Crypto exchanges draw $2 trillion and 300 million investors

Cryptocurrency exchanges are emerging as a significant new gateway for global retail investors to access traditional stock markets, according to a new analysis. A report from Binance Research projects these platforms could channel up to $2 trillion in new capital and attract approximately 300 million new investors into global equities by 2031.

The research indicates that users in emerging markets are driving this trend, with nearly 93 percent of initial users of Binance’s stock trading service coming from these regions. The model leverages stablecoins for settlement and offers features like fractional share ownership, commission-free trading, and 24/7 market access, which lower traditional barriers such as high brokerage fees, minimum balances, and limited foreign market access.

Stablecoins are cited as a key innovation, reducing cross-border transaction costs by an average of 3.6 percent and roughly $40 per transaction by bypassing traditional banking channels. This efficiency positions them as a practical settlement layer for continuous equity exposure. The report also notes that integrating stock trading directly on crypto platforms allows for more efficient trading...