Zerodha has started United States stock investing on its Kite platform, giving Indian investors access to more than 2,000 American companies and 1,000 exchange traded funds. The service is in beta mode and allows fractional investing from just $1. This move places Zerodha in direct competition with Groww, Upstox and Angel One.
The brokerage is fixed at 0.1% per order, capped at $10, along with a foreign exchange markup of 0.5%. Investors can buy delivery based shares, own fractions of high value stocks and even set up systematic investment plans in eligible US companies.
The launch is expected to attract retail investors who want exposure to global giants such as Apple, Amazon and Microsoft. Fractional investing lowers entry barriers and makes diversification easier. Integration with existing Zerodha accounts ensures convenience for its large customer base.
However, challenges remain. The 0.5% forex cost adds to transaction expenses. Competitors already have traction in international investing. Regulatory and operational hurdles may also affect scaling. Despite these issues, Zerodha’s entry strengthens competition and expands opportunities for Indian investors seeking global equity participation.