Now That The SEC Thinks About It, It Is Strange That Citadel, Et. Al.,Pay So Much For The Right To Execute Free Trades You know, when Elizabeth Warren puts it that way. Author: You know, when Elizabeth Warren puts it that way. Nothing is truly free. “Free shipping” just means the shipping costs have been factored into the price. “Free streaming service” just means you pay for it with your time watching commercials. Free toasters, free trips, free timeshares: You’re paying for all them somehow, because nothing is actually free. Which brings us to the concept of free stock trades. Sure, you can log on to your Schwab or TD or Robinhood account and buy or sell a share commission-free, if in fact the service of your choice is able and willing to make the trade you’d like. And this may seem genuinely free, since rules and regulations of course require those platforms to conform with “best execution obligations,” one of which is getting a customer the best price possible. So, here’s something that’s truly free, yes?