Whenever I think about diversifying investments, the first thing that comes to mind is: where do I start? After doing a lot of research, I found out that knowing the main stock exchanges around the world is essential for anyone looking to expand their portfolio.

Basically, stock exchanges are places (physical or virtual nowadays) where stocks, bonds, and other assets are traded. In the past, it was quite literal — brokers would gather in the same place. Now, they operate as electronic platforms that organize entire markets. Additionally, they produce indices, market analyses, and maintain all the infrastructure necessary for the system to function.

And yes, in most cases, they are private companies but regulated by the governments of their respective countries.

Speaking of the biggest exchanges in the world, the NYSE in New York continues to be the queen. Founded in 1792, it has survived crises, technological changes, and everything else. It has a market volume of over $27 trillion. That’s where you find Apple, Coca-Cola, Disney — basically the biggest American companies. The monthly volume exceeds $1.4 trillion.

In second place is Nasdaq, also in the US. Operating since 1971, it was revolutionary for being 100% electronic. It hosts the big tech companies: Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Apple. If you want exposure to technology, it’s almost mandatory to go through there.

Now, changing continents, China has two giant stock exchanges. Shanghai, founded in 1990, has a market volume of 8.15 trillion. Shenzhen comes right behind with 6 trillion. Both are controlled by the Chinese central government and focus heavily on the domestic market.

Euronext is interesting because it brings together several European exchanges — Netherlands, Belgium, France, Ireland, and others. Volume exceeds $7 trillion. There, you find traditional European companies and also trade a lot of commodities.

Tokyo has its own important exchange, with the famous Nikkei 225 index. Over $6 trillion in volume. Hong Kong is also relevant as a bridge between Western and Asian markets.

India, Canada, and Saudi Arabia also have significant stock exchanges. India’s National Stock Exchange, for example, moves over $481 billion monthly. Toronto has a volume of $3 trillion, and the Saudi exchange, despite being newer (2007), has already reached $2.3 trillion.

For those looking to invest, I recommend researching which exchange makes the most sense for your goals. If it’s technology, Nasdaq is obvious. If you want commodities, Euronext is strong. The stock exchanges around the world offer different opportunities depending on the sector you want to explore.

The cool thing is that more and more, these exchanges are integrated into global brokerage systems, making access easier even for smaller investors. It’s worth studying the options and developing a strategy that includes exposure to different stock exchanges around the world.