How to Buy Bitcoin in USA: 5 Best Ways

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It's easy to buy bitcoin in the USA. Dozens of apps and exchanges make the process easy, whether you want to buy online or in person.

Key Takeaways

  • There are dozens of exchanges to buy bitcoins in the United States.
  • eToro, Kraken and Gemini are three of the best exchanges.
  • Most USA exchanges are online, however, you can also buy with cash at ATMs.

eToroeToro

eToro allows you to buy Bitcoin & crypto in the United States.

It offers a free wallet, app, and is easy and quick to use for purchases.

Limited-time offer: Get $10 free once you trade $100 worth of cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. BuyBitcoinWorldwide.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB.

Visit eToro's Website

Pros
  • Trusted exchange with 25+ million users
  • Easy to use to buy
  • The interface is clean and many coins supported
Cons
  • You cannot deposit cryptocurrency, but you can deposit with other payment methods
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Ease of Use
Easy
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Privacy
Low
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Speed
Average
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Fees
Low
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Reputation
Trusted
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Limits
High

KrakenKraken

Founded mid-2011, Kraken is the one of the USA's largest exchanges.

Deposits can be made via debit card, bank wire, and ACH. Users can buy bitcoin, ethereum, dogecoin and dozens of other coins. Visit Kraken's Website

Pros
  • Very low 0.25% taker fee, falling to 0.1% with sufficient trading volume
  • Very low maker fee, falling to 0% with sufficient trading volume
  • Highly-rated for security and data protection
Cons
  • Requires ID verification, so not private
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Ease of Use
Hard
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Privacy
Low
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Speed
Average
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Fees
Low
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Reputation
Trusted
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Limits
High

UpholdUphold

Crypto exchange established in 2015. United States residents can buy bitcoin & crypto via wire transfer, credit card, debit card and ACH transfer.

Visit Uphold's Website

Pros
  • Ability to also buy gold and silver
Cons
  • Requires ID verification, so not private
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Ease of Use
Easy
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Privacy
Low
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Speed
Average
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Fees
Low
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Reputation
Trusted
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Limits
High

GeminiGemini

Gemini, based in New York, supports residents of the USA. It allows deposits via many payment methods, including:

  • Bank transfer
  • ACH
  • PayPal
  • Wire transfer
  • Bitcoin & crypto

Gemini is one of the largest and most popular crypto exchanges in the USA. Visit Gemini's Website

Pros
  • Trustworthy and regulated exchange
  • Instant deposit lets you buy coins quickly (but not withdraw them)
  • Some of the lowest fees in the US and Canada
Cons
  • Somewhat confusing to use for new buyers
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Ease of Use
Hard
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Privacy
Low
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Speed
Slow
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Fees
Low
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Reputation
Trusted
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Limits
High

Bitcoin IRABitcoin IRA

Bitcoin IRA allows United States customers to acquire Bitcoin in an IRA. Users can create new ones or transfer over existing accounts. Visit Bitcoin IRA's Website

Pros
  • Tax-advantaged Bitcoin savings
  • Easy to set up an account
Cons
  • Cannot custody the Bitcoin yourself
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Ease of Use
Average
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Privacy
Low
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Speed
Fast
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Fees
High
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Reputation
Trusted
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Limits
High

CoinbaseCoinbase

Coinbase is one of the largest exchanges, with over 100 million users.

USA users can buy bitcoins and crypto fast and easily using Coinbase's free app or on its website.

Coinbase also offers a free wallet for its users.

Eligible US residents (excluding Hawaii) who successfully create an account and purchase crypto will receive $5 in Bitcoin (BTC) added to their Coinbase portfolio. Visit Coinbase's Website

Pros
  • Trusted exchange with 100 million+ users
  • Based in the USA; with a free wallet included
  • App available on Apple App Store & Play Store
Cons
  • Easy to use but fees can be high
  • Coinbase may track how and where you spend your bitcoins
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Ease of Use
Easy
privacy icon
Privacy
Low
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Speed
Average
fees icon
Fees
Average
reputation icon
Reputation
Trusted
limits icon
Limits
High

RiverRiver

River.com is a Bitcoin-only exchange based in the USA. It offers an easy way to buy plus advanced features for more experienced buyers. Visit River's Website

Pros
  • Very clean interface
  • Unique recurring buy feature
Cons
  • Bitcoin-only, no support for other coins
ease icon
Ease of Use
Easy
privacy icon
Privacy
Low
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Speed
Average
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Fees
Low
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Reputation
Trusted
limits icon
Limits
High

PayPalPayPal

PayPal allowed users to buy and sell bitcoins starting in 2020. Starting in June 2022, PayPal allowed users to withdraw the coins from their accounts. PayPal can be a fast way to purchase coins if you are already verified.

Here is a video we made that shows how fast the process is:



The main issue we have seen is that some people experience delays when they try to send bitcoins out from their PayPal account.

Pros
  • Many people already have an account
  • Can be a fast way to buy if you're already verified on PayPal
Cons
  • Some users report delays with withdrawing bitcoins
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Ease of Use
Easy
privacy icon
Privacy
Low
speed icon
Speed
Average
fees icon
Fees
Low
reputation icon
Reputation
Trusted
limits icon
Limits
High

Coinbase Advanced TraderCoinbase Advanced Trader

Coinbase's exchange, Coinbase Advanced Trader (formerly called Coinbase Pro), is one of the largest Bitcoin exchanges in the United States. Users can fund their accounts via bank transfer, SEPA, or bank wire. Coinbase Advanced Trader offers good prices and low fees, but its confusing user interface may initially prove difficult to navigate. Visit Coinbase Advanced Trader's Website

Pros
  • Some of the lowest fees available for US and EU customers
  • Possible to buy bitcoins for 0% fees
Cons
  • The user interface is confusing for first-time buyers
ease icon
Ease of Use
Hard
privacy icon
Privacy
Low
speed icon
Speed
Average
fees icon
Fees
Low
reputation icon
Reputation
Trusted
limits icon
Limits
High

LibertyXLibertyX

LibertyX is an American service that makes buying bitcoins with cash simple. First, use LibertyX's app to locate a store near you that sells LibertyX codes. Next, enter your LibertyX code to the app, along with your Bitcoin address and you'll receive your bitcoins very soon after.

If you connect a Facebook account to your LibertyX app, your first $1,000 of purchases are fee-free. Otherwise, all purchases cost 1.5% + $3 in fees.

Pros
  • Easy and fast way to buy bitcoins with cash
  • Low 1.5% (plus store fee) rate for cash purchase method
  • The daily $1,000 limit is fairly high for a convenience service
Cons
  • Participating stores add their own fee
  • Some verification is required which lowers the expected privacy level of cash purchase
  • Attaching your Facebook account further degrades privacy
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Ease of Use
Average
privacy icon
Privacy
Average
speed icon
Speed
Average
fees icon
Fees
Average
reputation icon
Reputation
Trusted
limits icon
Limits
Average

Bitcoin ATMsBitcoin ATMs

You can use our Bitcoin ATM map to buy bitcoins with cash. Bitcoin ATMs can be a quick and easy way to buy bitcoins and they're also private. That convenience and privacy, however, comes with a price; most ATMs have fees of 5-10%. View Bitcoin ATMs

Pros
  • Our map makes it super easy to find a Bitcoin ATM near you
Cons
  • Bitcoin ATMs often have 5-10% fees per purchase

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Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency Trading in the USA



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FAQ


Does Coinbase work in the USA?

Yes, Coinbase is based in the US and supports US customers.

Citizens of the United States can convert, buy, and sell cryptocurrencies with fiat. Supported payment methods are:

  • Bank Account
  • Deposit
  • Paypal
  • Debit Card

Where Can I Find a Bitcoin ATM in the USA?

There are over 30,000 Bitcoin ATMs all across the USA. The USA is among the top countries for Bitcoin ATM availability.

You can use our Bitcoin ATM finder tool to find the one nearest you.

Is Bitcoin legal in the USA?

According to Wikipedia, Bitcoin is legal in the USA. Each US state will have different laws on how to approach Bitcoin, however.

What is the price of Bitcoin in the USA?

Bitcoin prices are changing every second.

The best way to find the most up-to-date price of Bitcoin is to check out our Bitcoin price page.

How do I cash out of Bitcoin in the USA?

Any exchange with a US Dollar trading pair will allow you to sell your Bitcoin for fiat currency. Coinbase Pro and Kraken have USD trading pairs for many popular coins.

You could also use a service like eGifter to sell your Bitcoin for gift cards.

Does Luno Work in the USA?

Luno now works in the USA but only for Bitcoin and Ethereum cryptocurrencies.

Can you Buy Bitcoin At Walgreens?

At this time, you can't buy bitcoins at Walgreens. The best way to buy bitcoins at a physical location is at a Bitcoin ATM.

Can you Buy Bitcoin At Walmart?

The best way to buy Bitcoins at a Walmart is to find one that has a CoinStar machine. These coin machines will pay you out in Bitcoin, but you will need a lot of coins as well as be okay with paying a high fee.

Article Sources

BuyBitcoinWorldWide writers are subject-matter experts and base their articles on firsthand information, like interviews with experts, white papers or original studies and experience. We also use trusted research and studies from other well-known sources. You can learn more about our editorial guidelines.

  1. MIT - Climate Impacts of Bitcoin Mining in the U.S, https://climate.mit.edu/posts/climate-impacts-bitcoin-mining-us
  2. Brookings - The brutal truth about Bitcoin, https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-brutal-truth-about-bitcoin/
  3. IRS - Frequently Asked Questions on Virtual Currency Transactions, https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/frequently-asked-questions-on-virtual-currency-transactions
  4. FINCEN - Statement of Jennifer Shasky Calvery, Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, United States Department of the Treasury, https://www.fincen.gov/news/testimony/statement-jennifer-shasky-calvery-director-financial-crimes-enforcement-network

About the Author

jordan tuwiner

Jordan Tuwiner is the founder of BuyBitcoinWorldwide.com. He studied computer science at Towson University and holds an online degree in trading & cryptocurrency. Jordan has been writing about Bitcoin since 2015. His work has been featured in The Guardian, International Business Times, Forbes, VentureBeat, CoinDesk and many other top Bitcoin media outlets.



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