SoFi envisions becoming a top-10 U.S. bank, and given its high growth, it's on its way.
MercadoLibre is opening full digital banks in Argentina and Mexico.
With the market trading near all-time highs, some investors may be heeding Warren Buffett's caution to be fearful when others are greedy. But that doesn't mean getting out of the market, or even taking a break from investing. Berkshire Hathaway itself bought several stocks in the 2025 fourth quarter, Buffett's last as CEO. Investing consistently in great stock is what leads to long-term success and wealth generation.
The long-term focus and consistency are key. If you can buy and hold for at least 10 years, if not longer, consider SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) and MercadoLibre (NASDAQ: MELI). Both stocks saw their prices dip after recent earnings results, but they are powerhouse companies with massive opportunities that could translate into strong long-term returns.
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SoFi is a small bank with big ambitions. Although it's all digital, it's angling to become one of the top 10 U.S. financial institutions. And if it continues on its current trajectory, that looks like a strong possibility.
It's growing rapidly in several ways, and it's constantly adding new products and services to drive higher engagement and attract even more new members. Adjusted net revenue increased 37% year over year in the 2025 fourth quarter, and it added a record 1 million new members, for a total of 13.7 million. That's a drop in the bucket compared to the large U.S. banks, leaving a long growth runway.
SoFi's target is students and young professionals, and these customers love the company's easy-to-use digital interface and innovative services. This market is upwardly mobile, often just starting their first job, and SoFi's strategy is to grow along with their financial management needs. Almost 90% of SoFi Money deposits are direct deposits, which is an excellent recurring revenue stream that provides stability in a growth-oriented platform.
Management is excited about launching new blockchain-based products, like international wire transfers through its app and a fully reserved stablecoin, demonstrating how it's committed to driving business through innovation.
In 10 years, SoFi could be one of the biggest banks in the country, and its stock could be a multibagger.
MercadoLibre is a Latin American e-commerce and fintech giant, and it operates in a region that's still underpenetrated in both spaces. Management doesn't see any structural reason that its market is about a decade behind the U.S. and other more developed markets, giving it a long runway as it generates a shift to digital.
It's demonstrating rapid growth as it attracts more customers to its platform and improves its value proposition. Gross merchandise volume (GMV) increased 37% year over year (currency neutral) in the fourth quarter, and total payment volume was up 53%.
There was strong progress across its various metrics. Unique active buyers were up 24% year over year, and items sold were up 43%. The company enjoys a flywheel effect, where as more customers join, more merchants sign on, and buyer frequency increases. That's another way it's growing its platform.
In the fintech business, monthly active users rose 27% year over year in the fourth quarter, and assets under management increased 78%. Many users in its markets are closed out of the banking systems, and MercadoLibre is capitalizing on the opportunity to capture share in this mass market. It's planning to open full digital banks in Mexico and Argentina, two of the largest markets, which opens up the opportunity even wider.
In 10 years, MercadoLibre should be a much bigger and stronger company, and shareholders should be well rewarded.
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Jennifer Saibil has positions in MercadoLibre and SoFi Technologies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway and MercadoLibre. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.