Access to the US Stock Market

The US stock market is the largest and most liquid in the world. Companies like Apple, Google (Alphabet), NVIDIA, and Tesla are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, offering global investors the opportunity to participate in their profits and growth. You can access these assets without needing to live in the US or open foreign bank accounts. Everything is done through online brokers that offer regulated and reliable infrastructure.

To do this, you need to register on a platform (broker), verify your identity, and fund your account. Many offer fractional shares, which means you can invest with smaller amounts and have proportional ownership in high-priced stocks like NVIDIA, which exceeds $800 USD per share in 2025. The goal is to democratize access and allow you to build an international portfolio, even if you are just starting out.

Main Requirements and Advantages

• Be of legal age with active identification and bank account.

• Access to the internet and a secure browser device.

• Ability to fund via bank transfer.

• No visa needed, no intermediary bank fees.

• Access to dividends, automatic reinvestment, and fractional shares.

This ease makes the US stock market an excellent way to protect your money from exchange rates, local inflation, and to diversify part of your assets into dollars. Additionally, investing in well-established global companies can offer greater stability and long-term profitability compared to local options.

Platforms, Funding, and Practical Strategies

The platforms for investing in U.S. stocks are divided into two categories: local brokers offering indirect exposure and international brokers allowing real stock purchases. Some of the most comprehensive options include:

• GBM+: Regulated platform, ideal for starting with ETFs and U.S. stocks.

• Interactive Brokers: Direct access to the U.S. market, ideal for intermediate or advanced investors.

• Passfolio: Allows funding with local currency and purchasing fractional shares of Apple, Google, Tesla, etc.

• eToro: Global platform with a social network for collaborative investing, perfect for beginners.

• Trading 212: Intuitive interface, ideal for trading U.S. and European stocks from a single account.

Funding can be done via debit card or bank transfer. Some brokers automatically convert your local currency to dollars (with a spread), while others require direct funding in USD. Compare fees per transaction, withdrawal costs, currency spreads, and investment minimums. Some allow trading from $1 USD.

Strategies for Beginners and Long-Term

• Diversification: Invest in different industries: technology (Apple, Google), automotive (Tesla), semiconductors (NVIDIA), health, and consumer.

• Monthly Investment (DCA): Buy a fixed amount every month to average the price.

• Fractional Shares: Purchase from $5 USD of large companies, ideal if your capital is limited.

• Indexed ETFs: Like VOO or QQQ that track the S&P500 or Nasdaq to reduce individual risk.

• Dividend Reinvestment: Use quarterly payments to buy more shares and capitalize long-term.

If you're starting, a popular strategy is to choose five companies with clear competitive advantages. For example: Apple (technology and consumer), NVIDIA (AI and chips), Google (advertising and cloud), Tesla (mobility and innovation), and Johnson & Johnson (health). Combine this with an ETF like VOO and update your portfolio each quarter.

Taxation, Risks, and Long-Term Outlook

Investing in the U.S. involves tax obligations. It is required to declare the gains obtained from selling foreign shares in the annual tax return. This includes capital gains (when you sell a stock for more than you paid) and dividends received. In both cases, it is essential to keep a detailed record of each transaction, including the daily exchange rate and date.

Furthermore, the U.S. withholds 30% on dividends paid by its companies. You can reduce this withholding to 10% by signing the W-8BEN form (included in most brokers). This is essential if you plan to receive passive income from companies like Apple or NVIDIA, which distribute dividends periodically.

Common Risks and How to Mitigate Them

• Currency volatility: when investing in USD, your return also depends on the exchange rate.

• Market downturns: invest only money that you do not need in the short term.

• Overconfidence: avoid putting everything in a single company, no matter how popular it is.

• Unregulated platforms: ensure your broker has valid licenses (FINRA, SEC).

• Ignoring taxes: keep your tax records updated and declare your earnings correctly.

The key to successfully investing in U.S. stocks is to have a clear, diversified, long-term strategy. Avoid following "viral trends" without analysis. Study the fundamentals of each company: Apple for its ecosystem, NVIDIA for its dominance in AI, Google for its diversification capability, and Tesla for its disruptive focus on energy and transportation.

If your goal is to build wealth gradually, investing consistently, reinvesting dividends, and staying informed about taxes is the way to go. With discipline and vision, you can build a global portfolio from your home, protecting your money and participating in the growth of the most influential companies on the planet.