Binance is adding options on more than 1,000 U.S.-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds, expanding its platform beyond cryptocurrency into traditional financial assets. The offering targets eligible retail traders outside the United States through Nest Trading Limited, a broker-dealer regulated by Abu Dhabi Global Market, which will serve as the introducing broker. U.S.-registered Alpaca Securities will handle execution, clearing, settlement, and custody.
The options contracts are physically settled, meaning users receive or deliver the underlying shares upon exercise. Traders can purchase calls and puts with losses limited to the premium paid. U.S. customers are excluded from participating in the service.
Surge in Traditional Asset Trading
The expansion builds on Binance's existing offerings, which include access to more than 7,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs, tokenized securities, and equity-linked perpetual futures. Trading volumes demonstrate significant demand for traditional assets on crypto platforms. TradFi perpetual futures volume reached approximately $433.4 billion in August, compared to $29.5 billion in January. Equity-linked perpetuals accounted for about 79% of this activity, reaching $342.9 billion in August volume.
Emerging-market users generated more than 80% of direct stock-trading volume during the first week of Binance's stock offering launch.
Crypto Platforms Blur the Line With Traditional Brokerages
Binance's move reflects a broader trend among cryptocurrency companies integrating stocks and investment products with blockchain-linked infrastructure. Robinhood Chain recorded a daily decentralized-exchange volume high of $875 million on August 30. The seven most-traded tokenized stocks generated $4.3 billion in decentralized-exchange volume over a 30-day period, while Bitwise launched three automated tokenized-stock portfolios for eligible non-U.S. investors.
As crypto venues combine stocks, derivatives, tokenized securities, and custody services on a single platform, the distinction between cryptocurrency exchanges and traditional brokerages continues to narrow.
