A Must-Read for Taiwanese Investors in 2026! Comprehensive Review of US Stock Trading Platforms and Account Opening Fee Guide

Why Should Taiwanese Investors Pay Attention to U.S. Stocks?

In recent years, the U.S. stock market has attracted more and more attention from Taiwanese investors, but many are confused about how to choose the right trading platform. After all, everyone’s investment needs are different—some seek low costs and quick entry, others require comprehensive trading tools and diverse assets. To find the most suitable platform in the U.S. stock market, understanding each platform’s true features and fee structures is key.

Two Main Ways to Buy U.S. Stocks in Taiwan

Path 1: Through Domestic Brokers with Sub-Agency Trading

Many Taiwanese investors choose to purchase U.S. stocks via local brokers, a method called “sub-agency trading”—simply put, the Taiwanese broker delegates order placement to an overseas broker. The advantages are familiar operation and convenient fund deposits and withdrawals, while the downside is that transaction fees are usually higher.

Comparison of Major Taiwanese Brokers’ U.S. Stock Sub-Agency Trading Fees

Path 2: Opening Accounts Directly with International Brokers

This method allows investors to directly access international financial markets, usually with lower fees and a wider range of trading products. The drawbacks include adapting to English interfaces (though many platforms now support Chinese), currency conversion issues, etc.

In-Depth Review of International U.S. Stock Trading Platforms

Beginner’s First Choice: Mitrade

Why recommend it for beginners?

Mitrade was founded in 2011, with over one million users worldwide, and a large user base in Taiwan. For newcomers to U.S. stock investing in Taiwan, this platform’s advantages are clear.

Fee Structure

• Zero commission (no brokerage fee)
• Floating spreads, as low as 0.01
• Minimum deposit only $50
• Supports NTD deposits and withdrawals

Core Advantages ✓ User-friendly interface, quick to master in 5 minutes ✓ Demo account with $50,000 virtual funds for practice ✓ 24/5 local Chinese customer support ✓ Wide range of trading instruments: stocks, ETFs, forex, cryptocurrencies, indices, commodities, etc. ✓ Leverage trading supported (adjustable 1-200x), small capital can participate in big volatility

Regulatory Credentials

• ASIC regulated (Australian Securities and Investments Commission)
• CySEC regulated (European financial regulator)

Caution

• Demo account valid for only 3 months
• CFD trading (Contracts for Difference), requires understanding leverage risks

Professional Traders’ First Choice: Interactive Brokers (IBKR)

Platform Features

Founded in 1977, Interactive Brokers is the go-to tool for professional traders. If you trade large volumes, need complex strategies, or want to explore global markets, this is the best choice.

Fee System

• Fixed: $0.005 per share
• Tiered: below 100 million shares/month, fees drop to $0.0005 per share
• Withdrawal fee: $10
• Minimum maintenance for margin accounts: $2,000

Why suitable for high-capital investors?

The larger the trading volume, the more cost-effective per share. If your monthly trading exceeds one million USD, IBKR’s tiered rates are much lower than fixed-rate platforms.

Trading Range Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, mutual funds, covering over 100 markets including U.S., UK, Germany, Japan, Korea, etc.

Disadvantages

• Complex interface, high learning curve for beginners
• Higher costs for small trades (better suited for large capital)
• Minimum $2,000 required to open a margin account

Mid-Level Investors: SogoTrade, Firstrade, Fidelity

SogoTrade

• Founded in 1986
• Fees: $2.88 per trade for under 100 shares; zero commission for accounts over $2,000
• Advantages: Better for large-volume trading, strong account opening promotions
• Disadvantages: Not cost-effective for small retail traders

Firstrade

• Founded in 1985
• Fees: Zero commissions, $25 withdrawal fee
• Advantages: Very low trading costs, easy to use
• Disadvantages: Quotation delays, limited Chinese customer support hours, hidden costs (PFOF) to watch out for

Fidelity

• Founded in 1946
• Fees: No commissions for individual investors
• Advantages: No recurring fees
• Disadvantages: Only supports fund purchases in Taiwan, no direct U.S. stock account opening; margin interest rates from 5.5% to 9.825%

Five Key Factors in Choosing a U.S. Stock Trading Platform

1. Fund Security Is the Top Priority

Before opening an account, confirm whether the platform is regulated by reputable authorities:

• FINRA (U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority)
• SIPC (U.S. Securities Investor Protection Corporation)
• ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission)
• CySEC (European Securities and Markets Authority)

If the platform goes bankrupt, assets under these regulators are protected accordingly.

2. Does the Trading Range Meet Your Needs?

Different platforms have different restrictions:

• Some prohibit short selling
• Some restrict options combinations
• Some only offer stocks and funds

Make sure the platform supports the investment products you want to trade before opening an account.

3. Hidden Costs in Fee Structures

Besides apparent commissions, watch out for:

• Withdrawal fees
• Overnight holding fees
• Spread costs
• Currency conversion fees

Some platforms appear cheap but have higher hidden costs.

4. Chinese Support and Customer Service

Language barriers can lead to operational errors or missed market opportunities. Choosing a platform with 24/5 Chinese customer support can significantly reduce communication issues.

5. Capital Liquidity and Deposit/Withdrawal Speed

Fast fund deposits improve trading efficiency, while slow withdrawals can affect capital turnover.

How Much Capital Do You Need to Start Buying U.S. Stocks in Taiwan?

Clarifying Common Misconceptions

Opening a U.S. stock account is generally free. Reputable financial institutions do not charge account opening fees.

Actual Investment Costs

The minimum trading unit in Taiwan stocks is 1 lot (1,000 shares), while in U.S. stocks it is 1 share. For example, Facebook’s stock price is $631, so buying 1 share traditionally costs $631.

However, via CFD trading, you can control larger assets with less capital. For instance, Mitrade allows opening positions with as little as 0.01 lot, requiring only $50 to start trading.

CFD Trading Cost Components

Cost 1: Spread (Bid-Ask Difference) The difference between buy and sell prices. Larger trade sizes incur higher spread costs.

Cost 2: Commission Some platforms charge a percentage of the trade amount. Mitrade charges no commission.

Cost 3: Overnight Fees Holding positions overnight incurs fees. Calculation: trade size × units per lot × opening price × overnight fee rate

How to Open an Account on a U.S. Stock Trading Platform?

Taking Mitrade as an example, three simple steps:

Step 1: Create an Account

1. Visit the official website and click “Open Account”
2. Enter email, set password, choose base currency
3. You can also quickly link via Facebook or Google

After registration, you automatically get a demo account with $50,000 virtual funds for risk-free familiarization.

Step 2: Upgrade to a Real Account

1. Complete personal info (residence, ID type, date of birth, etc.)
2. Pass KYC verification
3. All processes are fully online

Step 3: Deposit and Trade

1. Choose deposit method (Skrill, Poli, Visa, MasterCard, wire transfer)
2. After deposit, start trading
3. The platform offers nearly 400 financial products

Common Tools for U.S. Stock Trading Platforms

Trading Strategy Analysis

Based on recent trends, use fundamental and technical analysis to scientifically formulate the next phase of strategies.

Real-Time Market Quotes

Zero-latency quotes, combined with various charting tools, clearly display price movements across different periods.

Economic Calendar

Highlights important market-impacting events, categorizes their significance, helping you plan ahead.

Market Sentiment Index

Summarizes the proportion of bulls and bears, helping judge overall investor attitude toward the asset.

Risk Management Tools

• Take profit/stop loss functions to lock in gains or limit losses
• Trailing stops that automatically follow profit changes
• No need for constant position monitoring

Real-Time Information

Covers seven categories: forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, technical analysis, economic data, etc.

Final Recommendations

Decision Framework for Choosing a U.S. Stock Trading Platform

1. Assess Yourself: Beginner? Experienced? Small capital? Large capital?
2. Clarify Needs: Which trading products are required? Cost considerations?
3. Compare Options: Horizontally compare based on fees, regulation, service
4. Trial Experience: Use demo accounts to thoroughly test

Buying U.S. stocks in Taiwan differs from investing in local stocks; reliance on brokers is higher. Before investing, comprehensive consideration and cautious selection are essential to find the most suitable trading platform.