can you transfer stocks from Cash App

A practical, up-to-date guide that answers “can you transfer stocks from Cash App” — explains ACATS in-kind transfers, what’s transferable (and what’s not), fees, timing, step-by-step initiation, t...

2026-01-11 07:32:00

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can you transfer stocks from Cash App — this guide explains what it means to move stock positions out of a Cash App Investing account, how the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS) works, common limits (notably fractional shares), fees, timing, and step-by-step advice for beginners.

Transferring stocks from Cash App Investing

Transferring stocks from Cash App Investing refers to moving eligible securities held in a Cash App brokerage account to another brokerage firm. Investors commonly transfer to consolidate accounts, access different trade tools, or move assets to a broker with services they prefer. The industry-standard mechanism for moving in-kind positions between broker-dealers is ACATS (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service).

How transfers work (ACATS and in-kind transfers)

ACATS is a standardized electronic system that most U.S. broker-dealers use to transfer eligible securities and account assets between firms. The receiving broker typically initiates the ACATS transfer by submitting a formal transfer request to the carrying (sending) broker. When the transfer is executed in-kind, eligible whole shares, ETFs and other supported securities move without being sold; cash positions and non-transferable assets are handled according to broker policies.

Key points about ACATS

Receiving-broker initiation: The broker you want to move assets to starts the process.
In-kind vs. cash: In-kind transfers move securities as-is; cash transfers sell positions and transfer proceeds.
Eligibility: Not every position is eligible for in-kind transfer—fractional shares are a common exception.
Standardized timeline: ACATS has published processing windows; real-world timings vary with verification and exceptions.

How the request flows

Once the receiving broker submits the ACATS request, the carrying broker reviews the transfer, reconciles positions and either approves or issues a refusal with reasons. If approved, transfers typically settle and positions appear at the receiving broker once processing completes.

Cash App’s role and carrying broker

Cash App Investing uses a carrying broker arrangement. Historically, Cash App Investing accounts have been carried by firms such as DriveWealth, LLC or Apex Clearing (depending on product and timing). The carrying broker holds and custodizes securities, and Cash App provides the user-facing application and account interfaces.

Cash App coordinates responses to ACATS requests through its carrying broker when an outside broker asks to move assets. For users, this means ACATS requests are processed by the custodial partner under the Cash App Investing program rather than by Cash App as an independent broker-dealer.

What can and cannot be transferred from Cash App

Transferable assets

Whole shares of U.S.-listed equities (if designated eligible by both firms).
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other standard brokerage securities if both firms accept them for transfer.
Cash balances that are available and designated for transfer.

Non-transferable assets and common limitations

Fractional shares: Cash App’s policy is that fractional shares cannot be transferred in-kind via ACATS. Fractional positions typically remain in the Cash App account and must be sold to convert to cash.
Crypto held in Cash App: Cryptocurrency is not transferred through ACATS; crypto custody and transfer follow different procedures and are not part of securities ACATS transfers.
Proprietary or special instruments: Certain nonstandard positions may be disallowed for transfer by either the sending or receiving firm.

As of 2026-01-21, according to Cash App Support, fractional shares held in Cash App Investing accounts cannot be transferred in-kind and must be sold before funds can move off-platform for those holdings.

Fees and cost considerations

Most brokerages have clear policies about transfer fees. For outbound ACATS transfers from Cash App, Cash App applies a standard outbound transfer processing fee.

Cash App outbound fee

Cash App charges an outbound completed stock transfer fee of $75, which is typically assessed as a debit to the account during the transfer process. As of 2026-01-21, according to Cash App documentation, the $75 outbound fee is the standard outbound fee for completed stock transfers.

Receiving-broker handling and reimbursements

Some receiving brokers advertise reimbursement of transfer-out fees to attract customers; reimbursement policies vary by firm and promotion.
Reimbursements (if any) are handled by the receiving broker after the transfer completes and are subject to that broker’s terms (promotional caps, eligibility windows, or required account activity).

Other potential costs

Partial transfer or manual processing fees if positions require manual intervention.
Regulatory or clearinghouse fees in rare cases, depending on the assets and transfer complexity.

Timing and process duration

Typical ACATS timelines are reasonably predictable but can be affected by verification steps, unsettled trades, or mismatched account details.

Expected timelines

Cash App documentation commonly reports an expected timeframe of about 3–6 business days for standard ACATS transfers, subject to verification and holidays.
Many receiving brokers list a typical range of 5–7 business days; real-world timing often lands inside the 3–7 business-day window.

Delays beyond this window commonly result from incomplete paperwork, unsettled transactions, account information mismatches, or the presence of non-transferable holdings that require liquidation.

How to initiate a transfer from Cash App

Note: The receiving broker is normally the party who files the ACATS request. If you want to move assets from Cash App, follow these practical steps.

Step-by-step initiation

Create or log in to an account at the receiving brokerage and locate their transfer-in or ACATS initiation page or support team.
Choose an in-kind transfer if you want eligible positions moved without selling; select a full or partial transfer depending on your needs.
Provide the Cash App Investing account number requested by the receiving broker. Use the full 17-digit account number format (no spaces/dashes) as specified by Cash App and the receiving broker.
Confirm account owner name and account type (individual, joint, retirement) match exactly between firms.
Specify which positions to transfer if doing a partial transfer; for full transfers, request moving all eligible assets.
Review fee and reimbursement terms with the receiving broker before confirming the transfer.

Important operational notes

The receiving broker will send the ACATS request to Cash App’s carrying broker. Cash App (via its custodian) validates the request, reconciles positions, applies any outbound fees and either completes the transfer or issues a refusal with reasons.

Account details needed (IDs, DTC)

Providing accurate account and clearing details avoids processing delays. Typical requirements include the full Cash App Investing account number, the account owner’s legal name as it appears on the Cash App account, and the receiving firm’s transfer form details.

Account number format

Use the full 17-digit Cash App Investing account number when requested. Do not add spaces or dashes. If you only have a shorter identifier from the app, contact Cash App support to confirm the proper transfer account number before initiating ACATS.

DTC and custodian details

In ACATS transfers, the receiving firm may ask for the Depository Trust Company (DTC) participant number associated with the carrying broker. The carrying broker’s DTC information is processed behind the scenes between clearinghouses and custodians; providing accurate account numbers and legal names is typically sufficient for retail transfers.

Full vs partial transfers and effects on the Cash App account

Full ACATS transfer

A full ACATS transfer requests that all eligible assets be moved from the Cash App Investing account to the receiving broker. After a completed full outbound ACATS, any remaining non-transferable positions (for example, fractional shares) usually remain in the Cash App account for sale or liquidation. Following a full outbound transfer, you may lose certain trading capabilities in the Cash App Investing product for those moved assets, though the Cash App account itself often remains active for other features.

Partial ACATS transfer

Partial transfers let you select specific eligible positions to move while keeping the remainder in Cash App. This is useful if you want to consolidate only some holdings or preserve fractional positions in Cash App for later sale. Partial transfers typically allow continued trading of positions left in the Cash App account.

Common reasons transfers fail or are delayed

Unsettled trades: If an asset has unsettled trades, it may be ineligible to transfer until settlement completes.
Incorrect or mismatched account information: Name, Social Security number, account type, or account number mismatches cause rejections.
Attempting to transfer fractional shares in-kind: Fractional shares are normally rejected for in-kind transfer and must be sold.
Inclusion of non-transferable securities: Some positions are ineligible and trigger partial rejections.
Multiple simultaneous transfer requests on the same account: Concurrent requests can create processing conflicts and delays.
Authorized agent or third-party requests: Transfers initiated by someone not authorized on the account are refused.

Fractional shares — special considerations

Fractional shares are a primary limitation when asking “can you transfer stocks from Cash App.” Cash App’s policy is that fractional shares cannot be transferred through ACATS. Fractional holdings will remain in the Cash App account and usually must be sold to convert their value to cash for withdrawal or migration.

Selling fractional shares may trigger taxable events if you have a gain or loss on the position. Keep records of sales for accurate tax reporting and cost-basis tracking.

Alternatives to in-kind transfer

Selling and withdrawing proceeds

If an in-kind transfer is impossible because of fractional shares or ineligible assets, you can sell those positions in Cash App and transfer the resulting cash balance out to a linked bank account. After funds settle in your bank, you can deposit into the receiving broker and recreate positions if desired.

Recreate positions at the new broker

Another option is to transfer only eligible whole shares in-kind and then manually buy fractional-equivalent positions at the receiving broker to match your previous allocation. This approach may lead to slight differences in timing, price execution and overall cost-basis reporting.

Tax, reporting, and cost-basis considerations

Tax reporting for transferred assets depends on whether assets are moved in-kind or sold before transfer. In-kind transfers generally preserve cost-basis information when the outgoing broker provides it to the receiving broker; however, users should verify cost-basis carryover after the transfer completes.

Cost basis and Form 1099

When an in-kind transfer completes, the receiving broker should receive cost-basis data from the carrying broker and report gains or losses accurately on future tax forms.
If you sell positions in Cash App prior to transferring, the sale is a taxable event. Cash App will report proceeds and cost basis on applicable tax forms (e.g., Form 1099-B) for that tax year.

For complex tax questions or large accounts, consult a tax professional to clarify reporting requirements and implications of selling fractional shares or performing full account transfers.

After the transfer — what to expect

After a successful ACATS transfer, the positions moved become assets of the receiving broker and are visible in that account. The receiving broker becomes responsible for trade execution, account statements and future tax reporting for those positions.

Any fractional shares originally held in Cash App will remain in the Cash App account until sold. Expect account statements from both the sending and receiving brokers reflecting the transfer and any fees applied.

Troubleshooting and contacting support

When transfers stall or error, take these practical steps:

Contact the receiving broker’s transfer support to confirm they initiated ACATS and to obtain the transfer reference number.
Confirm the Cash App Investing account number and account-holder name match exactly with records at the receiving broker.
Check for unsettled trades or pending corporate events that might block transfer of specific positions.
Use Cash App’s in-app support channel to ask about the outbound transfer fee application and any custodial notes from the carrying broker.

As of 2026-01-21, according to Cash App Support, users should use the in-app help and the receiving broker’s transfer tracking to reconcile any delays; keeping both sides informed accelerates resolution.

Regulatory and custody notes

Cash App Investing accounts operate under a brokerage program where accounts and securities are custodied by a carrying broker-dealer. Brokerage accounts are generally subject to FINRA rules and may be covered by SIPC protection for missing securities or cash caused by broker insolvency, up to SIPC limits and under SIPC rules.

Important distinctions:

SIPC protection covers many brokerage assets for certain types of loss due to a member firm’s failure, but it is not FDIC insurance and does not protect against market losses.
Cryptocurrency custody or losses involving crypto are not SIPC-protected in the same way as securities; different custody rules and protections may apply.

Always consult the Cash App Investing disclosures and the carrying broker’s regulatory documents to understand custody arrangements and protections for your assets.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I transfer fractional shares?

No — fractional shares cannot be transferred in-kind from Cash App. Fractional holdings must generally be sold within Cash App and converted to cash before you can move the value off-platform. This is one of the main practical constraints when you ask “can you transfer stocks from Cash App.”

How long will it take?

Typical ACATS transfers take about 3–7 business days, depending on verification and whether all positions are eligible. Cash App documentation commonly cites roughly 3–6 business days; many receiving brokers list 5–7 days as typical.

Who initiates the transfer?

The receiving broker normally initiates the ACATS transfer with the carrying broker. As the account owner, you request the transfer through the receiving firm’s transfer-in process.

Will I be charged?

Cash App charges an outbound completed stock transfer fee (standard fee is $75 as of 2026-01-21 per Cash App Support). Whether that fee is reimbursed depends on the receiving broker’s promotional or reimbursement policies.

Will cost basis transfer?

Cost-basis information is typically transmitted with in-kind ACATS transfers. Verify the receiving broker’s position details after the transfer to confirm correct cost-basis and lot-level data.

Practical checklist before you start

Confirm which positions are whole shares and which are fractional.
Verify the exact Cash App Investing account number (17 digits) and legal name format.
Check for unsettled trades and sell fractional shares if needed before initiating ACATS.
Confirm the receiving broker’s ACATS initiation process and any fee-reimbursement terms.
Prepare to monitor both the receiving broker and Cash App for status updates during processing.

Data and reporting context (recent reporting)

As of 2026-01-21, according to Cash App Support, the outbound ACATS fee for stock transfers is $75 and fractional shares remain non-transferable. These published policy points directly affect typical user decisions when asking “can you transfer stocks from Cash App.”

Industry coverage of broker transitions indicates that transfer volume, promotional reimbursement offers and clearing relationships can affect average transfer times and user experience. For the most current operational details, always confirm with the official Cash App Investing help center and the receiving broker’s support documentation prior to initiating a transfer.

Security and best practices

Never share account credentials. Provide only the required account numbers and supporting verification steps requested by the receiving broker.
Use secure channels: initiate communication through official apps and verified support channels only.
Keep records: save screenshots or confirmation numbers for the transfer request and any correspondence with support teams.

Why consider Bitget when moving assets

If you are moving cash proceeds from a sale or planning a platform change to broaden asset exposure, Bitget provides a user-friendly exchange and an integrated Bitget Wallet for traders interested in both centralized and Web3 workflows. Bitget’s educational materials and wallet guides help users onboard and manage assets across trading and decentralized finance. Explore Bitget resources for tutorials on funding, trading and security best practices.

Troubleshooting scenarios — examples and recommended actions

Scenario: Partial rejection citing fractional share inclusion

Action: Sell fractional shares in Cash App, confirm cash settlement, then either transfer cash or re-initiate a new ACATS for the remaining whole-share positions.

Scenario: Transfer delayed due to name mismatch

Action: Confirm legal name spelling on both accounts and provide any required documentation (e.g., ID verification) to the receiving broker so they can correct and re-submit the ACATS instruction.

Scenario: Receiving broker expects reimbursement but you have not received it

Action: Provide the receiving broker with the ACATS confirmation or transfer reference; review their promotional terms and timelines; keep records from the Cash App transfer notice to expedite reimbursement review.

Final recommendations and next steps

When you consider whether “can you transfer stocks from Cash App,” remember: whole shares and eligible ETFs can typically move in-kind via ACATS; fractional shares cannot. Confirm account numbers, expect an outbound fee (Cash App’s $75 as of 2026-01-21), and initiate the transfer through the receiving broker’s transfer-in process. If you plan to move proceeds or re-establish positions, consider the timing and tax consequences before selling fractional holdings.

For users exploring alternative trading venues, Bitget offers an integrated experience and Bitget Wallet for those bridging between centralized trading and Web3 assets. If you need step-by-step assistance, open a transfer ticket with the receiving broker and contact Cash App in-app support to confirm your account details and any custodial notes.

Further reading and official support: consult Cash App’s ACATS help pages and the receiving broker’s transfer guides for exact form fields and the latest fee reimbursement policies before starting a transfer.

Ready to explore next steps? Check your receiving broker’s transfer-in process, confirm your Cash App account number, and prepare to sell any fractional shares you wish to move as cash. For multi-asset needs and Web3 wallet support after transfer, learn more about Bitget and Bitget Wallet features.

The content above has been sourced from the internet and generated using AI. For high-quality content, please visit Bitget Academy.