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As the most widely recognized and adopted cryptocurrency, Bitcoin’s price can in many ways serve as a barometer for the health of the entire crypto market. With the highest market cap of all cryptocurrencies by a wide margin, it has the potential to lift the prices of other cryptocurrencies in the wake of its own price increases, and likewise pull broader market prices down when its own numbers fall.

The price of Bitcoin (BTC) has been on a wild ride since it launched over 17 years ago, on January 3, 2009. Those who bought Bitcoin early have seen its price fluctuate significantly, surpassing $126,000 for a brief moment in October 2025 after a steep decline in 2023, and then losing steam in early 2026. Over the years, Bitcoin’s price volatility has led to rapid gains and also considerable losses.

A review of Bitcoin price history shows plenty of ups and some significant downs, but despite the risks, crypto fans continue to seek it out. Like other cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin’s price is largely driven by sentiment, and those who buy in must be comfortable with the elevated risk that buying and selling crypto entails.

Bitcoin Price History Over the Years

A glance at the Bitcoin historical price chart illustrates the cryptocurrency’s steep rise since its inception. It’s equally clear that the path to Bitcoin’s current price has not always been a smooth one, and that it may continue to see fluctuations over time.

While some enjoy comparing Bitcoin’s price history to past speculative manias like Beanie Babies circa 1995 (or the infamous tulip bubble circa 1636), speculation is only one factor in any given Bitcoin price fluctuation.

Over the years, one pattern can be seen in Bitcoin’s prices. Every four years, the network undergoes a change called “the halving,” where the supply of new BTC rewarded to Bitcoin miners gets cut in half. This has happened four times so far:

•   2012: 50 BTC to 25 BTC

•   2016: 25 BTC to 12.5 BTC

•   2020: 12.5 BTC to 6.25 BTC

•   2024: 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC

The next Bitcoin halving is set to occur in March or April of 2028.

In each instance, the price of BTC reached new record highs in the year or so following each halving event. This was typically followed by a Bitcoin bear market. After a period of consolidation, the price then tended to move upwards again in advance of the next halving, though there’s no guarantee that this may occur in the future.

While the price of BTC can hardly be considered predictable, it’s useful to view the chapters in the Bitcoin price history and what it may mean for potential buyers, sellers, and holders.

Bitcoin Price History by Year (2014-2026)

Source: Yahoo Finance, CoinDesk

Bitcoin Price 2009-2012: $0 to $13.50

Early Bitcoin price history shows relatively modest growth. As buzz around Bitcoin grew, more crypto-curious individuals began to pay attention to this seemingly novel idea and its potential as a serious vehicle for growth.

2009: $0

On October 31, 2008, the pseudonymous person or group known as Satoshi Nakamoto published the Bitcoin white paper. This paper introduced a peer-to-peer digital cash system based on a new form of distributed ledger technology called blockchain.

Then, on January 3, 2009, the Bitcoin network went live with the mining of the genesis block, which allowed the first group of transactions to begin a blockchain. This block contained a text note that read: “Chancellor on Brink of Second Bailout for Banks.” This referenced an article in The London Times about the financial crisis of 2008 – 2009, when commercial banks received trillions in bailout money from central banks and governments. This event helped mark Bitcoin’s original price at $0.

For this reason and others, many suspect that Nakamoto created Bitcoin, at least in part, in response to the way the events of those years played out.

2010: $0.00099 to $0.30

Bitcoin’s price increased nominally for most of 2010, never surpassing the $1 mark. The first recorded price at which Bitcoin was exchanged was equivalent to roughly one-tenth of a cent, and the year closed with a price near $0.30. The first notable price jump would not be far off, however.

2011 – 2012: $1 to $13.50

Real adoption of Bitcoin began to take place about two years after it was first introduced, and a major Bitcoin price surge happened for the first time.

In 2011, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) accepted BTC for donations for a few months, but quickly backtracked due to a lack of a legal framework for virtual currencies.

In February of 2011, BTC reached $1.00 for the first time, achieving parity with the U.S. dollar. Months later, the price of BTC reached $10 and then quickly soared to $30 on the Mt. Gox exchange. Bitcoin had risen 100x from the year’s starting price of about $0.30.

By year’s end, though, the price of Bitcoin was under $5. No one can say for sure exactly why the price behaved as it did, especially back when the technology was so new. It could be that 2011 marked the launch of Litecoin, a fork of the Bitcoin blockchain — and other forms of crypto began to emerge as well — signaling greater competition.

In 2012, of course, Bitcoin saw its first halving, from a 50-coin reward for mining BTC to 25 coins. This set the stage for its precipitous growth. But the pattern of an 80% – 90% correction from record highs would continue to repeat itself going forward, even as much more Bitcoin liquidity would come into being.

Recommended: Is Crypto Mining Still Worth It in 2025?

2013 – 2016: $13 to $1,000

The period between 2013 and 2016 would mark the beginning of Bitcoin’s ascension as a cryptocurrency to be taken seriously. Pricing increased dramatically during this time, as more people began to take notice of Bitcoin’s potential.

2013: $13 to $1,193

In 2013, the EFF began accepting Bitcoin again, and this was the strongest year in Bitcoin price history in terms of percentage gains. Starting at $13 in the beginning of the year, the price of Bitcoin rose to almost $250 in April before correcting downward by over 50%. The price consolidated for about six months until another historic rally in November and December of that year, when the price hit $1,193.

This increase saw Bitcoin’s market cap exceed $1 billion for the first time ever. The world’s first Bitcoin ATM was also installed in Vancouver, allowing people to convert cash into crypto.

While the price spiked above $1,000 again briefly in January 2014, it would be nearly three years before the Bitcoin price would reach four digits again.

Amidst all this volatility was a surge in crypto interest, with Dogecoin being one of the more notable coins to emerge at that time. Though considered a meme coin, Dogecoin still exists.

2014 – 2015: $760 to $430

While the cryptoverse quietly exploded in this time period, with technological innovations that permitted a move away from proof-of-work to the less resource-intensive proof-of-stake, as well as the emergence of smart contracts, and the real foundations of decentralized finance — Bitcoin was relatively quiet.

While 2014 opened at about $760, the price overall held steady in the $200 to $500 range for much of this time, briefly dipping below $200 in January and August of 2015. Bitcoin closed out 2015 at $430, marking a period of overall price stability. The official B symbol that has come to be associated with Bitcoin was adopted in November of that year.

2016: $430 to $960

In 2016, Bitcoin halved for a second time, prompting a notable jump in prices by year’s end. January ended the month with a closing price of $368, but by December, Bitcoin’s price had almost reached $1,000. A slight dip in pricing occurred around August, but for the most part, the cryptocurrency saw a steady and consistent rise in price.

2017 – 2019: $960 to $7,200

Between 2017 and 2019, Bitcoin would dazzle crypto watchers with big price leaps, but the outlook was not entirely rosy during this period. In 2018, a major crash would deliver a blow to BTC’s price and raise questions about the stability of cryptocurrency markets as a whole.

2017: $960 to $20,000

The Bitcoin price in 2017 breached the $1,100 mark in January, a new record at the time — following the Bitcoin halving in July of 2016. By December, the price had soared to nearly $20,000. That’s a 20x rise in less than 12 months, and it was followed predictably by a decline through 2018 and 2019. Bitcoin wouldn’t see the other side of $20,000 until late 2020.

Like the 2013 price surge, the 2017 rally occurred about one year after the halving. What made this time different was that for the first time ever, the general public became more aware of cryptocurrency. Mainstream news outlets began covering stories relating to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. This price rise largely reflected retail buyers entering the market for the first time.

Opinions on Bitcoin ranged from thinking it was a scam to believing it was the greatest thing ever. For the believers, this was an opportunity for many to purchase Bitcoin for the first time, but there’s little doubt that the influx of retail interest in the crypto markets contributed heavily to volatility across the board.

2018: $14,000 to $3,700

The year 2018 was an unpredictable one for Bitcoin pricing. Following a relatively strong start in January, with prices closing above $10,000, the cryptocurrency ended the year at $3,742. This period stands out as one of the most significant cryptocurrency crashes, affecting not only Bitcoin but more than 90 other digital currencies that had arisen.

Bitcoin’s decline during this period was attributed to numerous factors, including the launch of several new crypto offerings that quickly fizzled, which triggered fear in the markets.

Apart from these concerns were rumors that South Korea was contemplating banning cryptocurrency, and the hacking of Coincheck, Japan’s largest OTC cryptocurrency exchange network. Combined, these factors created a perfect storm for price drops and criticism of Bitcoin from notable analysts and media outlets.

2019: $3,700 to $7,200

Bitcoin began to see some recovery in 2019, though it was initially slow going. For most of the first quarter, Bitcoin’s price hovered between $3,500 and $5,000, before a surge in June of that year that tipped its price above $13,000.

June saw the cryptocurrency’s price rise above $10,000 again, and Bitcoin held steady throughout July. By August, the tide had begun to turn, and the remainder of the year saw a gradual slide in pricing. In December 2019, Bitcoin closed at $7,193, still well above its January price point but far from the highs reached in 2017.

The next big test of Bitcoin’s strength in the crypto markets would come in 2020, with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 – 2026: $7,200 to $126,000

The period from 2020 to 2026 would see Bitcoin prices reach their highest levels yet — following one of the worst crashes in the cryptocurrency’s history. Against mounting pressure, Bitcoin would continue to attract new buyers hoping to get exposure to the crypto market.

2020: $7,200 to $29,000

The crypto feeding frenzy was well underway by the end of 2019, with hundreds of new coins on the market. By January 3, 2020, Bitcoin’s price was $7,347 and rising steadily for the most part. As the halving in May of 2020 approached, Bitcoin’s price shot north of $9,100, nearly a 25% increase in just a few months.

But that was just the start of a meteoric rise — and fall — for BTC that few will forget, and a phase of Bitcoin’s story that many tie to the pandemic. With millions of people worldwide confined at home from 2020 through 2021 (in some cases longer), online speculation became a widespread phenomenon. One offshoot of that may have been the biggest Bitcoin bull market to date.

2021: $29,000 to $69,000

In August 2021, the price of Bitcoin was hovering around $46,000, and by November 2021 BTC hit its all-time best over $68,500.

Toward the end of 2021, however, the Bitcoin hash rate, a factor thought to have some correlation to the Bitcoin price, plummeted to around $47,000 — a loss of close to 30%.

The price drop occurred partly as a result of China requiring its citizens to shut down Bitcoin mining operations. The country previously housed a significant portion of the network’s mining nodes. As a result, these computers had to go offline. Many believe this reduction in mining capacity was a key factor weighing on the Bitcoin price.

In addition, politicians and regulators raised concerns about the future of crypto laws and regulations, adding to the general mood that crypto mavens refer to as FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) — one of many crypto slang terms now in wider use.

But as 2021 shifted into 2022, the specter of inflation — in addition to the global energy crisis and geopolitical turmoil thanks to Russia’s war on Ukraine — put a drag on the price of BTC and just about every other major crypto.

2022: $47,000 to $16,5000

From January 2022 through May, Bitcoin’s price continued to sag as the Crypto Winter officially took hold. By May, BTC dipped under $30,000 for the first time since July of 2021. June would see Bitcoin’s price move even lower, dropping to $17,708 at its lowest point that month.

What Is a Crypto Winter?

Unlike a bear market, a crypto winter doesn’t have specific parameters or criteria. But, similar to a bear market, it does mark a period of steady and sometimes precipitous losses that pervade the crypto markets as a whole.

Crypto Struggles in the Face of Crises

This downward trend proved to be the case as crypto prices overall declined through Q2 — partly affected by the collapse of stablecoins like TerraUSD and Luna. In June, Bitcoin fell below $20,000.

Crypto prices struggled through Q3 of 2022, and took another hit in November 2022, thanks to the sudden failure of crypto exchange FTX.

The exchange crashed amid a liquidity crunch and allegations of misused funds by its CEO, Sam Blankman Fried. A bailout by Binance was possible, but the deal fell through because of FTX’s troubled finances and implications of fraud.

The rapid downfall of FTX shocked the financial industry, and the crash had a massive ripple effect throughout the crypto market, affecting consumer confidence. Widespread worries about inflation, as well as steady interest rate hikes, affected broader markets. Bitcoin’s price continued to be a gauge of overall crypto health in many ways, plunging below $20,000 by the end of December, 2022.

2023: $16,500 to $44,000

January 2023 saw Bitcoin’s price increase to around $23,300, sparking hopes that the crypto winter had begun to thaw. Meanwhile, other cryptocurrencies began showing similar price patterns in Q1.

The rest of 2023 proved to be fruitful for those who were able to hold on through the crypto winter. At mid-year, Bitcoin’s price had topped $30,000 once again, and while there were some slight declines, the crypto finished the year strong. By December 2023, Bitcoin’s price notched a high of $44,705, before closing the year just above $42,000.

2024: $42,000 to $100,000+

Bitcoin would hit new benchmarks in 2024, breaking the $100,000 mark for the first time. In January of that year, the SEC would allow Bitcoin to be accessed via exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which led to the addition of several new funds to the market.

The introduction of physical Bitcoin ETFs brought major price increases, as crypto users rushed to buy shares. Bitcoin’s price surged to $63,913 in February 2024, then to $73,750 in March.

After this peak, prices would decline slightly, hovering between $65,000 and $73,000 for most of the year. In November, Bitcoin’s price brushed $100,000, before finally surging past that figure in December. That month, it reached $108,268, ending the year at $93,429.

2025: $94,000 to $126,000

Building off the momentum of 2024, Bitcoin continued to push toward new heights for much of 2025. Despite some dips in the first quarter, the cryptocurrency reached its highest price ever on October 6th, cresting $126,198. The price fell back to approximately $87,000 at the end of December.

Part of the increase in 2025 may be attributed to ongoing interest in Bitcoin ETFs, which offer exposure to cryptocurrency without having to buy individual coins. Market sentiment also moved in a more positive direction, thanks in part to the current administration’s stance on cryptocurrency.

In July 2025, U.S. securities regulators announced plans to modernize crypto rulemaking to help pave the way for further innovation in the digital currency space. Dubbed “Project Crypto,” it would mark a major shift in the market with the potential of making the U.S. a leader in the cryptocurrency sector.

Early 2026 : $88,000 to $70,000

In early 2026, Bitcoin’s price experienced more volatility, reaching a high in January of $97,860, but also seeing a low of $60,074 in February, and vacillating between about $65,000 to $73,000 in early March.

The drop in Bitcoin’s price heading into 2026 has led some analysts to believe that the four-year Bitcoin cycle may still be intact. The four-year cycle is a pattern associated with the Bitcoin halving events, described above, where a resulting increase in demand may spur a Bitcoin bull market, followed by a market correction and bear market low, before eventually gaining upward momentum once again.

However, there are other factors that impact Bitcoin pricing and market sentiment, such as monetary policy changes, and other analysts believe the four-year cycle is not as relevant today, given increased regulatory oversight and broader mainstream adoption. While it’s impossible to know which way Bitcoin prices may trend in the near future, being aware of the cryptocurrency’s significant volatility — even within recent months — may help buyers, holders, and sellers determine whether or how it might fit into their portfolio.

The Takeaway

Bitcoin’s historical price records are a mix of surges and setbacks, but even through crashes, it’s continued to attract interest from buyers and sellers.

As the oldest and still the largest form of crypto, BTC has gone from being worth a fraction of a penny to about $126,000 in the fall of 2025, which is nothing short of impressive. However, cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, and past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.

SoFi Crypto is back. SoFi members can now buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies on a platform with the safeguards of a bank. Access 25+ cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, with the first national chartered bank to offer crypto trading. Now you can manage your banking, investing, borrowing, and crypto all in one place, giving you more control over your money.

FAQ

What was the highest price Bitcoin has ever reached?

Bitcoin reached its highest price in October 2025, when it was briefly valued at $126,198.07.

When was Bitcoin worth $1?

Bitcoin reached $1 in early 2011, after hovering around the $0.30 to $0.40 mark for most of 2010. In mid-2011, the price jumped to $30 before tapering off to around $2 to close out the year.

What was the original price of Bitcoin?

The first recorded price of Bitcoin was $0.00099. This price was notched in 2009, when a BitcoinTalk forum member exchanged 5050 Bitcoin with another forum member for $5.02 through PayPal.

If you bought $1,000 in Bitcoin 10 years ago, how much would it be worth today?

If you bought $1,000 in Bitcoin 10 years ago in 2016, your Bitcoin would be worth approximately $153,550, as of March 2026. That would equate to a 15,355% rate of return on your money.

How many times has Bitcoin “crashed”?

Historically, Bitcoin has crashed nearly a dozen times, with some of the most notable crashes occurring in June 2011, April 2013, and December 2017. Bitcoin crashes occur when there are extreme price fluctuations that cause sharp declines. These fluctuations may be driven by market speculation, regulatory concerns, and macroeconomic factors, such as talk of interest rate hikes or rising inflation.

What is the significance of the Bitcoin halving?

Bitcoin halving is designed to reduce the supply of new Bitcoins entering the market. Halving occurs every four years and cuts the number of new coins created by 50%. The theory behind halving is that scarcity should lead to price appreciation if demand for Bitcoin remains high.

Photo credit: iStock/simarik

SOCRYP-Q126-001

Women have more financial power than ever before — 45% of them earn more or as much as their husbands, they currently control more than $10 trillion of the total U.S. household financial assets, and they may control trillions more in the ongoing transfer of wealth between generations. According to a 2025 report, women’s purchasing power added trillions to the economy in 2024. Not only that, the participation of women ages 25 to 54 in the labor market grew twice as fast as that of men in 2024.

Yet there’s one thing many women aren’t doing with all their monetary might: investing. An eye-opening 64% percent of women have never invested, SoFi’s 2024 Women and Finances Survey found. That’s 17% more than the number of men (47%) who have never invested.

This investment gender gap could have serious repercussions for women now and in the future. Investing can be an important tool to help build wealth. The sooner an individual begins investing, the more time their money has the potential to grow. Almost half (48%) of female investors say their biggest regret is not investing sooner, according to another 2024 survey by SoFi. And because women outlive men by about six years, their money needs to last longer.

So why aren’t women investing? And what can be done to reverse this troubling trend? Read on to learn about the obstacles holding women back, and ways they can break through and start investing (literally!) in their future.

The State of Women and Investing in 2026

*Priorities for next two-to-three months.

Source: SoFi 2024 Women and Finances Survey

First, let’s be clear: It’s not that women aren’t interested in investing. They are! In fact, their financial priorities are similar to men’s, per the Women and Finances Survey findings. The desire to save for retirement and invest more money is nearly equal between the two genders.

And when they do invest, women tend to employ longer-term strategies and therefore tend to get better returns.

Where the difference between the two genders comes into play is what men and women are actually doing with their money. In the short-term, women are focused on keeping up with their living expenses (50% of women compared to 41% of men), while men are more likely to invest and save for retirement.

Source: SoFi 2024 Women and Finances Survey

The Great Wealth Transfer

By 2030, women in the U.S. are expected to control 40% to 45% of financial assets — up from about 33% currently, according to a report by McKinsey & Company that calls women the “new face of wealth.” Contributing to this dynamic are a number of trends, the report says, including a decline in marriage rates and a rise in divorce rates, women’s growing participation in the labor force, the concentration of wealth in the Baby Boomer generation, women’s longer lifespans, changing attitudes toward women and money, and the fact that women are making more major household financial decisions.

Yet still, despite their burgeoning financial control, women aren’t investing as much as men are. These are the reasons why they aren’t — no matter how much they might want to.

1. The Confidence Conundrum

For many women, uncertainty about investing, and how good they might be at it, is holding them back. Women worry they don’t know enough about investing to get started. Nor do they feel confident about making investments — 43% say they don’t have the confidence to do it “right.”

Source: SoFi Survey, March 2024

Even when women do take the plunge and start investing, they still feel unsure of themselves. Only 57% of female investors think of themselves as investors. The rest believe they don’t have the experience to be considered investors.

That may be because women have a very specific view of what an investor is — typically as finance professionals or individuals who are extremely experienced and savvy about the investing process and the stock market.

Women’s lack of confidence extends beyond investing. They also have doubts about how well they’re managing their money overall compared to men.

2. The Wage Gap Still Exists

Another investment obstacle for women: Having the money to invest. While their financial power has grown, especially in the last few years, women continue to earn less than men do. For every $1 men earn, women earn 85 cents — and this gap has only narrowed slightly over the past 20 years, according to a 2025 analysis by the Pew Research Center.

Source: Pew Research Center

It stands to reason that when you’re not earning as much, you may not have extra money to invest. As noted above, in a March 2024 SoFi Survey, 53% of women said they aren’t investing because they don’t have the funds to do so.

3. The Retirement Gap: Living Longer, Saving Less

Financial worries about the future weigh on women’s minds as they think about retirement planning. For many, achieving their goals feels like a long-shot. For example, 58% of women worry their money won’t last through their retirement.

Yet women are less likely than men to understand how investing now could help them reach those goals, and they don’t invest as much in the stock market and for retirement as men do. For instance, while men invest 28% of their income for retirement, women invest just 19%. Yet women live almost six years longer than men do, which means they need their money to last for a longer period of time.

Source: SoFi 2024 Women and Finances Survey

4. The Fear Factor

It’s tough to invest money if you’re worried you’re going to lose it, and that’s a very real financial fear women grapple with. Thirty-two percent say the reason they don’t invest is the concern that they’ll lose their money or make a bad investment.

That may explain why women are investing significantly less than men in the stock market — 38% of women have invested less than $2,000, compared to 27% of men. And 25% of men have $50,000 or more invested in the markets vs. 14% of women.

Source: SoFi 2024 Women and Finances Survey

When women do invest, they are typically more conservative in their investment choices, and they don’t have as much portfolio diversification as men do.

Source: SoFi 2024 Women and Finances Survey

Why Women Make Excellent Investors

However, what we traditionally think of as the face of finance may be changing. While women are investing less frequently, research consistently shows that when they do invest, the results tend to be better than those of their male counterparts. For example, according to an earlier 2018 study from Warwick Business School, the annual returns on women’s investment portfolios outperformed men’s by 1.8%, while trading fewer times per year on average.

More recently, a 2025 report by the Wells Fargo Investment Institute found that women’s risk-adjusted investment returns were higher than men’s. In addition, women-led joint accounts outperformed those led by men on an absolute basis.

The study shows that women tend to be more disciplined investors than men and demonstrate a willingness to learn, which can work in their favor. And while women tend to be more risk-averse, when they do take investing risks, they tend to get higher risk-adjusted returns than men do. They invest in fewer speculative stocks than men, and they are more apt to sell stocks that are losing money.

Women are also more likely to create a financial plan and stick to it, the report found. As a result, they generally don’t make frequent trades or try to time the market. Their buy-and-hold approach tends to lead to better overall results, study after study has shown.

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Strategies to Close the Gender Investing Gap

Women have strengths and innate advantages that can be harnessed to work in their favor. We know that female investors are great investors and that there are some truly powerful women investors out there.

As detailed above, women tend to get better returns on their investments as a result of leveraging longer-term strategies. Plus, the fact that women are more conservative in their investing strategies than men is not necessarily a bad thing. It typically means they are less likely to act impulsively, follow investing trends, or exceed their risk tolerance.

The trick is for them to get started with investing. And investing for women begins, of course, with money. Almost half of women say the biggest investment motivator is not wanting to live paycheck to paycheck, which is true of men, as well.

Source: SoFi 2024 Women and Finances Survey

The Power of Compounding

The earlier women start investing, the more time their money has to grow, thanks to compounding returns. Here’s how compounding works: When the money a person invests earns a profit and is then reinvested, the investor may then earn money not only on their original investment but also on the returns. So, essentially, they are earning money on a bigger sum. Over time, their gains could multiply. And the longer the period of time they invest, the more time their returns have to potentially compound.

This process could have a profound impact on women and retirement, for example, since a woman who starts investing in her twenties or thirties has more time to build a retirement fund and potentially benefit from the power of compounding.

6 Steps to Start Investing Today

With investing, tapping into your personal motivation is key. Whether it’s building up your savings, putting together enough money for a house, or building your retirement nest egg, make that your North Star and begin working toward that goal. And remember, it’s never too late (or too early) to start. Here’s how to do it:

1. Define Your “Why” and Time Horizon

Setting your financial goals — or your investing “why” — can help you determine when you might need the money, which in turn can affect how you invest and what you invest in. This is the foundation of your plan: a goal, your time horizon, and your initial questions about which investments are best for your situation.

If you’re saving for retirement, a retirement income calculator can help you estimate how much money you’ll need for your post-work years.

2. Leverage Financial Education Tools

Understanding how the market works can help women feel more confident about investing. But they can’t do it alone. One of the most important things in your investing journey is finding like-minded people who can have those “let’s figure it out” conversations with you. It’s also an easier way to learn the language around investing, and become familiar with how to trade stocks and other investment options. It can also be a good idea to talk to a financial advisor to review your individual circumstances.

Reading financial journals, following the financial news, and listening to money podcasts can also help keep you informed. Knowledge is power.

3. Audit Your Budget for Investable Cash

Having enough money to invest is a major impediment for women. But know this: No amount is too small to invest.

Even if you’re budgeting on a tight income, there may be some fat you can trim to free up some money for investing. Look at your expenses, especially your discretionary expenses (the things you want rather than need). Perhaps you can ditch your gym membership and start a running program instead. Maybe you don’t need all the streaming subscriptions you have. Or you could do more cooking at home and cut back on restaurant meals. These are just examples — determine what works for you.

Use this “found” money to start investing. If your employer offers a 401(k), enroll in it and contribute as much as you can. Aim to contribute at least enough to get your employer’s matching contribution, which is, essentially, “free” or extra money. Many investment options will allow you to contribute smaller amounts if you set up automatic transfers or contributions to the investment account.

4. Consider Robo-Advisors or Target Date Funds

When investing for retirement, consider target-date funds that automatically adjust their asset allocation over time. The target date refers to the year you would need the money for retirement, such as 2045. Typically, these funds start with investments with higher growth — and higher risk — potential, and then gradually change to more conservative investments over time. You can choose target date funds through a 401(k) or by opening an IRA. However, it’s important to note that these funds may have higher fees and other costs.

Another automated investing technique some investors may want to explore is automated investing, which involves a robo advisor. Robo advisors use computer algorithms to recommend investments, based on the investor’s goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. This might be an option for an investor who would like some guidance, but doesn’t want to incur the costs of a traditional financial advisor.

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5. Start Small With Fractional Shares

An option for investors who are investing smaller sums is fractional shares. These are a portion of a share of stock rather than an entire share. Investors can invest smaller amounts of money to buy fractional shares of stocks they’re interested in, but otherwise couldn’t afford.

Buying different types of fractional shares could help spread a small investment across a variety of companies for broader market exposure. Just be aware that if the underlying stock doesn’t have a lot of market demand, fractional shares could take longer to sell. Also, depending on the brokerage, fractional shares may have higher transaction fees.

6. Automate Your Contributions

Automating contributions can make investing easier (since you don’t have to do it manually) and more consistent. You can set up automatic contributions to your IRA, 401(k), and other investment accounts.<

The Takeaway

Once you’ve started investing, keep at it. The more you do it, the more confident and capable you’re likely to feel. And you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing you’re taking concrete steps to help secure your financial future.

Invest in what matters most to you with SoFi Active Invest. In a self-directed account provided by SoFi Securities, you can trade stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, options, and more — all while paying $0 commission on every trade. Other fees may apply. Whether you want to trade after-hours or manage your portfolio using real-time stock insights and analyst ratings, you can invest your way in SoFi's easy-to-use mobile app.

FAQ

Do men invest more than women?

Yes, research shows that men are more likely to invest — and to invest more money — than women. According to SoFi’s 2024 Women and Finances Survey, 64% of women say they have never invested, compared to 47% of men.

In addition, the survey found that 25% of men have $50,000 or more invested in the stock market vs. 14% of women, while 38% of women have invested less than $2,000 in the market (compared to 27% of men).

What is the ‘gender investing gap’?

The gender investing gap refers to the fact that men are far more likely to invest than women are. In fact, 64% of respondents to SoFi’s 2024 Women and Finances Survey said they have never invested. Some reasons for this include: Women are focused on keeping up with their living expenses, while men are more likely to invest and save for retirement; women earn less money than men and thus have fewer dollars to invest; and women say they lack confidence in their ability to invest.

What are the best investment strategies for women?

Investment strategies for women, as with all investors, may include defining their investment goals and time horizon, establishing a strong financial foundation by learning more about the market and how it works, starting sooner than later (even with small amounts) so they can tap into the long-term power of compounding returns, and automating their contributions to a retirement account like an IRA and 401(k).

How does the wage gap affect retirement savings?

Due to the wage gap, for every $1 men earn, women earn just 85 cents. Because they’re not earning as much, women may not have extra money to invest. For example, in SoFi’s 2024 Women and Finances Survey, 53% of women said they aren’t investing because they don’t have the funds to do so.

Is it too late for women over 50 to start investing?

No, it’s definitely not too late for women over 50 to start investing. In fact, this is a critical time for women to invest to build a retirement nest egg. Women in this age group may be in their peak earning years, so they may have more money to invest now. In addition, they can take advantage of catch-up contributions. The IRS allows people aged 50 and up to make extra contributions each year to retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s. Annual catch-up contributions could substantially boost women’s savings.

For the SoFi 2024 Women and Finances Survey we surveyed 636 SoFi paid product members across the U.S. A paid product member is anyone with an open account with SoFi. Gender was self-identified through the survey. 314 women, 280 men, 13 gender non-conforming, and 29 preferred not to identify.

For the March 2024 SoFi Survey, we surveyed 1,500 women with a household income of $100K+ and at least some college completed.

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