September 2, 2026, Gate will officially launch U.S. stock options trading. The first batch covers 9 popular U.S. stock tickers, including Nvidia (NVDA), Tesla (TSLA), Apple (AAPL), Meta (META), AMD, Micron Technology (MU), Amazon (AMZN), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Broadcom (AVGO).
For global crypto users, what does this new feature really mean? Can it truly deliver "zero entry barriers" and "zero fees"?
No need for an extra account—one Gate account connects crypto and traditional finance
The barrier to traditional U.S. stock options trading isn’t low. Users need to open a U.S. brokerage account and a margin account, complete a complex KYC process, and deal with the hassle of cross-border currency conversion. For this new U.S. stock options launch, Gate doesn’t require users to open a separate U.S. brokerage or margin account. You only need to update the Gate App to the latest version, V8.35.0, and complete the stock account opening to start trading.
That means crypto asset holders can participate directly in U.S. stock options trading through their Gate accounts. They don’t need to convert USDT into USD, and they don’t have to switch between multiple platforms. One account, one set of assets, unified management—that’s the core logic behind Gate’s multi-asset all-in-one trading platform.
$0 platform fees, $0 commissions—cutting trading costs dramatically
Fees are an unavoidable factor in options trading. Gate doesn’t charge any U.S. stock options platform fee, trading commission, or exercise/assignment fee—platform fee $0.00 per contract, options commission $0.00 per contract, and exercise/assignment fee $0.00 per contract.
Users only pay third-party regulatory fees collected by U.S. regulatory and clearing institutions. Gate collects and remits these on behalf of users, and does not profit from the fees above. The breakdown of third-party regulatory fees is as follows:
| Fee name | Collecting organization | Collection direction | Billing basis | Current rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEC Fee (SEC fee) | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) | Only for sales | Actual trade amount (premium) | Trade amount × 0.0000206, minimum $0.01 |
| FINRA TAF (Trading Activity Fee) | U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | Only for sales | Number of contracts | $0.00279 per contract, minimum $0.01, maximum $9.79 |
| OCC Clearing Fee (Clearing fee) | Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) | Both buy and sell | Number of contracts | $0.025 per contract |
| ORF (Options Regulatory Fee) | U.S. options exchanges and related regulators | Both buy and sell | Number of contracts | $0.012 per contract |
| CAT Fee (Consolidated Audit Trail fee) | CAT NMS related institutions | Both buy and sell | Number of contracts | $0.0003 per contract |
In total, the third-party regulatory fees for buying each contract are approximately $0.0373 per contract (OCC Clearing Fee + ORF + CAT Fee). For selling each contract, third-party regulatory fees are approximately $0.0373 per contract + SEC Fee (trade amount × 0.0000206, minimum $0.01) + FINRA TAF ($0.00279 per contract, minimum $0.01, maximum $9.79).
It’s important to note that third-party regulatory fees may change based on requirements from regulators and clearing institutions. The actual fees are subject to the order confirmation page and your bill. For more details, click the U.S. stock options help center.
Compared with the commission of at least $0.65 per contract charged by traditional brokers, Gate’s cost advantage is significant. For high-frequency traders and strategy traders, this means more flexibility to execute strategies without having profits eroded by high transaction costs.
USDT settlement—no physical delivery—no need to worry about capital lockup
Gate’s U.S. stock options trading uses USDT settlement. There’s no physical delivery of shares. Users don’t need to set aside additional funds to buy shares, or maintain a stock position, at settlement. The platform will calculate the difference directly according to the product rules.
This mechanism is especially friendly to crypto-native users. You don’t need to convert USDT into USD before trading. You also don’t need to prepare large amounts of capital for stock delivery when options expire. Throughout the process, trading is priced and settled in USDT, improving capital efficiency significantly.
First batch focused on tech giants—continuous expansion to follow
The initial 9 underlying assets are concentrated in AI, semiconductors, electric vehicles, and internet-related sectors—hot stocks that global investors closely follow. Gate has also stated clearly that it will gradually open more stock and ETF options in the future. As the pool of underlyings keeps expanding, users will gain access to more trading strategies and asset allocation choices.
Closing
With the launch of Gate’s U.S. stock options, it truly lowers the participation barrier of traditional financial derivatives. It enables global crypto users to trade U.S. stock options using familiar USDT, familiar accounts, and at extremely low costs. This isn’t just a simple product add-on. It marks an important step for Gate as it evolves from a crypto exchange into a multi-asset financial services platform. For crypto investors who want to diversify, hedge risk, or seek Alpha returns, this is a tool worth trying right away.
FAQ
Q1: Do I need to open a U.S. stock account outside of Gate?
No. You only need to update the Gate App to V8.35.0 or above, log in to your Gate account, and complete the stock account opening—no additional U.S. brokerage account or margin account is required.
Q2: How much capital do I need to prepare to trade options?
When buying options, you only need to pay the corresponding premium (priced in USDT). You don’t need stock delivery funds, and you don’t need to convert USD in advance.
Q3: Does Gate really not charge any fees at all?
Yes. Gate does not charge platform fees, commissions, or exercise fees (all $0.00 per contract). Users only pay the third-party regulatory fees collected by U.S. regulatory and clearing institutions: about $0.0373 per contract for buying, and about $0.0373 per contract + SEC Fee + FINRA TAF for selling. The exact amount depends on the order page.
Q4: How is settlement handled after options expire?
It uses USDT cash-difference settlement and does not involve physical stock delivery. Approximately 30 minutes before the official settlement time, the platform will perform settlement and calculate the settlement price using the average underlying price in that 30-minute window.
Q5: How are trading hours scheduled?
In the first batch, trading is supported only during U.S. market hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 – 16:00 (U.S. Eastern Time). Holiday schedules are subject to the notifications on the trading page.
Q6: Will more tickers be added later?
Yes. Gate says it will gradually open more stock and ETF options. Please watch for official announcements.
