1 hour ago
Indian investment platforms are expanding access to US stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with Groww opening its facility to all customers, Zerodha introducing the service in beta mode and Angel One rolling it out to select users.
The developments follow approvals from the Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) for Indian brokerages to facilitate international investing through Gujarat's GIFT City.
Upstox has also launched its US investing facility, widening the options available to Indian investors seeking exposure to overseas markets.
The platforms allow investors to access US-listed securities through their existing investment apps, although the range of eligible stocks and ETFs, brokerage rates and other charges differ.
How the new US investing facilities work
The services allow eligible Indian resident investors to buy US-listed stocks and ETFs through investment platforms, with transactions routed through entities and intermediaries operating under the GIFT City framework.
Groww operates through its subsidiary, Groww IFSC Private Limited, under the Global Access Provider (GAP) framework. Upstox also offers the service through its IFSC operations.
Zerodha routes investments through BSE-owned India INX Global Access, while Angel One has received approval to facilitate international investing under the GAP framework.
The offerings also support fractional investing, which allows customers to purchase a portion of a share instead of buying a whole share. This can lower the amount needed to invest in companies whose individual shares trade at high prices.
What the platforms offer
Groww: The platform has opened US stock investing to all customers after a phased rollout. It offers access to more than 10,000 US-listed stocks and ETFs and supports fractional investing. Brokerage is 0.1% of the transaction value, while currency exchange charges are negotiated with its payment partners and banks, the company said.
Zerodha: The brokerage has introduced US stock investing in beta mode on its Kite platform for eligible users. Its offering covers up to 2,000 US-listed companies and around 1,000 ETFs, with fractional investing starting at $1. Brokerage is 0.1% of the transaction value, subject to a minimum of $0.01 and a maximum of $10 per order.
Angel One: The platform has started a phased rollout to select customers, with a wider rollout planned by mid-November, according to the company's earlier announcement. It offers US stocks and ETFs, including fractional investing.
Brokerage is waived until December 2026, after which the company plans to charge 0.1% per trade, subject to a minimum of $0.99, from January 2027. Regulatory charges, GST and bank foreign exchange rates will also apply.
Upstox: The platform has launched US stock investing, offering access to more than 8,000 US-listed stocks and over 2,000 ETFs. Investors can start with $1 through fractional investing. The service operates through its IFSC operations under the GIFT City framework.
What investors should know before investing
Indian residents can fund permitted overseas investments under the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), which allows remittances of up to $250,000 per financial year across permitted transactions.
Investors should compare the total cost of investing rather than brokerage alone. Currency conversion spreads, bank charges, applicable taxes and regulatory fees can add to the cost of buying and selling overseas securities.
Investors should also check the eligible instrument list, account eligibility, funding process and withdrawal terms on their chosen platform before investing. Overseas investments also carry market and currency risks, as returns in rupee terms can be affected by movements in the US dollar against the Indian rupee.
NOTE TO READERS
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Readers should consult certified experts before making any investment decisions.
