Complete Guide to Opening a Firstrade Account, Funding via WISE, and Trading US Stocks
Many overseas brokerages have tightened registration requirements, significantly raising the threshold for domestic users. However, recent tests show that Firstrade (First American Securities) still allows account opening with genuine domestic information without requiring a foreign residential address. This article shares the full process of account opening, funding, and purchasing US stocks for reference.
About Firstrade
Firstrade, established in 1985, is a well-established US brokerage regulated by FINRA and SIPC. It supports zero-commission trading for US stocks and ETFs, offers a full Chinese interface, and is compatible with tools like WISE for low-cost funding, making it a popular choice for Chinese investors.
Pros:
- Zero commission on US stock trades
- Account opening available for domestic users
- Full Chinese interface support
Cons:
- Funding can be inconvenient
- Access from within China may be unstable
- The mobile app could be improved
Regarding Firstrade's reliability, please judge for yourself. If you are unsure, use AI to assist. I believe you are a smart person with independent thinking!
Risk Disclosure
This sharing is purely a personal operation record and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell. US stocks, exchange rates, and cross-border transfers all involve uncertainties. Please verify the latest rules yourself and bear the operational risks. All information in this article should be verified through official channels; the author is not responsible for any losses incurred.
Firstrade Account Opening
Preparation
- A tool to access the internet (required if the site is blocked in your region)
- A domestic mobile phone number
- A frequently used email address
- A passport
- A WISE account
Registration Address
The registration address is: https://signup.firstrade.com/create2/www/index.html#/intro?lc=zh-cn. It is recommended to use a mobile device for easier document uploading. If the link does not open, please use a network tool.
Important Notes
Since the author has been registered for over a month, some notes are based on memory:
- Fill in all information truthfully; do not falsify data, or you will suffer the consequences.
- Tax ID: Enter your ID card number.
- Residential Address: Enter your genuine domestic address.
Processing Time
After submitting documents, approval usually takes within one working day. The author applied one day and was approved the next. Please keep an eye on your email.
WISE Funding
Linking WISE to Firstrade
Funding Firstrade via a US local bank account incurs zero fees. However, if you do not have a US bank account, cross-border transfer fees are particularly high. Since the author's WISE account provides a US bank account, we use WISE's US bank account details for funding. If you do not have a WISE account, please refer to: 2026 Latest Version: WISE Account Opening Tutorial and Precautions.
Firstrade has provided a helpful guide on connecting WISE for ACH transfers: How to Connect WISE Account for ACH Electronic Transfer?.
However, issues may arise. If you encounter connection errors when linking WISE to Firstrade, refer to the method demonstrated in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4EDR0LJMIg.
After successful connection, Firstrade will send two small test deposits to your WISE account (usually within 1-3 working days). Once received, return to Firstrade and enter the deposit amounts to complete verification.
Note: Ensure the name on your WISE account matches the name on your Firstrade account exactly!
WISE Risk Control
The author's WISE account had a foreign address. Immediately after receiving Firstrade's test deposits, it triggered a risk control check requiring proof of foreign address. At that time, it was impossible to manually change the address back to domestic. Fortunately, after contacting WISE customer service, the address was changed to a domestic one, and the risk control was lifted by providing domestic address proof.
Suggestion: Change your WISE address to your genuine domestic address in advance to avoid triggering risk control!
Uploading Bank Account Proof
After successfully linking WISE, you still cannot fund the account. You must provide bank account proof documents:
- Passport
- WISE bill address (must show address proof)
Then, in the Firstrade backend Form Center, upload your passport and WISE bill. Select the type ACH Bank Setup – Supplementary Documents. Wait 3-7 working days for approval. If errors occur, supplement the required materials.
Tip: WISE bills can be exported as PDF files from the WISE web backend. Please select the USD account and export the English version.
After completing all the above steps, you can successfully fund your account. This method allows zero-fee funding into Firstrade.
From opening the Firstrade account to funding via WISE, it took the author about two weeks to fully complete the process.
Purchasing US Stocks
After successful funding, simply purchase US stocks directly on the Firstrade app. There are no special precautions. Firstrade offers zero commission for buying and selling US stocks, which is a significant advantage.
Some Risks
- If you plan to withdraw funds within 3 months, Firstrade only allows withdrawals to the same account used for funding.
- For withdrawals after 3 months, you can use other bank accounts, provided the name matches.
- Some users have reported that Firstrade frequently changes IP addresses, leading to account risk control. The author has not encountered this issue personally. It is recommended to use a consistent, clean IP address for access and avoid shared or