Bitget Adds Real US Stock Ownership to Crypto Accounts With Stock+ Launch

Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget has launched Stock+, a new feature enabling users to purchase shares in US-listed companies using digital assets such as USDC. According to the exchange, the product routes orders through regulated US brokers, granting holders direct ownership of the underlying securities rather than synthetic exposure. This initiative is part of Bitget's broader Stocks 2.0 ecosystem, aiming to integrate crypto and equity trading within a single account amidst a wider industry push to merge traditional finance with digital asset platforms.

Users can fund accounts with digital assets, convert them to USDC, and purchase shares, with trades executed via brokers including RQD Clearing and Atomic Vaults Securities. Holders are eligible for corporate actions like cash dividends and stock splits, with trading available during US pre-market, regular, and after-hours sessions. The platform also supports inbound transfers from participating brokers to consolidate existing equity holdings. "Access is important, but ownership matters too," Bitget CEO Gracy Chen stated in the announcement. The company noted promotional fees start from 0.1% with a 50% discount available through August 31.

This launch represents a strategic shift from Bitget's earlier tokenized equity product, rToken, introduced in early June. While rToken offers tokenized exposure to over 500 US stocks and ETFs, Stock+ is designed to deliver actual share ownership through broker partnerships. The move places Bitget in a competitive landscape where crypto venues and traditional exchanges are increasingly converging. Rivals like Coinbase and Kraken are seeking regulatory approvals for tokenized stock trading, while traditional platforms like Nasdaq have initiated pilot programs for tokenized equity trading.

However, Bitget did not disclose which jurisdictions have access to Stock+, the full list of partnering brokers, or the custody structure for the underlying shares. The exchange's claims of direct ownership rely on its relationships with regulated brokers rather than on the platform itself. As the industry continues to blur the lines between crypto and traditional finance through tokenization and 24/7 trading, the division of responsibilities between crypto platforms and licensed brokers remains a key regulatory consideration.