Zerodha has introduced US stock investing in beta on its Kite platform, giving eligible Indian residents access to up to 2,000 US-listed companies and around 1,000 exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Announced on October 19, 2026, the facility supports fractional investments from $1, allowing investors to buy portions of eligible shares.
The service operates through BSE’s India INX Global Access at GIFT City IFSC and uses customers’ existing Zerodha accounts. Here’s a look at eligibility, activation, brokerage charges, and the key limitations investors should understand.
What Has Zerodha Launched and When?
Zerodha’s US stock investing feature allows eligible resident Indian investors to buy foreign-listed stocks and ETFs through Kite. The service operates through BSE’s India INX Global Access at GIFT City International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). Users do not need to open a separate demat account for this facility.
The service was introduced in beta mode. Eligible customers can check its official website to confirm whether activation is available for their accounts. Its official website now provides an activation option for eligible customers.
How to Activate US Stock Investing on Zerodha
Existing Zerodha customers can enable US investing online through their account or Kite.
- Log in to Kite or visit Zerodha’s account portal.
- In Kite, open International from Marketwatch, Holdings or Funds.
- Select Enable now, followed by Enable US investing.
- Complete the required online verification and activation steps.
- Once activated, fund your USD Global wallet through net banking at a supported partner bank.
- Search for an eligible US stock or ETF and place an order.
Activation usually takes around 30 minutes, although processing may vary. Your account must meet Zerodha’s eligibility and verification requirements, including the applicable
Aadhaar and KYC conditions.
UPI, debit cards, and credit cards are not supported for funding the Global wallet.
How Does $1 Fractional Investing Work?
Fractional investing allows users to buy a portion of a share rather than paying for an entire share. Zerodha supports eligible American stock and ETF investments starting at One Dollar.
For example, if a stock costs $300, investing $30 would buy approximately 0.1 shares before applicable charges and price movements. Any gains or losses depend on the fraction held and the stock’s performance.
The $1 minimum investment allows eligible users to buy fractional units of supported US stocks and ETFs.
What Are Zerodha’s US Stock Brokerage Charges?
Zerodha lists brokerage for US stock investments at 0.1% of the transaction value, with a minimum of $0.01 and a maximum of $10 per executed order. An 18% GST applies to brokerage.
Other costs may include statutory charges, currency conversion, and bank remittance fees. Zerodha’s support documentation lists an IFSCA turnover fee of 0.005% of trade value and US regulatory fees on sell orders. Investors should check the latest official pricing schedule to confirm how these charges apply.
Currency conversion is another cost to consider. The bank converts Indian rupees into US dollars, and the exchange rate may include a markup over the RBI reference rate. Zerodha’s fund-transfer guidance also notes that bank processing fees and GST on currency-conversion charges may apply.
Before investing, compare the total cost of funding, buying and selling—not just the headline brokerage rate.
Who Is Eligible to Invest Through Zerodha?
The Global stocks segment is available to resident Indian individuals with eligible individual Zerodha accounts. NRIs, joint accounts, and non-individual entities, including companies, LLPs, partnership firms, and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), are currently ineligible.
Users must ensure their Aadhaar is linked to their mobile number where required for verification. Its official activation guide provides the current eligibility requirements and instructions.
Zerodha vs Groww vs Upstox: Fees and Features Compared
| Features | Zerodha | Groww | Upstox |
| US stocks and ETFs | Up to 2,000 stocks; around 1,000 ETFs | 10,000+ stocks and ETFs | 8,000+ stocks; 2,000+ ETFs |
| Fractional investing | From $1 | Available | From $1 |
| Brokerage rate | 0.1% per order | 0.1% per order | 0.25% per order |
| Minimum brokerage | $0.01 | $1 | $0.01 |
| Maximum brokerage | $10 per order | Check current US stock fee schedule | $25 per order |
| Key limitation | Delivery-based; no intraday or margin trading | Check current platform terms | Promotional offers may affect charges |
What should investors compare? Zerodha’s launch offers eligible investors US stock access through Kite, with fractional investing from $1 and brokerage capped at $10 per order.
Groww and Upstox advertise broader selections of Overseas securities, but the lowest brokerage rate alone does not determine the cheapest option.
Investors should compare currency conversion costs, applicable fees, eligibility, and platform restrictions before choosing a service.
The Limitations of Zerodha’s International Stock Investing
Zerodha’s international investing facility supports delivery-based orders for eligible US stocks and ETFs, including fractional investments. However, intraday order types, Margin Trading Facility (MTF), and US IPO applications are not supported.
Same-day buy and sell trades are permitted under the platform’s current guidance, but this should not be confused with access to intraday trading orders or margin facilities.
Investors should also consider currency fluctuations, overseas market risks, applicable Indian tax rules, and remittance requirements before investing internationally. Check Zerodha’s latest support documentation for any changes to available features.
Why Is Zerodha’s US Stocks Launch Important for Indian Investors?
Zerodha’s entry into US stock investing gives eligible Indian residents another way to access international equities through an existing investment platform. Fractional investing lowers the amount needed to buy into eligible stocks, while the brokerage cap may appeal to investors comparing overseas investment services.
However, brokerage is only one part of the total cost. Currency conversion, regulatory charges, remittance requirements, and investment risks also matter. Investors should review the latest official terms and understand the tax implications before funding an account.
