How to buy stocks

What does it mean to buy a stock? 

When you buy a stock, it means you’re buying a small piece of ownership in a company, for example, Nvidia or Coca-Cola. These pieces are called ‘shares’ and they represent your stake in that business. You may be entitled to vote on certain issues and receive dividends if the company pays them.

Mainly, buying shares gives you exposure to a company’s financial performance. If it does well, your stock value may go up. If it struggles, the value may drop. When you sell your shares, you can realize a profit if the price is higher than what you paid, or take a loss if it's lower.

To buy a stock, you need to go through a stock broker – usually via an app or online platform. These brokerage platforms act as intermediaries, helping you execute your stock orders.

Step-by-step: How to buy stocks

Buying shares online is straightforward when you break it into clear steps. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking for a more streamlined experience, here’s how to get started – from choosing a platform to placing your first order:

1. Choose your stock trading platform
2. Open and fund your account
3. Search for the stock you want 
4. Choose the number of shares, or use fractional buying
5. Place a buy order

1. Choose your stock trading platform

The first step is selecting the right platform to trade stocks. This is where you’ll create an account, fund it and place your buy orders – so it’s important to pick one that fits your needs. An ideal platform should be easy to use, provide educational support and offer features that enhance your trading confidence. Consider these key features:

• Zero commission fees: So your money goes toward shares, not charges
• Fractional share access: Letting you buy a smaller portion of high-priced stocks
• User-friendly interface: Especially if you’re new to stock trading
• Real-time data and research tools: To help you make informed decisions
• Mobile-first design: For easy access and monitoring on the go

The Crypto.com App offers commission-free access to more than 10,000 US stocks. It combines a sleek mobile-first design with advanced features like price alerts and watchlists. Its commitment to transparency and user education makes it an excellent option for beginners.

You also benefit from features like:

• Fractional shares, so you can start with as little as $1
• Seamless crypto-to-stock transitions if you're already a crypto user
• A secure and regulated trading environment

2. Open and fund your account

Once you've selected your platform, you'll need to open a brokerage account. This process is similar to opening a bank account and typically takes just a few minutes.

Here’s how you can set up a Crypto.com account:

1. Download the app: Available for iOS and Android
2. Enter your details: Including your legal name, address and contact information
3. Verify your identity: Upload a government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport)
4. Choose a funding method: You can link your bank account, debit card or even convert your existing crypto to cash for stock purchases

3. Search for the stock you want

Now comes the exciting part – choosing a stock. You can search for stocks by entering the company name or ticker symbol (e.g., Apple or AAPL) into the platform's search bar.

Before buying a stock, it's essential to do some basic research. Here are a few key things to look into:

• Price trends: Use charts to understand how the stock has performed over different timeframes, like the past day, month, or year.
• Company fundamentals: Read up on what the company does, its leadership and its competitive advantages.
• Recent news and updates: Look for press releases, earnings reports, or major developments that could affect the stock's future performance.
• Volatility and liquidity: Consider how much the stock price fluctuates and how easily it can be bought or sold.
• Valuation metrics: Check figures like market cap, price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio and dividend yield to compare against similar companies.

Our App makes this process simple with clean layouts and easy-to-read charts. You can also explore curated lists and featured baskets that group stocks by theme, sector or trend – great for beginners who want a starting point. Plus, you can explore curated lists and featured baskets to discover trending or diversified stock groups.

Watch this step-by-step video on buying your first Whale Basket in the Crypto.com App

4. Choose the number of shares, or use fractional buying

After selecting your stock, you decide how much to buy. The traditional way is by specifying the number of whole shares. But modern platforms like ours also support fractional share trading, so you can buy a portion of a share based on how much you want to spend. This is especially useful for high-priced stocks like Tesla or Amazon.

For example:

• If a stock trades at $300, you can buy $30 worth, or 0.1 shares.
• Want to build a diversified portfolio with $100? Split it across multiple fractional shares.

This flexibility lowers the barrier to entry and allows new traders to start building portfolios without needing large amounts of capital.

5. Place a buy order

The final step is placing your order. When buying stocks, you typically choose between two order types:

In the Crypto.com App, select your stock, choose the number of shares (or dollar value) and pick your order type. After reviewing your order details, tap Buy to confirm. 

Don’t forget to:

• Set up price alerts to stay updated on movements
• Add the stock to a watchlist for future monitoring
• Review your portfolio balance regularly to stay on track with your goals

Key things to know before you buy stocks

Before placing your first order, it’s important to understand the key concepts and risks involved in stock trading. Even if you’re using a beginner-friendly platform, knowing what to expect can make a big difference.

1. Stock price movement and volatility

Stock prices are constantly changing due to various factors such as company performance, market sentiment, macroeconomic indicators, geopolitical news and investor demand. This constant fluctuation is known as volatility – a measure of how much a stock's price moves over a given period.

Some stocks exhibit steady, gradual price changes, while others swing sharply up and down, often in response to news or earnings reports. These highly volatile stocks can offer the potential for higher returns, but also come with increased risk, especially for beginners. Before buying, it’s important to assess a stock's historical volatility to understand its risk profile.

Volatility is not inherently bad, but it requires awareness and risk management. Day-to-day price movements can create emotional decision-making. Beginners may be tempted to sell during dips or chase price surges, which could lead to losses.

2. Stock market trading hours

US markets are generally open 09:30 to 16:00 EST, Monday to Friday. Orders placed outside these hours are queued until markets reopen. Some platforms offer after-hours trading, but these sessions typically come with reduced liquidity and wider bid-ask spreads, making it harder to execute trades at expected prices.

Liquidity refers to how easily you can buy or sell a stock without significantly affecting its price. During regular trading hours, popular stocks tend to have higher liquidity – meaning tighter spreads, quicker order fills and more stable pricing. Outside these hours, lower trading volume can lead to price slippage, delayed execution or the inability to fill orders altogether.

While after-hours trading may sound convenient, beginners are often better off placing trades during standard market hours when price discovery is most accurate and market depth is strongest.

Orders placed outside these hours are queued until markets reopen. Some platforms offer after-hours trading, but with less liquidity and wider spreads. Our hours align with standard market hours to provide smooth execution.

3. Fees and platform costs

Even if a platform says “zero commission”, it's important to review its overall fee structure. Some platforms make up for zero trading fees by charging elsewhere, so being aware of the fine print helps avoid surprises.

Potential costs to watch for include:

• Withdrawal fees: Fees charged when transferring money out of your trading account
• Currency conversion charges: Especially relevant if you're funding with a non-USD currency
• Inactivity or maintenance fees: Some platforms may charge if your account is dormant for a period of time
• Premium features or data: Research tools and advanced charting may be paywalled

Make sure to read the platform's terms and disclosures carefully. A low-cost experience depends not just on zero commission but also on clarity and consistency across all account-related charges.

We offer transparent terms, no hidden fees and no commission on US stock trades – making our platform beginner-friendly and cost-effective for frequent and occasional traders alike.

Benefits of buying stocks on Crypto.com

There are plenty of platforms to choose from, but we offer benefits that make it a standout option for both beginners and experienced traders. Here’s why it’s worth considering:

• Commission-free trading: With us, you can buy and sell US stocks with zero commission fees, helping you keep more of your money working for you.
• Fractional shares: You don’t need hundreds of dollars to own a piece of top-performing stocks. With fractional share access, you can buy small portions of high-value stocks starting from just a few dollars.
• Mobile-first design: The platform is built for on-the-go users, offering a smooth, intuitive mobile experience that lets you monitor, manage and trade your portfolio from anywhere.
• Seamless funding options: Use bank transfers, debit cards, or even crypto-to-fiat conversions to fund your account quickly.
• Integrated watchlists and alerts: Stay updated on price movements and market trends with built-in tools to track your favorite stocks.
• Global credibility: The Crypto.com App is trusted by over 150 million users worldwide.

Start buying stocks now

Stock-buying tips for beginners

New to stock trading? Getting started can feel overwhelming, but with a few smart habits, you can begin your journey on solid ground. Here are some beginner-friendly tips to help you trade with confidence:

• Start small: Don’t feel pressured to go all-in right away. Begin with small amounts using fractional shares to get comfortable with how trading works.
• Diversify your picks: Avoid putting all your money into a single stock. Spread your funds across different sectors or industries to balance risk.
• Use alerts and watchlists: Take advantage of price alerts and watchlist features in the Crypto.com App. These tools help you stay informed about market changes without constantly checking your screen.
• Avoid chasing hype: Just because a stock is trending doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Stick to your strategy and only buy what you’ve researched and understand.
• Learn continuously: The stock market is always changing, so keep learning. Explore our Learn Hub for simple guides, explainers and tutorials.
• Think long-term: Instead of trying to time the market, focus on building a portfolio that grows steadily over time.

Ready to get started?

1. Download the Crypto.com App to access thousands of US stocks.
2. Sign up and buy your first stock – with zero commission.
3. Explore our Learn Hub for stock tips and guides.
4. Enable price alerts to track your favorite stocks in real time.

Remember: every successful trader started with their first buy. Take your time, stay curious and make decisions that align with your goals.

Foris Capital US LLC (FCUL) is a broker-dealer registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a Member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). For further information about FCUL, please visit FINRA BrokerCheck.  

FCUL is a subsidiary of Crypto.com. FCUL is a separate entity from Crypto.com, Foris DAX, Inc., and other affiliated Foris companies. FCUL does not engage in the sale, transfer or custody of crypto currencies or digital assets. Crypto.com is a separate entity from FCUL and does not engage in the securities business. Customer balances and crypto holdings held and transacted at Crypto.com and other entities outside of FCUL are not covered by SIPC insurance and are separate from securities transactions and holdings at FCUL.

All investments involve risk, and not all risks are suitable for every investor. The value of securities may fluctuate and as a result, clients may lose more than their original investment. The past performance of a security, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Keep in mind that while diversification may help spread risk, it does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a down market. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities or other financial products. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing.

​​This is informational content sponsored by Crypto.com and should not be considered as investment advice.