How to Unlock Investing
Once you're ready to get started with investing, here are the next steps that you should take:
Click on "Unlock Investing" in the app.
To comply with regulations, we may need to guide you through a KYC (Know Your Customer) process for anti-money laundering purposes. During this process, we will collect some of your personal information, but rest assured, your data will be kept safe and confidential.
We will collect the following data, which must match the information on the document you uploaded: your name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport/ID number, and residential address.
Once you've finished filling out the form, please take a moment to read and confirm our pertinent agreements and statements.
Verify your identity by taking a selfie.
Upload your ID (passport, driver's license, or identity card).
Provide your proof of address. (photo ID with your complete address on it, bank account statements, or utility bills)
How to Check Your Account Status
To check your account status, visit the app's profile section. Look for your @username to see your application status:
1. "Approval Pending": Receive a response within 24 hrs, approving or providing instructions.
2. "Action Required": Account verification needs action. Check email for next steps.
3. "Verified": Account successfully verified.
No status means incomplete application.
How to Deposit Funds
Once your account is verified, your wallet will be activated, and from there, you can conveniently deposit funds using either a Bank Transfer or your E-wallet. We support almost every bank and e-wallet.
Tap Wallet and Tap Deposit
Tap Online Banking or E-Wallet
Select any of the available banks and e-wallets or choose Other.
Enter an amount that you want to deposit. Take note of the conversion to USD.
Log in to your selected bank account or e-wallet and complete your cash in.
After which funds will be automatically reflected in USD in your ztock account.
How to Search Stocks
Tap # Explore then Tap “🔍” and enter a company name or any stock code/symbol to find a certain company or ETF.
How to Explore Stocks
Tap "Explore," then:
- Tap "Stocks" to explore stocks organized by industry and sector.
- Tap "ETFs" to discover ETFs.
- Tap "Trending" to see popular stocks and ETFs over different timeframes.
- Tap "Investing Inspo" to discover stocks and ETFs based on curated themes.
- Tap "First-Timer Picks" to find recommendations for new investors.
How to Cancel an Order
To cancel a pending order, placed outside market hours (typically Mon-Fri 9:30am - 4pm EST):
Navigate to "Folio."
Access "Pending Orders."
Choose the specific Pending Order.
Tap "Cancel Order." Please note that this action is irreversible.
Orders that have successfully been filled (completed), cannot be canceled.
How to Withdraw Funds
To withdraw your funds from your account:
Go to Wallet and tap Withdraw.
Choose Online Banking or E-Wallet.
Provide your bank account or e-wallet details for the withdrawal, which should reflect in your chosen account within 1 business day.
Please keep in mind that it will take T+2 (two trading days after the transaction, not inclusive of weekends) for the proceeds from sales to be available for withdrawal. This is a standard procedure with brokers, ensuring your gains will be accessible at that time.
How long before you get your account verified?
If you have provided the correct documents and information on your Account Verification application, you shall be then approved instantly. In some cases where we have high volume, it may take up to 48 hours.
What is KYC?
KYC, or ‘Know Your Customer,’ is when you give your info, documents, and a selfie to your investment platform. KYC is a universally recognized standard in the financial industry, prioritizing the safety of both investors and the platform.
What do I need to get started?
Ready to start? Just ensure you're 18+ with a valid tax ID. Also, have a government provided photo ID for verification. Prepare an address verification document (billing statements, utilities, bank account statements, or another ID with your complete address on it).
What if I don’t have a Tax ID?
Please be advised that having a Tax ID is a primary must-have to get started with investing.
When you secure this document of yours, we’re always here to help you on getting started in your investing journey!
I can’t find my city in the dropdown
You just need to choose ""Other.."" then type in your city and tap the check ☑️
What if I don’t have a billing statement or utilities for proof of address?
We're glad to hear that you're in the next step of unlocking your investing potential! No worries as we got you covered - you can use another ID showing your address to support your account verification.
Why hasn't my deposit been reflected yet?
To get started on your concern, please send us the following via Messenger or Instagram:
1. Your email address.
2. Screenshot of the fund-in transaction on our app.
3. Screenshot of transaction on your (wallet or bank side) account.
Rest assured, your trust is invaluable to us, and we are committed to providing a safe and trustworthy environment for all our users.
When will the deposit be reflected?
Deposits made from all banks and e-wallets will be credited to your ztock account instantly! 🚀💰 No more waiting around!
If you encounter any issues - please connect with us via Messenger or Instagram to further assist you.
My cash is not available for withdrawal
Please be advised that it will take T+2 (two trading days after the transaction) for the cash from those sales to become available for withdrawal. This is a standard procedure with brokers, so you can rest assured that your gains will be accessible at that time.
Note: Weekends are not included.
I want to learn but I don't have any learning or ideas about investing in the stock market?
Stock investing works by buying shares of your chosen companies. It involves selecting stocks, opening a brokerage account, placing orders to buy or sell stocks, monitoring your investments, and managing risk.
You can find useful tips, guides, and learning materials on our Instagram account.
Every week on our IG:
Mondays: Market news
Tuesdays: Investing terms
Wednesdays: Investing concepts
Thursdays: Mindset
Fridays: Investing ideas 💡
How can I earn?
You can earn from investing in the stock market by:
1. Buying stocks at a lower price and selling them at a higher price.
2. Receiving dividend payments from some companies you own shares in.
Do your stocks give out dividends or cap appreciation only?
The stocks can earn through either dividends or capital appreciation.
The dividend will be paid out during the dividend payout date in proportion to the number of stocks that you have one trading day before the ex-dividend date, which is usually anywhere from 1 week or more prior to the dividend payout date.
Where can you find your dividend payouts?
You can track your dividend payouts through the ‘All History’ page as it automatically reflects from there.
Do you support OTC stocks?
For the benefit of our customers, we've chosen not to support OTC stocks.
One significant reason not to list OTC (Over-the-Counter) stocks is the lack of regulatory oversight and transparency compared to stocks listed on major stock exchanges.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Lack of Regulatory Oversight: OTC stocks are not subject to the same rigorous regulatory requirements as stocks listed on major exchanges like the NYSE or NASDAQ. This can result in limited disclosure, making it challenging for investors to obtain accurate and up-to-date information about the company’s financial health, operations, and governance.
Lower Liquidity: OTC stocks often have lower trading volumes and liquidity compared to exchange-listed stocks. This lower liquidity can make it difficult to buy or sell shares at desired prices, potentially leading to larger bid-ask spreads and increased trading costs.
Limited Analyst Coverage: OTC stocks typically receive less attention from financial analysts and institutional investors. As a result, there may be fewer research reports and insights available to help investors make informed decisions.
Higher Risk: OTC stocks are generally riskier investments due to the lack of oversight and transparency. Investors may be more exposed to fraudulent schemes, manipulation, and companies with questionable financials.
Do stocks expire?
Since we only offer shares of stocks, there is no expiration date. When you buy shares of a company's stock, you're purchasing a piece of ownership in that company, and there's no predetermined date when your ownership expires.
The idea of "expiry" mainly applies to certain financial contracts, like options and futures, which involve agreements to buy or sell stocks at specific prices on specific dates. If you're just buying and holding shares of stock, you don't need to worry about expiration dates – you can hold them for as long as you want, and they won't expire.
What is PDT or Pattern Day Trader?
Pattern-day-trader designation is given by FINRA(a regulatory organization in the United States) to those who buy/sell the same "asset" (like stocks) more than 3 times in a day. As a form of protection, the broker simply denies the customer the ability to make beyond 3 trades of the same asset in a day.
The PDT count should be reset when the market opens later, so you can trade as per normal, until you max out the daily trade count allowed on a single stock again (only up to 3 trades allowed).
How much do we need to start investing?
You can invest in stocks for as little as $1
• On ztock, you can trade stocks and ETFs in small fractions, not just whole shares.
• Fractional shares can be as small as $1 or 0.000000001 shares, and you can trade them instantly.
What are fractional shares?
Fractional shares are less than one whole share of a company's stock. With ztock, you can purchase fractional shares with as little as $1.
Why offer fractional shares?
• Our goal is to make finance accessible to all, and fractional shares open up unique investment opportunities.
• With as little as $1, you can invest in expensive stocks or ETFs that would usually cost hundreds or thousands of dollars for a full share.
• It gives you the freedom to invest at your own pace and test the waters without committing to a whole share.
• Fractional shares allow for convenient risk management, as you can diversify your portfolio with smaller amounts of money.
How much can I earn if I start investing?
At ztock, we provide financial information to assist you in making informed decisions and we do not guarantee specific interest rates or yields, as these can fluctuate based on various market conditions.
The amount you can earn from the stock market depends on the stocks you choose, how long you hold them, your risk tolerance and market conditions. Please be advised that the value of your share can go up or down based on the company's performance and market conditions.
You can earn from investing in the stock market by:
1. Buying stocks at a lower price and selling them at a higher price.
2. Receiving dividend payments from some companies you own shares in.
Are we responsible for choosing the stocks, as well as deciding when to buy and sell?
ztock currently offers “self-directed investing”, where you take charge of your financial future. In the future we may offer robo- or automated investing. But for now, let’s break down what self-directed investing means:
Choose Your Investments: Begin with the ‘Explore’ section, where you can browse different categories of stocks and ETFs, just like selecting genres on Spotify or Netflix. Pick stocks and ETFs aligned with your goals and risk tolerance.
Educate Yourself: Utilize the resources on the ztock platform to learn about investments, market trends, and investment strategies. Additionally, ztock provides weekly educational and motivational posts on our social media to keep you informed and inspired.
Start with Minimal Risk: ztock allows you to begin with as little as $1, minimizing risk as you learn the ropes.
Online Platforms: Use the ztock app, providing intuitive tools and research resources for buying and selling investments.
Risk and Reward: Comprehend the risks and potential returns associated with trading on ztock.Long-Term Goals: ztock is designed for achieving long-term financial objectives, such as retirement planning and building wealth over time.
Diversify: To reduce risk, diversify your investments across a range of assets using ztock.
Monitor and Adjust: Consistently review and adapt your ztock portfolio as your financial goals and market conditions evolve.
Start Early: Leveraging the power of compounding, beginning your investment journey with ztock at a young age can make a substantial difference over time.
Take Responsibility: Self-directed investing through ztock requires dedication and effort, but it offers financial independence and wealth-building opportunities.
By using ztock, you can embark on your self-directed investing journey with confidence and knowledge, backed by an array of resources and support.
What are your fees?
ztock is committed to lower commission and lower transfer fees, with no added spreads or account minimums. However, certain government-mandated fees may apply depending on your location, and we will openly disclose these charges before confirming any trade.
How much is Forex Fee when depositing?
The deposit and forex fees will be dependent on your pay-in method:
Bank Transfer Deposits:
Fee: As low as $0.27 per transaction.
E-Wallet Deposits:
Fee Range: 1.8-2.75% depending on the chosen e-Wallet.
Forex:
We get the real-time market exchange rate from our selected payment institution (with licenses in Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand) to convert your funds to US Dollars.
Fee: A minimal fee of 0.75% is charged to cover costs related to local payment gateways and operations.
What are REG and TAF fees?
REG Fees are small charges incurred during stock or investment transactions. They support the U.S. government's oversight of financial markets to ensure fairness and security for investors.
TAF Fees are similar fees associated with trading stocks or similar investments. These fees contribute to organizations responsible for monitoring and maintaining the proper functioning of the stock market, preventing dishonest practices.
These fees are pass through regulatory fees.
You may also check this link for your reference: https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/guidance/trading-activity-fee.
What is the dividend withholding tax in ztock?
Dividends are subject to a withholding tax, which is deducted automatically. The specific withholding tax rate may vary depending on your location, so it’s advisable to research it accordingly.
Safety
Here's why you can trust ztock:
ztock is a neobroker based in Singapore that allows users from 150 countries to invest in fractional US stocks and ETFs with lower commissions, fees, and instant transfers.
Regulated and Insured: Our US partner broker is fully registered, handling your stocks with utmost care. Your investments are insured up to $500,000 for added protection.
Secure Transactions, Backed by Licenses: Our regional payment merchant holds Australian Financial Services License, New Zealand Financial Service Provider License, and Major Payment Institution License with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. For transfers to and from the Philippines, we partner with a BSP-regulated institution.
No Pressure, Start Small: Worried about jumping into the investing? With ztock, you can start with just $1 – no big commitments, no pressure. We believe in empowering you to take your financial journey at your own pace.
About Us
ztock is an app that empowers a new generation of investors to start building wealth by owning stocks for as little as $1.no pressure, start small: worried about jumping into investing? You can start investing with just $1. Take your financial journey at your own pace.
ready? start now: sign up in minutes, fund your account instantly, and simply tap to buy your first stock.
start secure: you have full control of your account with our regulated partner broker in Silicon Valley and the added protection of up to $500,000 in insurance coverage for your investments.
start free: get live market updates, news, and a free watchlist. discover trending stocks, investing inspo, and personalized picks.
join the community and get the free app on App Store and Google Play at https://www.ztock.app/
Where is your brokerage located?
ztock’s brokerage services are located in Silicon Valley, California, home to some of the world’s largest tech companies. Brokerage services are provided by our registered broker dealer, member of FINRA and SIPC.
