In a significant move toward bridging crypto and traditional finance, Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has announced the launch of stock trading on its platform.
The new feature allows users to trade shares of 78 top publicly listed companies — including Coinbase (COIN) and members of the “Magnificent 7” tech stocks — using Tether (USDT), the world’s most widely used stablecoin.
The expansion is part of Bybit’s Gold & FX product suite, which already offers trading in gold, foreign exchange, and other commodities. According to the company’s May 19 announcement, the new equities feature is structured through a Contract for Difference (CFD) model.
This allows users to speculate on stock price movements without owning the actual securities. Notably, gains or losses are settled based on the difference between the opening and closing prices of trades.
Importantly, the platform also offers dividend adjustments to accounts based on ex-dividend dates, just like in traditional markets. These are credited or debited depending on whether the user holds a long or short position during such periods.
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Crypto exchanges expand beyond crypto assets
This development aligns with a growing trend among crypto exchanges seeking to expand their service offerings beyond cryptocurrencies.
Last month, Kraken announced the phased rollout of U.S. stock and exchange-traded fund (ETF) trading, following its $1.5 billion bid to acquire retail futures platform NinjaTrader.
Meanwhile, Crypto.com already supports equities through a partnership with Foris Capital US LLC, a registered broker-dealer regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Therefore, Bybit’s approach shows a broader shift toward integrated platforms that enable users to manage diverse portfolios within a single ecosystem.
Unlike legacy brokers like Robinhood and eToro, which started with traditional assets and later adopted crypto, Bybit is a crypto-native platform entering traditional finance. The crypto exchange creates a unique proposition for digital asset traders who wish to diversify without leaving familiar territory.
The use of USDT as the base trading currency enhances accessibility and stability, particularly for users in regions where fiat onboarding can be challenging or time-consuming. Following the increasing adoption of USDT, the U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin has rapidly become the first stablecoin to surpass $150 billion in market cap.
