Crypto Exchanges Disrupt Wall Street with 24/7 US Stock Trading

Wall Street's monopoly on retail brokerages, a stronghold for decades, faces a formidable challenge. Leading crypto exchanges are now offering direct access to US stocks and ETFs, transforming how retail investors interact with equities.

Crypto Exchanges Shake Up Wall Street

In a groundbreaking move, Binance, Kraken, Bybit, and Gemini are rewriting the rules. They're integrating US stocks and ETFs into their crypto trading platforms. This isn't just an addition. it's a bold step into Wall Street's territory. Binance, for instance, launched access to over 7,000 US stocks and ETFs, alongside its tokenized bStocks, which settle in stablecoins. This approach allows trades to happen 24/7, a stark contrast to traditional market hours.

Kraken isn't lagging behind. Their xStocks, which include 100 tokenized US stocks and ETFs, have already surpassed $25 billion in transaction volume since June 2025. The exchange aims to expand its offerings to over 500 by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, Bybit has taken a unique approach by providing access to tokenized IPOs, starting with SpaceX, marking a significant first in centralized crypto exchange offerings.

Gemini, on the other hand, targets European markets with its Dinari dShares, allowing trade with zero fees 24/7. Each of these platforms makes it possible to use the same wallet for trading stocks like Nvidia, Tesla, or Apple, just as easily as they'd with Bitcoin or Solana.

Implications for the Crypto Market

So, what does this mean for the broader crypto space? Essentially, these exchanges aren't just broadening their services, they're setting up a two-front war. On one front, it's a contest among themselves to attract the same user base. On the other, it's a direct challenge to Wall Street brokers who've historically dominated the equity trading scene.

By providing a effortless gateway to US equities, these crypto platforms are attract a new generation of investors. Binance's initial data shows traders in emerging markets accounted for 80% of its direct stock product volume. Moreover, with 39% of trades under $100, and a quarter of users under 25, it's evident that mobile-first traders prefer this approach.

But there's more to consider. These exchanges are turning into thorough financial apps. A user who can buy Apple stock, trade Bitcoin, and hold stablecoins without switching platforms is likely to stick around. This trend could channel nearly 300 million new users and about $2 trillion in capital into global equities by 2031, according to Binance Research.

The Takeaway: Who Gains, Who Loses?

Here's the thing: the real battle isn't just about technology or regulation. It's about who controls the relationship with retail traders. Crypto exchanges are uniquely positioned because they're already on the mobile devices of these emerging market traders. They don't have to convince users to download something new. they simply need to offer more within their existing platforms.

For Wall Street, this represents a significant threat. While NYSE and Nasdaq are developing tokenized securities platforms, the user relationship is already shifting. If crypto exchanges become the default financial app for a generation, traditional brokers could see a diminished role in retail investor relations.

The competition will be fierce. Traditional exchanges, despite their efforts to adapt, may struggle to match the innovation and user-centric features that crypto platforms offer. As these trends unfold, one question remains: will US traders eventually follow the lead of their global counterparts, or will Wall Street find a way to reclaim its dominance? Asia moves first. The global stakes couldn't be higher.