Cash App Stocks Rating:
Overview of Cash App Investing
Cash App offers more than just mobile payments; it also provides investment options. Before you open your next brokerage account, take a look at our review of this growing investment service.
Cash App Investment Accounts and Assets
Cash App only offers self-directed investment accounts with no advisory or robo services. Within these accounts, users can trade stocks, ETFs, and bitcoin, which is the only cryptocurrency available. Not all stocks and ETFs are accessible, and short selling is not allowed.
Each account must be an individual taxable account, with no other account types or tax structures available.
Stocks and ETFs in Cash App accounts are protected by SIPC up to set limits, though bitcoin is not covered, and there’s no additional SIPC insurance beyond the standard coverage.
Cash App Margin
Although technically set up as margin accounts, Cash App does not support borrowing for trading. Short sales, options trading, and pattern day trading are all unavailable on this platform.
Cash App Fees and Minimums for Investment Accounts
Bitcoin trades are commission-free but include a spread that compensates Cash App. For small purchases, the spread can be around 2% or higher, while larger orders may incur smaller spreads. The exact spread is not listed, which we see as a downside.
Stock and ETF trades are also commission-free, though Cash App receives payment through bid-ask spreads based on market conditions.
Cash App investment accounts have no minimum balance or recurring fees.
Banking Tools
As expected, Cash App includes various cash-management features within its mobile app. The app provides a Visa debit card that allows fee-free ATM withdrawals at network ATMs, provided there is a $300 monthly direct deposit.
Known as the Cash Card, this debit card is essential for FDIC insurance on cash balances. Users can also access retail discounts through Cash App Boosts, and direct deposit customers may receive funds two days earlier than usual.
The Cash Card also has a round-up feature, allowing users to round up purchases and invest the difference in a stock or bitcoin.
Transfers with other Cash App users are another highlight. Using $cashtags, users can easily send or request money. Cash balances, however, are automatically moved from investment accounts to Cash App balances without SIPC insurance. If there’s no Cash Card, the cash won’t have FDIC insurance either.
Cash App also includes a free tax-filing service.
Website
Cash App’s website is simple but functional, primarily used for managing cash transactions and tax filing. Unfortunately, users cannot research or trade stocks or bitcoin on the website.
To log into the site, users need an email or phone number. The left-hand menu includes tabs such as Tax Filing and Pay & Request, the latter used for sending or requesting money from other Cash App users.
Some features are app-exclusive, such as requesting the Cash Card, which must be done within the mobile app. Let’s examine the app now.
Mobile App
On the mobile app, users can begin trading from the Home screen by tapping on the home icon in the bottom menu. This screen has tiles for stocks and bitcoin. On the bitcoin page, there’s an option to automatically convert a paycheck into bitcoin with each direct deposit.
On the stocks page, a search bar at the top helps users find investments. Tapping on it opens a page with lists like the most-traded stocks on Cash App and stocks that pay dividends. At the bottom, there are categories such as energy, health, and technology. Selecting a category displays securities within it, and choosing a stock or ETF brings up its profile, which includes some details. For well-known stocks, users will see:
- Analyst opinions
- Earnings history
- Financial statements in bar-chart format
- Key stats like P/E ratio and day’s trading volume
The order ticket is very simple, offering only three order types: market, recurring, and custom. The custom option works like a stop order, releasing a market order if the price crosses the specified amount.
Charting features are minimal. A basic line graph appears at the top of an asset’s profile without any labels or axes, making it hard to interpret. There are no charting tools or horizontal view.
The settings menu, accessible through the icon in the upper-right corner, lets users adjust privacy settings. In the Security & Privacy section, users can disable money requests to prevent others from sending requests on Cash App.
Other Software
The website has no trading features, and the mobile app offers only basic tools, so users looking for a desktop platform will be disappointed, as Cash App doesn’t offer one.
Customer Service
Cash App’s phone support is available during the week from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Eastern Time, with no weekend hours. To receive phone support, users must complete an in-app verification at least once, which can be done by cashing out, making a payment, or receiving one.
In addition to phone support, Cash App offers a chat option within the mobile app. On the settings page, scroll down to the support link and find the chat option, which is more like an email form than live chat.
There’s also a help section on the Cash App website with articles covering topics users might need help with.
Additional Services
Fully-Paid Stock Lending: Not available.
Initial Public Offerings: Also not available.
DRIP Service: Not offered.
Extended Hours: Not provided.
Fractional-share Trading: Cash App allows trades in whole dollars only. Whole-share trading is unavailable.
Individual Retirement Accounts: As noted, Cash App only supports individual taxable accounts.
Recommendations
Mutual Fund Trading: Cash App doesn’t offer mutual funds, but we suggest
Firstrade, which offers over 11,000 mutual funds, all with no transaction fees.
Frequent Stock Trading: Cash App’s limited tools and lack of charting features make it unsuitable for active traders. A better choice would be
Webull, which has a robust desktop platform, comprehensive research tools, and access to foreign markets.
Small Accounts: Cash App’s minimum order size is $1, with a $10 minimum for auto purchases.
Retirement Planning & Long-Term Investing: Cash App lacks long-term investment tools like IRAs, annuities, lifecycle mutual funds, and financial planning services. We recommend
Charles Schwab for a complete selection of these services.
Beginners: Cash App aims to simplify investing, but beginners may benefit more from a managed account with a service like
Acorns.
Cash App Invest Final Judgement
As its name implies, Cash App is primarily focused on money management, with some basic investment options. While it’s functional, there are more complete platforms for serious investing needs.
Free Firstrade Account
Open Firstrade Account
Free Charles Schwab Account
Open Schwab Account
Updated on 11/12/2024.
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