Key Takeaways
- Binance is adding physically settled options on 1,000+ U.S. stocks and ETFs for eligible non-U.S. users.
- TradFi perpetual volume hit $433.4B in August, showing rising demand for Wall Street assets on crypto rails.
- Binance may deepen its brokerage push as stocks, options, and tokenized assets converge on one platform.
US Traders Excluded From Binance Stock Options Rollout
Binance is adding another Wall Street product to its crypto-native trading platform.
The exchange will offer options on more than 1,000 U.S.-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds through Nest Trading Limited, its broker-dealer regulated by Abu Dhabi Global Market. Nest will act as the introducing broker, while U.S.-registered Alpaca Securities will handle execution, clearing, settlement, and custody.
The contracts are physically settled. If exercised, users receive or deliver the underlying shares, which Alpaca holds in custody on their behalf. Eligible retail traders can buy calls and puts, with losses limited to the premium paid. U.S. customers are excluded from the service.
Demand for Traditional Assets Surges
The rollout builds on Binance’s existing access to more than 7,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs, alongside bStocks tokenized securities and equity-linked perpetual futures. Binance said emerging-market users generated more than 80% of direct stock-trading volume during the first week of that offering.
Trading data helps explain the expansion. TradFi perpetual futures volume reached about $433.4 billion in August, nearly 15 times January’s $29.5 billion. Equity-linked perpetuals accounted for about 79% of that activity, with August volume reaching $342.9 billion, up from $410.9 million in January, according to Binance data cited in the announcement.
Shunyet Jan, Binance’s head of exchange and trading, said stock options are an important next step in Binance’s expansion into a multi-asset platform.
“By adding options on selected U.S. stocks and ETFs, we are expanding the tools available to users who want to participate in equity markets, manage exposure, and access strategies that have historically been offered through traditional brokers, all from one Binance account,” Jan said.
Crypto Platforms Move Closer to Brokerages
Binance’s expansion comes as crypto companies race to bring stocks and investment products onto blockchain-linked infrastructure.
Robinhood Chain recorded a daily DEX-volume high of $875 million on Aug. 30. Meanwhile, the seven most-traded tokenized stocks generated $4.3 billion in decentralized-exchange volume over the previous 30 days.
Bitwise has also launched three automated tokenized-stock portfolios for eligible non-U.S. investors. The products combine Coinbase tokenized equities with Glider’s automated portfolio infrastructure.
The shift suggests crypto venues are competing on more than digital assets. They are increasingly combining stocks, derivatives, tokenized securities and custody in one account, narrowing the line between a crypto exchange and a traditional brokerage.
