Binance weighs stock access in markets including Hong Kong and South Korea, says co-CEO Richard Teng

Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, is contemplating adding stock access to markets like Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and Brazil. Co-CEO Richard Teng, speaking at TOKEN2049 in Singapore, said the platform is working to cater to user demand for exposure to top stocks in various markets. In 2026, Binance began trading in tokenized U.S. stocks and commodity derivatives, including precious metals and oil.

They also launched pre-IPO perpetual futures contracts settled in USDT, a stablecoin tied to the U.S. dollar. This shift is driven by a decline in digital asset prices, with Bitcoin falling below its October 2025 highs. Other exchanges, such as Coinbase and OKX, are also expanding their offerings to include traditional stock trading, perpetual futures, and stablecoins.

Traditional financial institutions are embracing cryptocurrencies, while crypto platforms must adhere to clearer rules to attract institutional investors. Teng believes tokenized stocks and 24/7 trading will broaden access to global markets for investors outside major financial centers, especially those in emerging markets. Binance currently serves as a "shadow bank" for savings, yield generation, and cross-border payments, allowing users to access global stocks with low barriers.

Later this month, Binance will launch Binance AI Pro, an AI-powered crypto trading assistant that automates analysis, strategy execution, and position management.