Uphold Launches Direct Crypto-to-Stock Trading for Over 4,000 U.S. Securities

Jul 21, 2026

On July 21, 2026, Uphold launched a single-step trading feature for eligible U.S. customers to trade supported cryptocurrencies for over 4,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs, including fractional shares starting at $5. While presented as a single transaction, Uphold HQ, Inc. first converts the crypto into U.S. dollars before Uphold Securities Inc. executes the stock order. This launch reflects a broader industry trend of crypto platforms like Coinbase, Gemini, and Kraken expanding into traditional equities.

Uphold crypto-to-stock trading launch

▪Uphold's new equities service supports fractional shares starting at a minimum investment of $5.
▪Uphold launched a feature on July 21, 2026, allowing eligible U.S. customers to sell supported cryptocurrencies and buy over 4,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs in a single in-app transaction.

Multi-platform crypto-equities expansion

▪Kraken added U.S. stock and ETF trading in 2025 through Kraken Securities.
▪Coinbase launched U.S. stock trading in 2026 as part of its Everything Exchange strategy.
▪Gemini launched commission-free stock trading in July 2026 to allow eligible customers to access U.S. equities alongside crypto and prediction markets.

Dollar conversion before securities execution

▪Uphold executes crypto-to-stock trades by first converting the selected cryptocurrency into U.S. dollars before placing the stock or ETF order.
▪Uphold HQ, Inc., a Money Services Business registered with FinCEN, converts the cryptocurrency, while Uphold Securities Inc., a registered broker-dealer, executes the stock order.

SIPC protection limits

▪SIPC protection applies only to securities held in the Uphold Securities brokerage account and does not protect against market value losses.
▪SIPC protection does not cover cryptocurrency assets, which are held outside the securities brokerage account by Uphold HQ Inc.

Regulatory separation of asset classes

▪Uphold Securities Inc. and Uphold HQ Inc. operate as separate legal entities under common ownership to keep securities and non-securities products legally distinct.
▪Apex Clearing Corporation carries and clears the brokerage accounts for Uphold Securities Inc.

Extended trading hours plan

▪Uphold has not announced a specific start date for its planned extended trading sessions.
▪Uphold plans to extend its stock and ETF trading hours to 24 hours a day, five days a week, including premarket, after-hours, and overnight sessions.