Binance has started offering trading of 7,000 U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds with no commissions, running on a 24-hour schedule five days a week. The exchange also said it plans to roll out tokenized versions of those assets, but only after it secures the necessary regulatory approvals.
What the new service covers
The service lets users buy and sell a broad range of U.S. equities and ETFs without paying any per-trade fee. That list of 7,000 tickers covers most major companies listed on exchanges like the NYSE and Nasdaq. Trading hours stretch from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon, matching standard U.S. market hours plus extended sessions.
The zero-commission model is similar to what retail brokerages like Robinhood and Charles Schwab offer. But Binance is entering this space from its roots as a cryptocurrency exchange. The move could pull in investors who want to trade both crypto and traditional stocks from a single account.
Tokenized assets and the regulatory question
Separately, Binance said it plans to offer tokenized versions of stocks and ETFs. Tokenization would turn a share into a digital token on a blockchain, allowing for faster settlement and 24/7 trading. But the company made clear the launch depends on getting approval from regulators. No timeline was given, and the statement did not specify which jurisdictions or agencies are involved.
Tokenized stocks are not new — other platforms have tried them, often running into legal pushback. Regulators have raised concerns about investor protection, market integrity, and whether tokenized shares count as securities. Binance has faced scrutiny from authorities in multiple countries over its crypto operations. Adding tokenized equities could draw even more attention.
Why the timing matters
The launch comes at a moment when traditional finance and crypto are blurring. Major banks have started offering crypto services, and exchanges like Binance are pushing into stocks. The zero-commission offering removes a cost barrier, but trading volume and liquidity will determine whether it attracts serious users. The company has not disclosed how it plans to make money from the service, though zero-commission platforms often rely on payment for order flow or margin lending.
For now, the commission-free stock trading is live. The tokenization plan remains conditional. Binance will need to navigate a patchwork of securities laws before it can let customers trade tokenized shares. That process could take months or longer — if regulators allow it at all.
