What Is GoTrade?
GoTrade is a fractional investing app built for everyday people in emerging markets. It lets you buy a small piece — called a fractional share — of any US-listed stock, regardless of the share price. Apple at $200 per share, Nvidia at $900? You can own a slice of either for $1.
For Filipino investors, this removes the two biggest barriers to US stock market access: high minimum investment amounts and complex brokerage setups. GoTrade is mobile-first, accepts GCash and Maya, and has been operating since 2021. It is not a bank, not a crypto app, and not a get-rich-quick scheme — it is a regulated platform for buying and holding real shares of real US companies.
How to Sign Up With Referral Code 074289
Download the GoTrade app
Get it from the App Store or Google Play. Or open this referral link — it pre-fills the code automatically.
Create your account
Tap Sign Up and register with your email address. Verify via the confirmation email.
Enter referral code 074289
When the signup flow asks, type it exactly — no spaces — and confirm. Your bonus is credited immediately.
Complete identity verification
Upload your National ID, Passport, or Driver's License. Most users are verified within an hour.
Deposit and invest
Link GCash, Maya, or a Philippine bank account. Deposit as little as $1, browse stocks, and tap Buy.
The entire process takes under 10 minutes on your phone. No branch visit, no paperwork, no minimum balance beyond the per-investment amount.
Stocks You Can Buy on GoTrade
GoTrade gives access to thousands of US-listed stocks and ETFs. The most popular among Filipino investors:
| Ticker | Company | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| AAPL | Apple | iPhone, Mac, App Store |
| NVDA | Nvidia | AI chips, data centers, gaming GPUs |
| TSLA | Tesla | Electric vehicles, energy storage |
| MSFT | Microsoft | Windows, Azure cloud, OpenAI partner |
| SPY | S&P 500 ETF | Owns 500 US companies at once — best first buy for beginners |
| QQQ | Nasdaq 100 ETF | Top 100 tech-heavy US companies |
For first-time investors, SPY or QQQ give instant diversification without needing to pick individual stocks. Once you understand how the market works, you can branch into specific companies.
GoTrade Fees — What You Actually Pay
GoTrade does not charge trading commissions or account fees. The main cost is a trading spread of roughly 0.5%–2% — a small markup built into the buy/sell price. This is standard for retail investing platforms and is disclosed upfront.
No account maintenance fees. No inactivity charges. Deposits via GCash and Maya are free on GoTrade's end. Withdrawals are typically free — check current terms in the app.
Pros and Cons
| What Works | Limitations |
|---|---|
| $1 minimum investment | US stocks only — no PSE, crypto, or commodities |
| Account opens in under 10 minutes | No stop-loss or limit orders |
| GCash and Maya supported | Spreads add up for frequent trading |
| No account or inactivity fees | US dividends subject to 30% withholding tax |
| Regulated, licensed platform | Beginner-focused — limited advanced tools |
Is GoTrade Legit?
GoTrade is licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and has been operating since 2021. Your shares are held in a regulated custody account — separate from GoTrade's own funds — meaning they are not affected if GoTrade faces business difficulties. It is not a scam, not a Ponzi scheme, and does not promise guaranteed returns. The risks are standard stock market risks.
The Philippines currently has no capital gains tax on stock investments, which is an advantage for GoTrade users. US dividend income is subject to 30% US withholding tax, which GoTrade handles automatically. For most beginners investing under ₱1M, there are no additional Philippine tax obligations. Digital banks like Maya and GCash also offer savings and investment products worth stacking alongside GoTrade for broader coverage. GoTrade covers US markets exclusively — for a direct comparison of PSE vs US investing strategies, the Philippine stocks vs US stocks guide for Filipinos covers both approaches side by side.
5 Things to Know Before Your First Investment
Invest consistently, not in lump sums
₱500 every month beats waiting to save ₱50,000. Regular small investments buy more shares when prices are low — this is called dollar-cost averaging and it works.
Buy boring, profitable companies
Apple, Microsoft, and Google are "boring" — and they have made more money for long-term investors than any trending stock. Hype stocks go up fast and crash harder.
Index funds first, individual stocks later
SPY owns 500 companies at once. If you don't know what to buy yet, this is the right starting point. One purchase gives you instant diversification.
Think in years, not days
The US stock market has gone up in 95% of 10-year periods historically. Check your balance monthly, not daily. Short-term fluctuations are noise.
US stocks are USD-denominated
When the peso weakens against the dollar — which it has done consistently over decades — your GoTrade holdings gain purchasing power in peso terms even without stock price movement. This is a structural hedge against peso depreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use referral code 074289 when signing up. Minimum $1. GCash and Maya accepted. No account fees.
Open GoTrade App →