Key Highlights
- Binance introduces physically settled options covering over 1,000 US equities and ETFs, available exclusively to qualified international users
- Execution flows through Nest Trading in Abu Dhabi to Alpaca Securities for processing and safekeeping
- Traditional finance perpetual futures on Binance soared to $433 billion in August, a dramatic jump from January’s $29.5 billion
- The tokenized equity sector has expanded to $2.6 billion in distributed value, compared to $346 million twelve months prior
- Competing platforms including Coinbase, Kraken, and Robinhood have similarly broadened stock access for global audiences
Binance has unveiled options trading capabilities spanning more than 1,000 US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds, targeting qualified customers beyond American borders. This development represents another milestone in the exchange’s strategic expansion into conventional financial instruments.
Delivery of these options products will operate through Nest Trading Limited, Binance’s brokerage entity supervised by Abu Dhabi Global Market regulators. Functioning as an introducing broker, Nest will channel trade orders to Alpaca Securities, a US-registered financial institution responsible for trade execution, clearing processes, settlement operations, and asset custody.
These contracts feature physical settlement mechanics. When exercised, holders will take possession of or surrender the actual stock shares themselves, rather than receiving a cash-equivalent payment.
Qualified retail participants in the options program can purchase both call and put contracts. Risk exposure remains capped at the initial premium payment. Binance has indicated plans to gradually expand its stock options catalog with additional listings.
Traditional Finance Trading Activity Explodes
This options rollout extends Binance’s current equity infrastructure, which previously incorporated access to over 7,000 US-listed stocks and ETFs for its global customer base, introduced this past June.
Traditional finance perpetual futures activity on Binance climbed to $433.4 billion throughout August. This figure marks a substantial increase from January’s $29.5 billion baseline, representing approximately a 15-fold multiplication since year’s beginning.
Stock-linked perpetual contracts powered the majority of this expansion. These instruments alone produced $342.9 billion in August trading volume, up dramatically from a mere $410.9 million in January, comprising roughly 79% of aggregate TradFi activity.
Bybit has announced its own entry into this segment. The platform will debut continuous options on stock perpetuals September 17, initially featuring SpaceX and Nvidia. Diverging from Binance’s approach, Bybit’s products will utilize USDT cash settlement and reference stock perpetuals instead of direct equity positions.
Tokenized Equity Market Gains Momentum
Cryptocurrency platforms aren’t alone in pursuing this trajectory. The tokenized stock ecosystem has experienced substantial growth throughout the previous twelve months.
Tokenized equities currently represent approximately $2.6 billion in distributed value, ascending from roughly $346 million one year earlier, per RWA.xyz data. Monthly transfer activity jumped 93% over the last 30-day period to $25.1 billion, while holder count surged 157% to approach 2.5 million participants.
Coinbase deployed its tokenized stock offering on the Base blockchain in recent days, providing qualified international users with continuous access to onchain representations of equities such as Apple, Nvidia, Meta, and Alphabet.
Kraken extended availability of more than 7,000 US-listed equities to eligible European clientele in August, positioning them alongside its existing xStocks tokenized product line.
Robinhood debuted Robinhood Chain this July, accompanied by Stock Tokens accessible to qualified individuals across more than 120 nations.
Binance characterized the options launch as integral to its ambition of evolving into a comprehensive multi-asset trading venue, delivering international customers capabilities traditionally confined to conventional brokerage platforms.



