Coinbase Secures Major UK License for Tokenized Stock Trading

Coinbase has received a full investment services authorization from the UK Financial Conduct Authority. This is a significant step beyond simple crypto registration. The license allows the exchange to offer traditional equities, derivatives, and perpetual futures to British users under a single regulated roof for the first time.

The standout feature of this launch is the introduction of tokenized US stocks. These are not synthetic products or contracts for difference. Instead, they are assets backed one to one by actual US equities, complete with dividend rights and managed through on chain infrastructure. This move signals a push toward treating the exchange as capital market infrastructure rather than just a digital asset shop.

UK users can now access thousands of US listed stocks and exchange traded funds with zero commission. The platform supports trading with as little as one pound and offers fractional shares. This structure mirrors the service already running in the United States, allowing for 24/5 market access and instant funding using both local currency and stablecoins.

This development puts Coinbase in direct competition with traditional retail brokerage platforms in the UK. By offering a unified experience for both crypto and traditional securities, the company hopes to capture a broader audience. Market observers will now watch to see how effectively the exchange can convert its existing crypto user base into active stock market participants.