This is a triple referral combo walkthrough for US students, US citizens, or non-US residents with ITIN who want to compare Rakuten, SoFi, and Kraken terms before signing up. Requirements, availability, and reward amounts can change.
Who This Is For
- US citizens and green card holders
- US students (with SSN)
- Non-US residents with ITIN (digital nomads, cloud residents, etc.)
- Those who don't currently have a SoFi account
Potential Benefits to Check
The Rakuten and SoFi amounts below reflect the offers recorded for this walkthrough; check current terms before relying on them. The Kraken Pro reward depends on the offer shown in your account, so there is no fixed combined reward total:
- Rakuten new user bonus: $50
- Rakuten SoFi cashback: up to $375 (varies, please monitor Rakuten offers)
- SoFi friend referral bonus: $25
- SoFi official signup bonus: $300
- Kraken Pro referral reward: varies by offer; check the reward and qualifying requirements shown in Kraken Pro
Rewards Received Update
- Rakuten: $425 total confirmed ($375 SoFi cashback + $50 welcome bonus). Confirmed and waiting for payout.
- SoFi: $25 referral bonus already received. $300 DD bonus received and credited to account.
Get Started
Step 1: Sign Up for Rakuten
Register for Rakuten using the referral link: https://www.rakuten.com/r/MRFECH?eeid=28187
Step 2: Sign Up for Kraken
Register through Monica's Kraken Pro invitation using the referral code: dkgct9fh
Visit: https://proinvite.kraken.com/9f1e/0vp1p91d to start the official signup flow, then follow the Kraken Pro app instructions.
Kraken Pro offer requirements to check:
- New-account eligibility, supported country, and identity verification
- The new-customer reward actually offered in your account
- Any qualifying funding method, deposit amount, and trading volume
- The completion deadline and reward timing shown for your promotion
No fixed reward amount or trading tiers are publicly verified for this invitation. Review Kraken Pro's signup guidance and the current referral terms, then use the specific offer displayed in your account.
Step 3: Open SoFi Account
- Prepare your browser: Open Chrome/Safari/Edge or any mainstream browser
- Prepare two tabs:
- Tab 1: SoFi referral link page: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=f1ae36f7-8b4a-4c80-b791-4e306eed5638&isAliasGcp=false, then review the displayed referral terms
- Tab 2: Visit Rakuten SoFi cashback page: https://www.rakuten.com/shop/sofibanking
- Click "Shop Now" to enter SoFi signup page
- Complete SoFi account opening
- Fill out information normally after being redirected to SoFi page
- No need to activate physical card, no need to deposit money upfront
- Simply access your account dashboard
Step 4: Complete Kraken Trading Requirements
After signing up through the Kraken Pro invitation, review the offer in your account before deciding whether to fund or trade:
- Verify your account - Complete KYC verification
- Check funding requirements - Use the qualifying deposit method and amount specified in your offer
- Check trading requirements - Complete any required eligible trading volume within the displayed deadline; excluded trades do not count
- Confirm the reward - Check the benefit, claim steps, and payout timing shown for your promotion
Step 5: Direct Deposit (Critical Step)
This is the core step mentioned in the SoFi and Rakuten reward terms.
Recommended Strategy: One-time DD of $5000+
One common strategy is making the first direct deposit $5000+ if that matches your own finances and the current terms:
- Meets Rakuten requirement: ≥ $500
- Meets SoFi signup bonus: cumulative $5000
- Meets referral bonus: ≥ $50
Key Timeline
| Time Requirement | Action Required | Reward Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Within 21 days | Any deposit ≥ $50 | $25 referral bonus |
| Within 25 days | Cumulative DD of $5000 | $300 signup bonus |
| Within 45 days | First DD ≥ $500 | $375 Rakuten cashback |
Recommended DD Methods
- Bank Transfer (Recommended)
- Fast and reliable
- Direct from your existing bank account
- Remember to note "Payroll"
- Employer Payroll DD (if available)
- Best fits DD definition
- Choose this if you have regular salary
- Third-party Transfer Services
- Use established services for international transfers
- Ensure proper documentation for DD requirements
Important Tips
- Screenshot everything: Save screenshots of every key step, including:
- Redirect pages
- Account opening confirmation
- Transfer records
- Reward notifications
- Device requirements:
- Use the Kraken Pro app for signup through this Pro invitation
- Rakuten and SoFi browser steps can be followed on mobile or desktop
- Use mainstream browsers (Chrome/Safari/Edge)
- Operate in different tabs of the same browser
- Don't clear cookies
- Time management:
- Record account opening date
- Set reminders to complete DD within deadlines
- Recommend completing first DD immediately after opening account
Long-term Account Value
SoFi Banking Benefits
- No monthly fees: Permanently free of monthly fees
- Global ATM fee reimbursement: Free withdrawals at any ATM
- Excellent app experience: Clean interface, comprehensive features
- High-yield savings: Usually higher than traditional banks
- Investment features: Integrated stock and ETF investing
Rakuten Long-term Benefits
- Shopping cashback: Earn cashback on daily online purchases
- Quarterly promotions: Regular high cashback events
- Cumulative earnings: Continuous cashback with long-term use
Kraken Long-term Value
- Established crypto exchange: Founded in 2011, one of the most regulated platforms
- Wide cryptocurrency support: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many altcoins
- Advanced trading features: Spot trading, futures, margin trading
- Strong security: Cold storage, two-factor authentication, regulatory compliance
- Competitive fees: Especially for higher-volume traders
- Multiple trading interfaces: Simple for beginners, advanced tools for experienced traders
Program Checks
Program information checked:
- Program terms - Checked against official referral terms of each platform
- Company credibility - All three companies are established financial institutions
- Regulatory compliance - SoFi is FDIC-insured, Wise is regulated by FCA, Rakuten is publicly traded
- Customer support - 24/7 support available through respective platforms
- Last checked - Information reviewed as of January 2025
- Kraken invitation updated - Code dkgct9fh and the direct Pro invitation link were verified on October 13, 2026; reward details depend on the offer shown in your account
FAQ
Q: I'm an F1 student without employment. Can I still do this? A: Yes! You can complete DD using third-party transfers from your existing bank accounts or other financial services.
Q: Do I need to activate the SoFi physical card? A: No, you can use online banking directly after opening the account. No need to activate the physical card.
Q: Is there any risk to my funds? A: SoFi is a legitimate FDIC-insured bank, so your funds are protected. Plus, there are no monthly fees, making it suitable for long-term holding.
Q: Do I have to use mobile for this process? A: Use the Kraken Pro app to sign up through this Pro invitation. The Rakuten and SoFi browser steps can be followed on mobile or desktop.
Q: When will the referral rewards be credited? A: Timing varies by program. Check the current Rakuten and SoFi terms; for Kraken Pro, use the reward timing shown in your specific promotion after its qualifying actions are completed.
Q: Can ITIN users participate? A: An ITIN alone does not establish eligibility for this combo. Check each provider's current account-opening requirements. Kraken Pro referral eligibility also depends on your country, identity verification, new-account status, and the specific offer.
Q: Do I need to use specific referral codes? A: Use the provided referral links and codes before registering. For Kraken Pro, open Monica's invitation, or enter dkgct9fh if the official signup flow asks for a code. Reward eligibility also requires meeting the offer's conditions.
Before you start, review the current official terms for each program and make sure the accounts fit your own needs. Have questions? Contact us — we're happy to help!
