Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has launched commission-free trading of more than 7,000 US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds for eligible non-US users. The move advances the platform’s ambition to become a multi-asset financial "super app" that integrates crypto with traditional markets.
Users can buy fractional shares from as little as $5, funding trades directly with stablecoins such as Tether (USDT), the largest dollar-pegged stablecoin, and USD Coin (USDC), as well as Binance Coin (BNB), the native token of the BNB Chain. In an interview with Fortune, Binance co-CEO Richard Teng noted that US stocks represent well over half of the global equities market, but often involve high costs and friction for overseas investors.
BNB spiked on the announcement at around 09:30UTC, climbing as much as 4.8% to a peak of $727.30, before dropping back. At 15:10UTC, BNB was changing hands for around $679.60, down about 4.3% on the day.
Real shares via crypto rails
The service delivers exposure to actual underlying stocks and ETFs, not synthetic products. Binance clarified on X that users receive standard shareholder rights through regulated brokerage and custody partners. Reports indicate Nest Trading arranges the trades while Alpaca, a New York-based brokerage infrastructure firm, handles custody, dividends and corporate actions.
This structure enables crypto-native users to access US equities without traditional US bank accounts or complex onboarding. It reduces barriers for international retail investors while regulated intermediaries manage settlement.
Tokenization plans in development
Binance co-CEO Richard Teng told Fortune that the exchange plans to introduce "bStocks," a future feature that would let users convert eligible US shares they own on the platform into digital tokens on the BNB Chain. This would create programmable ownership, meaning the shares become blockchain tokens that can interact with decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Users could then use them for activities such as lending the tokens to earn interest or providing liquidity in trading pools.
bStocks would be issued by BTECH Holdings LTD, a special purpose vehicle registered in the Abu Dhabi Global Market. The feature remains subject to regulatory approvals, including from Ontario’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). Tokenization is not available in the initial rollout.
Tokenized equities continue to attract interest. Ondo Finance, a protocol focused on real-world asset tokenization including US stocks and ETFs, recently surpassed $1bn in total value locked in its products.
The launch positions Binance against platforms such as eToro, which also offers multi-asset trading including stocks and crypto but typically through CFDs or direct holdings with different funding options and regional availability.
