What happens to my investments if my robo-advisor company shuts down?

Your money is safer than the company's fate might suggest. Reputable robo-advisors hold your actual ETFs and cash at a regulated custodian, and the securities are yours, held in your name, not owned by the robo firm. If the company fails, your holdings can typically be transferred to another brokerage or you can move them yourself, since the underlying assets belong to you. SIPC insurance protects against a custodian's failure, up to 500,000 dollars including 250,000 dollars in cash, though it does not cover market losses. Before signing up, confirm who the custodian is and that accounts are SIPC-protected. Keep records of your holdings and cost basis so a transfer is smooth. The main practical risk is inconvenience during a transition, not the disappearance of your assets.