Bitcoin Liquidity: How Liquid is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin Liquidity: How Liquid Is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is a relatively liquid asset, though there are factors that can alter its liquidity at any given time. Bitcoin’s liquidity is usually high as there are a number of established, trusted exchanges on which traders can buy or sell Bitcoin. And given a high number of exchanges trading it, along with the volume of those trades, Bitcoin is generally a fairly liquid asset. Read on to learn more about what makes Bitcoin liquid and more.

Recommended: What Is Bitcoin and How Does It Work?

What Is Liquidity in Cryptocurrency?

Liquidity, as it relates to investing, refers to how easily an asset can be converted to cash — or liquidated — without having an effect on its market price. The easier it is to liquidate something, and the less likely a market participant is to move the price by doing so, the more liquid an asset can be said to be.

Liquidity is often used in reference to investments like stocks. If you were to sell a small number of stocks in exchange for cash, it’d likely be pretty easy, and the markets may not notice at all. But if a “whale” were to sell a huge number of stocks, market makers may notice, and adjust their own behavior, potentially affecting the stock’s value.

Cash is usually considered the most liquid asset of all, while real estate is generally regarded as the least liquid asset class. That’s because selling real estate can take months and involves lots of paperwork, fees, and commissions. Precious metals like gold and silver are also rather illiquid.

💡 Recommended: What Are Considered Liquid Assets?

Is Bitcoin Liquid or Illiquid?

How liquid is Bitcoin? Compared to many other asset classes, Bitcoin could be considered very liquid, at least most of the time.

“Most of the time” is an important qualifier because market conditions are always changing. On an average day, for instance, it can be said that Bitcoin has a high level of liquidity. But during times of crisis and panic selling, or times of euphoria and panic buying, this may be less so — it all depends on market conditions.

The exchange an investor is trading Bitcoin on also matters when trying to gauge liquidity. The more traders and higher volume of an exchange, the greater Bitcoin’s relative liquidity.

Factors That Impact Bitcoin Liquidity

These are a few of the most important variables that can affect Bitcoin liquidity.

1. Volume

Volume, in the financial markets, refers to how much of an asset is being traded within a given timeframe (e.g., daily volume). Greater volume tends to increase liquidity and dampen the effects of volatility. Conversely, lower volume can lower liquidity.

2. Exchanges

Liquidity is integral to how crypto exchanges work. The more trusted exchanges that exist, the more markets there are for people to buy and sell Bitcoin. This translates to greater total volume of Bitcoin being traded, which makes for more liquidity. In the early days of crypto, this was a major obstacle to the liquidity of Bitcoin. But as the crypto space has grown, so has its capacity for trading.

3. Storage

One interesting factor affecting Bitcoin liquidity is how people store their digital assets. This is a factor that is unique to cryptocurrency and doesn’t have much relevance to other assets, like stocks. But because Bitcoin is a scarce digital commodity, the way it is stored matters in relation to liquidity.

People who hold large amounts of Bitcoin tend to be fans of something called cold storage, which involves holding the private keys to a crypto wallet offline. This method is thought to make coins less vulnerable, as they typically cannot be accessed by hackers or thieves of any kind. But if coins are held offline, they are effectively off the market, and therefore reduce liquidity.

Roughly three-quarters of the total Bitcoin supply was illiquid as of the beginning of 2022.

4. Volatility

Liquidity and volatility can be closely related. A lack of liquidity can lead to an increase in volatility if one or more large traders are buying or selling large quantities of assets. Those moves can cause prices to move up or down rapidly if there is a limited supply of an asset on the order books.

When there is a large supply of an asset and many large orders, it takes a greater amount of capital to move the market. At the same time, a spike in volatility can also lead to a drop in liquidity, as panic selling ensues and bid/ask spreads widen.

In general, higher liquidity tends to make for lower overall volatility. This is part of the reason why Bitcoin used to fall or rise by significant percentages, often within a single day. Such moves are less common now, though cryptos remain highly volatile assets.

Determining Bitcoin Volatility

Volatility, to take it back to basics, refers to the price swing for a given asset within a given time frame. In other words, Bitcoin’s volatility would measure how much its value fluctuates on a specific day. The higher the volatility, the more wild or extreme the price swings.

Determining Bitcoin’s volatility involves some rather complex math. In the end, you’re basically calculating Bitcoin’s standard deviation, which measures how far its price moved from the median during a certain time period. If Bitcoin’s price has slowly but steadily gone up over time, you could chart that ascent as a line on a graph — it would deviate on a day-to-day basis from that line, however, as prices rise and fall.

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Can You Liquify Bitcoin?

Yes. There’s enough Bitcoin liquidity for holders to liquify their holdings when needed. Cryptocurrency markets trading hours never stop — traders can buy or sell 24 hours per day, 7 days a week year-round.

In this respect, large market cap cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are generally very liquid, in that traders can enter or exit positions at any time. The same cannot be said of all the thousands of altcoins, which are less popular and may have little to no liquidity on many exchanges.

In traditional financial markets, like stock markets in the U.S., trades can normally only be executed during the hours of 9:30 am to 4 pm EST Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Some derivatives, like futures contracts, may have additional trading hours. But for the most part, stock trading only occurs during regular business hours of the time zone in which a stock exchange is located (like the New York Stock Exchange, for example).

As long as entities are buying Bitcoin an investor’s chosen exchange, they should be able to liquify Bitcoin holdings immediately. Some exchanges may simplify this process from the user’s perspective and simply allow users to enter a sell order for a specific amount, while the exchange handles the details on the backend.

💡 Recommended: Bitcoin vs. Ethereum: Major Differences to Know

What Is the Most Liquid Cryptocurrency?

It’s difficult to determine which cryptocurrency, at a given time, is the most liquid. But highly popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are likely near the top of the list.

Bitcoin has the largest market cap of any cryptocurrency with a market cap of about $370 billion (October 2022) which represents more than 41% of the entire cryptocurrency market (a measure called Bitcoin dominance). But as noted earlier, much of this market cap is likely held in cold storage and is therefore illiquid. So, Bitcoin liquidity is not as high as it potentially could be.

The Takeaway

Bitcoin is a fairly liquid asset, which can’t be said about all cryptocurrencies. There are some factors that determine Bitcoin’s liquidity — including trading volume and storage methods — but overall, it’s fairly easy for investors to liquidate their Bitcoin holdings at any time. As such, in terms of what to know before investing in crypto, Bitcoin liquidity certainly ranks high on the list.

FAQ

What is the total liquidity of Bitcoin?

Roughly three-fourths of the Bitcoin supply was illiquid at the beginning of 2022. That’s largely due to Bitcoin being held in cold storage or offline wallets, and therefore not available to be traded on the markets to willing buyers.

Is Bitcoin easy to liquidate?

Yes, Bitcoin is easy to liquidate, and may be the most liquid of all cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin is easy to liquidate because the crypto markets never close, and because it is a very popular digital asset that always has buyers and sellers looking to trade.

How do you calculate cryptocurrency liquidity?

While there may not be an exact formula or science to calculating liquidity, gauging liquidity involves factors such as a token’s total market capitalization, its trading volume, and its price. Other factors, like exchange availability, are also important.


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SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Crypto: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies aren’t endorsed or guaranteed by any government, are volatile, and involve a high degree of risk. Consumer protection and securities laws don’t regulate cryptocurrencies to the same degree as traditional brokerage and investment products. Research and knowledge are essential prerequisites before engaging with any cryptocurrency. US regulators, including FINRA , the SEC , and the CFPB , have issued public advisories concerning digital asset risk. Cryptocurrency purchases should not be made with funds drawn from financial products including student loans, personal loans, mortgage refinancing, savings, retirement funds or traditional investments. Limitations apply to trading certain crypto assets and may not be available to residents of all states.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

2Terms and conditions apply. Earn a bonus (as described below) when you open a new SoFi Digital Assets LLC account and buy at least $50 worth of any cryptocurrency within 7 days. The offer only applies to new crypto accounts, is limited to one per person, and expires on December 31, 2023. Once conditions are met and the account is opened, you will receive your bonus within 7 days. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate the offer at any time without notice.
First Trade Amount Bonus Payout
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$100 $499.99 $15
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How Do Interest Rates Impact Stocks?

How Do Interest Rates Impact Stocks?

The impact of interest rates and their fluctuations are a fact of life for investors. And there are several ways interest rates can affect the stock market, like how higher interest rates raise the cost of borrowing for consumers and corporations, which can ultimately affect public companies’ earnings. The reality for stock market investors is that even minor adjustments to interest rates can significantly impact their portfolios.

Below is a deeper dive into the effects interest rates may have on stock prices. For context, interest rates are rising to levels the economy hasn’t experienced in decades, thanks in part to the Federal Reserve’s attempts to fight rising prices. Here’s how that could affect stocks.

Interest Rates 101

Who controls interest rates? While many market factors come into play to determine interest rates, the short answer is that the Federal Reserve, or the U.S. central bank, influences rates.

The Fed has a “dual mandate”:

•  Create the best environment for maximum employment.

•  Stabilize prices, or keep inflation in check

One of the tools the Fed has in its toolkit to try to achieve these twin goals is controlling short-term interest rates. This is done by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)–made up of 12 Fed officials–which meets eight times a year to set the federal funds rate, or the target interest rate.

The federal funds rate is the rate banks charge each other to lend funds overnight.

Other factors influence general interest rates, like consumers’ demand for Treasuries, mortgages, and other loans. But when the Fed adjusts the federal funds rate, it has sweeping ripple effects on the economy by broadly changing the cost of borrowing.

💡 Recommended: What Is the Federal Funds Rate?

How the Fed Reacts to Slow Economy

When economic activity in the U.S. is slow or contracting, the Fed may cut the federal funds rate to boost growth. This move, known as loose monetary policy, is one way the Fed attempts to hit the mandate of creating the best environment for maximum employment.

Lower interest rates make it easier for consumers, businesses, and other economic participants to borrow money and get easier access to credit. When credit flows, Americans are more likely to spend money, create more jobs, and more money enters the financial markets.

Recent history bears this strategy out. In 2008, when the global economy cratered, and both employment and spending were in free fall, the Fed slashed rates to near zero percent to make credit easier to get and restore confidence among consumers and businesses that the economy would stabilize. The Fed again cut interest rates in March 2020 to near zero percent to stimulate the economy during the initial waves of shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic.

How the Fed Reacts to Hot Economy

Alternatively, if the U.S. economy is growing too fast, the Fed might hike interest rates to get a grip on rising inflation, which makes goods and services more expensive. This is to make borrowing and getting credit more expensive, which curbs consumer and business spending, reduces widespread prices, and hopefully gets the economy back on an even keel.

For instance, in the early 1980s, Fed Chair Paul Volcker jacked up interest rates to above 20% in order to tame runaway inflation; prices were rising by more than 10% annually during the period. Volcker’s interest rate moves were a big reason why the average 30-year mortgage rate was above 18% in 1981.

More recently, the Fed started to raise interest rates rapidly through 2022 to combat rising prices, with inflation rates hitting the highest levels since the early 1980s.

Interest Rates and Markets

Most analysts note that interest rate changes, or the expectation of rate changes, can significantly affect the stock market beyond how rates may impact business and household finances.

Generally, higher interest rates tend to be a headwind for stocks, partly because investors will prefer to invest in lower-risk assets like bonds that may offer an attractive yield in a high-interest rate environment.

But lower rates may make the stock market more attractive to investors looking to maximize growth. Because investors cannot get an attractive yield from lower-risk bonds in a low rate environment, they will put money into higher-risk assets like growth stocks to get an ideal return.

💡 Recommended: Bonds vs. Stocks: Understanding the Difference

When it comes to stock market sectors or industries, the most obvious beneficiary of higher interest rates would be financial services companies. That’s because higher interest rates would mean banks and other loan providers would earn more for the money that they lend out.

Protecting Your Investments From Higher Rates

Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to protect your portfolio – and possibly – add value to it, when interest rates change.

•  Monitor the Federal Reserve and its rates policy. The FOMC meets eight times a year to discuss economic policy strategy. Even if they don’t result in an interest rate change, announcements from the meetings can significantly impact the stock market.

•  Diversify your portfolio. Investors can aim to protect their assets by diversifying their portfolio up front. A portfolio with a mix of investments like stocks, bonds, real estate, commodities, and cash, for example, may be less sensitive to interest rate moves, thus minimizing the impact of any volatile interest rate fluctuations.

•  Look into TIPS. Investing in Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) can fortify a portfolio against interest rate swings. TIPS are a form of Treasury bonds that are indexed to inflation. As inflation rises, TIPS tend to rise. When deflation is in play, TIPS are more likely to decrease.

How Interest Rates Affect Consumers

In a period of high interest rates, publicly-traded companies face a potential indirect threat to revenues, which could hurt stock prices.

That’s due to the reduced levels of disposable income in a high-rate environment. Higher rates make it more expensive for consumers to borrow money with credit cards, mortgages, or personal or small-business loans.

Consumers’ tighter grip on their pocketbooks may negatively affect companies, who find it more challenging to sell their products and services. With lower revenues, companies can’t reinvest in the company and may experience reduced earnings.

How Interest Rates Impact Companies

Businesses that are publicly traded can experience significant volatility depending on interest rate fluctuations. For instance, changes in interest rates can impact companies through bank loan availability.

When rates rise, companies may find it more difficult to borrow money, as higher interest rates make bank loans more expensive. As companies require capital to keep the lights on and products rolling, higher rates may slow capital borrowing, which can negatively impact productivity, cut revenues, and curb stock growth.

Correspondingly, companies can borrow money more freely in a lower interest rate environment, which puts them in a better position to raise capital, improve company profitability, and attract investors to buy their stock.

The Takeaway

Changes in interest rates can have far-reaching effects on the stock market. In general, higher interest rates tend to have a dampening impact on stocks, while lower interest rates tend to boost market prices. Higher interest rates effectively mean higher borrowing costs that can slow down the economy and companies’ balance sheets and drag down stock prices. Additionally, higher interest rates can boost the appeal of bonds relative to equities, which also acts as a drag on stocks.

But changes in interest rates don’t have to be daunting. If you want to create a well-diversified portfolio, SoFi can help. With a SoFi Invest® investment account, you can trade stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and fractional shares with no commissions for as little as $5.

Take a step toward reaching your financial goals with SoFi Invest.


SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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What Are Bull Put Spreads & How Do They Work?

Bull Put Spread: How This Options Strategy Works

A bull put spread is an options trading strategy that someone may use when they have a moderately bullish view of an asset, meaning they think the price will increase slightly. The strategy allows you to profit from an increase in an underlying asset’s price while limiting losses if an asset’s price declines.

Bull put spreads and options trading are not for everyone, but learning the ins and outs of this strategy may help your financial portfolio.

What Is a Bull Put Spread?

A bull put spread is an options trading strategy that involves buying a put option and selling another put option on the same underlying asset with the same expiration date, but at different strike prices. The trade is considered a neutral-to-bullish strategy, since it’s designed so the maximum benefit occurs when an asset’s price moderately increases.

To execute a bull put spread, a trader will simultaneously sell a put option at a specific strike price (the short leg of the trade) and buy a put option with a lower strike price (the long leg of the trade).

The trader receives a premium for selling the option with a higher strike price but pays a premium for buying the put option with a lower strike price. The premium paid for the long leg put option will always be less than the short leg since the lower strike put is further out of the money. The difference between the premium received and the premium paid is the maximum potential profit in the trade.

The goal of the bull put spread strategy is to finish the trade with the premium earned by selling the put (sometimes referred to as writing a put option) and lose no more than the premium paid for the long put.

A bull put spread options trading strategy is sometimes called a short put spread or a credit put spread.

💡 Recommended: Options Trading 101: An Introduction to Stock Options

How a Bull Put Spread Works

Bull put spreads focus on put options, which are options contracts that give the buyer the right – but not always the obligation – to sell a security at a given price (the strike price) during a set period of time.

The bull put spread strategy earns the highest profit in situations where the underlying stock trades at or above the strike price of the short put option – the put option sold with the higher strike price – upon expiration. This strategy, therefore, works best for assets that the traders of a bull put spread believe will trade slightly upwards.

The strategy provides a way to profit from a stock’s rising price without having to hold shares. An options strategy like this also caps downside risk because the maximum loss is the difference between the strike prices of the two puts minus the net premium received.

Even though the risk is limited, there can still be times when it makes sense to close out the trade.

💡 Recommended: How to Trade Options: An In-Depth Guide for Beginners

Max Profit and Risk

A bull put spread is meant to profit from a rising stock price, time decay, or both. This strategy caps both potential profit and loss, meaning its risk is limited.

The profit of a bull put spread is capped at the premium you receive by selling the short leg of the trade, minus the premium you spent to buy the long leg put option. You achieve this maximum profit if the underlying asset finishes at any price above the strike price of the short leg of the trade.

Maximum profit = premium received for selling put option – premium paid for buying put option

The maximum losses (i.e., the risk) of a bull put spread is the difference between the strike price of the short put option and the strike price of the long put option, minus the net premium you received.

Maximum loss = strike price of short put – strike price of long put – net premium received

The breakeven point of a bull put spread is the price the underlying asset trades at expiration so that the trader will come away even. The breakeven point will equal the difference between the net premiums you receive up front and the strike price of the short put option. At the breakeven, the trader neither makes nor loses money, not including commissions and fees.

Breakeven point = strike price of short put – net premium received

Bull Put Spread Example

Alice would like to use a bull put spread for XYZ stock since she thinks the price will slowly go up a month from now. XYZ is trading at $150 per share. Alice sells a put option for a premium of $3 with a strike price of $150. At the same time, she buys a put option with a premium of $1 and a strike price is $140. Both put options have the same expiration date in a month.

Alice will collect the difference between the two premiums, which is $2 ($3 – $1). Since each option contract is usually for 100 shares of stock, she’d collect a $200 premium when opening the bull put spread.

Maximum Profit

As long as XYZ stock trades at or above $150 at expiration, both puts will expire worthless, and she will keep the $200 premium she received at the start of the trade, minus commissions and fees.

Maximum profit = $3 – $1 = $2 x 100 shares = $200

Maximum Loss

Alice will experience the maximum loss if XYZ stock trades below $140 at expiration, the strike price of the long leg of the trade. In this scenario, Alice will lose $800, plus commissions and fees.

Maximum loss = $150 – $140 – ($3 – $1) = $8 x 100 shares = $800

Breakeven

If XYZ stock trades at $148 at expiration, Alice will lose $200 from the short leg of the trade with the $150 stock price. However, this will be balanced out by the initial $200 premium she received when opening the positioning. She neither makes nor loses money in this scenario, not including commissions and fees.

Breakeven point = $150 – ($3 – $1) = $148

Bull Put Spread Exit Strategy

Often, trades don’t go as planned. If they did, trading would be easy, and everyone would succeed. What sets successful traders apart from the rest of the pack is the ability to make winning trades, mitigate risk, and limit losses.

Having an exit strategy can help by providing a plan to cut losses at a predetermined point, rather than being caught off guard or simply “waiting” and “hoping” that the market turns around in your favor.

An exit strategy may be a little complicated for a bull put spread. Before the expiration date, you may want to exit the trade so you don’t have to buy an asset you may be obligated to purchase because you sold a put option. You may also decide to exit the position if the underlying asset price is falling and you want to limit your losses rather than take the maximum loss.

To close out a bull put spread entirely would require that the trader buy the short put contract to close and sell the long put option to close.

💡 Recommended: Buy to Open vs Buy to Close

Pros and Cons of Bull Put Spreads

The following are some of the advantages and disadvantages of bull put spreads:

Bull Put Spread Pros

Bull Put Spread Cons

Protection from downside risk; the maximum loss is known at the start of the trade The gains from the strategy will be limited and may be lower than if the trader bought the underlying asset outright
The potential to profit from a modest decline in the price of the underlying asset price Maximum loss is usually more substantial than the maximum gain
You can tailor the strategy based on your risk profile Difficult trading strategy for novice investors

Impacts of Variables

Several variables impact options prices, and options trading terminology describes how these variables might change in a given position.

Because a bull put spread consists of a short put and a long put, the way specific changes in different variables impact the position can be different than other options positions. Here’s a brief summary.

1. Stock Price Change

A bull put spread does well when the underlying security price rises, making it a bullish strategy. When the price falls, the spread performs poorly. This is known as a position with a “net positive delta.” Delta is an options measurement that refers to how much the price of an option will change as the underlying security price changes. The ratio of a stock’s price change to an option’s price change is not usually one-to-one.

Because a bull put spread is made up of one long put and one short put, the delta often won’t change much as the stock price changes if the time to expiration hasn’t changed. This is known as a “near-zero gamma” trade. Gamma is an estimation of how much the delta of a position will change as the underlying stock price changes.

2. Changes in Volatility

Volatility refers to how much the price of a stock might fluctuate in percentage terms. Implied volatility (IV) is a variable in options prices. Higher volatility usually means higher options prices, assuming other factors stay the same. But a bull put spread changes very little when volatility changes, and everything else remains equal.

This is known as a “near-zero vega” position. Vega measures how much an option price will change when volatility changes, but other factors are unmoved.

3. Time

Time decay refers to the fact that the value of an option declines as expiration draws near. The relationship of the stock price to the strike prices of the two put options will determine how time decay impacts the price of a bull put spread.

If the price of the underlying stock is near or above the strike price of the short put (the option with a higher strike price), then the price of the bull put spread declines (and makes money) as time goes on. This occurs because the short put is closest to being in the money and falls victim to time decay more rapidly than the long put.

But if the stock price is near or below the long put’s strike price (the option with a lower strike price), then the price of the bull spread will increase (and lose money) as time goes on. This occurs because the long put is closer to being in the money and will suffer the effects of time decay faster than the short put.

In cases where the underlying asset’s price is squarely in-between both strike prices, time decay barely affects the price of a bull put spread, as both the long and short puts will suffer time decay at more or less the same rate.

4. Early assignment

American-style options can be exercised at any time before expiration. Writers of a short options position can’t control when they might be required to fulfill the obligation of the contract. For this reason, the risk of early assignment (i.e., the risk of being required to buy the underlying asset per the option contract) must be considered when entering into short positions using options.

In a bull put spread, only the short put has early assignment risk. Early assignment of options usually has to do with dividends, and sometimes short puts can be assigned on the underlying stock’s ex-dividend date (the date someone has to start holding a stock if they want to receive the next dividend payment).

In the money puts with time value that doesn’t match the dividends of the underlying stock are likely to be assigned, as traders could earn more from the dividends they receive as a result of holding the shares than they would from the premium of the option.

For this reason, if the underlying stock price is below the short put’s strike price in a bull put spread, traders may want to contemplate the risk of early assignment. In cases where early assignment seems likely, using an exit strategy of some kind could be appropriate.

Start Investing Today With SoFi

Trading options isn’t easy and can involve significant risk. Many variables are involved in options trading, some of which have been notorious for catching newbie traders by surprise. While we’ve answered the fundamental question “what is a bull put spread” here, new investors looking to implement this strategy will still have a lot to learn.

For investors ready to dive into bull spreads and other options trading strategies, SoFi’s options trading platform is a good place to start, thanks to its intuitive design. Investors can trade options from the mobile app or web platform. Plus, they can check out educational resources about options if any questions arise.

Trade options with low fees through SoFi.


Photo credit: iStock/kate_sept2004

SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire amount invested in a short period of time. Before an investor begins trading options they should familiarize themselves with the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options . Tax considerations with options transactions are unique, investors should consult with their tax advisor to understand the impact to their taxes.
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Liability vs Full Coverage Car Insurance: What They Cover

Liability vs Full Coverage Car Insurance: What They Cover

Full coverage car insurance protects you against the most common causes of car damage and bodily injury: not just accidents but also theft, vandalism, fire, and more. Depending on the state you live in, it may also include Uninsured Motorist coverage, and Personal Injury Protection for yourself and your passengers. Liability, on the other hand, only offers financial protection against other drivers’ claims of injury and damage if you’re found at fault.

It can be hard to know how much insurance you need, and how to keep costs down. We’ll review the different types of policies available, pros and cons of each, and the average cost of full coverage vs. liability.

What Is Full Coverage Car Insurance?

Full coverage car insurance refers to a policy with the broadest protections available. Although specifics vary by policy, full coverage usually includes the following:

•   Liability: If you’re involved in an accident and found to be at fault, this type of insurance provides financial protection against other drivers’ claims of bodily injury and property damage.

•   Collision: Helps pay for damages to your own vehicle after an accident with another vehicle or an object like a guardrail.

•   Comprehensive: Protects you against theft or damage unrelated to an accident, such as fire or vandalism.

In some states, full coverage may also include the following:

•   Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM): Covers your losses if the other driver either doesn’t have insurance or not enough.

•   Personal injury protection (PIP): Covers medical expenses for yourself and passengers in your car if injuries occur. It may cover other costs, as well: lost wages, the cost of services that you can’t perform while injured, such as housekeeping, as well as funeral costs.

•   Medical payments (MedPay): This can cover medical expenses but doesn’t offer the fullness of coverage that’s available through PIP.

Check your state laws for specifics. This guide to car insurance terms can also be helpful.

Recommended: Should I Sell My House Now or Wait

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Recommended: Insurance Tips for First-Time Drivers

Average Cost of Full Coverage Car Insurance

The average full coverage car insurance cost in 2022 is $1,771 annually. Of course, many factors go into full coverage car insurance quotes, so your price will undoubtedly vary. The cost for a male teenage driver, for example, is $807 more each year on average.

A poor driving record will almost double your premiums. For more details, check out this look at how much insurance goes up after an accident.

Your deductible will also make a big difference in your premiums. In general, the lower the deductible, the higher the premium, and vice versa. So if you’re wondering how to lower your car insurance cost, consider choosing a higher deductible.

The cheapest full coverage car insurance is about $1,000 per year for an individual policy.

Recommended: What Credit Score is Needed to Buy a Car

Why Consider Getting Full Coverage Insurance?

You’ll have the broadest protections with a full coverage policy. Also, if you have a car loan, your lender may require you to have full coverage to protect their investment. The best way to determine how much coverage you need is to sit down for a personal insurance planning session.

Recommended: What is The Difference Between Transunion and Equifax

Pros and Cons of Full Coverage Car Insurance

There are advantages and disadvantages to paying for full coverage car insurance.

Pros of full coverage

•   Provides a broader range of protection:

◦   May cover medical expenses if you’re hurt in a collision

◦   May cover vandalism and theft

◦   Can protect you after an accident if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough coverage

•   Typically meets all state insurance requirements.

•   Usually satisfies the requirements of your lender or lessor.

Cons of full coverage

•   Cost is higher than baseline liability insurance.

•   Doesn’t provide coverage for commercial driving purposes.

•   Won’t cover the cost of normal wear and tear.

What Full Coverage Insurance Doesn’t Cover

Although full coverage provides a significant amount of protection, it doesn’t cover every situation imaginable. It may or may not, for example, provide UM/UIM, PIP, or MedPay coverage. As noted above, full coverage also doesn’t account for standard wear and tear or maintenance needs on the vehicle — that’s up to you. Learn more about saving on car maintenance costs.

Because full coverage varies from company to company, it’s important to read your agreement carefully and understand what it does and doesn’t include.

What Is Liability Car Insurance?

There are two components to what liability auto insurance covers: bodily injury and property damage. If someone is at fault in an accident, their bodily injury coverage will pay for the medical expenses of injured parties. It may also cover lost income, legal fees, and/or funeral costs.

Property damage coverage helps pay for damage to the other person’s vehicle and to any other property that sustained damage during the accident, such as a fence, home, or bicycle.

Personal liability coverage is something different. It typically covers medical costs for someone injured on your property or because of your negligence. It may cover property damage costs, legal fees, and so forth.

Recommended: Does Net Worth Include Home Equity

Average Cost of Liability Insurance

On average, a liability insurance policy costs $716 in 2022. But again, many factors — including your age, gender, driving record, and type of deductible — can influence the price.

Why Consider Getting Liability Coverage Insurance?

Most states require liability car insurance, although the specifics vary from state to state. do not require it. In New Hampshire and Virginia, you can skip liability insurance if you can prove you can pay for costs out-of-pocket after an accident where you’re at fault.

Pros and Cons of Liability Coverage Car Insurance

While it may be tempting to pay for only liability coverage, you need to keep certain drawbacks in mind.

Pros of liability insurance

•   Costs less than full coverage car insurance.

•   Provides basic coverage in case of an accident.

•   Required by most states.

Cons of liability insurance

•   If an accident occurs, you could still be on the hook for many costs (more on this below).

•   Won’t cover theft or vandalism of your vehicle.

•   If you have a loan or lease, the lender/lessor may require full coverage.

What Liability Insurance Doesn’t Cover

If an accident occurs, liability insurance won’t cover damage to your vehicle. For that, you need collision coverage. Liability may or may not cover your personal injuries. And if you’re not at fault in the accident, it doesn’t cover the other driver’s medical bills or property damage costs.

Differences Between Liability and Full Coverage Insurance

When weighing liability vs. full coverage car insurance, here are a few things to consider:

•   Full coverage car insurance costs more, but it also offers significantly more protection.

•   Liability auto insurance is required in most states, but full coverage is not.

•   If you have a car loan or lease, the lender/lessor will likely require full coverage.

•   With liability insurance, there’s no deductible. With full coverage, deductibles range from $500 to $1,500.

When To Add Optional Coverage

Optional coverage to consider include:

•   Rental car reimbursement: If your car is in the shop or otherwise out of service for more than a day, this pays for a rental vehicle.

•   Gap insurance: This is intended for cars that have a loan or lease. If the vehicle is totalled and you owe more than the value of the car, gap insurance pays the difference.

•   New car replacement: As the name suggests, if a car is totaled, you get a new car that’s similar to your previous one.

Recommended: The Cheapest Way To Rent a Car

What Are the State Minimum Requirements for Full Coverage?

How to read this table: Alabama’s requirements for car insurance are 25/50/25. This means that the state requires $25,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person, with $50,000 for all bodily injuries that take place within a single accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident. Just keep in mind that this is the minimum amount of car insurance you need.

State

Car Insurance Requirements

Additional Requirements

Alabama 25/50/25
Alaska 50/100/25
Arizona 25/50/15
Arkansas 25/50/25
California 15/30/5
Colorado 25/50/15
Connecticut 25/50/25 The state also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Delaware 25/50/10 The state also requires personal injury protection (PIP)
Florida Property damage liability of $10,000 per accident and $10,000 PIP coverage
Georgia 25/50/25
Hawaii 20/40/10 and $10,000 PIP
Idaho 25/50/15
Illinois 25/50/20 Under state law, policies automatically include what’s required for uninsured motorist coverages
Indiana 25/50/25 This state also requires $50,000 in underinsured motorist coverage for bodily injuries
Iowa 20/40/15
Kansas 25/50/25 Along with uninsured/underinsured coverage ($25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident) and personal injury protection (PIP or no-fault)
Kentucky 25/50/25
Louisiana 15/30/25
Maine 50/100/25 Along with $50,000 uninsured coverage per person and $100,000 per accident, and $2,000 in medical payment coverage
Maryland 30/60/15
Massachusetts 20/40/5 and $8,000 PIP
Michigan 20/40/10
Minnesota 30/60/10 Along with $25,000 uninsured/underinsured coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and $40,000 PIP
Mississippi 25/50/15
Missouri 25/50/25 Plus $25,000 uninsured coverage per person and $50,000 per accident
Montana 25/50/20
Nebraska 25/50/25 Plus $25,000 uninsured/underinsured coverage per person and $50,000 per accident
Nevada 25/50/20
New Jersey 15/30/5 Along with $15,000 PIP
New Mexico 25/50/10
New York 25/50/50 and $50,000 PIP
North Carolina 30/60/25 The state also has detailed specifics about required insurance coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists
North Dakota 25/50/25
Ohio 25/50/25
Oklahoma 25/50/25
Oregon 25/50/20 Plus $25,000 uninsured coverage per person and $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 PIP
Pennsylvania 15/30/5 Plus $5,000 for medical payments
Rhode Island 25/50/25
South Carolina 25/50/25 Plus $25,000 uninsured coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage
South Dakota 25/50/25 Plus $25,000 uninsured coverage per person and $50,000 per accident
Tennessee 25/50/15
Texas 30/60/25
Utah 25/65/15
Vermont 25/50/10
Washington 25/50/10
Washington D.C. 25/50/10 $25,000 uninsured coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and $5,000 property damage
West Virginia 25/50/25 Plus $25,000 uninsured coverage per person and $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage
Wisconsin 25/50/10 Plus $25,000 uninsured coverage per person and $50,000 per accident

The Takeaway

Full coverage car insurance includes several different types of protection, which makes it popular with drivers who can afford it. Full coverage gives you liability protection (used when you’re at fault in an accident), collision (which pays for damage to your vehicle), and comprehensive (which protects against theft and non-accident-related damage). In some states, you’ll also get Uninsured Motorist coverage, Personal Injury Protection, and/or Medical Payment coverage. Liability coverage, on the other hand, only covers property damage and bodily injury in case you’re at fault in an accident. Auto insurance coverage requirements vary by state.

If you’re looking for affordable full coverage car insurance, we invite you to compare auto insurance quotes from top insurers. SoFi makes finding the right deal on car insurance easy.

Get a car insurance quote in just minutes.

FAQ

Is it worth having full coverage on a car?

If you have a loan or lease, you may be required to have full coverage. And you may want to get full coverage on a newer car to protect your investment even if you don’t have to. This can also be true of an older car that’s maintained its value.

What does full coverage come with?

It comes with liability insurance, collision coverage, and comprehensive insurance. It may come with additional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection, and/or medical payment coverage.

What are the benefits of full coverage?

This kind of policy provides you with a broad range of protections against not just accidents but fire, theft, vandalism, and other common threats. If you have a car loan or lease, full coverage may be required.


Photo credit: iStock/shapecharge

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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How to Apply for Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness

How to Apply for Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness

Editor's Note: For the latest developments regarding federal student loan debt repayment, check out our student debt guide.


You can now apply for a one-time cancellation of up to $20,000 on your federal student loan debt through an online form posted on the Federal Student Aid website.

The program provides eligible borrowers with full or partial discharge of federal loans up to $20,000 to Federal Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 to non-Pell Grant recipients.

Who qualifies? Individuals who made less than $125,000 in 2021 or 2020, and families that made less than $250,000 in 2021 or 2020.

Read on to learn more about applying for student loan forgiveness — and the deadlines you need to know.

Steps to Take to Apply for Student Loan Debt Cancellation

President Joe Biden announced a student loan forgiveness plan in August that would provide one-time debt relief to low- and middle-income families through $10,000 or $20,000 payments.

The form went live on October 17.

Nearly 8 million borrowers may be eligible to receive relief without applying for it because the DOE already has their income information. But if you are uncertain whether you fall into that group, it’s recommended that you fill out the application.

Qualified borrowers are advised to apply by mid-November in order to receive relief before the pause on all federal loan payments expires on December 31, 2022.

Following these steps will help the application process go smoothly:

Figure Out if You’re Eligible

People with federal student loans may qualify for up to $10,000 in debt relief, and Pell Grant recipients may get up to $20,000. Borrowers are eligible for this relief if their 2020 or 2021 individual income is less than $125,000 or $250,000 for households.

Federal Pell Grants are typically awarded to undergraduate students with low or moderate income. Most borrowers can log in to StudentAid.gov to see if they received a Pell Grant.

Submit Your Application

The application “is simple, easy, and you don’t need to log in or provide supporting documents to apply,” the White House tweeted on October 17.

“We’ll determine your eligibility and will contact you if we need more information,” says the FSA site. “Your loan servicer will notify you when your relief has been processed.”

A beta version of the application was released less than a week before the official application went live. Those who applied during that stage do not need to apply again, according to the White House. The form they submitted will be processed.

You’ll have until Dec. 31, 2023, to submit your application.

Refresh Your Contact Information

You do not need to log in with your student loan servicer to apply for debt relief, but it’s recommended that you make sure your contact information is up to date for notifications. If you don’t know who your federal student loan servicer is, find out now. These companies work with the DOE on the administration of your loans.

If you don’t have a StudentAid.gov account (an FSA ID), you should create an account to help you manage your loans.

A New Deadline for Loan Debt Payments

Everyone who is paying down their federal student loans got a pause in payments starting in March 2020. The deadline to resume payments has been extended more than five times.

“To ensure a smooth transition to repayment and prevent unnecessary defaults,” President Biden said he will extend the pause one more time, through Dec. 31, 2022, with payments resuming in January 2023.

Biden said this past August that there will be no more extensions after his final one.

Recommended: How to Prepare for the End of Federal Student Loan Relief

Changes in Eligibility for Public Service Forgiveness

Along with extending the deadline for loan repayments and creating a one-time federal loan relief payment, President Biden made changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Borrowers who are employed by nonprofits, the military, or federal, state, tribal, or local government may be eligible to have all of their student loans forgiven through the existing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This is because of time-limited changes that waive certain eligibility criteria in the PSLF program.

Anyone interested in this opportunity needs to take action immediately. These temporary changes expire on October 31, 2022. For more information on eligibility and requirements, and to apply, go to PSLF.gov .

What About Opposition to the Biden Loan Forgiveness Program?

Biden’s federal student loan forgiveness plan has not met with universal approval. Some say that Biden does not have the authority to institute the plan; others criticize the cost to the economy. The White House said in August that canceling the federal debt will cost the government $240 billion over the next decade. Other estimates have put the price higher.

In late September, six states — Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Carolina — filed a lawsuit to stop the plan, saying the Biden administration overstepped its regulatory authority.

Various court challenges and politicians’ petitions are moving forward. However, as of October 18, the opposition did not appear to have the legal authority to stop the debt cancellation plan from going forward.

Recommended: What Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Means for Your Taxes

The Takeaway

While federal student loan cancellation of up to $20,000 will be sent to about 8 million people automatically, there is now an online application for anyone who wants to apply and meets the income eligibility requirements.

You may want to take steps to get on top of all your student loan debt. Only federal student loans are eligible for cancellation, and only for those who meet certain income requirements. Refinancing your student loans — or what’s left of your student loans after forgiveness — might lead to lower payments, especially as interest rates are rising from historic lows. Explore student loan refinancing with SoFi to find out your options. Just be aware that after you refinance, that amount is no longer eligible for forgiveness.

Find out your rate for student loan refinancing

FAQ

Do you need to apply for the student loan forgiveness?

Nearly 8 million borrowers may be eligible to receive relief without applying — unless they choose to opt-out — because the necessary income data is already available to the DOE.

You may receive the one-time debt cancellation on your federal student loan if you filed the necessary income data through a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in the last two years or an income-driven repayment application that uses income data from tax years 2021 or 2020.

But if you are at all unsure whether this applies to you, it’s recommended that you fill out an application
online
.

How will I know if I qualify for student loan forgiveness?

You will either automatically receive forgiveness on your federal student loan or you’ll receive it after you fill out an application online. You will be notified through an email or text if you qualify and, later, you will be informed by your loan servicer once the money is deducted from what you owe.

What types of student loans will be forgiven?

Only federal loans are eligible for these forgiveness programs, not private student loans. Subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans, parent PLUS loans, and graduate PLUS loans held by the DOE are eligible.

Consolidation loans are also eligible for relief, as long as all of the underlying loans that were consolidated were DOE-held loans and were disbursed on or before June 30, 2022. Additionally, consolidation loans comprised of any FFEL or Perkins loans not held by DOE are also eligible, as long as the borrower applied for consolidation before Sept. 29, 2022.

Do parents get student loan forgiveness?

All DOE-held loans, including PLUS loans for parents and graduate students, are eligible for relief, according to the Biden Forgiveness Plan.


Photo credit: iStock/SDI Productions

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

In our efforts to bring you the latest updates on things that might impact your financial life, we may occasionally enter the political fray, covering candidates, bills, laws and more. Please note: SoFi does not endorse or take official positions on any candidates and the bills they may be sponsoring or proposing. We may occasionally support legislation that we believe would be beneficial to our members, and will make sure to call it out when we do. Our reporting otherwise is for informational purposes only, and shouldn’t be construed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.


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