Want to try investing but fear losing your hard-earned cash? “Point Investing” is the perfect entry point. It allows you to invest using loyalty points earned via daily shopping, meaning zero out-of-pocket capital. We cover the basics of point investing.
The Two Types of Point Investing
1. Point Asset Management (疑似投資 - Sandbox)
No brokerage account required. Your points fluctuate in value in lockstep with real-world mutual funds or stock indices.
- Perks: Activates instantly in app; usually fee-free.
2. Real Point Investing (本物の投資 - Brokerage)
Points act as real currency (1 Point = 1 JPY) to purchase real stocks or mutual funds within a linked brokerage account.
- Perks: Works within NISA tax-free accounts, paying out dividends in cash.
Best Brokerage Links
- Rakuten Points x Rakuten Securities: The gold standard. Supports automatic point deduction for monthly NISA mutual fund purchases.
- d-Points x SMBC Nikko Froggy: Allows purchasing fractions of shares starting at just 100 JPY/points.
- Ponta Points x au Kabucom Securities: Supports buying mutual funds and odd-lot shares using Ponta.