Lightyear Review 2026: Stocks, ETFs and Crypto

Lightyear is an investment platform offering stocks, funds, ETFs, bonds, money market funds and crypto. Its homepage lists more than 4,000 US stocks and highlights fractional investing for eligible assets. Product and provider availability can vary by country.

The platform also offers automated investment plans and a savings option advertised at 2.46% APY. That rate is variable and linked to the European Central Bank overnight rate; Lightyear says the savings are managed by BlackRock.

Lightyear says its UK business is supervised by the Financial Conduct Authority and its EU business by Estonia's financial supervisory authority, EFSA. It is not a bank, and the protections described for securities and crypto differ.

Lightyear is a centralized investment platform rather than a decentralized exchange. Customers use its app or website to access eligible investments, including stocks, funds, ETFs, bonds and crypto. The available providers and products depend on the customer's country, and fractional purchases are offered only for some assets.

Users can place investments individually or arrange recurring contributions through prepared or self-built plans. The platform also offers a savings option with a variable rate that it says follows the European Central Bank overnight rate. Lightyear says customer assets are held separately from company assets, while noting that it is not a bank and that different protections apply to different asset types.

Lightyear advertises €0 ETF commission, €0 account fees and a 0.35% foreign-exchange fee. These headline prices do not establish the full cost of every product or transaction; the homepage also says product and provider availability can depend on country.

The savings rate shown is 2.46% APY, but it is variable rather than a fee or guaranteed return. Check the current fee schedule and product terms in the app before investing.

Lightyear says its UK business is supervised by the FCA and its EU business by Estonia's EFSA. It says customer assets are kept separate from company funds and held with authorized custodians. Its homepage lists EU investor compensation of up to €20,000 for eligible assets and SIPC protection of up to $500,000 for US securities held through Alpaca; these protections have limits and are not general protection against investment losses.

Lightyear states that crypto assets are not covered by the EU investor compensation scheme it describes. The platform is not a bank, and the homepage does not state that it has undergone an independent security audit. Users remain exposed to market, custody, operational and counterparty risks. Only invest in crypto where it is legal for you, and do not invest money you cannot afford to lose.

Lightyear may appeal to investors looking for a single platform for traditional investments and crypto, especially those who value fractional purchases or recurring investment plans. It is less suitable for anyone who needs a fixed savings return, comprehensive bank-style deposit protection, or a platform whose complete fee schedule and audit details are immediately clear.