Zerodha US stock trading on Kite has entered beta mode, allowing eligible Indian investors to invest in up to 2,000 US-listed companies and around 1,000 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through their existing Zerodha accounts.
The new feature offers access to international investments without requiring a separate demat account.
The service is initially available on Kite Web, with wider availability expected soon.
It gives Indian investors another option to diversify their portfolios by investing in global companies and funds.
 Zerodha US Stock Trading: What Can Investors Buy?
Through its Global Stocks segment, Zerodha is offering access to up to 2,000 of the largest US-listed companies by market capitalisation and approximately 1,000 ETFs that meet its eligibility criteria.
Investors can use fractional investing to purchase a portion of an eligible stock or ETF instead of buying a complete share. This can make high-priced US stocks more accessible to people who want to start with smaller amounts.
For example, if a share costs $300, an investor with $75 could buy a quarter of a share through fractional investing, subject to the platform’s applicable rules.
Returns, losses and dividends depend on the fraction owned and the investment’s performance.
How to Activate US Stock Trading on Kite
Existing eligible Zerodha customers can activate the US stocks segment online without opening a separate demat account or completing physical paperwork.
Investors can log in to Kite, open the International section from Marketwatch, Holdings or Funds, and select the option to enable US investing.
They can also visit their Zerodha account settings to start the activation process.
Aadhaar must be linked to the investor’s mobile number. If this requirement is not met, the investor may need to complete re-KYC before proceeding.
Once the request is submitted, activation time may vary, so users should check their account for confirmation.
After activation, investors can transfer funds from their linked Indian bank account through supported net banking facilities to a dollar-denominated Global wallet.
The balance can then be used to purchase eligible US stocks and ETFs.
Trading Rules, Market Timings and Eligibility
Zerodha’s US investing facility is currently designed for delivery-based investments.
Intraday trading and margin trading are not available for US stocks. Stop-loss orders are expected to be introduced through Good Till Triggered (GTT) orders.
Investors can place orders outside US market hours, but execution takes place when the relevant market is open. During the US daylight saving period, regular US market hours generally fall between 7 PM and 1:30 AM Indian Standard Time.
During standard time, the session generally runs from 8 PM to 2:30 AM IST on the following day.
The facility is intended for resident Indian individuals with eligible accounts.
Non-resident Indians (NRIs), joint accounts and non-individual entities such as companies, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), partnership firms and limited liability partnerships are not eligible under the current rules.
 Taxes and Risks Investors Should Understand
Investing in US markets involves more than selecting a company and placing an order.
Indian investors should understand applicable remittance rules, transaction charges, tax treatment and reporting requirements before transferring money overseas.
Currency movements can also affect returns. Even if a US stock rises in dollar terms, changes in the rupee-dollar exchange rate can influence the final value of the investment when converted back into rupees.
Overseas investments also carry market risks and may behave differently from Indian shares.
Tax treatment depends on the type of income, holding period and applicable rules.
Investors should check current tax requirements and seek qualified advice where necessary rather than assuming that all overseas gains and dividends are treated identically.
Zerodha’s launch gives eligible Indian investors a more direct route to explore US-listed shares and ETFs through a familiar platform.
However, investors should review the costs, eligibility conditions and risks carefully before making an investment decision.
