Coinbase Launches US Stock Trading for UK Users
The crypto giant now offers 24/7 stock trading to British investors on a single platform.
1Coinbase's US Stock Trading in the UK
Coinbase has started offering US stock trading services to eligible UK users today. Through the same app used for crypto and fiat transactions, nearly 4,000 US stocks can now be traded. The service features zero commission fees and allows starting with as little as £1. Users can fund their trades using either GBP or USDC stablecoin directly from their balances.
224/5 Trading Availability
Coinbase's stock trading service operates 24 hours a day during weekdays, extending beyond traditional exchange hours of NYSE and Nasdaq. This provides UK investors with flexibility to trade outside standard US market hours. The company positions this move as part of bridging the gap between traditional and digital asset management.
3FCA Authorization Enables Expansion
The stock trading launch follows Coinbase's July 2026 authorization from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to offer investment services beyond crypto. This regulatory approval allows the company to offer equities, derivatives, and eventually tokenized real-world assets on a single platform for the first time.
4Coinbase's Growing UK Product Suite
Over the past year, Coinbase has been expanding its UK product offerings. In November 2025, it launched a GBP savings account with 3.75% AER through ClearBank partnership. April 2026 saw the introduction of crypto-backed borrowing using DeFi protocol Morpho, enabling loans against Bitcoin and Ethereum holdings via smart contracts rather than traditional balance sheets.
5Competitive Landscape and Strategy
While eToro has long offered combined stock and crypto trading with social features, Coinbase differentiates by securing regulatory approvals before product launches. This approach mirrors its strategy in other markets. The company prioritizes compliance, aiming to establish trust in its expanding financial services ecosystem.
6Ahead of UK Crypto Regulation
Coinbase's UK expansion precedes the country's comprehensive crypto regulatory framework set for October 2027 implementation, with license applications opening in late 2026. By obtaining investment services authorization now, Coinbase gains first-mover advantage over competitors still navigating the approval process for similar offerings.
7Boosting UK Retail Investment
Coinbase anticipates increased US stock access will raise UK retail participation in equity markets. The company cites internal survey data suggesting UK retail investors trail their US counterparts in stock ownership rates. However, Coinbase hasn't publicly released the specific survey methodology or results supporting this claim.
8The 'Everything Exchange' Vision
Coinbase describes its long-term goal as creating an 'Everything Exchange' that consolidates crypto, stocks, derivatives, savings, and borrowing on one platform. This vision seeks to blur boundaries between traditional and digital finance, offering investors a unified experience for managing diverse assets through a single interface.