Public.com crypto referral & promo 2026
Public.com is the multi-asset US brokerage that combines stocks, ETFs, treasuries, bonds and crypto in a single SEC-registered account. The 2026 referral pays new users up to $300 in free stock depending on the funded deposit tier, with crypto trades commission-free above spread.
Public.com — the multi-asset US brokerage with crypto bolted on
Public.com is a US-only retail brokerage built around the thesis that modern investors want stocks, ETFs, treasuries, bonds and crypto in one regulated account. The 2026 referral campaign mirrors the structure used by Robinhood and SoFi: a stock reward tied to funded-deposit tiers, with crypto trading added as a feature rather than the centrepiece. For users who already plan to hold a diversified portfolio that includes Bitcoin and Ethereum, the bundling is a real convenience; for crypto-only buyers, the spread on crypto trades is higher than dedicated exchanges.
Activation flow
Sign up via the Public.com app on iOS or Android. Complete the FINRA-required broker-dealer onboarding (SSN, date of birth, US address). Fund the account via ACH, wire, or debit card. The referral reward scales with funded deposit: deposit $20+ unlocks a small stock drop ($3–$10); $1,000+ unlocks a medium reward; $5,000+ deposits typically draw from the top of the distribution. Crypto trades open immediately for verified accounts in supported states.
Realised value by deposit tier
| Funded deposit | Typical stock reward | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| $20–$100 | $3–$10 | Random pick from small-cap pool |
| $100–$1,000 | $10–$30 | Mid-cap mix |
| $1,000–$5,000 | $30–$100 | Larger drops possible |
| $5,000+ | Up to $300 | Best tier of the distribution |
Crypto trading on Public.com
Crypto is provided through Apex Crypto LLC, a FinCEN-registered MSB. Public.com supports roughly 25 crypto assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Avalanche, Polygon and a curated list of others. There is no commission, but the spread on crypto trades is typically 1–1.5% all-in, which is materially higher than Kraken Pro or Coinbase Advanced. Self-custody withdrawals are available since 2024.
Where Public.com wins, and where it doesn't
The strongest case for Public.com is the bundling of treasuries and bonds with crypto. The platform offers competitive yields on Treasury bills (a meaningful return when 3-month rates sit near 4–5%) and an interesting High-Yield Cash account. For users who genuinely want multi-asset exposure, this is a more elegant solution than juggling separate brokerage and crypto accounts. For users who only want crypto, the trading spread eats into long-term returns.
Pros and cons
✅ Strengths
- SEC-registered broker-dealer with SIPC insurance on the equity side.
- Treasury bills and bonds integrated alongside crypto.
- Free stock referral bonus is materially larger than Robinhood's median.
- Mobile UX is among the most polished in US retail fintech.
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Crypto spread (1–1.5%) is higher than dedicated venues.
- Only ~25 crypto assets supported.
- Bonus paid in stock, not crypto.
- Service limited to verified US states.
Public.com vs CEX.IO vs Robinhood
| Metric | Public.com | CEX.IO | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | Up to $300 stock | $50 BTC | $5–$10 stock |
| Bonus asset | Stock | BTC | Stock |
| Crypto trade cost | 1–1.5% spread | 0.16–0.25% | Spread 0.2–0.4% |
| Treasuries / bonds | Yes | No | No |
| Best for | Multi-asset US users wanting bonds | Largest BTC welcome bonus | Mobile-first US users |
Tax treatment
Public.com issues Form 1099 covering equities and Form 1099-DA covering crypto trades starting tax year 2026. The free stock bonus is reportable as miscellaneous income at fair value on the day of receipt.
Editor's personal take
Public.com is the right venue for US users who genuinely want multi-asset exposure — crypto, stocks, ETFs, T-bills and corporate bonds in one app. The free-stock referral can be meaningfully larger than what Robinhood pays. For users who only want crypto, the spread is too high to justify and CEX.IO or Coinbase Advanced produce better long-term economics.
Frequently asked questions
Is Public.com safe?
The equity side is SIPC-insured up to $500,000 (cash and securities). The crypto side is provided through Apex Crypto LLC, which is FinCEN-registered but does not carry SIPC protection. Crypto held with any broker is not insured against operational failure.
Can I withdraw crypto to self-custody?
Yes. Since 2024 Public.com supports withdrawals to external wallets for major assets. Some smaller-cap tokens remain custodial-only.
Does Public.com pay for stock fractional shares?
Yes. Most US listed equities are available as fractional shares from $1. The referral reward usually comes as a fractional share rather than a full share.