The global financial landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years. As pandemic-era liquidity continues to fuel markets, both U.S. equities and cryptocurrencies have surged to record highs. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones Industrial Average have all broken historical resistance levels — with the Dow briefly surpassing the 30,000 mark. At the same time, Bitcoin has cemented its place in mainstream finance, drawing institutional interest from companies like MicroStrategy and PayPal.
With traditional and digital assets rising in tandem, investors are asking: How can I access both U.S. stocks and cryptocurrencies efficiently, securely, and cost-effectively?
Until recently, these markets were siloed. Buying U.S. stocks required opening an account with a regulated broker — often a lengthy process involving documentation, minimum deposits, and high fees. Crypto investors, meanwhile, turned to specialized exchanges with faster onboarding but limited access to traditional assets.
But that divide is closing fast.
👉 Discover a seamless way to trade both crypto and tokenized stocks on one platform.
The Rise of Hybrid Investment Platforms
A new generation of financial platforms now bridges the gap between crypto and traditional markets. These services allow users to invest in both asset classes without managing multiple accounts or navigating complex compliance procedures.
One standout innovation comes from FTX, which launched tokenized equities — blockchain-based representations of real-world stocks. Backed by partnerships with German financial firms CM-Equity and Digital Assets AG, each tokenized share represents ownership of an actual stock held in custody by a regulated third party.
For example, when you buy one Tesla (TSLA) tokenized equity on FTX, it’s fully backed by a real Tesla share held off-chain. This means holders are entitled to economic benefits equivalent to owning the underlying stock, including dividends and price appreciation.
What makes this model powerful is accessibility. Investors from regions where direct access to U.S. markets is restricted can now gain exposure through compliant, blockchain-native instruments.
Moreover, FTX offers quarterly futures contracts on these tokenized equities, enabling advanced strategies such as hedging long positions or leveraging trades up to 101x. This functionality fills a critical gap for traders seeking risk management tools not available in standard brokerage accounts.
How Does FTX Compare to eToro?
Another platform offering combined access to crypto and equities is eToro, founded in 2007. It supports over a thousand tradable instruments, including stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies, and provides copy-trading features that appeal to beginner investors.
For users primarily focused on U.S. stock investing, eToro has advantages — especially if their account is regulated under Australian, UK, or European jurisdictions. Since May 2025, eToro has offered real stock ownership for thousands of NASDAQ and NYSE-listed companies. By completing the W-8BEN form (for non-U.S. residents), eligible users can buy actual shares commission-free.
However, eToro’s strengths in equities are balanced by limitations in crypto flexibility:
- Only 17 cryptocurrencies are available for trading.
- Withdrawing crypto to external wallets requires using the eToro Wallet app.
Withdrawal eligibility depends on account tier:
- Bronze-level users must wait 180 days after first deposit.
- Diamond-tier users can transfer after 30 days.
These restrictions make eToro less ideal for active crypto traders who value self-custody and broad asset selection.
In contrast, FTX supports dozens of crypto trading pairs and allows direct wallet withdrawals with fewer barriers.
So, FTX or eToro: Which Should You Choose?
The answer depends on your primary investment focus.
Choose eToro if:
- Your main goal is long-term U.S. stock investing.
- You prefer a user-friendly interface with social trading features.
- You're comfortable with limited crypto options and withdrawal delays.
Choose FTX if:
- You're crypto-first, looking to diversify into equities.
- You want access to innovative products like tokenized stocks and high-leverage futures.
- You value rapid product development — FTX expanded from 6 to over 20 tokenized stocks within a month.
- You're interested in global exposure, including Chinese tech stocks like Alibaba (BABA) and Bilibili (BILI).
FTX is also expanding into broader traditional assets, including:
- Index futures (e.g., SPX)
- Commodity markets (gold, silver, oil)
- ETFs such as iShares China Large-Cap (FXI), Emerging Markets (EEM), and EAFE (EFA)
As Sam Bankman-Fried stated in a recent interview:
“FTX aims to offer products that move in opposite directions — allowing users to hedge risks across crypto and traditional assets. If we succeed, traders can manage their entire portfolio on one platform.”
This vision positions FTX not just as a crypto exchange, but as a converged digital asset hub.
👉 See how you can start building a diversified portfolio across crypto and tokenized equities today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are tokenized stocks the same as real stocks?
A: While they represent economic exposure to real shares (including dividends), tokenized stocks are not direct legal ownership certificates. The underlying assets are held by regulated custodians, ensuring compliance and security.
Q: Can I receive dividends from tokenized equities?
A: Yes. Platforms like FTX distribute dividend equivalents proportionally to token holders based on the performance of the underlying stock.
Q: Is it safe to trade on hybrid platforms like FTX?
A: FTX operates under regulatory frameworks in multiple jurisdictions and partners with licensed financial institutions for custody and compliance. However, always practice due diligence and use strong security measures like two-factor authentication.
Q: Do I need to pay taxes on tokenized stock gains?
A: Tax treatment varies by country. In most jurisdictions, gains from tokenized equities are treated similarly to traditional investments. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Q: Can I short tokenized stocks?
A: Yes. FTX offers quarterly futures contracts that allow users to go long or short on tokenized equities, enabling hedging and speculative strategies.
Q: Which platform offers better leverage?
A: FTX provides up to 101x leverage on certain contracts, significantly higher than eToro’s typical 4x–5x limits for stocks. This appeals to experienced traders but carries increased risk.
Final Thoughts: Convergence Is the Future
The financial world is undergoing a structural shift. Once-separated domains — crypto and traditional markets — are merging through innovation in tokenization, regulation, and cross-asset trading.
While eToro remains strong for passive stock investors, FTX leads in product innovation, particularly for those who want agility across digital and traditional assets.
👉 Join a platform at the forefront of financial convergence and explore new ways to invest.
Whether you're drawn by Bitcoin’s momentum or the enduring strength of U.S. tech giants, the future belongs to platforms that offer choice, speed, and integration — all without compromising security or compliance.
As hybrid investing becomes the norm, having a single gateway to both crypto and global equities isn't just convenient — it's essential.
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