Woofun AI reports that Bitget officially launched its US stock trading service Stock+ on June 22, 2026, integrating over 10,000 US equities and ETFs into a single account ecosystem. This initiative, part of the broader "Stocks 2.0" framework, allows users to trade major assets like Tesla and Nvidia while retaining full shareholder rights including cash dividends and stock splits. The launch represents a decisive move away from synthetic derivatives toward genuine equity ownership within the cryptocurrency exchange environment.

The operational backbone of this new service is Atomic Vaults, known as AVS, a US-based licensed broker-dealer registered with the SEC under FINRA BrokerCheck CRD317194. AVS holds membership in both FINRA and SIPC, ensuring that all transactions are regulated and compliant with federal securities laws. With a monthly trading volume exceeding $15 billion, the firm provides institutional-grade clearing and custody services that support 24/5 trading hours. This infrastructure enables fractional share investing and facilitates stablecoin deposits and withdrawals, creating a bridge between digital assets and traditional capital markets.

Ming Zhao, the founder of AVS, explicitly stated that the platform offers ownership of real US stocks rather than tokenized versions or derivative contracts. Every user order is routed through the US licensed broker-dealer system directly to Nasdaq, NYSE, and compliant market makers, ensuring direct access to real liquidity. The trading window encompasses pre-market sessions, standard market hours, and after-hours trading, while the fund side allows users to settle transactions using stablecoins. This structure achieves a seamless integration of crypto assets and US stocks within one unified account, eliminating the need for external brokerage transfers.

Prior to its entry into the cryptocurrency sector, AVS had already established itself as a critical infrastructure provider for Asian internet brokers and fintech platforms. The firm possesses deep expertise in order execution, risk control, compliance operations, and settlement processes specifically tailored for Asian users. Consequently, Bitget's partnership with AVS extends beyond simple access to a licensed broker; it grants the exchange entry to a compliance-approved US stock infrastructure that has already been validated by traditional brokerage firms. This pre-existing validation significantly reduces the regulatory friction typically associated with cross-border asset integration.

Ming Zhao, a US-born Chinese trader with an educational background from Columbia University, brings extensive experience in quantitative trading and cybersecurity to the venture. AVS has secured investment support from prominent institutions including ARK Invest and Founders Fund. ARK Invest, founded by the renowned "Cathie Wood," maintains a long-term bullish outlook on the convergence of traditional capital markets and Web3 technologies. Through this investment, AVS is actively realizing this convergence by providing access to real US stock liquidity for a vast global crypto user base.

Woofun AI data shows that this institutional backing validates the strategic importance of bridging these two distinct financial ecosystems.

Zhao emphasized that cryptocurrency users had not refused to purchase US stocks but were previously unable to acquire real ownership due to structural barriers. The mission of AVS is to enable hundreds of millions of global exchange users to buy real US stocks on a familiar platform using familiar assets. This vision aligns perfectly with Bitget's strategic goal of creating a Universal Exchange, or UEX, where anyone can trade anything, anywhere, and at any time. The platform aims to remove the friction that has historically separated crypto traders from traditional equity markets.

The technical specifications of the Stock+ service include US stock spot trading on Nasdaq and NYSE, alongside pre-market and after-hours trading capabilities. Fractional share trading is specifically tailored for the Asian market, allowing for lower entry barriers for retail investors. Users receive cash dividends and stock split benefits directly, and the system supports the inbound transfer of existing US stock holdings from partner brokers. Settlement occurs via stablecoins such as USDC and USDT, while real-time quotes and Level 2 data ensure transparency. Future updates will gradually introduce options, margin financing, and expansion into more countries and regional markets.

The transition of centralized exchanges from pure cryptocurrency trading to cross-asset platforms defines the industry theme for 2026.

However, US stocks involve strict compliance and clearing requirements, forcing exchanges to select licensed and compliant brokers as their underlying infrastructure. Beyond Bitget, other platforms including Backpack, BIT, and MEXC have also accessed real US stocks through AVS. As more users convert their crypto gains into US stock holdings, the scenario of buying coins on-chain and buying stocks on the same platform is becoming the most pragmatic cross-asset trading scene in 2026. AVS recently acquired a Hong Kong brokerage license, further expanding its service scope from US stocks and gradually establishing a complete channel connecting Asian investors with the US capital market. This marks a definitive shift where regulatory compliance becomes the primary driver of market expansion rather than a barrier to entry.