If you want to invest in stocks of companies like Apple, Tesla or NVIDIA from Chile, there are several options today. Two of investors' favorites are CFDs (contracts for difference) and tokenized stocks (xStocks). Both give you exposure to a stock's price without buying it on a traditional exchange, but they work very differently. On Skipo, you can invest in tokenized stocks with no buy, sell or maintenance commissions, buying directly in pesos with instant settlement, 24/7 or 24/5 depending on the xStock. You can start from CLP 1,000.
What will we cover in this article?
In this guide we explain what a CFD is, what a tokenized stock (xStock) is, how each instrument works and what their main differences are. We compare the features of each point by point (from costs and trading hours to settlement and simplicity) so you can decide which best fits your investment strategy in Chile. We also look at the advantages of trading tokenized stocks with Skipo and the step-by-step process to get started.
What is a CFD (contract for difference)?
A CFD (contract for difference) is a derivative financial instrument that lets you speculate on the price movement of an asset (such as a stock, an index or a commodity) without owning the real asset. When you open a CFD, you sign a contract with a broker: if the price rises and your position was a buy, you earn the difference; if it falls, you lose the difference.
The key point is that with a CFD you never own the stock. The broker acts as the direct counterparty to your trade, which means its gain can come from your loss. As of April 2026, according to data from ESMA (the European Securities and Markets Authority), between 60% and 75% of retail accounts trading CFDs end up losing money.
How does a CFD broker make money?
CFD brokers earn revenue mainly through three mechanisms:
- Spread: the difference between the buy price and the sell price of the asset. It is a cost you pay on every trade, although it is often not visible as a "commission".
- Overnight fees: if you keep a position open from one day to the next, the broker charges a financing fee. These costs build up over time.
- Per-trade commissions: some brokers also charge for each buy or sell executed.
In short: a CFD is a speculative contract between you and a broker, in which you never own the underlying asset and in which costs (spread, overnight fees and additional charges) can significantly reduce your returns.
Examples of CFD platforms available in Chile
From Chile, the most used CFD brokers include eToro, Plus500, Capital.com, XTB and Interactive Brokers. All of them are international platforms that let you open accounts from Chile, but they operate under foreign regulations (FCA, CySEC, ASIC, among others) and generally require deposits in dollars or euros.
What are tokenized stocks (xStocks)?
A tokenized stock is a digital representation of a real share, issued on a blockchain. Each token is backed 1:1 by a physical share held in custody by a regulated financial entity. This means that when you buy an Apple tokenized stock, there is a real Apple share held in custody backing your token.
Tokenized stocks combine the best of two worlds: they give you direct exposure to the price of the real stock (just like a CFD) but with blockchain infrastructure, which allows transactions without traditional intermediaries, continuous availability and significantly lower costs.
As of March 2026, monthly volume in the tokenized stock market reached an all-time record of US$2.87 billion, according to DiarioBitcoin data, with a base of more than 200,000 holders. Nasdaq submitted a proposal to the SEC to enable trading of tokenized stocks, with a launch planned for the third quarter of 2026.
How do xStocks work on Skipo?
On Skipo, tokenized stocks operate through the integration with xStocks, a world-class tokenization infrastructure provider. The process is as follows:
- A regulated financial institution buys real shares on markets such as the NYSE or NASDAQ.
- Those shares are held securely in custody and equivalent tokens are issued on a blockchain.
- Each token tracks the price of the original stock in real time.
- You buy and sell those tokens directly from the Skipo app, in pesos, commission-free.
If you want to dig deeper into how they work, we recommend reading our complete guide: Tokenized stocks: what they are and how to invest from Chile.
In short: tokenized stocks are digital representations of real shares, backed 1:1, that let you invest in global companies with the simplicity and efficiency of blockchain technology.
Tokenized stocks vs CFDs: the 6 key differences for investing in Chile
Both instruments let you gain (or lose) according to a stock's price movement, but the way they do it is very different. These are the differences that matter most when choosing.
1. Asset backing
A CFD is not backed by a real asset. It is a contract between you and the broker, period. If the broker has financial problems, your position may be affected.
A tokenized stock, by contrast, is backed 1:1 by a real share held in custody by a regulated entity. Your token represents a concrete stake in an asset that exists outside the contract.
2. Trading costs
With CFDs, costs are multiple and often not very transparent: a spread on every trade, overnight fees for keeping positions open and, at some brokers, additional per-trade commissions. These costs add up quickly, especially if you hold positions for several days or weeks.
With tokenized stocks on Skipo, there is no buy, sell or maintenance commission. There are no overnight fees or hidden costs either. What you invest is what actually works for you.
3. Trading currency
Most CFD brokers operate in dollars or euros. This means that, from Chile, you need to convert currency before trading, which involves an additional exchange spread, a cost that often goes unnoticed.
On Skipo, you buy tokenized stocks directly in pesos, with no dollar conversion and no exchange spread. Simple and direct.
4. Trading hours
Stock CFD brokers usually limit trading to the hours of the underlying market. If you want to trade CFDs on US stocks, you can generally only do so Monday to Friday during Wall Street hours (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. US Eastern Time).
On Skipo, hours depend on each xStock: some, like Apple, NVIDIA, Tesla or the S&P 500, trade 24/7, and the rest 24/5, Monday to Friday. With the 24/7 ones you can buy or sell on a Sunday at 3 a.m. if you need to.
5. Settlement
On CFD platforms, withdrawals can take between 1 and 5 business days depending on the broker and the payment method. In addition, since you are trading in a foreign currency, the process includes conversion and an international transfer.
On Skipo, settlement is instant. You sell your tokenized stock and the pesos are available in your account in seconds. You can withdraw to your bank in Chile right away.
6. Complexity and accessibility
CFDs are complex instruments. They require understanding concepts like spread, overnight financing, margin and risk management. It is no accident that brokers themselves are required to warn that most retail accounts lose money.
Tokenized stocks on Skipo work intuitively: you choose a company, decide how much you want to invest in pesos (from CLP 1,000) and buy. No derivative contracts, no hidden costs, no unnecessary complexity.
In short: tokenized stocks offer exposure to the same price as a CFD, but without the cumulative costs, without the operational complexity and with the advantage of being backed by a real asset.
Tokenized stocks vs CFDs: comparison table
| Criterion | Tokenized stocks | CFDs |
|---|---|---|
| Asset backing | Yes, backed 1:1 by real shares held in custody | No, a derivative contract with no underlying asset |
| Buy/sell commission | CLP 0 | Spread and variable commissions |
| Overnight fees | No | Yes, a daily charge for open positions |
| Maintenance fee | CLP 0 | Varies by broker |
| Trading currency | Pesos, with no conversion or exchange spread | Dollars or euros, requires conversion |
| Hours | 24/7 or 24/5 depending on the xStock | Limited to market hours |
| Settlement | Instant | 1-5 business days |
| Fractional purchase | Yes, from CLP 1,000 | Depends on the broker |
| Regulatory status in Chile | CMF registration and UAF registration | Foreign regulation |
| Complexity | Low: simple interface, no derivatives | High: requires knowledge of derivatives |
Why choose tokenized stocks on Skipo to invest in Chile?
No commissions of any kind
On Skipo we do not charge commissions for buying, selling or holding tokenized stocks. There are no overnight fees or hidden charges either. Unlike CFD brokers (where the spread and financing fees reduce your returns with every trade), on Skipo 100% of what you invest goes directly into the asset.
Direct purchase in pesos
You do not need to convert your pesos into dollars to invest in US companies. On Skipo you buy directly in pesos, eliminating the exchange spread that international CFD brokers charge you on every deposit and withdrawal.
24/7 or 24/5 availability
While stock CFD brokers operate during limited market hours, on Skipo you can buy and sell tokenized stocks of Apple, Tesla, NVIDIA, Alphabet and more 24/7 or 24/5 depending on the xStock. Traditional markets close at 4:00 PM ET; on Skipo you keep trading.
Instant settlement
You sell your tokenized stock and the pesos are in your account in seconds. No waiting for business days, no international withdrawal processes, no conversions back to pesos. You can withdraw to your bank in Chile right away.
Security and local registration
Skipo is registered in the CMF's (Chile's Financial Market Commission) Registry of Financial Service Providers, and its authorization to operate is in process under the Fintech Law (Law No. 21.521); it also holds ISO 27001 information security certification. This means you invest in tokenized stocks in Chile through a platform registered with the local regulator, something international CFD brokers do not offer locally.
More than just stocks
From the same Skipo app, in addition to tokenized stocks, you can invest in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH) or solana (SOL), activate your interest-bearing USDT account and access tokenized gold. All from a single Chilean platform.
In short: Skipo combines zero commissions, purchases in pesos, 24/7 or 24/5 trading depending on the xStock, instant settlement and registration with the CMF to offer the most accessible way to invest in tokenized stocks from Chile.
How to buy tokenized stocks on Skipo: step by step
- Download the Skipo app: Available on the App Store and Google Play.
- Create your account: Sign up with your email and verify your identity in minutes.
- Deposit: Transfer pesos from your bank account or crypto from other wallets. The deposit shows up in your Skipo account in seconds.
- Find the tokenized stock: In the wallet view, search for the company you are interested in: Apple, Tesla, NVIDIA, Alphabet and others.
- Buy: Choose the amount in pesos you want to invest (from CLP 1,000). Confirm and you are done. Your tokenized stock will appear in your portfolio immediately.
Frequently asked questions about tokenized stocks and CFDs
Which is better, a CFD or a tokenized stock?
It depends on your profile, but for most investors in Chile, tokenized stocks offer significant advantages: no overnight fees, no exchange spread, direct purchase in pesos, 24/7 or 24/5 availability depending on the xStock, and backing by a real asset. CFDs are more complex instruments, with cumulative costs that can reduce your returns.
Do tokenized stocks track the price of the real stock?
Yes. Each tokenized stock is backed 1:1 by a real share held in custody. The token's price is synchronized with the market price of the underlying stock. This means your price exposure is equivalent to that of a CFD, but backed by a concrete asset.
Can I buy tokenized stocks in pesos from Chile?
Yes. On Skipo you buy tokenized stocks directly in pesos, without converting to dollars or opening accounts abroad. This eliminates the exchange spread that international CFD brokers apply.
Does Skipo charge commissions to trade tokenized stocks?
No. On Skipo there is no buy, sell or maintenance commission. There are no overnight fees or hidden charges either. The price you see is the price you pay.
Which tokenized stocks are available on Skipo?
On Skipo you can invest in tokenized stocks of companies like Apple, Tesla, Alphabet (Google), NVIDIA, MicroStrategy, Robinhood and Circle, as well as tokenized ETFs such as the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq-100. Check the updated list directly in the app.
What is Skipo's regulatory status in Chile?
Skipo is registered with the CMF (Chile's Financial Market Commission) and holds ISO 27001 information security certification. It is a Chilean platform with a local presence, unlike international CFD brokers.
What is the minimum amount to invest in tokenized stocks in Chile?
On Skipo you can start investing in tokenized stocks from CLP 1,000. The shares are fractional, which means you do not need to buy a whole share of, for example, Apple or NVIDIA.
Glossary of key terms
CFD (contract for difference): A derivative financial instrument that lets you speculate on an asset's price without owning it. The gain or loss is the difference between the contract's opening and closing price.
Tokenized stock (xStock): A digital representation of a real share, issued on a blockchain and backed 1:1 by the underlying asset held in custody by a regulated entity.
Spread: The difference between the buy price and the sell price of an asset. It is one of the main costs of trading CFDs.
Overnight fee: A charge a CFD broker applies for keeping a position open from one day to the next. It accrues daily.
Instant settlement: The process by which the purchase or sale of an asset is executed and reflected in your account immediately, with no waiting days.
Blockchain: Distributed ledger technology that enables transparent, secure transactions without intermediaries. It is the infrastructure tokenized stocks run on.
Invest in tokenized stocks from Chile with Skipo
Tokenized stocks are redefining how people invest in the global stock market. Compared with CFDs (with their spreads, overnight fees, limited hours and operational complexity), xStocks on Skipo offer a simpler, more transparent alternative with no hidden costs.
At Skipo we believe investing in the world's largest companies should be accessible to everyone. Commission-free, in pesos, 24/7 or 24/5 depending on the xStock and on a platform registered with the CMF.
Download the Skipo app and start investing in tokenized stocks today.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Asset prices can go up or down, and every investment involves risk. Before investing, assess your personal financial situation.
