Uphold has launched US stock and ETF trading directly within its crypto platform. Eligible US users now gain access to more than 4,000 publicly traded securities.
They can move from crypto holdings to equities in a single transaction flow. Under the hood, Uphold’s system converts users’ crypto assets into US dollars in the background, then transfers the funds to a brokerage account to complete the purchase of the target security. The platform supports fractional share purchases starting as low as $5, depending on account approval status and specific order conditions.
Not Just Tokenized Equities
This investment model differs from the recent surge in tokenized stock offerings. Buyers on the platform actually own the securities through an official brokerage channel, rather than merely holding blockchain tokens designed to represent the value of specific stocks.
To execute these orders, all stock purchases are handled by Uphold Securities, an SEC-registered broker-dealer entity that is also a member of FINRA and SIPC. On the settlement side, Apex Clearing Corporation serves as the clearing agency.
“People want a single app for all investments - including crypto,” said Nancy Beaton, President of Uphold US, explaining the fundamental rationale behind the integration.
The Race to Build an All-in-One App
Uphold’s expansion aligns with a broader trend among rival exchanges competing to keep user funds in one ecosystem. Kraken, for example, introduced US equities trading in 2025 through its Kraken Securities division. Meanwhile, Binance’s Direct Stocks service crossed $1 billion in user US equity assets within its first month of launch, offering access to over 7,000 stocks and ETFs.
Uphold charges no trading commissions for stock or ETF transactions. However, users still pay standard Uphold fees when converting their crypto to US dollars, alongside minor mandatory regulatory fees upon selling shares. Moving forward, Uphold plans to expand the service to 24-hour trading throughout active business days.
The Boundaries of Fund Security
The convenience of managing investments on a single screen comes with clear protection boundaries. Because stock orders are routed through a licensed brokerage entity, users’ equity holdings are protected by SIPC in the event of firm insolvency. However, this legal shield does not cross over. Crypto assets held on the same platform are entirely outside the scope of SIPC protection.
Buying stocks directly by selling Bitcoin or altcoins is now just a few clicks away. But for retail investors, keeping all their eggs in one app means being fully aware of the rules: which legal boundaries protect their stock portfolio, and where crypto wallets are left to bear their own risks.
Source: crypto.news.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
