Can I Get a 12% Interest Savings Account?

Wondering if there are any 12% interest savings accounts out there? Turns out, they do exist. Most either involve cryptocurrency or are certificates of deposit offered by international banks. Crypto savings accounts typically aren’t insured by the FDIC, and international CDs can be risky. Here’s what you need to know.

Where can I find a 12% interest savings account?

Traditional banks in the US don’t offer yields anywhere near 12%, but you can still earn such high APYs with crypto savings accounts and international CDs with rates of 11% or more. This table highlights some of your options:

Is a 12% interest savings account legit?

Most 12% interest savings accounts are either uninsured by the FDIC or off-limits to US citizens. If you find an account you’re interested in and eligible for, be aware of these risks before signing up.

• May not be insured. Money held in US-based traditional banks are FDIC insured for up to $250,000. Crypto savings accounts aren’t regulated by the FDIC and are almost always uninsured. And money held in international banks may not be insured if the bank were to fail.
• May compound infrequently. An account that compounds interest daily is typically more valuable than one that compounds annually.
• Legal risks. There are legal implications when it comes to holding money overseas. Consider hiring an experienced accountant to avoid accidental tax evasion.
• Fees. Most savings accounts have few or no fees, but there are exceptions. Read through the account’s fine print so you know what to expect.
• Could be a scam. Some high rates offered by international banks could turn out to be a scam if the institution isn’t federally regulated.

Closest alternatives to a 12% APY savings account

If you come across a 12% interest savings account that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid the unnecessary risk by opening one of these alternatives instead:

• Investment account. You could create a properly diversified portfolio of ETFs or mutual funds that track the S&P 500. For example, these have an average return of 7.5%.
• High-yield savings account. The best high-yield savings accounts offer APYs around 1%, but some boost your savings with APYs of 5% or more.
• Digital bank account. Digital bank accounts are known for thinking outside of the box in terms of APYs and features. For example, Save Market Savings deposits your interest in the stock market where it earns an average 7.4% return.
• Money market accounts (MMAs). These accounts are similar to regular savings because they earn interest; some MMAs offer high rates that are well above the national average. Additionally, MMAs can combine the benefits of a checking account by offering debit cards and checkwriting privileges.

Up to 3.10% APY

SoFi Checking and Savings

GO TO SITE on SoFi®'s secure site

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• Up to 4.00% APY on savings for 6 months and up to 3.10% APY after, with eligible requirements.
• Earn $50 or $400 when you sign up and set up eligible direct deposit
• $0 monthly or overdraft fees
• Member FDIC

3.55% APY Cash Account

Wealthfront Cash Account

GO TO SITE on Wealthfront's secure site

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• Earn 3.55% APY on all your cash
• A cash account lets you pay bills, set up direct deposit and access ATMs
• $0 account fees
• $1 balance to earn interest

3.3% APY Cash Account

Public High-Yield Cash Account

GO TO SITE on Public Invest's secure site

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• Earn 3.3% APY on all balances
• $0 monthly fees
• Unlimited transfers and withdrawals
• Up to $5M FDIC insurance coverage

• SoFi terms and conditions

  New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/
  
  Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 5/28/26. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet
  
  We do not charge any account, service, or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge transaction fees for outgoing wire transfers, Instant Transfers, and global remittance transfers. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.
  
  SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks.
  
  We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees may be incurred when using out-of-network ATMs. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.
  
  Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.
  
  Overdraft Coverage is a feature automatically offered to SoFi Checking and Savings account holders who receive at least $1,000 or more in Eligible Direct Deposits within a rolling 31 calendar day period on a recurring basis. Eligible Direct Deposit is defined on the SoFi Bank Rate Sheet, available at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. Members enrolled in Overdraft Coverage may be covered for up to $50 in negative balances on SoFi Bank debit card purchases only. Overdraft Coverage does not apply to P2P transfers, bill payments, checks, or other non-debit card transactions. Members with a prior history of unpaid negative balances are not eligible for Overdraft Coverage. Eligibility for Overdraft Coverage is determined by SoFi Bank in its sole discretion. Members can check their enrollment status, if eligible, at any time by logging into their account through the SoFi app or on the SoFi website.
  
  Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.90% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY as of 5/28/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#4. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

Are there any 10% interest savings accounts?

Yes, many crypto savings accounts earn between 8% and 10% interest, and the same international banks that offer 12% APY CDs also offer 10% APY CDs. And like the 12% APY accounts, these accounts do carry some risk.

Bottom line

Before you open an international CD or crypto savings account with a 12% APY, weigh the benefits and risks. You may find that it’s better and safer to open a regular high-yield savings account in the States.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I deposit money into a 12% APY savings account if it's overseas?

  You'll most likely have to do an international transfer to deposit money into an overseas account. Look for one with low fees and a strong exchange rate to get the best bang for your buck.

• What's the safest way to earn 12% APY on my savings in the US?

  Nothing in life is without risks, but if you want to earn a 12% return in the US, your best option is the stock market or a peer-to-peer lending site.

  If you go the stock market route, your risk and returns will depend on the investments you choose and how well you diversify your portfolio.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Bethany Hickey as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Cassidy Horton

Writer

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Cassidy Horton is a freelance personal finance copywriter and past contributing writer for Finder. Her writing and banking expertise have been featured in Forbes Advisor, Money, The Balance, Money Under 30, Insure.com, and other top digital publishers. She holds a BS in public relations and an MBA from Georgia Southern University. See full bio