OTCQB is a US market for shares traded over the counter, outside a stock exchange. Broker access can be limited, and shares may be difficult to buy or sell. Check the particular security before relying on a broker’s general US dealing service.
Current shareholder perks
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Dealing considerations
OTCQB shares trade outside a stock exchange
OTC Markets Group operates OTCQB but is not a regulator. Market makers provide quotes through the OTC Link alternative trading system. The securities are unlisted equities, even though they must meet OTCQB’s own quotation requirements.
Confirm both buying and selling access
Ask your broker whether you can buy and sell the exact OTC security and which account types can hold it. Access to exchange-listed US shares does not establish access to OTC shares. The broker details below identify known restrictions and the checks still needed.
A quote does not guarantee you can sell
FINRA warns that OTC shares aren’t always easy to buy or sell and that many unlisted companies face fewer disclosure requirements. Wealthsimple’s OTC risk disclosure adds that lower trading volumes can lead to delayed fills and less favourable prices. Before placing an order, check the gap between buying and selling prices and how many shares are available at the quote.
OTCQB sets reporting requirements
OTCQB companies must provide current reports and audited annual accounts and meet continuing quotation standards. Meeting those standards does not establish broker access, ease of trading or eligibility for a shareholder perk.
Brokers and charges
Compare the dealing terms below for selected brokers. Before buying, check the issuer’s eligibility rules and ask your broker what help it provides with the claim.
AJ Bell
This guidance covers UK retail clients.
- How to deal
- AJ Bell describes access to the main US exchanges but does not establish access to OTCQB. Ask about the exact security before planning a purchase.
- Dealing charges
- The charge for an OTCQB trade is unconfirmed. AJ Bell’s general international tariff does not establish that it offers the share.
- Other costs
- Account and currency charges for this route are unconfirmed.
AJ Bell: international dealing , checked
Fidelity Investments US
Fidelity’s US pricing applies to people in the US only.
- How to deal
- Fidelity offers online US share dealing, but the source does not establish which OTCQB securities it supports or how orders are handled.
- Dealing charges
- Fidelity publishes USD 0 commission for online US share trades. Whether additional OTC fees or restrictions apply remains unconfirmed.
- Other costs
- Fidelity charges USD 50 per trade to settle foreign ordinary shares that are not eligible for settlement through the US Depository Trust Company (DTC). Its fee page does not say which OTC securities this affects, so check the specific security.
Fidelity US: charges , checked
Hargreaves Lansdown
This guidance covers UK retail clients.
- How to deal
- HL says it does not offer over-the-counter stocks, so you would need another broker for an OTCQB purchase.
- Dealing charges
- Not applicable.
- Other costs
- Not applicable.
interactive investor
This guidance covers UK-resident individual clients on a Core, Plus or Premium monthly plan.
- How to deal
- ii’s market list names exchanges but does not establish OTCQB access. Ask about the exact security before planning a purchase.
- Dealing charges
- An OTCQB dealing charge is unconfirmed. ii’s published US share tariff does not say whether it covers OTC securities.
- Other costs
- Monthly plans cost £5.99 for Core (portfolios up to £100,000), £14.99 for Plus or £39.99 for Premium, whether or not you trade.
Robinhood US
This guidance covers US customers.
- How to deal
- Robinhood supports certain OTC equities. Its support pages do not establish which OTCQB securities are available, so check the exact security before planning a purchase.
- Dealing charges
- Robinhood lists commission-free electronic trading in supported OTC securities through self-directed individual cash and margin accounts. Other fees may apply; check its fee schedule and confirm the security is supported.
- Other costs
- Other costs for a particular OTCQB security remain unconfirmed.
Robinhood: supported investments , checked
Wealthsimple
These charges cover Canadian residents with Wealthsimple Investments Inc. self-directed accounts.
- How to deal
- Wealthsimple offers online dealing in a limited number of US over-the-counter stocks. Confirm that it supports the security you want and check any account or order restrictions.
- Dealing charges
- OTC dealing charges remain unconfirmed. Wealthsimple’s published commission-free tariff covers listed US and Canadian securities; its fee schedule has no separate OTC rate.
- Other costs
- US trades funded from a Canadian-dollar account convert currency at Wealthsimple’s corporate rate plus 1.5%. A US-dollar account lets you trade from a US-dollar balance; it costs CAD 10 plus tax a month after a 30-day free trial and is free for Premium and Generation clients. Converting cash between your CAD and USD accounts costs 1.5% below 10,000 in the currency you convert from, 1.0% from 10,000, 0.5% from 25,000 and nothing from 100,000; you can also transfer in US dollars from elsewhere.
OTC markets are absent from Canada’s designated exchange list, which affects registered-plan eligibility. Confirm whether your chosen account can hold the security.
Wealthsimple: charges , checked
Wealthsimple: plans and USD accounts , checked