Public – Stocks and Options

Public – Stocks and Options: Investing Made Social and Transparent

Public is a mobile-first investing platform designed to make the stock market and options trading accessible, educational, and community-driven. Unlike traditional brokerages, Public emphasizes social interaction, transparency, and long-term wealth building. It allows users to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and options while providing curated news, expert insights, and a unique feed where members can discuss investments. The app removes complex jargon and aims to demystify finance for beginners, while offering advanced tools for experienced traders. Its commission-free structure and emphasis on fractional shares lower the barrier to entry.

Chapter 1: Function

Public provides a suite of core functions centered on simplified trading and community engagement. Users can invest in thousands of stocks and ETFs with fractional shares, meaning they can buy portions of expensive stocks like Amazon or Google for as little as one dollar. The platform also supports options trading, including calls and puts, with a clear risk display. A distinctive feature is the social feed, where users share portfolios, trade ideas, and discuss market moves without anonymous trolling. Public also offers a Treasury account that earns a competitive APY, automatic recurring investments, and a cash asset that pays interest on uninvested cash. For research, the app aggregates news from trusted sources and provides key statistics for each asset. All trades are commission-free, and the interface is designed for intuitive navigation.

Chapter 2: Value

Public delivers unique value by democratizing investing through transparency and community. Its primary advantage is the elimination of payment for order flow, meaning the company does not profit from routing your orders to market makers; instead, it uses a transparent fee model called tipping, where users voluntarily pay for the service. This aligns the platform’s interests with the user’s. Additionally, the social component fosters financial literacy: members learn from each other, follow seasoned investors, and avoid isolated decision-making. The app also prioritizes risk education, especially for options, with clear warnings and simulations. Unlike traditional brokerages that profit from complex fees or data selling, Public offers a more ethical, user-centric experience. The fractional share capability and low minimums allow anyone to build a diversified portfolio with small amounts of capital, making wealth building accessible to a broader audience. For experienced traders, the options tools and real-time data provide the functionality needed without cluttered interfaces. Overall, Public combines the utility of a brokerage with the engagement of a social network, reducing the intimidation of investing.

Chapter 3: Scenarios

Public serves a diverse range of user groups. The primary target is beginner and intermediate investors, particularly millennials and Gen Z users who desire a simple, mobile-first experience and value social learning. Common use cases include new investors starting their first portfolio with small amounts of money, using fractional shares to invest in high-priced stocks. Another key group is social investors who enjoy discussing market trends, sharing strategies, and following community discussions without leaving the app. The platform also appeals to long-term savers who use recurring investments to build wealth over time, as well as options traders who want a cleaner, more transparent interface than legacy platforms. Everyday scenarios include a user checking their portfolio feed during a commute, a beginner learning about options through the app’s educational content, or a group of friends investing together and sharing their progress. Public also serves as a tool for teaching financial literacy, with many users leveraging it to introduce family members to investing.