Summary:
- X's head of product, Nikita Bier, says new features including Smart Cashtags will roll out in the coming weeks.
- Smart Cashtags will allow users to trade stocks and cryptocurrencies directly from the timeline.
- The feature builds on X's earlier Cashtag system introduced in 2022, which tracked asset prices but was later discontinued.
- The move aligns with owner Elon Musk's ambition to transform X into an "everything app."
In a development that could reshape how retail investors interact with financial markets online, X is preparing to roll out in-app trading for stocks and cryptocurrencies within weeks. The update comes directly from Nikita Bier, the platform's head of product, who confirmed that Smart Cashtags are part of an upcoming feature release.
Bier also addressed concerns about crypto-related activity on the platform, he writing:"I genuinely want crypto to proliferate on X, but applications that create incentives to spam, raid, and harass random users is not the way. It meaningfully degrades the experience for millions of people - only to enrich a few people."
The statement signals two priorities at once. On one hand, X wants to deepen its connection with financial markets and digital assets. On the other, it appears determined to prevent features that may encourage spam or disruptive behavior - a concern that has followed many crypto integrations across social platforms. The upcoming Smart Cashtags feature would allow users to execute trades without leaving the timeline, effectively merging social discussion and financial action into a single experience. Users could potentially act on market news in real time within the app itself.
From Price Tracking to Direct Trading
The Smart Cashtags rollout builds on a feature X first introduced in 2022. At that time, the platform launched a basic Cashtag system that allowed users to track prices of major stocks and cryptocurrencies. Supported assets included Bitcoin and Ethereum, alongside publicly traded equities.
The earlier version offered visual financial data and price charts when users clicked on a ticker symbol. However, it did not enable trading. That feature was later discontinued, leaving some uncertainty about X's long-term plans in financial services.
In January, Bier shared an image teasing the possibility of in-app trading tied to Smart Cashtags. While it sparked speculation online, no formal confirmation followed at the time. The recent comment now makes clear that trading functionality is indeed on the way. This progression suggests X is moving beyond being a conversation hub for markets and into becoming a transactional layer itself. For a platform already known as a gathering place for crypto communities, traders, and financial commentators, the integration feels like a natural extension.
Market-moving news often breaks first on X. Influencers, founders, analysts, and traders routinely debate asset movements in real time. Bringing trading tools into that environment could tighten the feedback loop between information and action. Still, the details matter because it remains unclear whether X will partner with established brokerages or exchanges, build its own infrastructure, or operate through a hybrid model. Regulatory considerations are also likely to play a central role, particularly when enabling stock trading within a social media application.
X's Push Toward Becoming an "Everything App"
The addition of in-app trading also fits squarely within Elon Musk's broader vision for X. Since acquiring the company, Musk has repeatedly spoken about turning it into an "everything app" - a platform that combines messaging, payments, commerce, and financial services. That ambition has often been compared to WeChat, the Chinese super-app that integrates chat, payments, social feeds, and services into one ecosystem. Crypto has long been part of that vision. X remains one of the most active online spaces for digital asset discussions, from Bitcoin price debates to decentralized finance updates. By embedding trading directly into the timeline, the platform edges closer to blending social interaction with financial functionality.
The move may also position X as a competitor to fintech platforms and trading apps. If users can read news, discuss it, and execute trades without switching platforms, the friction between conversation and transaction shrinks dramatically. However, Bier's comments also highlight a balancing act. Crypto-related features have, at times, fueled spam campaigns, token promotions, and aggressive marketing tactics. His statement makes clear that X does not want trading tools to amplify those behaviors. Bier emphasised that underlining the platform's intention to protect user experience even as it expands into financial services.
Closing Thoughts
As the rollout approaches, attention will likely focus on how Smart Cashtags are structured and what safeguards are built in, and how seamless the trading experience proves to be. For now, the message is straightforward that in-app stock and crypto trading on X is no longer speculation, probably it is weeks away.
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