The cryptocurrency trading landscape is evolving rapidly, and a new player is entering the arena with an ambitious mission: to eliminate trading fees entirely. Voyager, a fintech startup co-founded by former E*Trade executive Stephen Ehrlich and Uber’s founding architect Oscar Salazar, has unveiled plans to offer commission-free trading on at least 15 major cryptocurrencies—including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and others.
This bold move positions Voyager as a direct competitor to Robinhood, which currently dominates the zero-commission crypto trading space in the U.S. But Voyager isn’t just replicating an existing model—it’s reimagining how crypto trades are executed for better value and broader access.
How Voyager’s Smart Order Routing Works
At the heart of Voyager’s innovation is a dynamic smart order router—a sophisticated system that scans prices across more than a dozen cryptocurrency exchanges and three additional market makers in real time. By aggregating liquidity from both domestic and international venues, Voyager can execute trades at optimal prices, often outperforming what users would get on a single exchange like Coinbase or Binance.
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Instead of charging traditional trading commissions—the primary revenue source for most platforms—Voyager earns a margin by securing slightly better execution prices than the market average at the time of trade. This subtle yet powerful difference allows the platform to offer no-fee trading while still maintaining a sustainable business model.
“Sometimes you go to trade on a certain exchange, but there’s no liquidity there,” explains Stephen Ehrlich, Voyager’s CEO and former head of Lightspeed Financial’s professional trading division. “We saw an opportunity to build a system that takes advantage of the entire marketplace.”
Founding Team Brings Proven Fintech Expertise
Voyager’s leadership team combines deep experience in both traditional finance and disruptive tech innovation:
- Stephen Ehrlich: Former CEO of Lightspeed Financial and leader of E*Trade’s professional trading arm after its acquisition.
- Oscar Salazar: Co-creator and former CTO of Uber, now serving as Voyager’s chief technology advisor and investor.
- Gaspard de Dreuzy: Chief Product Officer with a background in financial technology design.
- Philip Eytan: Early Uber investor and current board chairman.
The company has raised “significant capital” from friends and family, according to Ehrlich, allowing it to develop its infrastructure without early-stage venture pressure. With this backing, Voyager aims to become a trusted gateway for both retail and institutional investors entering the crypto economy.
Broad Cryptocurrency Selection with Security Focus
While the final list of tradable assets is still being confirmed, Voyager plans to support the majority of the top 25 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, as tracked by CoinMarketCap. This includes:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- Ethereum Classic (ETC)
Ehrlich also hinted at potential listings for high-demand tokens like XRP (Ripple) and Stellar Lumens (XLM)—digital assets notably absent from major U.S. exchanges such as Coinbase due to regulatory concerns.
“Our goal is to offer the cryptos people actually want to trade,” Ehrlich said. “But we won’t compromise on security. Before listing any asset, we must ensure it can be stored safely and managed responsibly.”
Gradual U.S. Rollout with Regulatory Compliance
Voyager is taking a cautious, compliance-first approach to expansion. The platform is already approved to operate in several U.S. states, including California, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Montana. Applications are pending in other key jurisdictions, including New York, where obtaining a BitLicense is mandatory for crypto businesses.
The company aims to be legally operational in at least 40 U.S. states by year-end. A beta version of the mobile app launched recently, with full public availability expected by late October.
This measured rollout reflects Voyager’s commitment to being a responsible participant in the rapidly evolving regulatory environment surrounding digital assets.
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Beyond Trading: News, Tools, and Institutional Services
Voyager isn’t just building a trading app—it’s creating an ecosystem for crypto investors. The mobile platform will include:
- Real-time cryptocurrency news and analysis
- Educational content to help beginners understand digital assets
- Advanced tools tailored for hedge funds and institutional clients
These features aim to lower the barrier to entry for new investors while providing professional-grade resources for experienced traders.
“We don’t think crypto has been adopted yet by the masses in the United States,” Ehrlich said. “The market space itself is extremely large… We believe the opportunity for both retail and institutional investors is vast.”
FAQ: Your Questions About Voyager Answered
Q: Is Voyager completely free to use?
A: Yes—there are no commission fees on trades. The platform makes money through smart order routing that captures small price advantages during execution.
Q: Which cryptocurrencies will Voyager support?
A: At launch, at least 15 major coins including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and others. Support for XRP and Stellar is under evaluation based on security and regulatory factors.
Q: Is Voyager available nationwide in the U.S.?
A: Not yet. It’s currently available in select states, with plans to expand to at least 40 states following regulatory approvals.
Q: How does Voyager differ from Robinhood Crypto?
A: While both offer zero-commission trading, Voyager uses multi-exchange aggregation to improve trade execution and plans to offer more educational tools and institutional services.
Q: Can institutions trade on Voyager?
A: Yes—Voyager is developing dedicated functionality for hedge funds and professional investors alongside its retail app.
Q: Who backs Voyager financially?
A: The company has raised significant funding from friends and family, with key support from fintech veterans and early Uber investors.
The rise of no-fee cryptocurrency trading signals a maturing market where user experience, execution quality, and trust matter more than ever. With its elite founding team, intelligent trading engine, and focus on education and compliance, Voyager is poised to become a major force in democratizing access to digital assets.
As adoption grows, platforms that combine innovation with responsibility will lead the next wave of crypto integration into mainstream finance.
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