Binance Adds 7,000 U.S. Stocks as Crypto Exchanges Race to Become Multi-Asset Brokers

Binance has launched trading in more than 7,000 U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds, becoming the latest crypto exchange to expand beyond digital assets and compete more directly with traditional brokerage platforms.

The move comes as major crypto firms increasingly position themselves as multi-asset trading venues. Coinbase is building what it describes as an "Everything Exchange," Kraken has expanded its tokenised equities offering, and MEXC this week introduced access to real U.S. shares through a brokerage partner.

Welcome to a new era.Trade the brands you love.Direct Stocks. ETFs. Available 24/5.👉 https://t.co/IQVBAuxxey pic.twitter.com/6HvjTDFRCE

Binance said users outside the United States will be able to buy fractional shares from as little as $5 and trade equities commission-free. Stock transactions will be arranged through broker-dealer Nest Trading, while Alpaca will provide custody, dividend processing, and support for corporate actions.

Customers will be able to fund stock purchases using stablecoins including USDC and USDT, as well as selected cryptocurrencies such as BNB.

Binance Plans Tokenized Equity Offering

In an interview with Fortune, Binance co-CEO Richard Teng also outlined plans for “bStocks,” a tokenised equity product that would allow users to convert eligible stock holdings into blockchain-based tokens on the BNB Chain.

According to Binance, the model is designed to bridge traditional equity ownership with on-chain financial infrastructure. The company said tokenized stocks could eventually be used in decentralised finance applications, including lending and liquidity provision.

The announcement follows a broader industry push into tokenised securities. Kraken and Robinhood have both launched tokenised stock products over the past year, while major U.S. exchange operators have also explored the use of blockchain technology for equity settlement.

Tokenised stocks are often promoted as a way to reduce settlement times and extend market access beyond traditional trading hours.

Crypto Exchanges Expand Beyond Digital Assets

Binance's move reflects a wider shift across the industry as crypto exchanges seek to capture a larger share of investors' portfolios.

Earlier this year, Coinbase outlined plans to evolve into a multi-asset platform spanning cryptocurrencies, equities, derivatives, and prediction markets. The company has described the strategy as building an "Everything Exchange" capable of keeping trading activity within a single ecosystem.

MEXC also entered the segment this week with the launch of RealStocks, a product that gives users access to U.S.-listed shares and dividends through a licensed brokerage partner. Unlike many tokenised equity offerings, MEXC said the service provides ownership of the underlying shares rather than synthetic exposure.

While the business models differ, the direction is increasingly consistent. Many crypto exchanges are expanding beyond digital assets into broader financial platforms that combine equities, derivatives, prediction markets, and tokenized products within a single account.

For traditional brokers, competition is increasingly coming from platforms that let users trade multiple asset classes within a single account.