Bonuses for Opening a Brokerage Account
With many brokerage companies trying to win new customers, investors can find several kinds of rewards for opening an investment account. The five main types of rewards are listed below:
Cash Bonuses at Brokers: Some stock brokers pay cash bonuses directly to new customers
as an incentive to open brokerage accounts. In most cases, a minimum deposit or account
transfer is required for the first funding to qualify for the offer. Still, the requirement can be worthwhile in certain cases because the bonus can reach $5,000 simply for opening and funding a new account. Brokerage firms often allow a transfer of securities to count toward the funding requirement, so investors may not need to deposit brand-new cash.
Free Stocks: This type of offer has become increasingly popular. Broker-dealers are giving away free shares of stock or fractional shares when a new account is opened. The value of the shares can differ quite a bit, ranging from only a few dollars to much higher amounts. In many offers, the stock reward is selected at random, with brokers giving out many smaller rewards and only a limited number of larger ones.
The biggest distinction between the first two reward types involves how the bonuses may be taxed. A cash reward may be reported on one type of tax document, while free stock can be reported on another. Selling those stock shares may also lead to capital gains or losses, which usually does not happen with a basic cash bonus. Since tax rules can differ by broker and by reward structure, investors should review the offer terms and consult a tax professional when necessary.
Referral Promos at Brokers: Current customers at many brokerage firms can invite friends, relatives, or other people and earn some type of reward for the referral. In many programs, the person being referred can also receive a bonus after meeting the broker’s conditions, such as funding the new account.
Account Transfer Fee Rebates: Many investment companies still charge outgoing transfer fees, which can make investors think twice before moving assets to another firm. A competing broker may choose to reimburse another company’s ACAT transfer fee, and many firms now provide this type of deal in at least some cases. For instance, the transferred account may need to meet a minimum value. Sometimes a broker may not publish a formal policy on rebates, but asking can still be worthwhile, especially after a sizeable transfer.
Miscellaneous Broker Specials: Some broker-dealers occasionally provide other kinds of rewards. These may include gift cards, higher rates on cash balances, free account management for a limited time, or other account-related benefits.
As with every promotion, brokerage offers come with detailed terms and conditions. Some account types, including IRAs, may not qualify. In other cases, the required funding must arrive within a set period of time. Investors should always understand the rules before opening an account for a promotion.
Another important point is the expiration date attached to an offer. Some promotions are ongoing, meaning
they do not list a specific end date, although the firm can still cancel the offer at any time. Below is a list
(in alphabetical order) of brokerage promotions in 2026 that remain valid as of the latest check:
All Broker Promotions
Kraken
If cryptocurrencies are what you’re after, Kraken has a referral offer that pays both the referrer and the new customer. Under the current program, each side can receive $150 when the new customer signs up through the Kraken app, deposits fiat currency, and completes the required trading activity within the stated time limit.
Because Kraken’s promo is referral-based and app-based, the new account needs to be opened through the proper invite link or code, and the required steps must be finished within 15 days of signing up.
moomoo
Investors who would rather receive stock instead of cash may want to look at moomoo. The broker is
currently advertising up to $1,000 in free NVIDIA stock for new customers. It is also promoting an APY boost on uninvested cash, and minimum funding rules apply.
Robinhood
Robinhood is currently promoting two primary offers. New customers can receive free stock worth up to $200, and the firm also advertises IRA matches that can reach 3% for qualifying customers.
Robinhood also offers a refer-a-friend program, although the precise yearly value and reward conditions can differ by promotion version and should be reviewed in the app or on the current offer page before depending on them.
tastytrade
tastytrade currently offers a referral-based cash bonus for new taxable brokerage accounts. The current promotion featured by Brokerage Reviews is $100 for opening a Tastytrade account through the qualifying referral link.
WiserAdvisor
WiserAdvisor is different from the other names here because it is not a brokerage company. Rather than giving out free stock or a deposit-based cash bonus, it offers a no-cost advisor-matching service that connects investors with screened financial advisors.
The service has no matching fee, no requirement to hire anyone, and a free initial consultation, which can be helpful for investors who want guidance before moving or investing their money.
Charles Schwab
New Charles Schwab clients can receive up to $1,000 for opening and funding a new investment account. This is a referral-based offer, so the account typically needs to be opened with a valid referral link or code from an existing Schwab client. Eligible accounts may include brokerage accounts and certain retirement accounts, and the new account must be funded within 45 days.
Coinbase
For investors interested in cryptocurrencies, Coinbase currently advertises a new-customer reward worth up to $2,000 in Bitcoin, although the specific reward and odds may differ by region or user. Coinbase’s current help materials state that most users in one version of the offer receive between $30 and $50 after making a qualifying crypto purchase and spinning the reward wheel.
Current Coinbase account holders do not qualify for the new-customer incentive.
Acorns
Acorns completes this list of brokerage promotions and focuses more on automated investing than active trading. Its promotions are generally connected to opening an account and setting up a qualifying recurring investment instead of placing trades.
Broker Promotions Disclaimer
New-account brokerage specials can change without notice. Every brokerage account bonus has fine print, so investors
should carefully read and understand the terms before opening an account. Investors should also remember that these new brokerage account bonuses expire on
different dates, so the timing of each offer matters as well.
Updated on 9/1/2026.
Chad Morris has been analyzing investment firms for Brokerage-Review.com since 2015. Backed by FINRA Series 65, 66, and SIE credentials, his work reflects a deep knowledge of the retail brokerage industry and digital trading tools.
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