Public, a US-based multi-asset investing platform, has announced its launch in the United Kingdom, marking its first international expansion outside the United States. The Robinhood competitor aims to become the go-to destination for UK investors looking to invest in US-listed equities, offering access to over 5,000 stocks, comprehensive data and insights, and a transparent fee structure with zero commission trading and low foreign exchange fees.
UK members can leverage the Public app to build their portfolios with a diverse range of US-listed equities and access additional features that provide valuable data and context. These features include custom company metrics, Morningstar research, earnings call recordings, and insights from a community of millions of investors, all consolidated in one convenient location.
The Public app is now available for rolling access on iOS and Android devices, providing users with a seamless investing experience. Key product features include access to over 5,000 stocks, ensuring UK investors have a broad array of options to construct their portfolios, ranging from large-cap tech stocks to dividend stocks and emerging markets equities. Notably, Public aims to offer the widest range of US-listed equities available to UK investors.
Commission-Free Trading with Advanced Data and Insights
One of the standout features of Public is its commission-free trading during market hours, allowing members to execute trades without incurring additional fees. Moreover, unlike many other brokerages, Public converts members’ currency from GBP to USD at the time of fund deposit rather than for each individual trade, resulting in fewer foreign exchange transactions and significantly lower fees.
The platform goes beyond simple trading capabilities by providing advanced data and insights to help investors make more informed decisions. UK members can access custom company metrics, Morningstar research reports, earnings releases, and breaking news, all within the same platform where they invest. Additionally, users can tune into daily live shows about the markets and engage with a community of analysts, company executives, and creators to discuss investment opportunities.
Leif Abraham, co-CEO and co-founder of Public, highlighted the significance of the UK market for the company’s international expansion, stating, “London and the broader UK market has always been the financial epicenter of Europe, so it’s a natural place for Public to start our international expansion. Public has always had European roots: my co-founder and I are both European, and we have a team across multiple European countries, including the UK. We’re excited that now it won’t just be the team in Europe and the UK but the members we serve.”
Public has already secured over $300 million in venture capital funding from investors such as Accel, Greycroft, Lakestar, and notable figures like Maria Sharapova and JJ Watt. The Robinhood competitor has a global presence, with team members in New York, Copenhagen, London, and Amsterdam. While the current UK launch focuses on US stocks, Public plans to introduce additional asset classes, including ETFs, Treasuries, crypto, and alternatives in future releases. The company also plans to launch Investment Plans in the UK, a feature allowing members to create customized recurring investments.
