Uphold Expands into Traditional Finance with Fractional Share Trading

Uphold, a crypto-native trading platform, has expanded its services to include fractional share trading for over 4,000 US stocks. This move positions Uphold as a multi-asset platform that allows users to trade between cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and traditional assets such as Apple shares without needing to switch apps.

The company first introduced fractional US equities in around 2020, enabling users to buy small portions of high-priced stocks like Apple and Tesla with lower capital requirements. Uphold obtained the necessary regulatory approvals through its acquisition of US broker-dealer JNK Securities in 2021, which also came with a FINRA approval.

Fractional trading itself is not new, with platforms like Robinhood, Fidelity, and Charles Schwab offering similar services. However, Uphold's entry into traditional finance marks a shift for crypto-native platforms, which are increasingly adding equities to their existing digital asset infrastructure.