Public Referral Program

Invite friends. Earn free stock, ETFs, or crypto. Effective as of 8/1/2023

Updated over a week ago

How does the Referral Program work?

If you have a brokerage account with Open to the Public Investing, Inc. (“Public Investing”), you may earn rewards by referring personal friends and family members to Public. For each friend who makes a deposit of at least $1,000, you both get $20¹ in an asset of your choice subject to the “Terms and Conditions” below.

To qualify, the initial one-time deposit must be an amount of $1,000 or more; this is in effect for accounts opened 8/1/2023 or later.

First, share your referral code with a friend or family member who doesn’t already have a Public Investing brokerage account. If your friend or family member uses your referral code when prompted during the account opening process, is approved for a brokerage account, and successfully deposits at least $1,000 as an initial one-time deposit, then you both get $20¹ in an asset of your choice subject to the “Terms and Conditions” below.

You may only refer people with whom you have a direct, personal relationship. You may not share your referral code or otherwise solicit anyone through spamming, commercial advertising, or other similar means.

A “reward” is a fractional share of a designated stock, fund, or cryptoasset. You will only be able to claim a cryptoasset reward if you have successfully opened an account with Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (formerly Apex Crypto).²

Rewards are offered as fractional shares. Fractional shares have limitations, like limited or no voting rights, and are not transferable. See here to learn more about fractional share investing.

¹The range in value of rewards may change for limited times in connection with specific promotions.

²Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC is not a registered broker-dealer or a member of SIPC or FINRA. Cryptocurrencies are not securities and are not FDIC or SIPC insured. Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. For more information, see Legal Disclosures, Bakkt Crypto.

How do I know if I am eligible to participate?

To be eligible to participate, you must have an approved Public Investing brokerage account and have successfully deposited funds into that account. For more eligibility requirements, see the “Terms and Conditions” below.

How can I send my referral code to others?

Inviting friends and family to Public is easy. Copy your referral link from the app, send it to your friends and family, and earn rewards.

How to find your invite link:

  1. Select the Invite button on the top right of the home screen.

  2. Select Copy Invite Link.

  3. Send to your friends.

This link will provide your friends with your unique referral code and a link to download the Public app.

Note that in order to protect member privacy, we aren’t able to provide information regarding another member’s account or deposit history as part of the referral process.

How does Public Investing choose rewards and how much value can you claim?

You will be able to choose an asset of your choice from a pool of designated stocks, ETFs and/or cryptoassets. Stocks and ETFs are designated from Public Investing’s inventory of settled shares. They are chosen from among the top 50 most popular stocks on the Public app and have a large market capitalization of $10 billion or more. Cryptoassets selected are currently available in all 50 states, are among the top 100 coins by market capitalization, and meet the NY Greenlist Standard.

The value of the reward you receive will be $20¹ and may change from time to time based on market movements.

How can I claim my reward?

Public will alert you as soon as you are cleared to claim your reward. Tap on the notification and choose from one of the available rewards.

Terms and Conditions

  • The current promotion described here is effective for all accounts opened on 8/1/2023 or later. For any account opened before 8/1/2023 please email support@public.com for prior promotions.

  • To earn a reward through the Public Referral Program, you must qualify as either a Referrer or Referee. A “Referrer” is an existing Public Investing member who shares their unique referral code with a personal friend or family member. A “Referee” is that personal friend or family member who receives the Referrer’s code. The Referee must be someone with whom the Referrer has a direct, personal relationship. Referrers represent and warrant that they have the necessary consent from their Referee to send them their referral code. Each of the Referrer and Referee can earn a reward if the Referee (i) enters the Referrer’s code when prompted during the brokerage account opening process, (ii) is approved for a brokerage account, and (iii) successfully deposits at least $1,000 as an initial one time deposit.

  • If you qualify as a Referrer and Referee, you may choose an asset of your choice from a selection of available stocks, ETFS, and/or cryptoassets specifically designated for this program. The stocks and ETFs chosen for the Referral Program are among the top 50 most popular stocks on the app and have a large market capitalization of $10 billion or more. The cryptoassets selected are currently available in all 50 states, are among the top 100 coins by market capitalization, and meet the NY Greenlist Standard. You will only be able to claim a cryptoasset reward if you have successfully opened an account with Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC.

  • Public Investing reserves the right to change the stocks, ETFs, and cryptoassets offered from time to time in its sole discretion without notice.

  • The value of the reward you receive will be $20 and may change from time to time based on market movements. The range in value of rewards may change for limited times in connection with specific promotions.

  • The app will alert you via notification and email as soon as you are cleared to claim your reward. Tap on the notification or click on the link in the email to choose from one of the assets available.

  • Each of Public Investing and Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC, as applicable, will use best efforts to credit your account with a reward within 5 business days of qualifying for the Referral Program.

  • You have 60 days to claim your reward. Your reward will expire after 60 days. Expired offers cannot be revived.

  • The cash value of the reward received through the Referral Program may not be withdrawn for 90 days after it is claimed.

  • Any account that incurs an ACH reversal fee or debit card chargeback will be disqualified from the Referral Program and may be disqualified from any other promotional offers.

  • You may earn up to $500 of rewards through promotions and offers on the Public app. Once you have received $500 of rewards, you may no longer be eligible to participate in any reward programs, though your referral link will remain valid.

  • A member may enroll in a maximum of one promotion as a new signup and this offer cannot be combined with other offers. If Public Investing determines that a member has abused the signup or promotion process to manipulate the number of rewards generated, then Public Investing may have such member’s account terminated and any reward revoked or rescinded.

  • You agree that you will not “spam” anyone to sign up for a Public Investing brokerage account using your referral code through mass emails, commercial advertising, or other similar means, and that you at all times will remain compliant with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tcpa-rules.pdf) and other applicable laws. Prohibited activity constituting spam includes, but is not limited to, mass emailing and the use of automated systems, bots, or automatic dialers. This Referral Program is only available for personal use and may not be used for commercial purposes. This offer is not transferable or saleable.

  • You may not publicly advertise the purchase or sale of any rewards. Any accounts found to be in violation of this condition will be terminated and any referrals voided in Public Investing’s sole discretion. You agree not to sell Public referral codes or create websites, email addresses, or social media using Public’s name, images, or content.

  • You agree that you will not attempt to mislead anyone in connection with the Referral Program, including, but not limited to, creating fake accounts, profiles, links, or messages. You further agree not to defraud or abuse, or attempt to defraud or abuse, anyone in connection with the Referral Program.

  • You agree that you will not use any defamatory, offensive, abusive, or obscene content in connection with Public’s Referral Program. This includes, but is not limited to, harassing content or content that violates someone else’s privacy.

  • Participation in the Referral Program serves as a one-time, limited waiver of privacy rights by both the Referrer and Referee, pursuant to which each may become aware that the other has an account relationship with Public Investing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Public Investing cannot provide information about someone else’s account or someone else’s application status in connection with the Referral Program.

  • Public Investing reserves the right to review, investigate, and disqualify anyone from participation in the Referral Program at any time, and further reserves the right to disqualify any referral which, in our sole discretion, was solicited in a manner that is in contravention of these Terms and Conditions.

  • The receipt of a particular stock, ETF, or cryptoasset through this program or the identification of a particular security in communications related to this program does not constitute an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities or open a brokerage account in any jurisdiction where Public Investing is not registered. All investments involve risk and the past performance of a security or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns.

  • The cash value of an offer may be required to be reported as “Other Income” on a Form 1099-Misc. Any gains or losses on the sale of the reward are reported as capital gains or losses. Public Investing is not responsible for any taxes related to this program. Members should consult with their tax advisor if they have any specific questions relating to tax treatment and tax implications associated with the Referral Program.

  • This program is only available to U.S. residents residing within the United States and who are otherwise qualified to open a Public Investing brokerage account. Employees or contractors or people affiliated with Public or members of their household are not eligible for this offer. Employees of any securities or regulatory organization or exchange are not eligible for this offer. Other restrictions may apply as determined from time to time by Public Investing in its sole discretion and without notice.

  • Public Investing reserves the right to decline requests for the Referral Program and revoke or rescind any reward at its discretion. There is no guarantee that the offer will be paid, and Public Investing reserves the right to change or terminate the Referral Program or these Terms and Conditions at any time in its sole discretion and without notice.

  • If a member requests the cancellation of their brokerage account with Public Investing but is restricted from doing so due to an unsettled offer, then the member may forfeit the reward in writing. Public Investing will then revoke the face value of the offer and/or revoke the offer credit itself. If an account is closed due to violations of Public’s community guidelines or Terms of Service, Public Investing will revoke the face value of the offer and/or the offer itself from the member’s account in order to close it. In cases of a forced closure, a formal request in writing from the member is not required, and Public Investing reserves the right to revoke an offer at any time.

  • Similarly, if a member requests the cancellation of their cryptocurrency account with Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC but is restricted from doing so due to an unsettled offer, then the member may forfeit the reward in writing. The crypto offer will then be revoked, the reward liquidated at the prevailing market rate, and the resulting value removed from the member's account; the cash value will then be transferred to a member’s brokerage account with Public Investing. If an account is closed due to violations of Public’s community guidelines or Terms of Service, the crypto offer will be revoked from the member’s account in order to close it. In cases of a forced closure, a formal request in writing from the member is not required, and an offer may be revoked at any time.

Securities trading services are provided by Open to the Public Investing, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Public Holdings, Inc. and a FINRA- and SEC-registered broker-dealer. Open to the Public Investing, Inc. is also a Member of Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). SIPC protects securities members of its members up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for claims for cash). More details, including an explanatory brochure upon request, are available at www.sipc.org.

Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Bakkt Crypto Solutions LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC is not a registered broker-dealer or a member of SIPC or FINRA. Cryptocurrencies are not securities and are not FDIC or SIPC insured. Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. For more information, see Legal Disclosures, Bakkt Crypto.

Product offerings and availability vary based on jurisdiction.

Before investing in an ETF, investors should consider the investment objectives, risks and charges, and expenses of the ETF before investing. Although ETFs are designed to provide investment results that generally correspond to the performance of their respective underlying indices, they may not be able to exactly replicate the performance of the indices because of expenses and other factors. A prospectus contains this and other information about the ETF and should be read carefully before investing. Members should obtain and review prospectuses from issuers and/or their third-party agents who distribute and make prospectuses available for review.

At Public, our mission is to open the markets to all. Trades are commission-free, meaning $0 commission trading on self-directed individual cash brokerage accounts that trade U.S. listed securities placed online. Other fees may apply. See Public’s Disclosures to learn more.

If you have any questions related to the Public Referral Program, please contact support@public.com.

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