Accredited investor might sound like a lofty title, but it’s often easier to qualify than most people think – one in five, or nearly 24 million U.S. households. For many professionals or dual-income households, it’s a milestone they may already meet without realizing it. More importantly, it’s a gateway to new financial growth opportunities. For investors looking to move beyond traditional financial products and into more exclusive opportunities, accredited investor status is often the first milestone. 

What Is an Accredited Investor? 

An accredited investor is an individual or entity that meets certain criteria set by regulators, primarily the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This designation gives qualified individuals or entities access to private markets and products that aren't available to the broader public, such as hedge funds, venture capital funds, and structured yield products.

How Do I Qualify as an Accredited Investor?

Both individuals and entities can qualify as an accredited investor in the U.S. Meeting any of the conditions below qualifies an individual or an entity as an accredited investor.

For individuals: 

1. Income Threshold

• Either Individual income reaches or exceeds $200,000 in each of the last two years.

• Or joint income with a spouse or spousal equivalent reaches or exceeds $300,000 or more in each of the last two years. Learn how your crypto assets could apply.

• The individual must also reasonably expect to maintain the same level of income in the current year.

2. Net Worth Threshold

• The individual has a net worth of over $1 million, either individually or jointly with a spouse. This excludes the value of primary residence.Learn how your crypto assets could apply.

3. Professional Credentials

• The individual holds certain financial licenses such as the Series 7, Series 65, or Series 82.

• The individual is a director, executive officer, or general partner of the company selling the securities (or of a GP of that company)

• Any “family client” of a “family office” that qualifies as an accredited investor

• For investments in a private fund, “knowledgeable employees” of the fund

For entities:

• Certain trusts, funds, or business entities may qualify if they have over $5 million in assets 

• Entities owning investments totaling more than $5 million

• Entities in which all equity owners are accredited investors

• Investment advisers (SEC- or state-registered or exempt reporting advisers) and SEC-registered broker-dealers

• A bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, registered investment company, business development company, or small business investment company or rural business investment company

Why Would I Want to Be an Accredited Investor?

For savvy investors, accreditation is an enabler. It opens the door to innovative products, can provide first-mover advantages, and gives access to managers or strategies typically out of reach for the public. While these investment vehicles often carry higher risk, they also offer unique growth potential and portfolio diversification, thereby amplifying the return and risk profile of investment portfolios. 

The table below shows some examples of investment opportunities only accredited investors can touch.

Only accredited investors can access these offerings because they often lack the same disclosures, protections, and regulatory oversight as public markets. To protect investors, regulators require investors interested in these products to meet certain income, net worth, or professional criteria so they have the experience and financial stability to evaluate risk and make informed decisions.

GalaxyOne

At GalaxyOne, we believe both traditional and digital markets should be accessible, transparent, and empowering for investors seeking to grow their wealth. That’s why our platform is built with multiple onramps for different types of investors. However, some of our most advanced offerings may be restricted by the legal framework explained above, and, thus, are reserved for accredited investors only. For instance, U.S. accredited investors who are GalaxyOne clients can access Galaxy Premium Yield and earn 8.00% yield* on cash. This high-income investment product offers individual access to returns typically reserved for institutions. Galaxy Premium Yield is issued by Galaxy Digital LP, and guaranteed by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP, a subsidiary of Galaxy Digital Inc (Nasdaq: GLXY). If you meet the requirements or are on track to, it’s worth taking the next step to verify your status and unlock access. 

How Do I Become an Accredited Investor?

There’s no central registry or application process run by the SEC to grant someone accredited investor status. Instead, accredited status is typically verified by a registered professional (like a CPA or attorney) providing a written statement, or by using online verification services during the onboarding process. 

Here’s how the process usually works:

1. Submit documentation such as W-2s, tax returns, or brokerage statements

2. Undergo third-party verification through a CPA, lawyer, investment advisor or approved vendor

3. Provide credentials, if qualifying based on professional licenses

For most investors, this is a one-time check, though some platforms may request periodic updates. At GalaxyOne, we’ve streamlined this step. Our verification process, powered by Parallel Markets, is embedded directly into the Galaxy Premium Yield onboarding. You can submit documents in minutes and, in most cases, receive approval within a single business day—unlocking access to earn 8.00% yield on cash, with up to $1 million per investor.

Becoming an accredited investor isn’t just a formality, it’s a milestone in one’s financial growth. It’s the point where access, ambition, and opportunity converge. With GalaxyOne, accreditation doesn’t just check a box, it opens the door to the next tier of growth and your entry point to investing at an institutional level, with the clarity, transparency, and confidence you deserve.

*APY is effective as of 9/23/2025 and can be changed upon 30-day prior notice for Galaxy Premium Yield. This is an investment product, not a bank deposit, and is not FDIC insured.

Disclosures: 

Galaxy Premium Yield Investment Note to be offered and sold has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any state. Such notes may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the SEC or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. To obtain more information about and to consider investing in Galaxy Premium Yield, please see here.

This blog post shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the Galaxy Premium Yield Investment Note in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.