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Forex & Global
Best Multi-Asset Brokers for Global Markets in One Account
For US investors, only three brokers here trade local shares abroad. Interactive Brokers covers 40 countries and 29 currencies and converts currency at 0.002%. Fidelity (25 countries) and Schwab’s Global Account (12 markets) both charge 1% to convert under $100K. Saxo, IG and CMC Markets don’t accept US residents. Checked September 25, 2026.
Which Broker Fits How You Invest Globally
For US investors, the real choice is between buying foreign shares on their home exchange and buying them as ADRs on US exchanges. Only three brokers here offer the first. These picks use the official figures in the table above, checked September 25, 2026.
The most markets, lowest FX cost
Interactive Brokers
170 markets in 40 countries, 29 currencies held in one account, and currency conversion at 0.002% with a $2 minimum.
Interactive Brokers review →
Global stocks at a full-service broker
Fidelity
Local shares in 25 countries and 16 currencies, alongside domestic funds and bonds. Converting under $100K costs 1.00%.
See in comparison table ↑
Existing Schwab clients
Charles Schwab
The Global Account trades 12 foreign markets in 8 currencies with fixed local commissions (e.g. £9, €19). Only market and limit day orders are accepted.
Schwab review →
Futures across asset classes
TradeStation
Stocks, options, futures and bonds in one account, with automation. Global exposure comes through futures rather than foreign shares.
TradeStation review →
Many asset types in one app
Webull
Stocks, options, futures, bonds and ADRs at zero commission. There's no local-market trading, and ADRs with foreign settlement cost $5 per buy.
Webull review →
If you live outside the US
Saxo, IG, CMC Markets
Wide instrument ranges, including CFDs, for non-US clients. None of them accepts US residents; in the US, IG offers only forex, through tastyfx.
See in comparison table ↑What Investing Abroad Actually Costs
Currency conversion is usually the largest cost of buying foreign shares, and it applies again when you sell or receive dividends. The lowest cost in each row is highlighted.
| Cost | Interactive Brokers0.002%, $2 minimum | Schwab Global Account1.00% → 0.20% by amount | Fidelity1.00% → 0.20% by amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convert $10,000 | $2 | $100 | $100 |
| Convert $50,000 | $2 | $500 | $500 |
| Convert $250,000 | $5 | $1,250 | $1,250 |
| Commission on a €10,000 trade (euro markets) | €5 (0.05%, tiered) | €19 | €19 |
Excludes local taxes such as UK stamp duty (0.50%) and Hong Kong stamp duty (0.10%), which apply at every broker. IBKR’s example uses its tiered pricing for Germany (minimum €1.25). Fees checked on each broker’s site on September 25, 2026.
Estimate your currency conversion cost
| Broker | Rate | Per conversion | Per year |
|---|
The Four Things That Decide Global Access
Local shares or ADRs
How you own foreign stocks
Local shares trade on their home exchange in local currency. ADRs are US-listed receipts for foreign shares: easier to hold, but with fewer companies and their own fees.
0.002% – 1%
Currency conversion
Charged every time dollars become euros, yen or pounds and back. On a $10,000 conversion, the gap between brokers is about $98.
8 – 29 currencies
Multi-currency cash
Holding foreign currency lets you reinvest sales and dividends without converting back to dollars each time.
Your residence
Which entity you join
Brokers offer different products by country. US residents can’t trade CFDs at IBKR, and Saxo, IG and CMC Markets don’t take US clients.
Costs the Headline Offer Doesn't Show
- Conversion on the way back. Selling foreign shares and bringing the money home is another conversion, often at the same markup as buying.
- Dividends in foreign currency. Without a multi-currency balance, every dividend is converted automatically, at the broker’s rate.
- Local transaction taxes. Stamp duty and similar taxes apply to buys in some markets, such as 0.50% in the UK and 0.10% in Hong Kong.
- Foreign withholding tax. Many countries withhold tax on dividends paid to foreign investors. US investors may be able to claim a foreign tax credit, so check with a tax adviser.
- Foreign settlement fees on ADRs. Some ADRs settle abroad and carry extra fees. For example, Webull charges $5 per buy on foreign-settled shares.
- Order type limits. International accounts can be more limited than domestic ones. Schwab’s Global Account accepts only market and limit day orders.
How To Set Up Global Investing From the US
- Decide between ADRs and local shares. If the companies you want have ADRs and you invest occasionally, a US broker may be enough. For broader or cheaper access, you need local-market trading.
- Check the broker covers your markets. IBKR covers 40 countries, Fidelity 25 and Schwab 12. Confirm the specific exchanges you want before opening an account.
- Compare the conversion cost on your amount. Use the calculator above. At 1%, currency conversion can cost more than years of commissions.
- Hold foreign currency if you trade repeatedly. A multi-currency balance avoids converting every sale and dividend back to dollars.
- Check order types and trading hours. Foreign markets trade in their own time zones, and some international accounts limit order types.
- Plan for tax paperwork. Keep records of foreign tax withheld on dividends, and confirm how your broker reports foreign income.
How We Compared
Market counts, currency figures and fees come from each broker’s official site, checked September 25, 2026 and summarized in the comparison table. Where a broker publishes no direct foreign-market trading, we say so rather than estimate. Brokers marked “Special Offer” are AInvest partners, and AInvest may be compensated when you open an account through this page. Confirm current fees and eligibility with the broker before investing. International investing adds currency and political risk.
FAQ & Glossary
What is the best multi-asset broker for US investors?
For trading foreign shares on their home exchanges, Interactive Brokers offers the most: 170 markets in 40 countries, 29 currencies and currency conversion at 0.002%. Fidelity (25 countries) and Schwab's Global Account (12 markets) are simpler options for existing clients but charge 1% to convert amounts under $100K. For stocks, options, futures and bonds within US markets, TradeStation, tastytrade, E*TRADE and Webull all offer several asset classes in one account.
Is one global broker better than specialists?
Depends. Unified brokers simplify oversight, while specialists often offer better execution depth.
What should I test before migrating a global portfolio?
Funding methods, execution quality, reporting detail, corporate actions, and support responsiveness.
What is Multi-Asset?
Account access to multiple asset classes: stocks, bonds, FX, options, futures, commodities, cryptocurrencies.
What is Settlement?
The process of finalizing a trade and delivering securities/funds. Different assets and regions settle on different schedules (T+2, T+1, real-time).
What is Custody?
Safe-keeping of your securities and funds by a broker or bank. Segregated custody is safer: broker can't use your assets.
What is Gross Exposure?
The total dollar amount of all your positions, long and short, without netting. Higher gross exposure = more leverage-like risk.
What is Concentration Risk?
Risk from having too much capital in one security, sector, or region. Diversification reduces concentration risk.
What is Withholding Tax?
Taxes withheld by foreign countries on dividends and interest from their securities. Rates vary; tax treaties can reduce rates.