Binance has launched options trading on more than 1,000 US stocks and exchange-traded funds for eligible users outside the United States, expanding its traditional-finance product suite with physically settled contracts.
The offering operates through Binance’s Abu Dhabi-regulated broker-dealer, Nest Trading, while US-registered Alpaca Securities handles order execution, clearing, settlement and custody.
The rollout extends Binance’s existing equities platform, which provides access to more than 7,000 US stocks and ETFs through a single Binance account.
Physical Settlement Adds a New Layer to Binance’s Equity Offering
Unlike equity-linked perpetual futures, Binance’s newly launched options use physical settlement.
When an eligible user exercises an option, the transaction results in the delivery or receipt of the underlying shares rather than settlement solely through a cash payment.
The structure places traditional securities infrastructure behind the crypto exchange’s interface. Nest Trading provides the regulated brokerage layer, while Alpaca Securities manages the US-market execution, clearing, settlement and custody functions.
The service remains restricted to eligible users outside the United States, reflecting the regulatory and jurisdictional limitations attached to the underlying securities products.
TradFi Activity Accelerates as Binance Reports $433B in August Volume
Binance’s traditional-finance trading activity has expanded sharply, with TradFi perpetual futures volume reaching about $433 billion in August, roughly 15 times January’s level.
The figures show how rapidly equity-linked and other traditional-market products have become part of Binance’s broader trading ecosystem.
The latest options launch builds on that momentum by adding a product that gives eligible users exposure to actual US-listed shares through physical settlement rather than only synthetic or perpetual exposure.
The expansion also arrives as the broader tokenized-equity market records substantial growth. According to RWA.xyz data, tokenized stocks now represent about $2.6 billion in distributed value, compared with roughly $346 million at the same time last year.
Monthly transfer volume has increased 93% over the past 30 days to $25.1 billion, while the number of tokenized-stock holders has climbed 157% to nearly 2.5 million, according to the same data.
These figures point to increasing demand for blockchain-based access to traditional equities, although Binance’s newly launched options differ from tokenized stocks because the options are routed through regulated brokerage infrastructure and are physically settled.
Coinbase, Kraken and Robinhood Intensify the Race for Global Equity Access
Binance’s move follows several major expansions across crypto and traditional-finance platforms.
Last week, Coinbase brought its B20 tokenized equities to Base, enabling eligible non-US users to access 24/7 onchain versions of stocks including Apple, Nvidia, Meta and Alphabet.
Those tokenized assets can also interact with decentralized finance protocols, creating potential applications such as trading and collateralized borrowing.
Kraken expanded its equities offering in August by giving eligible European customers access to more than 7,000 US-listed stocks while continuing to develop its xStocks lineup of tokenized equities.
Robinhood took another route in July, launching Robinhood Chain alongside a new generation of Stock Tokens for eligible users across more than 120 countries.
The competitive landscape now spans several models: Binance combines regulated brokerage infrastructure with physically settled options; Coinbase is expanding tokenized equities on Base; Kraken combines conventional stock access with tokenized xStocks; and Robinhood is developing blockchain infrastructure around its stock-token ecosystem.
For Binance, the options launch represents another step toward integrating traditional securities products into a platform historically associated with cryptocurrency trading. The key distinction is that the new contracts connect users to physical shares through the execution, clearing, settlement and custody infrastructure provided by its regulated and US-registered financial partners.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments are volatile and risky. Always conduct your research before making any investment decisions.
