What Is DRS? The Ownership Move Wall Street Hopes You Ignore
You buy a stock. You see it in your brokerage app. You figure, “Cool, I own this.”
But do you? Not exactly.
Most retail investors don’t actually own the stocks they think they do. Their names aren’t on the company’s shareholder list. They have no direct line to vote, to speak up, to control what’s theirs.
That’s where the Direct Registration System (DRS) comes in. DRS is the financial equivalent of calling bull on the old system—and making sure your shares are truly yours.
This is the guide Wall Street doesn’t want you to read.
What Is DRS?
DRS stands for Direct Registration System, and it’s a way to hold your stocks directly with a company, not through a brokerage.
In the traditional setup, when you buy stocks on platforms like Robinhood, Wealthsimple, or E*TRADE, the shares are held “in street name.” Translation: your brokerage—or more specifically, a clearinghouse like Cede & Co.—is listed as the legal owner of your shares. You’re just a “beneficial owner.”
In other words, you don’t really own your shares. You rent them. With DRS, you cut through that noise and become the registered owner of your shares. Your name is listed directly on the books of the company, usually through a transfer agent like Computershare.
This isn’t theory. It’s fact. And it changes everything.
What’s the Big Deal About Being a Registered Owner?
If you’ve ever felt powerless watching markets swing or companies make decisions that affect your investment—without your input—this is your answer.
When you DRS your shares:
You vote directly. Your voice isn’t diluted by a brokerage.
Your shares are safer. They can’t be loaned out for short selling.
You see what you actually own. No pooled holdings, no behind-the-scenes lending.
You’re less vulnerable to broker shutdowns or trade restrictions.
You're no longer trusting a system built to prioritize institutions over individuals. You're removing your shares from the Wall Street playground.
Isn’t This Complicated?
Not really. It’s just different. And yes, it takes a few steps.
Here’s how to buy shares and transfer them to DRS:
Buy shares through a brokerage that allows outbound DRS transfers (like Fidelity or TD Ameritrade).
Request a transfer to Computershare (or the relevant transfer agent). This can usually be done online.
Wait a few days. You’ll get either an email or a physical letter in the mail (yes, mail) confirming your shares are now registered in your name.
You’ll now have a Computershare (or similar) account with those shares listed directly under you. Welcome to the table. You’re now a real shareholder.
Need a walkthrough? Check out this community-built DRS Guide or WhyDRS.org for more on the movement.
Why Is This Becoming a Movement?
In a word: accountability.
When thousands of retail investors DRS their shares, it creates real, tangible ownership. That ownership makes it harder for Wall Street to manipulate prices through hidden short selling and undisclosed share lending. It gives power back to people who’ve been treated like passive data points for far too long.
You don’t need to be a financial genius to see why this matters. If your money is in the market, shouldn’t you have a say in what happens to it?
DRS isn’t just about stock ownership. It’s about shifting power away from the institutions and into the hands of individuals.
What Companies Can You DRS?
Not every stock can be directly registered, but many major companies offer it. Here’s a sample:
GameStop Corp. (GME) – One of the original drivers of the DRS movement
Tesla Inc. (TSLA)
Apple Inc. (AAPL)
Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN)
Meta Platforms Inc. (META)
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)
The Walt Disney Company (DIS)
AMC Entertainment (AMC)
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)
Palantir Technologies (PLTR)
You can check if a company supports DRS by searching its Computershare portal or contacting its investor relations department directly.
Where Reklaim Comes In
We’re not just fans of ownership. We’re built for it.
At Reklaim, we’re making DRS easier for retail investors:
Redeem your Reklaim points for shares of Reklaim (MYID) during limited-time redemption windows. It’s our way of giving you a real stake in the company your data helped build.
Get notified when new redemption windows open, so you never miss a chance to claim what’s yours.
See your ownership clearly, with a direct, secure record in your name.
This is just the beginning. We’re starting with Reklaim shares, because it only makes sense that if your data helped fuel this movement—you should own a piece of it.
Want in?
Learn more about Reklaim Invest and how you can redeem your points for shares of Reklaim (MYID).
Already have points? Head to your Wallet to redeem now or sign up to be notified when the next window opens.
We believe the future of ownership is direct. Transparent. Personal. Yours.
#ReklaimYourData #ItsYours