BIT Brokerage has launched U.S. stock options trading, expanding beyond cryptocurrencies into traditional equity derivatives. The platform now offers long call and long put options on approximately 2,000 U.S.-listed companies with zero commissions and platform fees of $0.30 per contract. The launch follows BIT's earlier introduction of margin trading for U.S. equities, reflecting a broader trend of crypto-native firms building multi-asset investment platforms spanning digital assets and regulated financial products.
BIT Launches Long-Only Options with Zero Commissions
The new service allows clients to trade long call and long put options on approximately 2,000 U.S.-listed companies. BIT charges zero commissions on both buy and sell orders, with platform fees set at $0.30 per contract and a minimum order fee of $0.99. According to BIT, the contract fee is roughly half the average charged by many established retail brokerage platforms.
BIT's brokerage business already provides access to more than 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs while supporting stablecoin deposits and withdrawals alongside traditional bank transfers. The options trading launch extends that ecosystem into another major segment of U.S. retail investing.
Platform Restricts Initial Release to Long Positions Only
Initially, BIT will only support options buying, leaving uncovered options selling and more advanced multi-leg strategies for future phases after additional risk management testing. The initial release supports only long options positions, allowing investors to purchase call and put contracts while excluding options writing and more complex strategies.
This phased approach significantly simplifies the firm's risk management responsibilities. Long options buyers can lose no more than the premium paid, while uncovered options sellers may face theoretically unlimited losses depending on market movements. Restricting the platform to fully paid long options also reduces margin complexity, lowers counterparty exposure and limits operational risk while customers become familiar with the product.
Elio Cui, Head of Brokerage at BIT, said: "Options are, at their core, a risk management tool rather than a purely speculative one. From margin trading to options, what we want to build for users isn't a single trading feature, but a comprehensive toolkit of U.S. equity products tailored to different risk appetites and stages of an investor's journey. Starting with options buying reflects our commitment to helping users fully grasp the underlying risk dynamics before moving into more complex strategies, fully aligned with the disciplined, iterative approach we take across our business."
BIT Offers $0.30 Per-Contract Fee Below Industry Average
BIT said options trades will carry no commission on either purchases or sales, with platform fees of $0.30 per contract and a minimum order fee of $0.99. According to BIT, the contract fee is roughly half the average charged by many established retail brokerage platforms.
Pricing has become one of the primary battlegrounds across retail brokerage since commission-free stock trading became standard across much of the industry. As basic equity commissions disappeared, brokers increasingly shifted toward generating revenue through options activity, securities lending, margin financing, payment for order flow where permitted and premium services. Offering lower-cost options trading allows newer entrants to differentiate themselves while attracting more active traders, who typically generate significantly higher trading volumes than buy-and-hold equity investors.
Stablecoin Deposits Provide Alternative Funding Method
One feature distinguishing BIT from many traditional brokers is its support for stablecoin funding. The platform allows customers to deposit and withdraw funds using USDT and USDC alongside conventional U.S. dollar bank transfers. For international investors, stablecoin settlement can reduce transfer times and provide an alternative where cross-border banking infrastructure is slower or more expensive.
BIT Plans Future Phases for Options Selling and Advanced Strategies
Rather than launching a complete options platform immediately, BIT plans to expand functionality progressively. The company said options selling and more advanced trading strategies will be introduced in future phases, subject to market conditions, customer demand and additional validation of its risk management systems.
That cautious rollout mirrors the approach adopted by many regulated brokerage firms, where expanding product availability often requires extensive operational testing, compliance reviews and enhancements to margin and risk management infrastructure.
FAQ
What did BIT Brokerage launch for U.S. stocks?
BIT Brokerage has launched U.S. stock options trading, allowing clients to trade long call and long put options on approximately 2,000 U.S.-listed companies with zero commissions and platform fees of $0.30 per contract.
Why does BIT only support long options positions initially?
BIT restricts the initial release to long options positions to simplify risk management responsibilities. Long options buyers can lose no more than the premium paid, while uncovered options sellers may face theoretically unlimited losses. The company will introduce options selling and advanced strategies in future phases after additional risk management testing.
How does BIT differentiate itself from traditional brokers?
BIT supports stablecoin funding, allowing customers to deposit and withdraw funds using USDT and USDC alongside conventional U.S. dollar bank transfers. The platform also offers access to more than 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs while charging platform fees of $0.30 per contract, which BIT states is roughly half the average charged by many established retail brokerage platforms.
