Bybit launched USDC-funded stock trading on October 12, 2026, providing eligible users outside the United States with access to over 1,000 US-listed stocks and ETFs. The service facilitates the purchase of actual shares through a brokerage arrangement rather than offering tokenized products. Customers fund purchases using USDC within their Unified Trading Account, while Alpaca Securities LLC handles order execution, clearing, settlement, and custody. According to Bybit's press release, supported securities include Apple, NVIDIA, Tesla, Micron Technology, and Invesco QQQ.
Users receive economic benefits such as dividends and corporate actions, though shareholder voting rights are unavailable at launch and planned for a later phase. The platform supports weekday trading around the clock, including overnight sessions, subject to holidays and product availability. Market orders execute only during regular US market hours; orders submitted outside this window wait for the next market opening. This service differs from previous xStocks products by not supporting onchain transfers or DeFi use, instead providing direct equity ownership via USDC settlement.
Bybit’s introduction of USDC-funded stock trading represents a significant convergence of crypto liquidity and traditional equity markets, allowing non-US users to access real-world assets without converting fiat currency. By leveraging Alpaca for regulatory-compliant execution and custody, the exchange bridges the gap between digital asset wallets and conventional brokerage services. This structure offers users direct economic exposure to major tech stocks and ETFs, distinguishing it from synthetic derivatives or tokenized proxies that lack underlying legal ownership.
From a Regulatory and Operational Risk perspective, the exclusion of US users highlights ongoing jurisdictional constraints in cross-border financial services. While the model simplifies access for international investors, the limitation of voting rights and the absence of onchain transferability restrict the utility of these holdings compared to fully decentralized finance instruments. Investors must navigate the specific terms of the Unified Trading Account, where settlement occurs in stablecoins but legal title remains with the custodian, creating a hybrid environment that requires careful assessment of counterparty risk and regulatory compliance.
