BBAE now supports Plaid deposits, which are much faster, so I recommend everyone use this method! If you link a bank account through Plaid, the full deposit amount can be used immediately as instant buying power

BBAE now has a new user deposit bonus, with up to $400 available. In addition, there is a referral bonus that can be stacked for an extra $50-$100. Details are below. Opening a BBAE account does not require SSN/ITIN; you can open an account with a Chinese ID card, which is very convenient. (Submitting an application requires a non-Mainland China IP)

  • BBAE signup link (register through the link, or download the app yourself and enter invite code stic4skdx)

After registration, you will automatically receive three coupons that can be used directly. The three bonuses of $400+$50+$150 can be stacked, but please note the specific requirements for each bonus. I think the best value is to deposit $2,000, which can get you a $50 + $40 bonus. [First layer: new user bonus] The tiers are below. You need to complete cumulative net deposits within 90 days after registration. Once you meet a tier, the reward will be issued automatically.

  • Cumulative net deposits of $200 – $999, cash bonus $20
  • Cumulative net deposits of $1,000 – $9,999, cash bonus $40
  • Cumulative net deposits of $10,000 – $49,999, cash bonus $150
  • Cumulative net deposits of $50,000 – $99,999, cash bonus $200
  • Cumulative net deposits of $100,000+, cash bonus $400

[Second layer: exclusive referral bonus] Register BBEA through our exclusive link now and get an extra $50 bonus.

  • Make a one-time deposit of $2,000 and get an extra $50 bonus. You need to make one deposit of $2,000+ via ACH or Wire within 90 days after registration (not necessarily the first deposit).

[Third layer: deposit/transfer bonus] New users who deposit or transfer assets can also get extra rewards now, with up to $150 extra. The three subsidies can only be redeemed once. This subsidy can be stacked with the new user $400 bonus and our $100 channel bonus. Details are as follows:

  • International wire deposit of $5,000 or more. Subsidy: $30
  • Domestic (U.S.) wire deposit of $5,000 or more. Subsidy: $10
  • Asset transfer of $10,000 or more. Subsidy: $150

Also, if you plan to make a very large first deposit, you can consider the alternative exclusive bonus below, which has a higher cap. New users and transfer-in users are both eligible.

  • When registering, enter referral code stestu867.
  • If your first deposit meets the requirements, you can receive up to a $100 bonus. 90 days after registration, the bonus tiers are: first net deposit of $2,500 – $9,999, bonus $10; $10,000 – $49,999, bonus $25; $50,000 – $99,999, bonus $50; $100,000 – $499,999, bonus $75; $500,000+, bonus $100. Only one tier can be redeemed, and the coupon disappears once the requirement is met

About BBAE

BBAE is a U.S.-based brokerage managed and operated by BBAE Holdings LLC, with two subsidiaries, Redbridge Securities LLC and BBAE Advisors LLC. Redbridge Securities LLC is a firm registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). It is the sole provider of all securities and investment opportunities on the BBAE platform. It operates on a fully discretionary basis, so it does not rely on any upstream channel; instead, it sends customer order flow directly to the exchange.

When choosing a brokerage, compliance is the most important thing. As a U.S.-based brokerage, BBAE is fairly complete in terms of qualifications, and compared with other brokerages that offer advisory services, there are still relatively few or the entry barriers are high. BBAE is relatively friendly for beginners. BBAE also recently launched a web platform, so there is no need to download software. Just open the following URL in your browser: https://trading.bbae.com/zh-CN/trends. Use the QR-code scan function in the mobile app to scan and log in directly, and you can trade common stocks. The next version of the web platform will also include options trading.

Unlike U.S. brokers such as Interactive Brokers, BBAE has set up a dedicated mainland China line, so when you go back to China during holidays, you can register and trade smoothly using mainland networks. You do not need to worry about IP changes causing your account to be restricted. Also, if you use the China App Store, you can download BBAE directly; the U.S. App Store version is BBAE Pro.

BBAE's advantages are summarized below

  • No SSN or ITIN is required to register and claim the bonus
  • Lifetime commission-free and platform-fee-free (options have fees; there will be a platform fee after 2026.7.1)
  • Direct connection to the U.S. line, with smooth app performance
  • Chinese-language interface with a good user experience
  • Supports spot Bitcoin ETF subscriptions
  • Fast account-opening process
  • Low-threshold advisory services
  • Free real-time quotes (for account balances above $200)
  • Dedicated Chinese customer service manager

Account opening bonus

BBAE currently offers a new-user deposit bonus of up to $400. In addition, there is also a referral bonus that can be stacked, allowing you to earn an additional $50-$100.

  • BBAE registration link (register through the link, or download the app yourself and enter referral code stic4skdx)

New user bonus

The tiers are as follows. You need to complete cumulative net deposits within 90 days after registration. The bonus is issued automatically once a tier is met.

  • Cumulative net deposits of $200 – $999, cash bonus $20
  • Cumulative net deposits of $1,000 – $9,999, cash bonus $40
  • Cumulative net deposits of $10,000 – $49,999, cash bonus $150
  • Cumulative net deposits of $50,000 – $99,999, cash bonus $200
  • Cumulative net deposits of $100,000+, cash bonus $400

Notes:

  • The deposit must arrive within 90 days after account opening, and the funds must remain for 60 days
  • When depositing, it is recommended to add an extra $50 to avoid falling short after fees are deducted
  • Deposits via ACH from a U.S. bank account have no fee; international wire fees from other banks are about $10-$30

Channel bonus

The first channel bonus tiers are as follows

  • First: When registering, enter referral code stic4skdx. Make a one-time deposit of $2,000 and receive an extra $50 bonus. You need to make a single deposit of $2,000+ via ACH or Wire within 90 days after registration (not necessarily the first deposit).

The second channel bonus tiers are as follows

  • Second: When registering, enter referral code stestu867. With cumulative deposits, you can receive up to a $100 bonus. 90 days after registration, cumulative net deposits of $2,500 – $9,999 earn a $10 bonus; $10,000 – $49,999 earn a $25 bonus; $50,000 – $99,999 earn a $50 bonus; $100,000 – $499,999 earn a $75 bonus; $500,000+ earn a $100 bonus.

Notes:

  • The deposit must arrive within 90 days after account opening, and the funds must remain for 60 days
  • When depositing, it is recommended to add an extra $50 to avoid falling short after fees are deducted
  • Deposits via ACH from a U.S. bank account have no fee; international wire fees from other banks are about $10-$30

Limited-time bonus

  • For wire deposits of $5,000 or more, $30 of wire fees can be reimbursed (ACH has no fee and is not eligible for reimbursement)
  • For transfers of $10,000 or more, $150 of transfer fees can be reimbursed

Before making a deposit, please contact customer service to register for the campaign bonus and make sure the funds remain for 60 days; otherwise, the bonus will be revoked.

Exclusive group

If you open a BBAE account through the link on this site, you can also join our exclusive BBAE group, where a dedicated senior customer service manager will handle questions and provide support. You need to register and complete a $2,500 deposit before you can join. Please contact the Meika 101 assistant for details to join the group.

Account opening process

You can open an account by registering through the link below, or by downloading BBAE or BBAE Pro yourself and entering referral code stic4skdx

The process is as follows

  • Open the BBAE app, tap "Register," choose "I have an invitation code," and enter referral code stic4skdx
  • Fill in your personal information, including your pinyin name, detailed address, marital status, number of dependents, and occupation (for record-keeping only; nothing will be mailed and no verification will be performed)
  • Complete identity verification and risk disclosures
  • Confirm the investment overview and account-opening information; non-professional investors should choose "No"
  • Complete the Market Data Agreement and Application Agreement
  • Upload the front and back of your ID card and complete the pinyin signature submission
  • Note: if you submit using a China IP address, it may show that service is unavailable. Use a VPN to switch to an IP address from another country or region

Note: if you register using a Chinese identity, you can enter an ID card, a full set of Chinese identity details, and a Chinese address. If you register using a U.S. identity, you need to provide SSN/ITIN and a U.S. address. At present, they do not require proof of address or additional identity verification.

Note: if you use a China IP + ID card, a pop-up will appear when you submit the application and you won’t be able to open the account. Just switch to a different IP and resubmit. After that, usage is not restricted by IP. If you have a foreign identity, there is no IP restriction.

For the detailed steps, you can check the official summary; it is very detailed

Account opening usually takes 1-2 business days for review and processing. You’ll receive an email after approval.

Account Types and Funding

Choosing an Account Type

Choose a margin account, which supports cash-account features and margin trading. For citizenship, choose Mainland China or your actual country/region.

Funding Methods

Three funding methods are supported:

  • ACH deposit (US bank/Wise): free, fastest
  • Wire transfer (non-US banks): fee of $1-30, recommended deposit of at least $3,100
  • Multi-currency deposits: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, and more; minimum $50

Wire Transfer Funding Process

Funding by wire transfer through a Hong Kong card or a non-US bank usually arrives in 1-2 business days. Be sure to transfer from an account in your own name.

  • Receiving bank name: BMO Harris Bank
  • Bank address: 111 West Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603
  • ABA: 071000288
  • SWIFT: HATRUS44 or HATRUS44XXX
  • Receiving account: Apex Clearing Corporation and the BBAE account number (example: 7XJ12345)
  • Beneficiary address: One Dallas Center, 350 N. St. Paul, Suite 1300, Dallas, TX 75201
  • Memo: your name and BBAE account number

For deposit tutorials for different banks, see the official document below.

Fees

At the moment, BBAE has no commissions and no platform fees, but platform fees will start after July 1. If you need it, register and trade before then.

BBAE App

BBAE’s app is called BBAE. After you finish opening an account, you can tap the corresponding mobile app store on the page to download it. If you download it in Mainland China, it is BBAE. BBAE has a dedicated line directly to the US in Mainland China, so everyday app trading and other functions are relatively smooth; if you download it overseas, it is BBAE Pro, which uses a different line from the domestic version. So in practice there is not much difference between the two. The region matches the line, making trading smoother and avoiding issues like with Interactive Brokers, where connections can often fail. One thing to note: if you use BBAE Pro, linking a bank account for ACH funding supports instant transfer linking, while BBAE uses micro-deposit verification. Of course, it depends on the bank; if a bank does not support instant linking, you can only use micro-deposit verification.

Alternative Investments and Pre-IPO Features

BBAE also offers Pre-IPO.

  • Alternative investments: investments other than stocks and bonds, such as private equity, Pre-IPO, venture capital, real estate, and more. They are characterized by high risk, low liquidity, long lock-up periods, and limited disclosure.
  • Investment objectives: diversify a portfolio, pursue high returns, access unique opportunities, and hedge inflation.
  • Pre-IPO: investing in equity of unlisted companies, with potentially high returns but possible loss of principal.

Investment process:

  • Submit an IOI (non-binding indication of interest)
  • Read the offering documents
  • Sign the subscription agreement (funds frozen)
  • Invest through a pooled SPV

Risks and limitations:

  • Low liquidity and long cycles
  • Opaque valuations and possible total loss of principal
  • Not protected by FDIC/SIPC
  • Investors must complete a suitability questionnaire and meet the project’s minimum investment threshold

For more details, see

My Take

Although BBAE is not as large as Moomoo, TradeUP, or Webull, it focuses more on the Chinese-speaking market and does a pretty good job supporting Chinese-language pages and users. It also does not require SSN or ITIN for account opening, which is very friendly for ordinary international students; you only need an ID card to open an account. In addition, it does not require the cumbersome address proof or visa proof, so the overall account-opening process is quite smooth. The current sign-up bonus is also pretty good, so if you have spare cash, you can grab the bonus and try out their interface and trading.

Stock Investing Basics

Below are a few commonly used U.S. stock brokerages, along with their signup bonuses.

Overview Signup Bonus Quick Take
Moomoo $1,030 in stock + 8.1% APY Professional platform, no commissions, and free Level 2 market data. Good for both beginners and advanced traders. Chinese-language customer service available. Requires SSN.
TradeUp 50 shares of NVDA + chance to win 5 more shares + 4% for three months No commissions, supports both U.S. and Hong Kong stocks, and offers WebTrading. Chinese-language customer service available. Available globally.
Webull $100 Amazon + 12 fractional shares + 1 month of Premium membership No commissions, with frequent deposit bonuses that give free stock.
BBAE Up to $650 bonus 0 commission, 0 fees; Chinese-friendly, and you can open an account without an SSN/ITIN.
Robinhood 1 free stock No commissions, with an interest-bearing cash account option. Simple interface that works well for beginners.
Interactive Brokers Up to $1,000 Broad market access. Professional, comprehensive trading platform with high interest on cash balances.
TradeStation $250 Professional trading platform with a full set of supporting tools.
Schwab Up to $1,000 Professional and easy to use. Global ATM fee rebates and $0 stock commissions.
Fidelity Brokerage Account Sign-up link Well-established brokerage with no trading fees, plus TurboTax included.
BIT (formerly Matrixport) $400 in stock Supports direct crypto deposits and withdrawals, does not participate in China CRS, and allows registration directly with an ID card.
SoFi Invest $75 for opening an account No commissions and supports Stock Bits.
WealthFront $5,000 managed free Automated investing and wealth management.
M1 Finance $10 for depositing funds No commissions, with automatic investing based on your portfolio allocation.

If you do not have an SSN/ITIN but still want to trade U.S. stocks, take a look at the brokerages/platforms below. All of them allow registration using a full set of Chinese documents, and you can sign up with just an ID card or passport. None of them participate in China CRS.

  • BBAE: Chinese-friendly; you can open an account without an SSN/ITIN.
  • BIT (formerly Matrixport): You can open an account with just an ID card, and approval can be completed within a few hours.
  • Bitget: Identity verification can be completed with an ID card/Chinese passport.

Referral Link

BBAE currently has a funding bonus for new users, with up to $400 available. In addition, there is a referral bonus that can be stacked, for a maximum of $100.

  • BBAE referral link (register through the link, or download the app yourself and enter invitation code stic4skdx)