Gate has launched fee-free access to US stocks and ETFs on its platform, eliminating trading fees, account opening fees, and account maintenance fees for the new offering. The exchange framed the move as part of a broader push to make US equity market access simpler and more cost-effective, extending the zero-cost model that crypto exchanges have used to attract spot trading volume into the traditional equities space.
The announcement positions Gate alongside a growing list of crypto-native platforms building out access to tokenized or brokered US equities and ETFs, competing directly with both traditional zero-commission brokerages and rival exchanges that have rolled out similar stock-trading features. By removing account opening and maintenance costs alongside trading fees, Gate is targeting the full cost structure that has historically made equities access less frictionless than spot crypto trading on the same platforms.
Part of a Broader Push Into Traditional Markets
Crypto exchanges expanding into stocks and ETFs has become a notable trend as platforms look to diversify revenue beyond crypto-only trading volume, which tends to swing sharply with market cycles. Offering US equities lets exchanges retain users during periods when crypto trading activity slows, while also appealing to a broader base of users who want a single platform for both crypto and traditional assets.
For Gate users, the zero-fee structure removes a common barrier to entry for smaller or first-time investors who might otherwise be deterred by account fees on unfamiliar platforms. Whether the offering gains meaningful traction will likely depend on execution quality, available asset selection, and how it stacks up against the free-trading model that has already become standard among dedicated stock brokerages.
