Complete Comparison
Every Treasury Option, Side by Side
From traditional banks to ETFs to stocks - see how 0 Finance's 8% yield compares to every option for your startup's treasury.
Best Yield + Safety
0 Finance: 8%
From DeFi yields. We insure the underlying funds.
Traditional Safe
T-Bills: 5.3%
Government backed, requires brokerage
High Risk
S&P 500: ~10%
Can lose 30%+ in bad years
Detailed Comparison
| Option | 0 Finance DeFi Banking | Mercury Treasury | Brex Cash | Chase Business | VMFXX Money Market ETF | T-Bills 3-month | SPY S&P 500 ETF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield & Returns | |||||||
| Annual Yield | 8% | 4% | 4.5% | 0.5% | 5.2% | 5.3% | ~10%* |
| On $1M (Annual) | $80,000 | $40,000 | $45,000 | $5,000 | $52,000 | $53,000 | ~$100,000* |
| Volatility | Low | None | None | None | Very Low | Low | Very High |
| Worst Year Risk | -2%** | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | -37% |
| Access & Requirements | |||||||
| Minimum | $0 | $100,000 | $0 | $1,500 | $1 | $1,000 | $1 |
| Setup Time | 5 min | 2-3 days | 1-2 days | 5-10 days | 1 day*** | 1 day*** | 1 day*** |
| Withdrawal Speed | Instant | 1-2 days | 1-2 days | Instant | T+1 | T+1 | T+2 |
| Lockup | |||||||
| Banking Features | |||||||
| Corporate Cards | |||||||
| ACH/Wire | |||||||
| Multi-currency | USD/EUR/USDC | USD | USD | Multi | USD | USD | USD |
| Protection & Insurance | |||||||
| Insurance Type | Smart Contract | FDIC | FDIC | FDIC | SIPC | Gov Backed | SIPC |
| Principal Risk | Very Low | None | None | None | Very Low | None | High |
| Tax & Compliance | |||||||
| Tax Forms | 1099-INT | 1099-INT | 1099-INT | 1099-INT | 1099-DIV | 1099-INT | 1099-B |
| Tax Complexity | Simple | Simple | Simple | Simple | Moderate | Simple | Complex |
| Best For | |||||||
| Ideal Use Case | Operating Cash + Max Yield | Large Balances | Expense Mgmt | Traditional Ops | Parking Cash | Risk-Free Yield | Long-term Growth |
* Historical Average
S&P 500 returns vary widely. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
** Smart Contract Risk
Covered by insurance but not FDIC. Theoretical protocol risk exists.
*** Requires Brokerage
ETFs and stocks need a separate brokerage account setup.
Quick Guide
Which Option Is Right for You?
Choose 0 Finance If:
- • You want maximum yield on operating cash
- • You need banking features (cards, ACH)
- • You're comfortable with smart contract insurance
- • You want instant access to funds
Choose Traditional Banks If:
- • You prioritize FDIC insurance above yield
- • You have complex banking needs
- • You're okay with minimal returns
- • You need physical branch access
Choose ETFs/Stocks If:
- • This is long-term capital (5+ years)
- • You can handle 30%+ drawdowns
- • You don't need banking features
- • You want potential for higher returns
Stop Choosing Between Yield and Access
Get 8% yield with the banking features you need. No lockups, no minimums, no complexity.