SoFi Blog

OFFICIAL RULES

Last Updated: May 28, 2025

PARTICIPATING IN THE SOFI INVEST CLAW PROMOTION (“PROMOTION”) CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES. BY PARTICIPATING IN THE PROMOTION, YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT YOU MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS STATED HEREIN AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FAILURE TO MEET ALL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR TERMINATE THIS PROMOTION AT ANY TIME.

THIS PROMOTION IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED OR ADMINISTERED BY APPLE® OR GOOGLE®.

PROMOTION PERIOD: This Promotion is until June 4, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET.

ELIGIBILITY: Participants must open a new SoFi Active Invest account and fund it with at least $50 within 30 days of opening the account. Existing SoFi Active Invest account holders are not eligible for this Promotion. The probability of participant receiving $2,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

The Promotion is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States ( and the District of Columbia), who are age 18 or older (or of legal age in their state of residence) who successfully register for a new Active SoFi Invest Brokerage account and fund such account with at least $50 of settled funds within thirty (30) days of utilizing their one-time electronic claw “grab” as defined below (each, a “Participant”). For clarity, no rewards will be granted for persons who do not have at least $50 of settled funds in their account within thirty (30) days. As a reminder, it can take up to five (5) business days for funds to “settle” after a transfer has been initiated. Employees of Social Finance, LLC (“SoFi” or “Sponsor”) and its, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising, public relations and promotion agencies or any company or individual involved with the development or execution of the Promotion (collectively, the “Promotion Entities”), and their immediate family members and individuals living in the same household with any Promotion Entities , whether related or not, are not eligible to participate. The Promotion is governed by U.S. law and subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited by law.

HOW TO ENTER: Download the free App or visit SoFi.com and follow the onscreen instructions to create an Active SoFi Invest Brokerage Account to obtain access to participate in the Promotion. Upon setting up your account, a Participant will have the opportunity to enter by engaging an electronic claw to “grab” a promotion piece. Once “grabbed,” the Participant’s screen will display a dollar reward amount from the possible amounts identified in the section below, which will be converted to fractional shares (outlined below) of the Participant’s choosing, and deposited in the Participant’s Active SoFi Invest Brokerage Account (the “reward”). If the Participant does not select a fractional share in which to invest the reward amount identified, the Sponsor will select a company to invest the reward in for the Participant. A Participant’s receipt of a reward is subject to that Participant’s eligibility and verification by Sponsor and/or its agent including verification of account funding with at least $50 worth of settled funds within thirty (30) days of utilizing their one-time claw “grab.” A screenshot is not proof or evidence of winning a reward. Limit: one (1) claw “grab” per Participant. Participants are solely responsible for costs associated with accessing the internet to participate in the Promotion, including, without limitation, cellular and WiFi costs.

A Participant’s receipt of a Prize is subject to that Participant’s eligibility and verification by Sponsor and/or its agent.

FRACTIONAL SHARE: During market hours, fractional orders will be routed to the market immediately. Outside of market hours orders will be aggregated and executed in the morning trade window of the next business day when the market opens. Orders are sent in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution. Market conditions may adversely impact execution prices.

AVAILABLE REWARDS: The following chart lists the total amount of rewards available to be claimed by participating in the Promotion:

Each Participant shall have the opportunity to select only one promotion piece and only the reward identified on the promotion piece shall be deposited in the Participant’s account. The Participant’s fractional shares will appear in their account within fourteen (14) days of meeting all eligibility requirements described above. Once a Participant selects a promotion piece, that piece will be replaced so that all subsequent Participants will have the same opportunity and odds of selecting the rewards identified above. Participants will never compete against each other and one Participant’s selection of a promotion piece will not affect another Participant’s chances of selecting the same reward amount. Not all promotion pieces will be selected and awarded.

Once rewards have been converted into shares, and credited to your Active SoFi Invest Brokerage Account, they are subject to market risk and may lose value. To learn more about Invest Accounts please visit the following link: https://www.sofi.com/invest/

No substitution or transfer of any reward to a third party is permitted and rewards cannot be redeemed for cash value, except by Sponsor, who reserves the right in its sole discretion to substitute a reward of equal or greater value. If applicable, all investment gains and losses, taxes, fees, federal, state, local or other expenses relating to the use, acceptance and possession of any reward are the sole responsibility of each winner.

Except where prohibited by law, participating in the Promotion and acceptance of a reward constitutes permission for Sponsor to use each Participant’s name, reward won, hometown, likeness, video tape, photographs, and statements for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity (including online posting) in any and all media now or hereafter known throughout the world in perpetuity, without additional compensation, notification or permission.

CONDITIONS ON CLAIMING A REWARD: No rewards will be granted for persons who do not have at least $50 of settled funds in their account within thirty (30) days of utilizing their one-time electronic claw “grab.” Participants are responsible for notifying Sponsor of changes in their email addresses or mobile number(s). An IRS Form 1099-MISC will be filed with the IRS in the name of any Participant who selects and receives a reward valued at $600.00 or more.

CONSENT AND RELEASE: To the fullest extent possible by law, Participants themselves, and on behalf of their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns (“Releasing Parties”), agree to release, defend and hold harmless the Promotion Entities from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, dues, agreements, promises, lost profits, indirect or direct damages, consequential damages, incidental damages, punitive or exemplary damages, judgments, extent, executions, claims and demands whatsoever, in law, admiralty or equity, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, against Promotion Entities which any one or more of the Releasing Parties ever had, now have or hereafter can, shall or may have which in any way arise out of or result from Participant’s participation, acceptance and use or misuse of a reward. Sponsor is not responsible for any mechanical or human error or failure or for any typographical or other error in the printing, or operation of the promotion pieces and the administration of the Promotion or in the display of any reward. In the event Sponsor is prevented from continuing with the Promotion as contemplated herein by any event beyond its control, or otherwise, including but not limited to fire, flood, earthquake, explosion, labor dispute or strike, act of God or public enemy, satellite or equipment failure, riot or civil disturbance, terrorist threat or activity, war (declared or undeclared) or any federal, state, or local government law, order, or regulation, or order of any court, or other cause, Sponsor shall have the right to modify or terminate the Promotion. Furthermore, the Sponsor reserves the right to terminate the Promotion if it becomes technically corrupted (including if a computer virus or system malfunction inalterably impairs its ability to conduct the Promotion or for any other reason in its sole discretion. Participants assume all liability for any injury, including death or damage caused or claimed to be caused, by participation in this Promotion or use or redemption of a reward.

ARBITRATION: This Promotion shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of California, U.S.A., without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions. All Participants hereby agree that any and all disputes, claims, causes of action, or controversies (“Claims”) arising out of or in connection with the operation or participation in this Promotion, including the downloading and use of the App and the SoFi Account and selecting promotion pieces in the Promotion shall be resolved exclusively by mandatory binding arbitration pursuant to this provision and the code of procedures of either the National Arbitration Forum (“NAF”) or the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), as selected by the Participant. IF ARBITRATION IS CHOSEN BY ANY PARTY WITH RESPECT TO A CLAIM, NEITHER PARTY WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO LITIGATE THAT CLAIM IN COURT OR HAVE A JURY TRIAL ON THAT CLAIM. FURTHER, NEITHER SPONSOR NOR PARTICIPANT WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY ON BEHALF OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR OTHER PERSONS SIMILARLY SITUATED, OR AS A MEMBER OF ANY CLASS OF CLAIMANTS PERTAINING TO ANY CLAIM SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, THE ARBITRATOR’S DECISION WILL BE FINAL AND BINDING. OTHER RIGHTS THAT PARTICIPANTS WOULD HAVE IF PARTICIPANT WENT TO COURT ALSO MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN ARBITRATION. ANY CLAIMS, JUDGMENTS AND/OR AWARDS SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET AND PROVABLE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROMOTION, BUT IN NO EVENT SHALL SUCH JUDGEMENT OR AWARD EXCEED THE ACTUAL COST OF A PARTICIPANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROMOTION. ENTRANT HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS OR CLAIMS TO ATTORNEY’S FEES, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ENTRANT, WHETHER FORESEEABLE OR NOT AND WHETHER BASED ON NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE. The arbitrator’s authority to resolve Claims is limited to Claims between Sponsor and Participant alone, and the arbitrator’s authority to make awards is limited to awards to Sponsor and Participant alone. Furthermore, claims brought by either party against the other may not be joined or consolidated in arbitration with Claims brought by or against any third party, unless agreed to in writing by all parties. No arbitration award or decision will have any preclusive effect as to issues or claims in any dispute with anyone who is not a named party to the arbitration. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement and without waiving either party’s right to appeal such decision, should any portion of this provision be deemed invalid or unenforceable, then the entire provision (other than this sentence) shall not apply.

GENERAL: The Sponsor is not responsible for error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of the Promotion, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions of any kind, or inaccurate transmission of or failure to access the App and Promotion by any Participant on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination thereof. Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual that tampers or attempts to tamper with the operation of the Promotion or violates these Official Rules. LEGAL WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN INDIVIDUAL, WHETHER OR NOT AN PARTICIPANT, TO INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF THE PROMOTION, IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL & CIVIL LAWS AND SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND DILIGENTLY PURSUE ALL REMEDIES AGAINST ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

PRIVACY: The information a Participant provides when registering with the App and applying for a SoFi Account to participate in the Promotion may be provided to promotional partners which may result in Participants being contacted by the Sponsor and/or any promotional partners with promotional offers. Information provided by Participants to participate in this Promotion is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy located at www.sofi.com/privacy-policy.

SPONSOR: Social Finance, LLC, 234 1st Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.

THE SPONSOR’S DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE PROMOTION.

THIS PROMOTION IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, ADMINISTERED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH APPLE®, META (FACEBOOK/INSTAGRAM) LINKEDIN OR X (TWITTER). BY PARTICIPATING, YOU AGREE TO RELEASE THESE PLATFORMS FROM ALL CLAIMS AND LIABILITY RELATED TO THIS PROMOTION.

Dear SoFi, I’m 19 [and] thinking about applying for a credit card. I’ve never had a credit card before and want to make sure I don’t mess anything up, does anyone have any advice?

(Submitted by Cole, a member of SoFi’s Ambition Club Facebook group)

Dear Cole,

You’re on the right track already. Just asking this question shows you’re being thoughtful about this important stage in your financial life.

Credit cards can be a fast track to debt problems if you’re not careful. Americans 18 to 29 fall behind on their payments more than any other age group, with over 10% of their collective credit card debt slipping into serious delinquency in the first quarter of this year, according to the New York Federal Reserve’s Center for Microeconomic Data.

But credit cards can also act as a sail, propelling you into financial independence by helping you establish your credit history. Building a long and strong credit track record can positively impact your credit score, which could improve your chances of being able to borrow money — and at lower interest rates — down the road. And loans can be key when it comes time to buy things like a house or car.

Here’s a quick guide on how to approach your first credit card:

1.    The first step is choosing a card to apply for. Student credit cards or a secured credit card — where you put down a deposit — can be easier to qualify for and are tailored for people who are just starting to build a credit history.

   Or, if your parents have credit cards, you could see if they’d be willing to add you as an authorized user on one of their accounts. You’ll have your own card, with your name on it, but you won’t need to get approved and can benefit from your parent’s record with the card. (Don’t do this, obviously, if your parents don’t have good credit habits — or if you’re less sure that you will — because it can impact both you and your parent.)

   You’ve gotten good advice from others in the Ambition Club, too: “Find a card with 0 monthly/yearly fees. With no fees and always paying off your balance, you will never spend any extra money for using credit,” said one Ambition Club member.

   And this is so true. While annual fees on cards with lots of rewards and benefits can be worth it, you don’t want to pay to use a credit card at this stage.

2.    Once you have the card, the most important thing is to always pay on time. Even one late payment can hurt your credit score, which is what lenders consider when you apply for a loan.

3.    Use it sparingly at first. Crawl, walk, and then run, as they say.

   First put a small, recurring monthly bill on your card, like a Netflix subscription. Set up automatic payment with the vendor to ensure your payments are on time and you’re paying your entire balance each month.

   After a few months, add a few more basic expenses, like gas for your car. Then, once you’re in a rhythm with those items, you can start using your card for other spending. All along the way make sure to keep paying your balance off in full each month to avoid interest charges.

   As another Ambition Club member put it: “Never spend more than you can afford, pay off every month. This is how you build good credit. It’s really easy to see the credit limit and think you can spend all that money… But the longer it takes to pay off, the more it costs you. Learn from my mistakes it took me 7+ years to fix my credit after acting a fool in my early 20s.”

4.    Consider the credit limit. There’s another downside of overspending. Using too much of your credit limit can also lower your credit score and be a red flag to lenders. As a third fellow Ambition Cluber wisely said: “Don’t max out the card, try to keep your credit usage low. All this helps build your credit rating which will help you whenever you need to take out a loan such as when buying a car or house.”

In short, handle your first credit card much like you would learning how to drive. Take it slow and steady, be responsible and careful, and build good habits and confidence through practice.

In financial health,

Brian Walsh
PhD, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
SoFi Head of Advice & Planning

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

OTM2025052801

This article appeared in SoFi's On the Money newsletter. Not getting it? Sign up here.

In the digital age, convenience often comes with a price.

Like automatic recurring charges. It’s great not having to keep track of monthly bills once you connect a business with your credit card or bank account, but some of us may be paying for subscriptions or memberships that we haven’t used in weeks, months or even years.

It might be a meditation app, a membership for discounted car rides, or the five streaming services that offered you a free trial during the pandemic.

In fact, Americans estimate that on average, over $200 — 18% of the $1,080 that they spend on subscriptions each year — goes to ones they don’t use, according to a recent CNET survey. Among younger adults belonging to Gen Z, that figure is even higher — $276.

So what? It’s easy to sign up for things and even easier to forget about them. But now’s the time to trim any fat from your budget. Sixty-one percent of people who have subscriptions told CNET they’re rethinking them because of concerns about the economy, and 26% said they’d already canceled at least one.

Even if eliminating one or two doesn’t make a big dent in your expenses, every little bit counts. And paying attention to your spending is a good habit to build.

If you’re dropping cash on subscriptions you don’t need or didn’t realize you still had, ask yourself:

•   What is my total cost? Your mind may immediately go to video streaming, but are you also paying for music, Amazon Prime, meal delivery, security apps, gym memberships, or newsletters? A free budgeting app such as SoFi’s Relay can track all your recurring expenses each month, including subscriptions, memberships and any other regularly scheduled bills. You can also create a custom tag to put specific vendors in categories you choose.

•   Which ones do I really want? Weed out wasteful spending by determining which ones are truly valuable or bring you joy. In a consumer survey KPMG conducted in April, the most appealing aspects of a paid subscription were discounts, free shipping, and a rewards program.

•   Could I get it for less? Could you put up with watching a few ads to save money, for example? Seventy percent of KPMG respondents said they already use or would use ad-supported streaming services instead of ad-free ones. That’s a smart way to save without sacrificing what you love.

Related Reading

•   Trying to Ditch a Subscription? Sorry, FTC Just Punted ‘Click to Cancel’ Enforcement (PCMag)

•   I Asked a Budgeting Pro to Audit My Subscriptions — Here’s What They Said to Cancel (Apartment Therapy)

•   Is a Recession on the Way or Not? Does It Even Matter? (SoFi)

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

OTM20250528SW

• Start out with partial payments.

  Pay no principal for nine months¹ and use that money for your ambitions.

  ¹Pay only the monthly interest for the first 9 months, then start full principal and interest payments.

• No fees required.

  No late fees. And no fees to pay off your loan early.

• You could save thousands.

  A lower rate could help you save versus your current loan.

SmartStart student loan refinancing gives you lower, partial payments for nine months. So why is that extra breathing room today helpful for tomorrow?

Nine months of extra cash could help you:

Find the right refi for you.

SmartStart helps our most qualified borrowers keep extra cash for nine months. Like our standard SoFi Student Loan Refinancing, it could save you thousands. See a 10-year, $50,000 refinance example:

Example chart shows calculations based on a 10-year term and a $50,000 loan balance. Estimated monthly payments for the standard Student Loan Refinance are based on 6.34% APR (the average interest rate for all SoFi refinance loans from 2/28/24 to 2/28/25). Estimated monthly payments for the SmartStart loan are calculated using 6.47% (the average rate for all SLR plus 0.125%). Estimated monthly payments for “Current Loan” are based on a hypothetical loan with 8.55% APR (SoFi borrowers’ average incoming rate from 2/28/24 to 2/28/25) with a remaining term of at least 10 years. Calculations assume no origination fee option selected and no pre-payment amounts. Your rate on a new SoFi loan will depend on various factors, including the term of your loan, your credit history, and your cosigner’s (if any) credit. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are private loans. When you refinance federal loans with a SoFi loan, YOU FORFEIT YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL FEDERAL LOAN BENEFITS, including all flexible federal repayment and forgiveness options that are or may become available to federal student loan borrowers including, but not limited to: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, extended repayment plans, PAYE or SAVE.

*You may pay more interest over the life of a new SoFi loan if you refinance.

Find the right refi for you.

SmartStart helps our most qualified borrowers keep extra cash for nine months. Like our standard SoFi Student Loan Refinancing, it could save you thousands. See a 10-year, $50,000 refinance example:

Example chart shows calculations based on a 10-year term and a $50,000 loan balance. Estimated monthly payments for the standard Student Loan Refinance are based on 6.34% APR (the average interest rate for all SoFi refinance loans from 2/28/24 to 2/28/25). Estimated monthly payments for the SmartStart loan are calculated using 6.47% (the average rate for all SLR plus 0.125%). Estimated monthly payments for “Current Loan” are based on a hypothetical loan with 8.55% APR (SoFi borrowers’ average incoming rate from 2/28/24 to 2/28/25) with a remaining term of at least 10 years. Calculations assume no origination fee option selected and no pre-payment amounts. Your rate on a new SoFi loan will depend on various factors, including the term of your loan, your credit history, and your cosigner’s (if any) credit. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are private loans. When you refinance federal loans with a SoFi loan, YOU FORFEIT YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL FEDERAL LOAN BENEFITS, including all flexible federal repayment and forgiveness options that are or may become available to federal student loan borrowers including, but not limited to: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, extended repayment plans, PAYE or SAVE.

*You may pay more interest over the life of a new SoFi loan if you refinance.

Grow ahead—get SmartStart now.

View your rate

 
Checking your rate will not affect your credit score.^†

FAQs

See all FAQs

While it’s true that the last few years have been challenging in terms of inflation, geo-political turmoil, and higher-than-average interest rates, in good news, the majority of investors who responded to SoFi’s 2025 investing survey revealed some strong, forward-looking sentiment.

Of the 1,000 investors we surveyed, close to 90% invested money in their portfolios over the past year. In addition, nearly two-thirds (65%) said they feel optimistic or content about their investments over the past year, and a full 68% plan to expand or shift their investing strategies in the coming months — all indicators of investor confidence.

Similar to the SoFi Investing Survey for 2022, investors also shared insights about how they manage their portfolios, how they handle investing stress, where they stand in light of crypto, and more.

Key Survey Findings

•  More than two-thirds of investors (68%) said they plan to shift their strategies in some shape or form in 2025 — whether by increasing their portfolios, buying a new type of investment, working with an advisor, or doing more research.

•  Despite inflation concerns, rising prices only made 19% of investors want to invest less in their portfolios, while 82% either wanted to invest more or maintain their holdings.

•  Optimism remains high, as nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents said they feel either optimistic or content about their investments over the past year.

•  Despite volatility in 2024, 73% of investors chose to hold onto their assets and wait things out, while another 23% primarily bought investments.

•  Investors’ top strategy for coping with the stress of market volatility was to arm themselves with knowledge, with 24% conducting their own investment research.

Looking Back at 2024, Investors Feel Positive

No question: Last year was fast paced and dynamic, and investors had to keep their eyes on a number of factors. Nonetheless, nearly two-thirds of the investors we surveyed were optimistic or content when looking back at their investments; and fewer felt stressed.

Nearly 40% didn’t stress about the markets; others found ways to cope

How to remain calm in the face of uncertainty? First, a striking 40% of investors didn’t experience tension about the markets. Others turned to some smart strategies for peace of mind.

Looking to Grow in 2025

Even with the wide range of investor experience, the overall mood about the investing year to come seemed to be positive.

68% of respondents plan to make some changes to how they invest over the next year

As noted, most respondents have decided to change their plans, and 28% of them want to invest more into the market. In addition, some investors plan to work with a financial advisor, or do their own due diligence and dig deeper into investment research.

Here’s the breakdown:

Here’s What Investors’ Portfolios Look Like Right Now

This overall positivity makes sense. After all, the market has kept up a steady pace, even as inflation has lingered, and there are reasons investors may want to lean into that feeling of confidence. More than one-third (35%) of respondents report having more than $200,000 in their investment portfolio. Here’s the breakdown:

Most investors (76%) said stocks are the most common investment in their portfolios. Mutual funds, cash, and bonds were the next most popular investment types.

87% of respondents have invested over the past year

Nearly nine out of 10 respondents invested money into their portfolios over the past year. Men were more likely than women to invest — and invest more money when they did.

More than 3 out of 4 people have invested in non-stock market-related assets

Investors seem to be taking an intrepid stance regarding their investments. In fact, 82% of our respondents invested money into a non-stock-market-related asset, including CDs (certificates of deposit), crypto, as well as gold and other commodities.

Recommended: How to Invest in Gold: Tips for 1st Time Gold Investors

Market Volatility Has Impacted Some Investors’ Purchase and Investment Decisions

Market volatility has impacted investors at all ages and stages, but many investors have held steady, with a relatively small percentage adjusting their plans or spending.

When faced with market swings, 73% of investors held onto their assets last year

Investors seemed to take a philosophical approach to last year’s volatility. When we asked investors how they coped with market swings over the past year:

The investors that did sell some of their assets ultimately sold less than half of their portfolio. Only 8% sold 76% or more of their total investments, an indication that many investors were able to resist their impulses.

Some investors may also enlist strategies, such as automating their investing and/or dollar cost averaging, to help them continue building their portfolio when the market is trending in an unfavorable direction. With dollar cost averaging, a fixed amount is invested at regular intervals to avoid trying to time the market.

Recommended: What Types of Stocks Do Well During Volatility?

Only 19% said market volatility has caused them to make impulsive investment decisions

Market volatility has caused some investors to respond emotionally, with 19% saying market volatility has caused them to make impulsive investment choices.

But of the people who made impulsive investment decisions, 57% said they’re happy with their choice, and only 15% of them regret them. Maybe these emotion-driven decisions revealed new opportunities, or valuable perspectives on risk.

Only 12% had to cancel or delay plans or purchases over the past year because of money lost on investments

Fortunately, market fluctuations seemed to strongly influence only about 12% of the investors we surveyed. Of those who had to change their plans, here’s where they felt it most:

Some Investors Are Adding Crypto to Their Portfolios

Crypto can be a volatile asset and risky, but a number of respondents are investing in crypto. In fact, a full 26% of respondents said they have cryptocurrency in their portfolios, and 66% of them even said they invested more than $500 over the past year.

Crypto investors tend to be male (72%) and under the age of 55. Less than one-third of crypto investors are female..

26% of respondents have cryptocurrency in their investment portfolio

Despite the ups and downs of the crypto market over the years, slightly more than a quarter of investors (26%) said they invested in crypto over the past year. Of these investors:

66% have invested $500 or more over the past year
72% of crypto investors are male, 28% are female. Of those who invested $5,000 or more in crypto over the past year, 78% are male.
Only 16% of respondents aged 55 or older are invested in crypto

Most investors with cryptocurrency in their portfolios have invested at least $500 over the past year:

Only 4% of investors who have cryptocurrency in their portfolio haven’t invested anything into cryptocurrency over the past year.

A majority of investors are either confident or cautiously optimistic that crypto is a worthwhile investment

The crypto market remains volatile as worries of economic downturns continue to swirl, and political changes in the U.S. — and potential changes to how crypto is regulated — become solidified. Despite this financial climate, most investors are hopeful of the future.

Among all investors:

Of the 26% of investors who currently have crypto in their portfolio, however:

Overall, the crypto market still has plenty of believers who are paying close attention to developments in the crypto market this year.

Many Investors Have Investment Regrets – Mostly That They Didn’t Invest Enough

Interestingly, investors don’t have many regrets about their investments over the past year. In fact, 46% said they have no regrets at all, and most others said they should have bought more assets.

Nearly half (46%) have zero regrets about their investments over the past year

Hindsight is never 20-20, and nearly half of investors realize that and are not caught up in regrets about what they woulda-coulda-shoulda done in 2024. Being older and wiser may play a role, as 77% of those with no regrets are 45 and up.

That said, more than half (54%) of respondents have some type of investment regret this year. Many wish they had bought more assets, perhaps to take advantage of lower prices.

Here’s the breakdown of the investment regrets respondents had this year:

People are split on how inflation made them feel about their investment strategies over the past year

Inflation can be a thorn in the side of investors. Our respondents were split in how they approached inflation over the past year. One thing is for certain: confident investors will continue to engage with the market despite inflation.

Recommended: 5 Tips to Hedge Against Inflation

The Takeaway

With a new year comes new challenges. You never know what’s going to happen next, so it’s important for investors to take stock of their portfolios, solidify a strategy, and make plans for going forward. While the past year was one of many ups and downs, the coming year is likely to bring the same. But as the data shows, investors remain optimistic.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

Invest now

SOIN-Q125-089