Binance opened access to more than 8,000 US stocks and exchange-traded funds for non-US customers on Monday, positioning the move as part of its strategy to become a multi-asset financial super app. The world's largest crypto exchange now allows customers to buy fractional shares starting at $5 with zero commission using stablecoins or Binance's own token. Co-CEO Richard Teng told Fortune that US stocks make up well over half of global equities, yet many overseas buyers face high costs and friction when accessing them, framing the launch as addressing this market gap amid broader convergence between crypto platforms and traditional finance.
Binance Partners with Nest Trading and Alpaca for Stock Trading Operations
Share purchases on Binance will be arranged by broker-dealer Nest Trading, while New York firm Alpaca will handle custody, dividend payments, and corporate actions. Customers can pay using stablecoins USDC or USDT, as well as a handful of other tokens including Binance's own BNB.
The exchange already offers derivatives tied to gold, petrochemicals, and pre-IPO share trading. However, Binance halted stock tokens in 2021 after regulators questioned whether the products were unregistered securities.
Binance Announces bStocks Tokenization Feature for Coming Weeks
Binance outlined a plan for bStocks, which will let users tokenize the equities they buy. Customers can convert shares into digital tokens on BNB Chain in the coming weeks. The design allows users to start the tokenization themselves.
In a statement, Binance described the product: "bStocks offering will provide a native bridge from traditional stock ownership to programmable, always-on tokenized assets at a global scale ... This unlocks mobility and utility for real-world equities within and beyond the Binance ecosystem, enabling continuous on-chain access and potential DeFi applications, from lending to liquidity provision."
Blockchain-based trades can settle almost instantly, against the days or more that Wall Street intermediaries need. Some critics warn that tokenized stocks could add risk to the US equity market, even as the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq have announced tokenization plans.
FAQ
What did Binance launch on Monday for non-US customers?
Binance opened access to more than 8,000 US stocks and exchange-traded funds for non-US customers on Monday. Customers can buy fractional shares starting at $5 with zero commission using stablecoins USDC, USDT, or Binance's BNB token.
How does Binance's stock trading infrastructure work?
Share purchases on Binance are arranged by broker-dealer Nest Trading, while New York firm Alpaca handles custody, dividend payments, and corporate actions. Customers pay using stablecoins or select tokens.
What is Binance's bStocks feature?
Binance announced bStocks, which will let users tokenize the equities they buy by converting shares into digital tokens on BNB Chain in the coming weeks. The design allows users to initiate tokenization themselves.
