The One SoFi Advantage That Could Make Traditional Banks Obsolete

SoFi isn't just another fintech—it's rewriting the entire playbook.

While legacy banks cling to outdated models, SoFi's integrated financial ecosystem delivers something Wall Street hasn't seen in decades: actual innovation that serves customers instead of quarterly earnings calls.

The platform's secret weapon? Combining lending, investing, and banking into a single seamless experience—something traditional institutions can't replicate without dismantling their own bureaucratic silos.

They've even thrown in cryptocurrency trading, because why should your bank decide which assets you're allowed to own?

Here's the brutal truth: most banks still treat digital transformation as a buzzword rather than an actual strategy. SoFi built its entire architecture around modern financial behavior—not around branch locations or paperwork.

And while analysts debate P/E ratios, they're missing the bigger picture: customer acquisition costs plummet when you actually build something people want to use.

Sure, some hedge fund manager will probably dismiss this as 'just another app'—right before wondering why their own financial products feel like using a fax machine in 2025.

Image source: Getty Images.

Disrupting the financial services industry

The financial services industry is massive, with large banks commanding a strong position. However, SoFi is becoming a highly regarded brand. And the company's huge growth is one reason investors need to pay attention.

As of June 30, SoFi had 11.7 million customers on its platform. That figure was up 34% year over year. And it's more than 10 times bigger than the total at the end of 2019. People are clearly finding tremendous value in SoFi's digital-only and user-friendly offerings.

More customers, unsurprisingly, leads to more revenue. The top line grew by 43% in Q2. And according to Wall Street consensus analyst estimates, revenue should rise 31% in 2025, before increasing by 22% in 2026 and 20% in 2027.

Breaking into the top 10

"It's a matter of when, not if, we become a top 10 financial institution," CEO Anthony Noto said in an interview two years ago. He clearly has his sights set on a lofty goal for SoFi over the long term.

The company is doing the right things to keep the growth engine roaring, specifically when it comes to expanding its offerings. For instance, SoFi is re-introducing cryptocurrency trading. And it plans to launch an international money-transfer service that leverages's (CRYPTO: BTC) lightning network for faster and cheaper transactions.

With a relentless focus on serving the various needs of its customers, SoFi has many years of strong growth ahead.