The easiest way to invest in alternative assets nowadays is through any of the numerous online platforms that connect investors with these types of assets. Here are some of those platforms, what they do and how you can use them to build out your portfolio.
SoFi's expansion into alternative assets is the company's latest move to broaden its all-in-one finance and investing platform, giving its members new opportunities to customize their investment strategies, diversify their portfolios and enhance their portfolio's return potential. Through expert-run funds from Ark Invest, Carlyle, Franklin Templeton, KKR and Clarion Partners, SoFi members can gain exposure to commodities, foreign currencies, private credit, hedge funds, venture capital and real estate.
These funds are available in SoFi's IRAs too, which means retirement-minded investors can diversify into alts while reaping the tax benefits of IRA investing, all through SoFi's user-friendly platform.
Available asset types
Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs
Minimum Investment
$500
Annual Fee
Management fees vary by fund
Signup bonus
Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account within 30 days
SoFi's expansion into alternative assets is the company's latest move to broaden its all-in-one finance and investing platform, giving its members new opportunities to customize their investment strategies, diversify their portfolios and enhance their portfolio's return potential. Through expert-run funds from Ark Invest, Carlyle, Franklin Templeton, KKR and Clarion Partners, SoFi members can gain exposure to commodities, foreign currencies, private credit, hedge funds, venture capital and real estate.
These funds are available in SoFi's IRAs too, which means retirement-minded investors can diversify into alts while reaping the tax benefits of IRA investing, all through SoFi's user-friendly platform.
Pros
Invest in alternative asset mutual funds and interval funds
Expert-run funds from Ark Invest, Franklin Templeton and other well-known investment management companies
Alternatives are available in SoFi IRAs
User-friendly browser and mobile platforms
Cons
$500 minimum investment
Limited research tools
Available asset types
Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs
Minimum Investment
$500
Annual Fee
Management fees vary by fund
Signup bonus
Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account within 30 days
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees.
Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(www.finra.org) /SIPC(www.sipc.org).
There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event.
Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options
Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser.
Utilizing a margin loan is generally considered more appropriate for experienced investors as there are additional costs and risks associated. It is possible to lose more than your initial investment when using margin. Please see https://www.sofi.com/wealth/assets/documents/brokerage-margin-disclosure-statement.pdf for detailed disclosure information
Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.028%
Terms and conditions apply. Roll over a minimum of $20K to receive the 1% match offer. Matches on contributions are made up to the annual limits.
Available asset types
Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs
Minimum Investment
$500
Annual Fee
Management fees vary by fund
Signup bonus
Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account within 30 days
Public.com is a beginner-friendly investing platform that's been growing its lineup of alternative assets. Alongside stocks, bonds, ETFs, options and Treasury Bills, Public.com offers crypto, art, collectibles, NFTs, luxury goods and music royalties. Invest in shares of these alternative assets just like stocks in a company. But while Public.com offers commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs, it charges a 2.5% commission to buy and sell alternative assets.
Notable assets that are currently offered through Public.com include: Police Car by street artist Banksy from 2003, Tom Brady's rookie card and Shattered Backboard Air Jordans, signed and worn by Michael Jordan during one of his iconic moments on court in 1985.
Get up to $10,000 and transfer fees covered when you move your portfolio to Public
Public.com is a beginner-friendly investing platform that's been growing its lineup of alternative assets. Alongside stocks, bonds, ETFs, options and Treasury Bills, Public.com offers crypto, art, collectibles, NFTs, luxury goods and music royalties. Invest in shares of these alternative assets just like stocks in a company. But while Public.com offers commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs, it charges a 2.5% commission to buy and sell alternative assets.
Notable assets that are currently offered through Public.com include: Police Car by street artist Banksy from 2003, Tom Brady's rookie card and Shattered Backboard Air Jordans, signed and worn by Michael Jordan during one of his iconic moments on court in 1985.
Pros
Invest in art, collectibles, luxury goods and more
Buy shares in alternative assets just as you would stocks
With an entry point of just $20 per share, Ark7 offers low-cost access to high-yielding real estate: rental homes. Diversify your portfolio with fractional shares of curated rental properties that provide monthly distributions and the potential for long-term appreciation. Use your IRA to invest and trade your shares on a secondary market. Ark7 is available to both accredited and non-accredited investors.
Available asset types
Real estate
Minimum Investment
$20
Annual Fee
8-15% monthly asset management fee
Signup bonus
N/A
With an entry point of just $20 per share, Ark7 offers low-cost access to high-yielding real estate: rental homes. Diversify your portfolio with fractional shares of curated rental properties that provide monthly distributions and the potential for long-term appreciation. Use your IRA to invest and trade your shares on a secondary market. Ark7 is available to both accredited and non-accredited investors.
Pros
Fractional real estate investing
$20 minimum investment
Invest through an IRA
Cons
3% one-time sourcing fee
8-15% monthly asset management fee
1 year minimum holding period before you can sell your shares
Yieldstreet is a one-stop shop for investing in alternative assets, with one of the broadest selections of alternative asset classes on this list. Its offerings include:
Real estate
Venture capital
Private equity and private credit
Crypto
Short-term notes and structures notes
Transportation
Art
Legal finance
But some assets are only open to accredited investors, and Yieldstreet requires a minimum investment of at least $10,000. It also charges an annual management fee from 0% to 2.5% depending on the asset.
Available asset types
Real estate, Art, Other
Minimum Investment
$10,000
Annual Fee
1–4%
Signup bonus
N/A
Yieldstreet is a one-stop shop for investing in alternative assets, with one of the broadest selections of alternative asset classes on this list. Its offerings include:
Real estate
Venture capital
Private equity and private credit
Crypto
Short-term notes and structures notes
Transportation
Art
Legal finance
But some assets are only open to accredited investors, and Yieldstreet requires a minimum investment of at least $10,000. It also charges an annual management fee from 0% to 2.5% depending on the asset.
Pros
Invest in a variety of asset classes including art, real estate and commercial offerings
The Prism Fund is available to non-accredited investors
Cons
Most offerings are only available to accredited investors
Founded in 2019, Vinovest offers investors a convenient way to include fine wine as a part of their portfolios. With Vinovest, investors have direct ownership of the wine in their portfolio, and they can buy, sell or even enjoy the bottles of wine themselves.
Vinovest offers four investment tiers, with minimum investment amounts ranging from $0 to $250,000. Annual management fees range from 1.90% to 2.50% depending on your chosen tier. Vinovest also charges a 2.5% buy-side trading fee, a 1% sell-side trading fee and a 1.5% yearly storage fee, billed monthly. While bottles can be bought and sold at any time, Vinovest notes that most investment-grade wines take 10 to 15 years to mature, which makes Vinovest most suitable for long-term investors.
Available asset types
Wine, Whiskey
Minimum Investment
$1,000
Annual Fee
Management fee starts at 2.5% annually
Signup bonus
N/A
Founded in 2019, Vinovest offers investors a convenient way to include fine wine as a part of their portfolios. With Vinovest, investors have direct ownership of the wine in their portfolio, and they can buy, sell or even enjoy the bottles of wine themselves.
Vinovest offers four investment tiers, with minimum investment amounts ranging from $0 to $250,000. Annual management fees range from 1.90% to 2.50% depending on your chosen tier. Vinovest also charges a 2.5% buy-side trading fee, a 1% sell-side trading fee and a 1.5% yearly storage fee, billed monthly. While bottles can be bought and sold at any time, Vinovest notes that most investment-grade wines take 10 to 15 years to mature, which makes Vinovest most suitable for long-term investors.
An alternative investment is an investment in any asset class other than conventional categories, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and cash. These can include but aren’t limited to:
Hedge funds
Private equity
Real estate
Fine art
Wine
Precious metals, such as gold, silver and platinum
Cryptocurrency
Private lending
Basically, if it isn’t stocks, bonds or any other traditional asset and you can invest in it, it’s an alternative investment.
How to invest in alternative assets
It’s now easier than ever to invest in alternative assets, and new markets emerge regularly. Technological advancements have spurred not only the popularity of alternative investments but also the accessibility, giving everyday investors access to new markets and potentially profitable investment opportunities that used to be out of reach.
Retirement-focused investors can consider self-directed individual retirement accounts (IRAs) as a way to invest in alternative assets. These IRAs are specifically designed to accommodate assets not typically permitted by most traditional IRA custodians.
But perhaps the easiest way to invest in alternative assets nowadays is through any of the numerous online platforms that connect investors with these types of assets. Compare alternative investment platforms below by asset types offered and minimum investment.
Compare alternative investment platforms
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