Centralized cryptocurrency exchange Gate is expanding its platform to allow traders to access more than 12,800 traditional stocks across global markets directly using USDT, according to statements from Head of Global Partnerships Jason Fung at TOKEN2049.
Key Takeaways
- Gate now provides access to over 12,800 stocks across US, Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan markets funded via USDT.
- The multi-asset push comes as top-10 centralized exchange spot trading volume fell 14.2% in Q3 2026, according to CoinGecko.
- Robinhood Chain, integrated by Gate in July, generated over $88.9 billion in trading volume through Q3 2026.
- Gate is eyeing prediction markets following industry data showing $5.83 billion in weekend NFL betting volume.
Broadening Beyond Crypto Equities
Speaking at TOKEN2049, Jason Fung outlined Gate's strategy to retain capital on-platform as Q3 spot trading volume across top exchanges dropped 14.2%. Gate initially introduced Japanese stock trading in August 2026 with 300 Tokyo-listed stocks, before scaling its offering to more than 12,800 stocks across four major international jurisdictions.
"It's becoming a one-stop shop for anyone who wants to invest," Fung stated, emphasizing that investors no longer have to choose between holding digital assets or cash. To streamline user access to new blockchain ecosystems, Gate has actively expanded its exchange integrations, connecting Robinhood Chain in July and adding Arc support in September.
CoinGecko data showed Robinhood Chain generated over $88.9 billion in trading volume between its July launch and the end of Q3 2026, heavily fueled by memecoins. Addressing overall ecosystem sustainability, Fung noted: "The ultimate test is: once all the incentives are gone, who actually stays?"
Prediction Markets and Banking On-Ramps
To engage traders during periods of crypto market consolidation, Gate is expanding into prediction markets. Fung highlighted that traders without a short-term thesis on Bitcoin may hold firm convictions regarding election outcomes or sporting events. Citing Aldrin Research, Barron's reported at least $5.83 billion in prediction-market volume over the opening weekend of this year's NFL season.
While Fung described prediction markets as "a tool for pricing uncertainty," he noted that assessing their accuracy across millions of events remains an ongoing test. Ultimately, Fung emphasized that establishing seamless global fiat gateways remains more critical for customer retention than adding individual trading features.
Why It Matters
Centralized exchanges are actively diversifying into traditional equities and event-based prediction markets to combat declining spot crypto trading volumes. By enabling direct USDT settlement into foreign stock markets, platforms aim to prevent user balances from leaking back into traditional banking and brokerage ecosystems. The long-term viability of this model will depend on whether exchanges can maintain robust compliance across multiple equity jurisdictions while building sustainable, non-incentivized trading volume.
