Webull has launched a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, enabling clients to interact with its OpenAPI using natural-language AI commands without requiring programming knowledge.
Anthony Denier, Group President and U.S. CEO of Webull, said the development reflects a broader shift in how investors access financial markets.
“The shift in market access over the past decade has consistently been about reducing friction for investors, from zero commissions to fractional trading. We see AI as the next evolution of that trajectory,” he told Traders Magazine.
Denier described MCP as part of what he called a “next interface layer” for investing, where natural language becomes the entry point into trading systems.
“MCP is part of what we would describe as the next interface layer for investing, where natural language becomes the bridge between investors and increasingly sophisticated trading infrastructure,” he said.
“The goal is accessibility, making advanced tools usable for investors who may not have the time or technical background to engage with APIs or traditional automation frameworks,” he added.
According to Denier, since its initial rollout in April, early users have been interacting with core platform functions through MCP, including market data queries, account information, position monitoring, and order execution via conversational prompts.
Denier said the early adoption has changed how users engage with trading workflows.
“What stands out is the way MCP changes how investors interact with the platform,” he said.
“Rather than navigating multiple screens or workflows, users can engage with key trading functions through a more intuitive interface that simplifies access to information and tools.”
The company emphasized that MCP is not designed to remove user oversight in trading decisions.
“MCP is designed to simplify access to trading tools, not remove investor control,” Denier said.
“Investors remain responsible for reviewing and verifying order details before execution.”
Webull said standard brokerage safeguards remain in place, including margin requirements and risk controls.
According to the company, users can also configure how MCP functions within their accounts and determine which features are enabled.
“In addition to standard account protections, margin requirements, and brokerage-level risk controls, users have the ability to configure how they interact with MCP and control which functionalities are available to them,” Denier said.
“This helps ensure investors can tailor the experience to their own preferences and risk tolerance while maintaining visibility into their trading activity.”
The firm positioned AI as a structural shift in retail investing, particularly in how investors monitor markets and manage portfolios over time.
“AI represents a structural change in how investors interact with markets,” Denier said.
“Many investors do not have the time to actively monitor markets throughout the day due to work, family, and other commitments.”
“AI enables a way to stay engaged with a portfolio in a more continuous way, without needing to be constantly in front of a screen,” he said.
“AI tools act as an always-on layer that can help investors track markets in real time. It effectively reduces the friction created by time constraints while keeping investors in control of their own decisions.”
Denier said the company views current adoption as early-stage, with use cases still evolving.
“We are still in the early stages of how these tools will be used in practice, and we expect use cases to continue evolving as adoption grows,” he said.
Webull also pointed to the challenge of balancing accessibility with transparency and control as AI becomes more embedded in trading workflows.
“The biggest challenge is balancing accessibility with transparency and control,” Denier said. “Historically, many advanced trading tools have required a significant level of technical expertise to use effectively.”
“One of our goals has been making these capabilities more accessible without sacrificing clarity around how the technology works or the actions being taken on behalf of the investor,” he added.
“As these tools become more intuitive, it’s important that investors still understand the information being presented and maintain full visibility into their account activity.”
Looking ahead, Webull said it will continue refining the MCP system and expanding availability beyond the U.S.
“Our focus is on continuing to refine the user experience and making AI-powered investing tools more accessible and intuitive for investors,” Denier said.
“We view MCP as part of a broader evolution in how investors interact with financial markets, and we will continue evaluating ways to improve functionality, usability, and the overall experience as adoption of AI tools continues to grow.”
The system is currently available to U.S. clients, with additional markets expected to follow.
