Crypto Trading Platform Provider WonderFi to Offer Equities Next Year Through Bitbuy Unit

Kevin O’Leary-backed WonderFi Technologies (WNDR.TO) plans to offer stock trading for customers through one of its crypto trading platforms, Bitbuy.

Bitbuy will offer fractional trading and investments in thousands of U.S. stocks, exchange-listed securities and ETFs. The product is expected to be live in the first quarter of 2023, the company said Thursday.

The offering seeks to be the first fractional trading platform in Canada that offers real-time settlement.

"Providing seamless access to stock trading makes Bitbuy the first in Canada to offer a full suite of crypto trading as well as fractional trading of equities with real-time settlement,” WonderFi CEO Ben Samaroo said. “This is in furtherance of our goal of making users' lives easier and bringing key asset classes within our easy to use, regulated platforms.”

Bitbuy adding stock trading would allow it to compete with Canadian rival Wealthsimple, which offers crypto and equities for clients. Global giants such as Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX are also beginning to offer equities for clients.

Canada-based WonderFi, a provider of crypto trading platforms, purchased Bitbuy in January for C$206 million ($161.8 million) in cash and shares.

Read more: FTX US Debuts Stock Trading in Push for Bigger Slice of US Retail Pie