Wealthsimple Promotions 2026: How to Stack the (Un)Real Deal & Referral Bonuses
Unlock up to 3% match and a $3M home giveaway. Here's how to stack your referral code with the (Un)Real Deal transfer.
What are the active Wealthsimple promotions for 2026?
The current active promotions include The (Un)Real Deal (up to 3% match), the $3 Million Home Giveaway, and the standard Referral Bonus.1 Below is a breakdown of how these offers compare and stack.
| Promotion | Details | Stackable? |
|---|---|---|
| The (Un)Real Deal | Transfer $25K+ (3% + transfer fee rebate) | Yes |
| $3M Home Giveaway | Register + fund | Yes |
| Referral Ladder | Refer friends (up to $5,000) | Yes |
| Mortgage Cash Back | Wealthsimple mortgage (up to 0.25%) | Yes |
| Crypto OTC Desk | Trade $50K+ crypto (reduced spreads) | Yes |
| Referral Bonus | Code + $1 deposit ($25) | This IS it |
How does the (Un)Real Deal transfer bonus work?
The (Un)Real Deal offers a 1% to 3% cash match on institutional transfers of $25,000 or more made between January 13 and March 31, 2026.1 This is Wealthsimple’s primary offer for the year, combining a cash bonus with entries into a home giveaway.
Which cash match tier offers the best annualized return?
The 1% match tier actually offers the highest annualized return at 1.00%, compared to ~0.60% for the 3% tier.1 While the 3% offer sounds superior, it requires a 5-year commitment, spreading the payout over a longer period.
| Match Option | Payout Period | Annualized Return | Example ($200K Transfer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1% Match | 12 months | 1.00% | $2,000 (~$167/month) |
| 2% Match | 36 months | ~0.67% | $4,000 (~$111/month) |
| 3% Match | 60 months | ~0.60% | $6,000 (~$100/month) |
I personally opted for the 1% match (12-month) tier for my own portfolio this year. While the 3% headline number is tempting, I value the liquidity. In this market, I want the freedom to move my funds again in 2027 if Wealthsimple or a competitor launches something better, rather than being locked in until 2031.
If flexibility matters to you, the 1-year option (1% match) lets you reassess in 2027 when new promotions launch. However, if you are a buy-and-hold investor who won’t touch these funds for years, the 3% tier provides more total cash and doubles your giveaway entries.
Key details
- Maximum transfer: $5 million (potential bonus of $150,000 at 3%)1
- Only institutional transfers qualify — TFSA, RRSP, LIRA, FHSA, RESP, RRIF, LIF, Corporate accounts
- Cash deposits don’t count for the match — they only earn giveaway entries
- Withdraw up to 20% without penalty — beyond that, future payments reduce proportionally1
- 30-day grace period to top up if you over-withdraw
- No clawback — if you leave, you lose future payments but keep what you’ve already received
- Transfer fees reimbursed automatically — since you’re transferring $25K+, Wealthsimple covers your old institution’s transfer-out fee (up to $150)5
How do I maximize entries for the $3 Million Home Giveaway?
You can double your giveaway entries by selecting the 3% match option during your transfer. The promotion awards a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home in Lions Bay, BC (just north of Vancouver) with ocean and mountain views, hot tub, gym, and sauna. Winner selected on May 4, 2026.
How to earn entries
- 5,000 entries: Just for registering1
- 1 entry: For every $1 deposited or transferred
- 2x Multiplier: Double your entries by choosing the 3% match option
- 20,000 bonus entries: For each friend you refer1
Can I add a referral code after I’ve already signed up?
Yes, but you have exactly 7 days to add a referral code retroactively in the app after funding your account.4 If that 7-day window closes, the $25 bonus is lost forever. See our full guide on how to add a Wealthsimple referral code after signing up.
How the referral bonus works
- Sign up using a referral code
- Fund your account with at least $1 within 30 days
- You receive $25, and the referrer also receives cash4
The standard bonus is $25 for new users. Referrers can sometimes earn more (up to $75) during “Super Boost” periods, but as a new user, you’ll always receive $25.
Referral Ladder (for referrers)
If you’re referring friends with larger portfolios, you earn tiered bonuses. See the full Referral Ladder breakdown here.
| Friend’s Net Funding | Your Bonus |
|---|---|
| $1 – $24,999 | $25 |
| $25,000 – $99,999 | $50 |
| $100,000 – $249,999 | $100 |
| $250,000 – $499,999 | $500 |
| $500,000 – $999,999 | $1,000 |
| $1,000,000+ | $5,000 |
How to stack Wealthsimple promotions for maximum value
To maximize your return, you must follow this specific order: Referral Code → Registration → Transfer. Doing this out of order may disqualify you from the referral bonus or the transfer match.
Step 1: Sign up with a referral code
Get your $25 bonus locked in with just a $1 deposit. If you fund without a code, you have exactly 7 days to add one retroactively.4
Step 2: Register for The (Un)Real Deal
Go to the Rewards Centre (gift icon) and register before March 31, 2026. This step is required before you transfer.1
Don’t panic if the “(Un)Real Deal” badge doesn’t appear on your dashboard immediately after you register. When I registered on launch day, there was about a 2-4 hour lag between clicking “Register” and seeing the confirmation status update in the Rewards tab. Take a screenshot of the “Success” pop-up just in case you need proof for support later — I do this for every promo.
Step 3: Initiate your transfer within 30 days
Transfer at least $25,000 from another institution. Must be an institutional transfer, not a cash deposit.
Step 4: Choose your match
Select 1%, 2%, or 3% based on your timeline. The 3% option doubles your home giveaway entries.1
Example: $100,000 Portfolio Transfer
| Bonus | Amount |
|---|---|
| Referral Bonus | $25 |
| 3% Match (over 5 years) | $3,000 |
| Home Giveaway Entries | 200,000 (doubled) |
| Total Cash | $3,025 |
Are Wealthsimple bonuses taxable in Canada?
Yes, Wealthsimple bonus payments are considered taxable income because they are deposited into a non-registered Chequing account. Even if you transfer an RRSP or TFSA to earn the bonus, the cash reward itself does not go inside the registered shelter initially.
Tip: If you have contribution room, set up an automatic transfer to move each monthly bonus payment into your TFSA or RRSP. This allows you to immediately shelter the bonus and let it compound tax-free.
What are the hidden rules and “gotchas” for transfers?
The most common pitfall is market volatility dropping your account value below the $25,000 threshold during the transfer window. If you transfer exactly $25,000 in stocks and the market drops 10%, your assets may land at $22,500, disqualifying you from the bonus.
Move slightly more than $25,000 or add a small cash top-up after settlement.
The bonus is calculated on equity, not asset value. A $100K account with $30K margin debt = $70K qualifying funds.
What is the Wealthsimple mortgage cash back offer?
Get up to 0.25% cash back when you obtain a mortgage through Wealthsimple’s brokers, based on your total Wealthsimple assets.3 Effective January 15, 2026.
| Total Assets | Cash Back Rate |
|---|---|
| $1 – $24,999 | 0.10% |
| $25,000 – $99,999 | 0.15% |
| $100,000 – $499,999 | 0.20% |
| $500,000+ | 0.25% |
When are the deadlines for Wealthsimple 2026 promotions?
The key deadline is March 31, 2026 — you must register for The (Un)Real Deal by this date. Your transfer must settle by April 30, 2026 to qualify.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 13, 2026 | (Un)Real Deal registration opens |
| January 15, 2026 | Mortgage Cash Back Offer starts |
| March 31, 2026 | Last day to register for (Un)Real Deal |
| April 30, 2026 | Deadline for transfers to settle |
| May 4, 2026 | Home giveaway winner announced |
Is switching to Wealthsimple worth it in 2026?
2026 is one of the best times to switch to Wealthsimple. By combining a referral code with The (Un)Real Deal, you can earn:
- $25 referral bonus
- Up to 3% cash match on transfers up to $5 million
- Chance to win a $3 million home
Quick Tips
Register BEFORE you transfer — Transfers made before registration don’t count.1
Don’t withdraw early — Withdrawing more than 20% reduces future match payments.
Use institutional transfers — Direct deposits only earn giveaway entries, not the cash match.
Get your transfer fees reimbursed — Wealthsimple reimburses one transfer-out fee per institution (typically $135-$150) for transfers of $25,000+.5
Refer friends for bonus entries — Each successful referral earns 20,000 home giveaway entries.1
Open a Chequing account — Bonuses deposit into Wealthsimple Chequing. You’ll have 30 days to open one if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Wealthsimple referral bonus in 2026?
$25 for new users. You must sign up with a referral code and deposit at least $1 within 30 days.
Can I stack the referral bonus with The (Un)Real Deal?
Yes, if you follow the correct order. Sign up with a referral code first to get the $25, then register for The (Un)Real Deal in the app before transferring your portfolio.1
Does Wealthsimple reimburse transfer fees from other banks?
Yes, Wealthsimple reimburses transfer-out fees (typically up to $150). This applies when you transfer at least $25,000 in a single account.5 You usually need to upload a document proving the fee was charged.
Is the Wealthsimple free iPhone promotion still available in 2026?
No, the iPhone promotion has ended. It has been replaced by The (Un)Real Deal, which offers a cash match up to 3% and a chance to win a $3 million home.1
Can existing Wealthsimple clients get the (Un)Real Deal bonus?
Yes, but only on new funds. You cannot get a bonus on money already inside Wealthsimple, but if you transfer new assets ($25k+) from another institution, you qualify for the match and the giveaway entries.
Which cash match tier should I choose?
Choose 1% for flexibility, or 3% for maximum value. The 1% tier offers the best annualized return (1.00%), while the 3% tier offers the most total cash ($150,000 max) but locks you into a 5-year payout schedule.
Do TFSA or RRSP transfers count towards the bonus?
Yes, registered account transfers qualify. However, the cash bonus itself is paid into your non-registered Cash/Chequing account, making the bonus payment taxable income.
What happens if I withdraw early from The (Un)Real Deal?
You can withdraw up to 20% of your account value without penalty. If you withdraw more than 20%, your future bonus payments will be reduced proportionally, but you do not have to pay back what you’ve already received.
Ready to get started? Use our referral code to sign up and get your bonus, then register for The (Un)Real Deal in the app.
Disclaimer: Promotion terms are subject to change. Verify current offers with Wealthsimple before making financial decisions.
Footnotes
Wealthsimple - (Un)Real Deal 2026: https://promotions.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/43707214784667-Wealthsimple-2026-Un-Real-Deal ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15
Wealthsimple - Referral Ladder Challenge: https://promotions.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/39074332108955-Wealthsimple-Referral-Ladder-Challenge ↩
Wealthsimple - Mortgage Cash Back Offer 2026: https://promotions.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/45265371463067-Wealthsimple-Mortgage-Cash-Back-Offer-2026 ↩ ↩2
Wealthsimple - Referral Bonus Promotion: https://promotions.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/19646567019035-Wealthsimple-Referral-Bonus-Promotion ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
Wealthsimple - Transfer fee reimbursement: https://help.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/360056580174 ↩ ↩2 ↩3
About the Author
Isabelle Reuben is a specialized finance writer focused on Canadian investment platforms and bonus optimization. With 5+ years tracking robo-advisors, she stress-tests Wealthsimple's features to transform fine print into actionable blueprints.