Blab Tech
Chime Launches Commission-Free Investing Platform With Atomic Invest Portfolios
On July 20 2026, Chime Financial Inc. rolled out Chime Invest, a new in‑app feature that lets users buy individual stocks and exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) without paying commissions and with fractional shares starting at just one dollar.
Chime, the San Francisco‑based fintech that already offers fee‑free checking and savings accounts, says the move is designed to lower the barriers that keep many Americans from investing. An April 2026 Gallup Economy and Personal Finance survey found that 58 % of U.S. adults own stock through individual holdings, mutual funds or retirement accounts, leaving more than 40 % without these savings options. The company notes that cost and time are the most common reasons savers cite for not investing.
Through Chime Invest, existing app users can choose a self‑directed account or an expert‑managed portfolio supplied by Atomic Invest, a Securities and Exchange Commission‑registered investment adviser. Chime Prime members who use the managed service will not face account balance minimums or management fees. Chime Plus members will pay a 0.10 % annual management fee, while standard members will be charged 0.25 %. All accounts are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) up to $500 000, including a $250 000 cash limit.
"The hardest part of investing is often getting started and sticking with it," the company said. "Millions of people already trust Chime with their money every day. By bringing investing into the app they already know and love, we’re making it easier to turn saving into investing and investing into long‑term wealth."
Atomic Invest, headquartered in New York, builds portfolios from a diversified mix of stocks and ETFs. The firm is registered with the SEC and operates under the same regulatory framework that governs traditional brokerage firms. Its fee structure is transparent: Prime members pay no fee, while other tiers pay a modest annual percentage of assets under management.
Chime’s launch follows a broader trend of banks and fintechs adding investing capabilities to their platforms. The company’s history of expanding services—early direct‑deposit access, earned‑wage features, and fee‑free overdraft protection—has attracted a customer base that largely earns under $100 000 per year. By offering commission‑free trading and low‑minimum investment options, Chime aims to broaden access to the stock market for this demographic.
The move is part of Chime’s strategy to diversify revenue streams after its initial public offering on the Nasdaq in June 2025. The company has raised $3.15 billion in funding across ten rounds, with its most recent round in 2021. Analysts say the addition of investing services could increase the company’s average revenue per user, though the impact on profitability remains to be seen.
Regulatory compliance is a key element of the new offering. Because Atomic Invest is an SEC‑registered adviser, Chime must adhere to the adviser‑client relationship rules, including suitability and fiduciary duties. The SIPC protection applies only to customer securities held at the brokerage; it does not cover losses from market movements.
Chime said the platform will be available to members "in the coming weeks." The company has not yet set a specific rollout date or disclosed the full range of available ETFs. It also has not announced any plans to integrate additional investment products such as mutual funds or options.
Industry observers note that the commission‑free model aligns with the growth of retail trading apps that have popularized fractional shares. However, the fee structure for non‑Prime members is higher than some competitors, which could affect adoption among cost‑sensitive users.
In summary, Chime’s Chime Invest offers a commission‑free, fractional‑share investing experience with optional expert management through Atomic Invest. The service is tailored to users who already trust Chime for banking, and it seeks to lower traditional entry barriers to stock market participation. The platform’s availability is expected in the near future, and its success will depend on user uptake, fee competitiveness, and regulatory compliance.
Chime, the San Francisco‑based fintech that already offers fee‑free checking and savings accounts, says the move is designed to lower the barriers that keep many Americans from investing. An April 2026 Gallup Economy and Personal Finance survey found that 58 % of U.S. adults own stock through individual holdings, mutual funds or retirement accounts, leaving more than 40 % without these savings options. The company notes that cost and time are the most common reasons savers cite for not investing.
Through Chime Invest, existing app users can choose a self‑directed account or an expert‑managed portfolio supplied by Atomic Invest, a Securities and Exchange Commission‑registered investment adviser. Chime Prime members who use the managed service will not face account balance minimums or management fees. Chime Plus members will pay a 0.10 % annual management fee, while standard members will be charged 0.25 %. All accounts are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) up to $500 000, including a $250 000 cash limit.
"The hardest part of investing is often getting started and sticking with it," the company said. "Millions of people already trust Chime with their money every day. By bringing investing into the app they already know and love, we’re making it easier to turn saving into investing and investing into long‑term wealth."
Atomic Invest, headquartered in New York, builds portfolios from a diversified mix of stocks and ETFs. The firm is registered with the SEC and operates under the same regulatory framework that governs traditional brokerage firms. Its fee structure is transparent: Prime members pay no fee, while other tiers pay a modest annual percentage of assets under management.
Chime’s launch follows a broader trend of banks and fintechs adding investing capabilities to their platforms. The company’s history of expanding services—early direct‑deposit access, earned‑wage features, and fee‑free overdraft protection—has attracted a customer base that largely earns under $100 000 per year. By offering commission‑free trading and low‑minimum investment options, Chime aims to broaden access to the stock market for this demographic.
The move is part of Chime’s strategy to diversify revenue streams after its initial public offering on the Nasdaq in June 2025. The company has raised $3.15 billion in funding across ten rounds, with its most recent round in 2021. Analysts say the addition of investing services could increase the company’s average revenue per user, though the impact on profitability remains to be seen.
Regulatory compliance is a key element of the new offering. Because Atomic Invest is an SEC‑registered adviser, Chime must adhere to the adviser‑client relationship rules, including suitability and fiduciary duties. The SIPC protection applies only to customer securities held at the brokerage; it does not cover losses from market movements.
Chime said the platform will be available to members "in the coming weeks." The company has not yet set a specific rollout date or disclosed the full range of available ETFs. It also has not announced any plans to integrate additional investment products such as mutual funds or options.
Industry observers note that the commission‑free model aligns with the growth of retail trading apps that have popularized fractional shares. However, the fee structure for non‑Prime members is higher than some competitors, which could affect adoption among cost‑sensitive users.
In summary, Chime’s Chime Invest offers a commission‑free, fractional‑share investing experience with optional expert management through Atomic Invest. The service is tailored to users who already trust Chime for banking, and it seeks to lower traditional entry barriers to stock market participation. The platform’s availability is expected in the near future, and its success will depend on user uptake, fee competitiveness, and regulatory compliance.
