Webull UK will offer trading of UK stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the first time through a partnership with Upvest, enabling UK customers to invest in local equities and ETFs with as little as GBP £1 via fractional shares.
Upvest, a Berlin-founded investment infrastructure provider, will supply its Investment API to power the new trading capabilities on the Webull UK platform. This move will allow Webull UK users, who have previously been able to invest primarily in US and Asian stocks, to access a broader range of assets in their home market, expanding their investment options within the platform.
Operational in over 20 markets and handling more than 2 million orders weekly, Upvest enters its second partnership in the UK following a launch with Revolut UK earlier this year. The collaboration is facilitated by Upvest's recent approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which supports its planned expansion across the UK market in 2025.
Market expansion
The introduction of UK equity and ETF trading marks a notable step in Webull UK's development as a platform for retail investors. Until now, UK account holders have been able to use the app largely for accessing international securities, in particular from North America and Asia. Through the integration with Upvest, this offering expands to include local assets, coupled with the availability of fractional trading.
Webull is among a number of digital investment platforms broadening market access for individual investors, offering 24/5 trading across 14 licensed jurisdictions worldwide and serving tens of millions of end users. Its UK subsidiary's latest product extension comes as part of a wider trend towards diversified, accessible trading tools for retail investors.
Upvest is seeking to triple its order-processing volumes by the end of the year. The company processed more than 2 million orders per week on behalf of institutional clients including N26, bunq and Raisin, and its latest expansion into the UK is expected to accelerate this growth trajectory. More client launches have been scheduled across the UK before the end of the year as Upvest aims to bring its infrastructure to additional fintechs and banking institutions.
Leadership commentary
Symmie Swil, UK General Manager at Upvest, commented on the decision to partner with Webull UK for the new product line:
"At Upvest, our mission is to make investing as easy as spending money. To make this vision a reality, we are focused on putting intuitive and accessible investment tools at the fingertips of every retail investor. This partnership with Webull – one of the world's fastest growing investment platforms – not only brings us one step closer to that goal, but also gives us a strong head start in the UK. "Webull end users in the UK will now be able to expand the horizons of their investment portfolios; investing and trading in UK stocks and ETFs. We are very proud to be working with Webull to power this new chapter in their UK product offering. We look forward to enabling Webull to expand its impact across other investment products and in additional markets in the future."
Nick Saunders, Chief Executive of Webull UK, said the addition of UK equities and ETFs is designed to meet a growing demand among UK retail investors for broader access and flexibility:
"This partnership represents a significant milestone in our mission to democratise investing for UK customers. By integrating Upvest's robust infrastructure, we're giving UK investors a more comprehensive choice to fit their investment needs. The addition of more products, both with this launch and in the future, aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing sophisticated investing tools to our clients, helping make the markets accessible to everyone. "We're excited to see how this enhanced offering will empower UK investors to build more diverse portfolios and engage more deeply with both local and overseas markets."
Fractional trading
The availability of fractional share trading via Upvest's API is a key feature of the new product offering. This capability lowers the financial barrier for new investors, as users can begin investing in their chosen securities with a minimum of just GBP £1, rather than purchasing whole shares. Fractional trading has become a common feature among digital broking platforms and is viewed as an important development in retail market participation.
Webull UK's partnership with Upvest and the resulting expansion in its product range forms part of a larger movement in the UK's fintech space to improve access and provide flexible investment tools for retail traders and savers. Additional product developments and market launches from both parties are planned for later in the year.
