Fintech News · 22 October 2026 · 3 min read
In short: Zerodha has launched US stock investing on its Kite app, in beta. Users can buy about 2,000 US stocks and 1,000 ETFs, including fractional shares from $1, without opening a separate account. Brokerage is 0.1% of the trade, capped at $10 an order.
How it works
- You switch on the international investing segment inside Kite. No new demat account is needed.
- You move money by netbanking from your linked Indian bank account into a dollar wallet. UPI and cards are not supported.
- Trades go through BSE’s India INX Global Access in GIFT City, and the shares are held with a US broker partner.
- You can buy, hold and run SIPs in eligible US stocks. Intraday trading, margin and US IPOs are not available.
What it costs
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Brokerage | 0.1% of trade value, max $10 an order, plus 18% GST |
| Exchange turnover fee | 0.005% of trade value |
| Currency conversion | About 0.5% to 1.2% over the RBI reference rate, set by your bank |
| US regulatory fee | Small fee on sell orders |
How it compares
| App | Launched | What you can buy | Brokerage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zerodha | October 2026 (beta) | ~2,000 stocks, ~1,000 ETFs | 0.1%, max $10 |
| Groww | September 2026 | 10,000+ stocks and ETFs | Check app |
| Upstox | September 2026 | 8,000+ stocks, 2,000+ ETFs | Check app |
| Angel One | October 2026 (limited) | Not stated | Free till December 2026, then 0.1% (min $0.99) |
Money you send abroad for investing counts towards the RBI’s yearly Liberalised Remittance Scheme limit. Gains on US stocks are taxed in India, and you must declare foreign assets in your income tax return.
Sources
- Inc42: Zerodha launches US stock investing (19 October 2026)
- StartupTalky: Daily funding roundup and key news, 19 October 2026
This is a news summary for education, not investment advice. Figures are as reported on or before 22 October 2026; check the company’s official filings before making decisions.