Bitget Stock Futures vs US Stock Trading in Australia

Australian investors who want exposure to US markets often choose between two main paths. They can buy shares through local brokers on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and foreign exchanges, or they can trade USDT based stock futures on Bitget. This article explains what each option means so readers can decide which route fits their own goals.

How Australian users usually trade US stocks

Most Australian investors start with local brokers. These platforms route orders to the ASX for domestic shares and to US venues for foreign stocks.

Trading hours

Normal ASX trading runs from 10:00 to 16:00 Sydney time on business days. Outside these hours, users cannot place regular on market trades on the exchange. Reference: ASX cash market trading hours

Settlement

ASX trades settle through the CHESS system on a T+2 basis. That means ownership and cash move two business days after the trade date.

References:

ASX settlement overview

CHESS settlement cycle background

Fees and FX

- Brokers charge brokerage per trade.

- Buying US stocks often involves converting AUD to USD.

- Some brokers add account or custody fees depending on the plan.

Tax handling

Australia taxes capital gains on shares and other assets as part of income tax. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) explains how capital gains tax works and when it applies.References:

ATO capital gains tax overview

Shares and similar investments

In simple terms:

- You pay tax when you sell an investment and make a gain.

- A 50 percent CGT discount may apply for individuals who hold certain assets for more than 12 months, subject to ATO rules.

Reference: CommSec guide to Australian CGT

When users invest through Australian brokers, tax reporting tools and statements often support this process. When they use foreign platforms, they remain responsible for tracking gains and reporting them to the ATO.

This setup fits long term investors who want to hold shares and rely on local reporting and support.

What Bitget stock futures offer

Bitget stock futures track the price of leading US companies through USDT margined perpetual futures contracts. Users trade contracts that follow stock linked indices instead of buying the shares directly. All margin and settlement use USDT.

Key points:

- Trading is open 24 hours a day, five days per week.

- PnL updates in real time inside the futures account.

- Margin and settlement use USDT.

- Leverage is available on selected stock futures.

- Users gain price exposure but do not receive dividends or voting rights.

For more detail, see:

Bitget launches USDT margined stock futures

Mastering Bitget stock futures

What this difference means for Australian users

If your goal is short term price movement

Bitget stock futures focus on active strategies. They give Australian users the ability to:

Trade US stock prices during US sessions and outside ASX hours.

React to earnings releases and macro news in the evening local time.

Keep all futures activity in USDT inside the platform.

For users who open and close positions over shorter periods, this flexibility can matter more than holding the underlying shares.

If you want leverage

Bitget stock futures offer higher leverage on selected US stock contracts, up to 25x. This lets experienced users control larger exposure with less capital posted as margin, but it also raises liquidation risk. Position sizing, stop levels, and clear rules for risk are important.

If you focus on trading costs

Australian brokers charge brokerage per order, apply FX conversion on US assets, and may add account fees. Cost structure depends on the broker and plan.

Bitget charges percentage based fees for stock futures trading, in line with its wider futures markets. There are no custody fees for open stock futures positions, and campaigns can lower maker and taker fees for a period.

Reference: Bitget futures fee schedule

For active traders who place many orders, fee structure, spreads, and FX choices can shape total cost.

Using USDT for stock futures when based in Australia

One base currency inside Bitget

Once funded with USDT, users can:

- Trade stock futures, crypto futures, and other USDT margined products in the same currency.

- Avoid repeated conversions between AUD and USD for each futures trade.

Funding and withdrawal still involve FX steps at the point where money moves between the bank and the exchange. Inside Bitget, USDT becomes the common unit for margin and PnL.

Responding to US market events

US company earnings and macro data often arrive in the Australian evening or overnight. With Bitget stock futures:

- Users can open or close positions when news breaks.

- They do not need to wait for the next ASX session to adjust exposure.

This suits traders who follow US markets closely and want to act in real time.

Taxes still apply

Trading in USDT on Bitget does not remove Australian tax obligations. For most residents:

- Gains from stock futures fall under capital gains or income rules, depending on their situation.

- Profits should be converted into AUD terms for reporting.

- Foreign platforms usually do not withhold Australian tax at source.

Users should keep detailed records and work with a tax professional if they are unsure how to report.

Quick comparison

Who should use which route

Choose an Australian broker if your main goal is to build a long term portfolio of US shares, collect dividends, and rely on local statements and support for tax.

Choose Bitget stock futures if your focus is active trading, USDT based exposure, extended trading hours, and flexible use of leverage. This requires more attention to risk and tax records.

Many users may use both paths. They build a long term share portfolio through local brokers and use Bitget stock futures for short term ideas.

Final note

Both paths give Australian users access to US market price movement. The right choice depends on time horizon, risk tolerance, and how involved the user wants to be in day to day trading and tax reporting.

Leverage can increase both gains and losses. Users should size positions with care and keep full records of all trades for Australian tax reporting.