Zerodha has launched US stock investing in beta on its Kite platform, according to a StartupTalky roundup of 19 October 2026. Indian investors can reach about 2,000 US stocks and 1,000 ETFs, with fractional investing from $1.
Costs
Brokerage is 0.1% of trade value, capped at $10 an order. Currency conversion carries a bank markup of 0.5% to 1.2%, the roundup says.
How it works
The service runs through BSE's India INX Global Access platform at GIFT City, and funding is limited to net banking. The roundup says Groww and Upstox launched similar services in September, so Zerodha follows two other brokers.
What the report does not say
It gives no launch date for general availability, no limits on how much can be sent abroad, and no information on tax treatment. It does not describe how many users are in the beta.
Key numbers
- US stocks: About 2,000 (Via Kite beta)
- ETFs: About 1,000 (Fractional from $1)
- Brokerage: 0.1% (Capped at $10 per order)
- Currency markup: 0.5%–1.2% (Bank markup, per the report)
What boards and CFOs should note
Three points stand out. First, GIFT City exchange platforms are becoming the route for Indian retail access to overseas markets, which links to the IFSCA rules published this week. Second, the currency markup of 0.5% to 1.2% is a cost on top of brokerage, and it matters for small, frequent trades. Third, companies with employee share plans or treasury teams that hold overseas equity should check how these routes are treated for foreign-exchange and tax reporting, since the roundup does not cover this.
This is information, not investment advice.
Source: StartupTalky, 19 October 2026. This is a summary of a news report, published as general information. It is not legal, tax or investment advice.
This article is journalism and commentary. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security, and it is not professional advice. Read the full disclaimer.
