Plus500 to Launch US Trading 'Super-App' Following Acquisition of SEC-Regulated Hedge

Plus500 has reached a conditional agreement to acquire Hedge Capital Markets Inc., a move that provides the fintech group with critical SEC and FINRA licenses. This acquisition allows the firm to expand beyond its existing US futures business into exchange-listed stocks and ETFs, facilitating the launch of a unified multi-asset "super-app" for American retail investors.

What was announced

Plus500 is set to acquire Hedge Capital Markets Inc. and its subsidiaries, a group founded in 2021 that provides US retail investors with access to exchange-listed securities. The deal includes a US broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and membership in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This marks a significant regulatory expansion for Plus500, which currently operates in the US under Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulation.

The acquisition is a strategic foundation for the group’s planned US "super-app," which is expected to launch in Q1 2027. This platform aims to consolidate Plus500’s US product suite—including futures, prediction markets, stocks, options, and ETFs—into a single, proprietary technology-based application. By integrating these asset classes, the group intends to eliminate the friction currently experienced by US investors who often navigate between multiple providers and accounts.

To support this expansion, Plus500 has established a new operational hub in New York to work alongside its existing Chicago office. The New York team will include senior executives and the personnel from Hedge, who bring specialized expertise in securities and the US regulatory landscape. The transaction will be funded entirely from Plus500’s existing cash resources, which totaled more than $860 million as of June 30, 2026. Completion of the deal remains subject to customary conditions, including FINRA approval under Rule 1017.

"The Hedge acquisition marks a pivotal step in Plus500’s US journey. It strengthens the scaled, CFTC-regulated business we have built and provides, for the first time, direct access to the US securities market, the world’s largest retail investment market. With our new hub in New York and the experienced Hedge team joining us, we have the people, licences and technology to accelerate our growth and generate sustainable, long-term returns for our shareholders."

David Zruia, Chief Executive Officer of Plus500.

The companies involved

Plus500 is a global multi-asset fintech group that operates proprietary trading platforms. The company has established a significant presence in the US market since 2021, when it completed a CFTC-regulated acquisition that formed the basis of its current futures and prediction markets business. Known for its high level of operational efficiency and strong balance sheet, the group focuses on using its own technology to drive market access and scale. It provides clearing and execution services to both retail and institutional clients globally.

Hedge Capital Markets Inc., also known in some contexts as HE Capital Markets, is a US-based financial services firm founded in 2021. As an SEC-registered broker-dealer and FINRA member, it specializes in providing retail investors with access to exchange-listed securities, including stocks and ETFs. The firm brings a ready-made regulatory footprint and specialist securities know-how to the Plus500 group, serving as the primary vehicle for Plus500’s entry into the SEC-regulated segment of the American financial markets.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely tracked Plus500’s aggressive expansion and financial performance over the last year. In August 2026, we reported that Plus500 Reports Record H1 2026 Results with $182.5m Shareholder Returns, highlighting the cash reserves that are now being deployed for this acquisition. The group has also been active in the B2B space; in July, Plus500 Powers Wealthsimple’s US Futures Launch in Major B2B Infrastructure Expansion showcased how the firm is leveraging its technology as a backend for other major players. Additionally, the company has been diversifying its US consumer product line, as seen when Plus500 Disrupts US Prediction Markets with New CFTC-Regulated Sports Event Contracts earlier in the summer.

What this means

This move signals a direct challenge to established US retail brokerages by addressing the fragmentation of the American trading landscape. Currently, the US market is bifurcated by regulation, often forcing retail users to switch between different apps to manage futures (CFTC) and equities (SEC). By securing both sets of licenses, Plus500 is positioning itself to offer a consolidated "super-app" experience that has become the gold standard in other global markets but remains difficult to execute in the US due to regulatory complexity. The industry is moving toward this "single pane of glass" model, and incumbents who fail to integrate disparate asset classes may find themselves under significant competitive pressure as users prioritize convenience and unified capital management.