Equiduct Introduces New US Stock Trading Segment for European Retail Investors

Equiduct Launches US Stocks Trading Segment

Equiduct, a key player in Europe's retail trading landscape, has unveiled its dedicated US stocks trading segment, effective June 1, 2026. This initiative marks a groundbreaking moment as it allows European retail brokers to trade US equities directly in US dollars. The introduction of this segment aims to streamline access to US markets, which have historically been complicated by costly off-exchange transactional models.

Key Features of the New Trading Segment

Equiduct's new trading segment will operate under the exchange MIC code XEQU and is designed to function continuously from 10:00 CET to 22:00 CET. This trading window will encompass both European and US market hours, enabling seamless trade execution. Order entry will even be open from 07:00 CET, allowing for a proactive start to trading activities.

As the segment launches, it will feature about 700 instruments, primarily including all constituents of the S&P 500 and 200 additional high-trade-volume stocks outside of this index. Phase expansions are planned, including the incorporation of Russell 2000 and Russell 3000 companies in subsequent stages.

Commission-Free Model

An exciting aspect of this new offering is that trading within the US segment will be commission-free for retail clients. This aligns with Equiduct's existing model within European equity trading, where clients are shielded from additional access fees and trade charges. Notably, there are no minimum volume requirements, thus inviting broader retail participation.

Market data associated with this US segment will be accessible under current Equiduct market data packages, supporting active trading without any increased costs.

Enhanced Clearing and Settlement Process

To facilitate this initiative, Equiduct has partnered with SIX x-clear AG and Cboe Clear Europe N.V., which are designated as interoperable central counterparties (CCPs) for the US trading segment. This interoperability is crucial as it simplifies the matching and clearing of trades among participants utilizing different CCPs. Adjustments to existing European equities clearing arrangements are not required, ensuring a hassle-free transition for users.

As part of the operational framework, both CCPs will expand their operating hours to accommodate the newly-established US trading window. Settlement instructions will be handled through DTCC for T+1 settlement, a standard practice expected to enhance trading efficiency.

Cost Efficiency for Retail Brokers

Currently, European retail brokers face significant costs—up to EUR 1.17 per trade—when accessing US equities through intermediary channels. By transitioning to Equiduct’s US segment, brokers can capitalize on commission-free execution, reduced clearing costs (starting at just EUR 0.005 per transaction), and efficient settlement via DTCC, resulting in a remarkable reduction in operational expenses. In fact, brokerages executing up to 8,000 trades daily could see annual savings exceeding EUR 1.7 million.

Wail Azizi, Equiduct’s Chief Strategy Officer, expressed optimism about this development, stating that for too long, European brokers have been burdened by high costs linked to fragmented off-exchange operations. The launch of the US segment is not merely an upgrade; it represents a fundamental shift in the economics associated with US equity access.

Timeline and Future Developments

Equiduct aims to have a user acceptance testing (UAT) environment ready by May 1, 2026, with full production set for June 1, 2026. This timeline offers retail brokers ample opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new trading dynamics before the official launch.

As Europe's leading retail-focused exchange, Equiduct, part of Börse Berlin, continues to expand its offerings, it emphasizes its commitment to providing enhanced trading accessibility and operational transparency in its services across European markets. With this new venture into US equities, Equiduct is poised to dramatically reshape the trading landscape for European retail investors.