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Understanding Spot Stocks, Stock Perpetuals, and Traditional U.S. Stocks

2026-06-29 07:210324

[Estimated reading time: 3 mins]

This article explains the differences between spot stocks, stock perps, and traditional U.S. stocks, including their features, trading characteristics, and how to start trading on Bitget.

 

1. Key differences among the three stock investment approaches

1.1 Spot stock (for mid-to-long-term, steady-growth portfolios)

Spot stocks are real stock tokens independently issued by Reality and strategically backed by Bitget. The product deeply collaborates with Nasdaq-licensed brokers, with underlying assets custodied by independent institutions and subject to regular audits, ensuring a 1:1 real mapping. Every token is verifiable and traceable.

Key advantages:

Backed 1:1 by real underlying stocks, with direct dividend rights

Tradable directly with USDT, with selected markets available 24/7

No brokerage account required, no wire transfers, and no time zone hassles

High security; ideal for users looking to hold quality assets like Apple (AAPL), Tesla (TSLA), and NVIDIA (NVDA) over the long term

 

1.2 Stock perps (for short-term and high-frequency trading)

Stock perps are offered as perpetual futures, with up to 100x leverage and 24/7 availability.

Key advantages:

Leverage amplifies returns, making it ideal for traders with a clear short-term directional view

Supports both long and short positions for maximum flexibility

High capital efficiency; suited for users seeking higher returns who can manage elevated risk

 

1.3 Traditional U.S. stocks

Real shares bought and sold directly through a brokerage, with genuine ownership.

Key features:

True ownership of listed company shares with full shareholder rights

Notable limitations: trading opens only during fixed weekday hours, impacted by time zone differences, high account-opening barriers, expensive wire transfer fees, and complex procedures

 

2. Pros and cons at a glance

 

 
Investment type
Best for
Key advantages
Key drawbacks
Recommended use case
Spot stocks
Mid-to-long-term value investors
1:1 backing + direct dividend payout, with 24/7 trading on select markets, low barrier to entry
Lower leverage
Steady portfolio building, long-term holding
Stock perps
Short-term and leveraged traders
High leverage, 24/7 availability, long and short trading
Higher risk, requires professional risk management
Short-term swing trading, high-frequency trading
Traditional U.S. stocks
Large-capital, long-term investors
True ownership, most mature market
Time restrictions, high entry barrier, complex operations
Institutional-scale, large-position allocation

 

In a nutshell:

Seek steady growth and dividend income → Choose spot stocks

Seek amplified returns and short-term plays → Choose stock perps

Have large capital and don't mind a complex process → Choose traditional U.S. stocks

 

3. How to start trading US stocks on Bitget: 5 steps for beginners

Bitget has streamlined the entire trading process, so even first-time users can get started in minutes.

1. Signup and verification: Open the Bitget website or the latest version of the app, sign up, and finish identity verification.

2. Deposit USDT: Fund your spot account with USDT via the fiat channels (bank card or third-party payment) or on-chain transfer.

3. Go to the trading page: Select to the Stocks tab, search for the ticker you prefer (e.g., rAAPL, rTSLA, rNVDA), and enter the trading interface.

4. Place your order: Enter the quantity, confirm, and your order fills in milliseconds.

5. Check your positions: View your holdings on the Assets page. Dividends will be credited automatically, and you can trade or withdraw them at any time.

The entire experience is fast and seamless. One account gives you access to both spot stocks and stock perps, with no need to switch between platforms. You can manage all your assets in one place with a smooth, unified experience.

 

FAQs

1. What are spot stocks?

Spot stocks are real stock tokens independently issued by Reality and strategically backed by Bitget. They are backed 1:1 by real underlying stocks, support direct dividend rights, and can be traded directly with USDT.

2. What are stock perps?

Stock perps are perpetual futures that offer up to 100x leverage and 24/7 trading. They support both long and short positions and are designed for users with a clear short-term directional view.

3. What is the difference between spot stocks, stock perps, and traditional U.S. Stocks?

Spot stocks are designed for mid-to-long-term investing with 1:1 backing by real underlying stocks and direct dividend rights. Stock perps are perpetual futures designed for leveraged trading. Traditional U.S. stocks are real shares bought and sold through a brokerage, providing genuine ownership and full shareholder rights.

4. Do I need a brokerage account to trade spot stocks on Bitget?

No. You can trade spot stocks directly with USDT on Bitget. No brokerage account, wire transfer, or additional platform is required.

5. Can I trade both spot stocks and stock perps with the same Bitget account?

Yes. One Bitget account gives you access to both spot stocks and stock perps. You can manage all your assets in one place without switching between platforms.

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