operational documentation
Release schedule

Support & maintenance

To prepare the trading platform for further modernization, it is essential to maintain the technical component after launch with the help of a professional:

Stability monitoring and logs
Incident management
Maintaining technological integrity

For this purpose, a trading software development company provides deliverables:

SLA
Monitoring and incident logs
Stability reporting
Release and update schedule

After the trading software development stage, product development is just beginning, as the introduction of new functionality is a mandatory part that will improve the trading platform's capabilities.

What core features should a high-end trading platform have?

Regardless of the main vector of the trading platform and whether it is created for digital assets or stock markets, success depends on the functionality of the stock trading app or trading platform. Below, let's take a closer look at the key features and trends that a trading software development company can offer you:

Market analysis

For a modern trading platform, this is an essential component of high-quality and complete data analysis, so let's focus on what it can contain:

Interactive charts with the ability to select time intervals, display types (candles, line chart, histogram), and overlay technical analysis indicators (RSI, SMA, etc.).
Analytical dashboards with current market dynamics, price fluctuations, trading volumes, and popular assets.
Forecasting modules based on AI and historical data.
Signals and notifications with information about changing trends or price levels.

Data visualization in this context should be constantly updated in real-time, flexible, and accurate, ensuring informativeness.

Statistical information

This should be the core of the trading platform for companies, investors, and investors. Therefore, the development of a dashboard may include:

Trading volume for the selected time
History
Account balance
Profit and risk charts

Payment gateway

It is a mandatory feature of trading platforms and stock trading apps for withdrawing and depositing funds and buying and selling assets. It should be noted that the payment gateway must guarantee:

Withdrawals and deposits with fast transaction processing, bank cards, cryptocurrencies, e-wallet support, and status messages about transaction success/failure.
Buying and selling assets with a direct connection to the client's balance, currency conversion if necessary, and integrations with the trading platform's internal functionality.
Currency support with automatic conversion during transactions and accounting for commissions during conversions.
Transaction encryption with SSL/TLS data protection protocols and protection against unauthorized access and fraud. And compliance with KYC/AML integrations.
Depending on the type of assets, there may be a connection to external services such as Stripe, PayPal, and others.
Two-factor authentication mechanisms and transaction confirmation via email, SMS, or mobile application.
Ability to set limits and delay transactions with the possibility of additional confirmation.

Newsfeed

Access to stock market changes will allow you to stay in the flow of important events, so the development of a newsfeed is a relevant addition to a stock trading app and can contain:

Company news
Updates on blockchain projects
Important economic events

Custom search and filters

Any trading platform processes thousands of assets; therefore, analyzing and building a trading strategy can be complicated if data filtering is not applied. For daily work, the ability to search and filter is a tool that can include:

Filters by markets, periods, and assets.
Search by yield, category, and ticker.
Ability to save search templates.

Developing this functionality for a trading platform has many benefit:

Saves time when working with large data sets, such as stocks, indices, and cryptocurrencies.
Allows you to focus on truly relevant assets according to the strategy and interests of users.
It is a way of direct trading in real-time.

AI tips and guides

The development of an educational and informative module in a trading platform can significantly improve the onboarding process and further product navigation. The best option is to highlight the following:

Video guides
Auxiliary explanations of the functionality
FAQ

Functionality is the primary determinant of a trading platform and the primary vector of trading platform software development, and it constantly raises a product's or platform's relevance. Having a clear idea of the business opportunities, it is worth moving on to practical principles and proven approaches that should be applied in trading software.

Proven best practices for developing reliable trading software

Let's take a closer look at the critical aspects of stock trading apps and trading software that will contribute to their higher efficiency and reliability.

Legal and regulatory compliance

Trading platforms should operate legally and inspire trust from companies - clients, partners, and users, so some of the most essential norms and standards are highlighted:

KYC is mandatory for the fintech industry.
AML for transaction monitoring.
GDPR (in the EU) for personal data processing.
FinCEN (in the US) for the financial services registry.
PSD2 (EU) for the control of payment services.
SEC / CFTC (USA) for regulating derivatives and securities markets.

High-class UX and onboarding

The importance of UX has long been a requirement, not just an option, because it helps to attract and retain users. A well-thought-out logical design also helps to effectively use all the features of the trading platform. Moreover, thanks to UX, the trading process can be greatly simplified.

Security of personal data and assets

In trading software, where tens of thousands of transactions are processed every second, any minimal problem can have critical unforeseen consequences. To avoid this, you should use the following methods:

SSL/TLS encryption when transferring data between the server and the client.
Hashing passwords using algorithms.
Use 2FA through applications, SMS, or email.

Regularly update and maintain the platform

Trading software support has several elements that will guarantee scaling and correct operation. Let's take a closer look:

Scheduled releases.
Updating security libraries.
Prompt bug fixing.
Migration to new API versions.
Compatibility testing after each update.

This will result in easier implementation of new features, higher user retention, and fewer failures. It should be emphasized that a trading software development company should constantly provide its client companies with an understanding of the connections and business value of a particular process in trading software development.

Therefore, below, we will give specific examples of successful trading platforms and not only, which demonstrate competent implementation and a balance of experience, approaches, and expertise.

Trading solutions built by Artkai

Our experience includes trading platform development services, stock trading software, and other blockchain and crypto projects occupying top financial market positions. Below, let's take a closer look at our approaches to crypto trading software development and platform design based on the example of our cooperation.

Bitcoin and crypto exchange

CEX.IO is an all-in-one crypto platform with an ecosystem of services and products for buying, selling, trading, holding, and earning cryptocurrencies. Our goal was to develop a trading app for iOS and Android for selling and trading crypto, creating a solid, intuitive user flow and building a consistent visual system, stock trading software, where users can buy, store, sell, trade, send, and earn digital assets.

CEX.IO's focus as trading software should be on advanced order-matching algorithms, a high-liquidity order book, and analytical tools for traders with a simple interface to buy or sell instantly. To make the product even more useful we added to it the following features:

Purchase with the ability to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and other cryptocurrencies.
Selling and withdrawals to Visa/MasterCard in any currency.
Exchange involves the creation of trading pairs and the exchange of crypto and fiat currencies.
Earn/stake with a system of user rewards.
Price alerts, such as notifications about price and market changes.
Passive earning with rewards for coins on your account.
Customizable order notifications.

Our cooperation with the client enabled us to interact with the economy and simplify access to an open financial system with crypto and fiat transactions.

CEX.IO is among the top 10 safest trading solutions of 2021, according to CryptoCompare.
The most reliable exchange in the UK in 2022, according to the International Business Magazine Awards.

Mobile trading platform

Artkai developed Huobi (now HTX) trading software, namely a mobile application and a marketing website, in cooperation with the client. At the time of the request, the client already had a fully functional exchange platform that was successful in Asian markets. However, the product was not adapted for the European market, where different interfaces, legal compliance, and UX requirements apply. The main tasks and goals of trading software development were:

Adapt the stock trading app for the European market.
Improve the UI/UX.
Develop an EU-adapted website.

As part of this and 4 months of work, we managed to design the following features of the trading platform:

Intuitive interface.
Day/night mode.
User control properties.
Quick access to market, trading, and funds on mobile and desktop.
Secure storage with a high level of privacy.

The results confirm the successful development:

The trading platform generated more than $1.2.
trillion in total trading turnover.
As a result, the company owns 50% of the world's digital assets.
Active use of trading software in more than 130 countries.

Trading apps change market trends, and many projects are examples of this. The indicators demonstrate not just the success of projects for customers but the global value of digital finance.

Conclusions

Successful trading software implementation requires the involvement of an experienced technology partner who will help with market research, creating a thoughtful UX/UI design, and integrating critical functions.

So that such a strategic step does not become another technical task for your company. In addition, regardless of whether it is an exchange trading platform or an application for exchange trading, success will depend on the approaches and a reliable supplier that offers a complete cycle of services, and we at Artkai know how to achieve a high level.