Webull UK cuts commission on US & Hong Kong shares

Webull UK has removed commission on all US and Hong Kong shares and launched a flexible Stocks and Shares ISA, broadening its offering for UK retail investors.

It is among the first firms in the UK to offer zero-commission trading on Hong Kong shares as well as US equities. The new ISA is open to UK residents aged 18 and over, giving access to shares and exchange-traded funds within a tax-efficient wrapper.

Zero-commission trading in US stocks has become more common in the UK investment market, but Asian equities have generally remained outside those pricing models. US and Hong Kong shares are among the most actively traded securities globally, with strong liquidity and tight spreads.

The ISA is being added alongside Webull UK's existing brokerage services as competition intensifies among investment apps and online brokers seeking to attract self-directed investors. Flexible ISAs allow savers and investors to withdraw and replace money within the same tax year without affecting their annual allowance, subject to product terms.

Nick Saunders, Chief Executive of Webull UK, said the changes reflect demand from customers trading international markets.

"US and Hong Kong shares are among the most liquid and cost-effective markets to trade, and our customers value the ease of trading in these markets," Saunders said.

He said the move also supports portfolio construction across markets during periods of uncertainty.

"Building a diverse portfolio is key to navigating volatility, and this diversification, combined with sophisticated investment analysis tools on the platform and Webull's global expertise, will provide UK investors with everything they need to make well-informed decisions," Saunders said.

Market reach

Webull UK is the British arm of Webull Corporation, a Nasdaq-listed group operating in 14 markets across North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America. The parent company says it has more than 26 million registered users globally.

In the UK, the company offers an online brokerage aimed at retail investors making their own trading decisions. Its range includes access to US stocks and options, as well as cash savings products, and the latest additions suggest a push to widen its appeal beyond single-market equity trading.

The launch of a Stocks and Shares ISA places Webull UK more directly in a mainstream segment of the British retail investment market. ISAs remain one of the most widely used tax wrappers for personal investing in the UK, and flexible structures are often marketed as a way to give investors more control over when they put cash in and take cash out during the tax year.

Pricing pressure

The decision to drop commission on US and Hong Kong shares also highlights pricing pressure across digital brokerage. Retail platforms have spent recent years cutting visible dealing fees while competing on product range, user experience and access to overseas markets.

For investors, the removal of commission does not necessarily eliminate all trading costs, since foreign exchange charges, market spreads and other fees can still affect returns. Even so, headline commission rates remain an important point of comparison in a crowded market for app-based investing.

Hong Kong-listed shares can give UK investors exposure to large Chinese and regional companies through a familiar exchange structure, though appetite for those stocks can shift with market volatility and geopolitical risk. By pairing that market with US equities under a zero-commission model, Webull UK is seeking to stand out in a part of the brokerage market where US share dealing has become increasingly standard.

The two changes form part of wider growth plans for Webull UK. Webull Corporation says its platform gives retail investors round-the-clock access to global financial markets across asset classes, including stocks, exchange-traded funds, options, futures, fractional shares and digital assets.

The new ISA offers access to a range of ETFs and shares within the tax wrapper, with returns determined by investment performance rather than a fixed rate.