Analysis

The crypto-native exchange is now offering 24/5 trading of nearly 4,000 US equities to UK users, funded by GBP or USDC — the first time a major platform has treated stablecoins as the primary settlement rail for traditional stocks.

On August 6, 2026, Coinbase launched 24/5 US stock trading for UK users. While the headline features — zero commission and a £1 minimum for fractional shares — are familiar to retail investors, the structural innovation lies in the plumbing. For the first time, a major platform is treating USDC not merely as a payment option, but as a primary funding and settlement rail for traditional equities.

The Regulatory Moat

This capability is underpinned by CB Payments Ltd, which secured authorization…