The promise of global investing often falls short in reality, as most investment apps provide access to less than 10% of the world’s stock market. Despite the appearance of openness, investors are confined to a narrow selection of stocks. With over 50,000 listed companies across 78 stock exchanges, the average platform offers fewer than 5,000, leaving the majority of the global market inaccessible. Apps create an illusion of completeness by showcasing popular tickers and trending brands, even when many are ‘ghost listings’—visible but untradeable. This psychological trick fosters a sense of connection to the global economy, while actual ownership remains limited. The root of the issue lies in regulatory complexities. Platforms are typically licensed in a few jurisdictions, making cross-border investing slow, expensive, and legally challenging. Compliance with varying rules on KYC, taxation, and settlement further restricts access. As a result, trading is often limited to major markets like the U.S., the U.K., and select Asian exchanges, while regions like Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia remain out of reach for retail investors. Geographic restrictions also play a role, with users often unaware of why certain stocks or exchanges are unavailable. The UK Financial Conduct Authority has warned that this lack of transparency risks misleading investors. For users, this lack of clarity erodes trust, as they assume stocks in search results are purchasable. Simple disclosures about live and restricted exchanges could restore honesty without requiring new features. As Tajinder Virk, co-founder of Finvasia, notes, true global investing is about discovering undervalued companies shaping the future, not just owning what’s already popular. Until platforms align their promises with actual access, global investing will remain an illusion—appearing limitless but feeling confined. The next generation of platforms must not only display the world but truly open it.