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You'll need a Bitcoin wallet before you buy since some exchanges require one.
Don't have a wallet? Read our guide on the best Bitcoin & cryptocurrency wallets.
Coinbase Popular Buy Bitcoin Read Review
Coinbase is the world's largest Bitcoin (BTC) broker. They represent an easy and fast way for new users to purchase bitcoins. Coinbase supports customers in over 30 countries, including the United States, Europe (besides Germany), UK, Singapore, Canada, and Australia.
Customers in the above-mentioned countries can purchase bitcoins by debit card, bank transfer, SEPA transfer, and more.
We may receive compensation when you use Coinbase. Please visit Coinbase for its exact pricing terms.
- High liquidity and buying limits
- Easy way for newcomers to get bitcoins
- "Instant Buy" option available with debit card
- Purchases made with bank transfer can take up to 5 days to complete
- Coinbase may track how and where you spend your bitcoins
Coinmama Popular Buy Bitcoin Read Review
Coinmama allows customers in almost every country to buy bitcoin. They charge a 4.9%-5.9% (depends on volume) fee on each purchase.
Customers in Europe can also purchase bitcoins with SEPA transfer for a lower fee.
Want to buy using Coinmama? This step-by-step guide will show you how to use Coinmama.
We may receive compensation when you use Coinmama. Please visit Coinmama for its exact pricing terms.
- Works in almost all countries
- Highest limits for buying bitcoins with a credit card
- Reliable and trusted broker
- Some of the highest fees among credit/debit card bitcoin brokers
CEX.io Buy Bitcoin Read Review
CEX.io lets you buy bitcoin with a credit card, ACH bank transfer, SEPA transfer, cash, or AstroPay. Purchases made with a credit card give you access to your bitcoin immediately. CEX.io works in the United States, Europe, and certain countries in South America.
We may receive compensation when you use CEX.io. Please visit CEX.io for its exact pricing terms.
- Support for many countries and regions
- Low 0.2% trading fee
- Established and trusted exchange
- Verification process is extensive, requiring much personal information (including a photo) and incurring a long delay
- GBP market lacks liquidity
Coinbase Pro Popular Buy Bitcoin Read Review
Coinbase's exchange, 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 Pro offers good prices and low fees, but their confusing user interface may initially prove difficult to navigate.
We may receive compensation when you use Coinbase Pro. Please visit Coinbase Pro for its exact pricing terms.
- Some of the lowest fees available for US and EU customers
- Possible to buy bitcoins for 0% fees
- User interface is confusing for first time buyers
Gemini Buy Bitcoin
Gemini is a New York-based Bitcoin exchange, open to residents of the United States, UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Deposits can be made via wire transfer, SEPA or ACH transfer.
- 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
- Somewhat confusing to use for new buyers
- Not yet available in all US states
BitcoinIRA Buy Bitcoin
BitcoinIRA offers a tax-advantaged way to invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum using your 401k or other retirement savings.
BitcoinIRA is a US licensed IRA custodian, so you know your IRa is in full compliance with the Federal Government.
We may receive compensation when you use BitcoinIRA. Please visit BitcoinIRA for its exact pricing terms.
- Tax Advantaged Bitcoin Savings
- Easy to set up account
- Cannot custody the Bitcoin yourself
Kraken Buy Bitcoin Read Review
Founded mid-2011, Kraken is the one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, and the largest in Europe based on daily average trading volume. It is available in almost all countries. Deposits can be made via bank wire, SEPA, ACH and SWIFT.
- 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
- Requires ID verification, so not private
Swan Bitcoin Buy Bitcoin
Swan Bitcoin is a dollar cost averaging Bitcoin exchange, where users can set up recurring Bitcoin purchases to be drafted from their bank account or credit card every month or week.
- Easy to set up
- Automated dollar cost averaging
- Very low fees
- First purchase takes awhile
- No way to sell on platform
LocalBitcoins Popular Buy Bitcoin Read Review
LocalBitcoins is an escrow service which also helps to match bitcoin buyers and sellers. Users may advertise trades for whichever payment method they prefer.
Buying bitcoins via an in-person meeting, secured and facilitated by LocalBitcoins, may be one of the fastest and most private ways to buy bitcoins in any country, including the United States, Europe (besides Germany), UK, Singapore, Canada, Australia and many more.
We may receive compensation when you use LocalBitcoins. Please visit LocalBitcoins for its exact pricing terms.
- Can be private, fast and easy
- In-person trades require no personal information
- Purchases of bitcoin can be made quickly via cash deposit
- Beware of scams; always follow the rules!
- Harder to buy large amounts of bitcoins compared to large exchanges
- Slightly to significantly higher prices than regular exchanges; premium for higher privacy
BitQuick Popular Buy Bitcoin Read Review
BitQuick is one of the fastest ways to buy bitcoins in the United States using cash deposit. Users can browse a wide range of offers at various prices. Once a desired offer is found, buyers visit a bank to make a cash deposit into the seller's account. Buyers then usually receive their bitcoins within an hour.
We may receive compensation when you use BitQuick. Please visit BitQuick for its exact pricing terms.
- One of the fastest ways to buy bitcoins
- More physically secure than other cash payment methods as one pays the money to a bank teller
- 2% fees for buyers are somewhat high for cash trading
- Prices vary and can be much higher (or even lower) than the current Bitcoin price
Bitcoin ATMs Buy Bitcoin
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%.
- Our map makes it super easy to find a Bitcoin ATM near you
- Bitcoin ATMs often have 5-10% fees per purchase
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Chapter 1
Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency Trading in Texas
Texas attracts a range of Bitcoin investors, from retail to institutional. They are drawn to the Lone Star state by its pro-business attitude, zero state income tax, and low energy costs.
This last factor was what convinced Bitmain - the world's largest manufacturer of Bitocoin mining equipment - to open a new mining operation in Rockdale, Texas. In an old Alcoa aluminum smelter now sit three football field lengths of cutting edge technology: ASIC miners that work in sync to validate transactions on the Bitcoin network.
The plant is a boon for the town of Rockdale, with its population of just over five and a half thousand. While it will initially operate at a capacity of 50 MW, Bitmain says that they have plans for the facility to go up to 300 MW.
Institutional investment such as this has shown a real need for clear regulation and support for the Bitcoin industry in Texas, and lawmakers have risen to the task. The Texas Blockchain Council was formed to promote the interests of biotcoin enthusiasts and businesses in the state.
Texas's nearly $2 trillion dollar economy, wealth of local talent, and abundant natural resources make it an ideal candidate for the title of blockchain innovation hotspot.
Texas has a long history of technological innovation and free-thinking entrepreneurs. From the invention of handheld calculators by engineers at Texas Instruments to the development of 3-D printing at UT Austin, Texas has always been on the forefront of technological change. We’ve now set our sights on becoming the jurisdiction of choice for investors, entrepreneurs, and enterprises to build and deploy blockchain technologies applications and other emerging tech innovations.
If you're looking to buy Bitcoin for yourself, the safest and most convenient way is to use an exchange. All of the major Bitcoin exchanges are available in Texas.
You can also use Bitcoin ATMs if you're looking to turn cash into crypto quickly.
Or, if you want to spend the cash in person,LocalBitcoins is a peer-to-peer marketplace that supports many different payment methods, from cash in person to Amazon gift cards.
No matter where you buy your Bitcoin, you're going to need to store it somewhere. Exchange wallets are notorious for hacks, and there are much more secure options out there that suit a range of needs, from easy to use software wallets to top of the line hardware wallets.
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Chapter 2
Top Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency Exchanges in Texas
Texas has access to many large Bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchanges.
Take a look at our favorites below:
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Chapter 3
Best Bitcoin Wallets for Texas
There are three main types of Bitcoin wallet and all of them are supported in Texas:
- Software (desktop or mobile - iOS and Android wallets
- Hardware wallet
- Cold-storage (paper or steel wallets, the latter of which are used to backup your main wallet.
Best for Security
Ledger Nano X
Secure storage for any cryptocurrency
Visit WebsiteThe Ledger Nano X is the newest crypto hardware wallet, and is very easy to use. It connects to iOS, Android & desktop computers.
Temporary Wallet
Atomic Wallet
Best for storing crypto for short period of time
Learn MoreAtomic wallet is a multicurrency mobile wallet with a beautiful interface and easy to use features.
Best for Desktop
Electrum
Simple yet powerful desktop wallet
Learn MoreElectrum is a Bitcoin-only wallet that has been around since 2011. It's easy to use, but has advanced features.
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Chapter 4
Hacks and Crypto Scams in Texas
The Texas State Securities Board has not been shy in prosecuting operations that it considers to be scamming Texans.
In 2018, the SSB ordered Bitcoin Trading & Cloud Mining Ltd. also known as BTCRUSH, and Forex EA & Bitcoin Investment LLC to cease their activities in the state after failing to provide required information about their financial situation and trading strategies.
In July 2020, the Texas SSB ordered South African company Mirror Trading International (MTI) to cease operations immediately. They accused MTI of being a multilevel marketing scam which did not deliver on its promises of 0.5% daily returns. The SSB specifically accused MTI and four associates of misleading Texans about the directors' work histories and investment backgrounds.
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Chapter 5
Bitcoin Mining in Texas
In addition to Bitmain's 50 MW mining operation in Rockdale, Texas is home to a 100 MW facility in the west of the state. This Bitcoin mine is operated by Layer1 Technology, which raised $50m in seed funding from investors including Peter Thiel.
A third firm, Northern Data based out of Germany, announced plans to build the world's largest mining operation, also in Rockdale. Northern Data claims that they will use 1 whole gigawatt of energy, which is currently almost 10% of the entire network's consumption.
Texas's abundance of natural gas and a recent boom in wind power mean that energy is cheap, which is one of the largest costs that Bitcoin miners must incur. Additionally, Texas's energy market is deregulated, which makes it easier for large customers such as Bitcoin miners to negotiate individual deals with energy suppliers.
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Chapter 6
FAQ
Does Coinbase Work in Texas?
Does Gemini Work in Texas?
Yes, Gemini is available in Texas.
Does Coinmama Work in Texas?
Coinmama is available to Texan Bitcoiners.
Does Kraken Work in Texas?
Kraken - the U.S.'s second largest exchange - is open for business in Texas.
Where Can I Find a Bitcoin ATM in Texas?
The best way to find a Bitcoin ATM in Texas is to look at the map below or use a site like CoinATM Radar.
Here, you can view the closest Bitcoin ATMs to you, and even view live prices for supported digital assets.
What Can I Buy With Bitcoin in Texas?
It has not always been easy to find retailers willing to accept Bitcoin outside of some niche industries, and of course the numerous darknet markets that began with the Silk Road and have proliferated since then.
In the last few years, however, more and more stores have been offering payment with crypto. The Microsoft Store supports payment with Bitcoin, and Overstock.com's partnership with Coinbase allows you to pay for any of their products with crypto.
Source: CoinMap.com
Coinmap has a list of brick and mortar retailers that accept Bitcoin for payment. Texas is well served by crypto-friendly businesses. Dallas has the highest concentration, closely followed by Austin, San Antonio, and Houston.
A number of charities accept Bitcoin for donations. Wikileaks and Wikipedia are two of the biggest and best known. The Tor Project accepts Bitcoin donations, as well as the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Some big news recently has massively expanded the number of businesses where you will be soon able to spend your Bitcoin. PayPal announced in October 2020 that customers will be able to buy and sell Bitcoin within their platform. Additionally, you will be able to spend your crypto at all of the 26 million sellers around the world, whether it's paying for your monthly Netflix subscription or shopping on eBay. This feature - which is scheduled to launch in the U.S. in early 2021 - is a giant leap toward mainstream Bitcoin usage and adoption.
How Can I Mine Bitcoin in Texas?
Bitcoinmining is the process of using a computer to perform the difficult calculations that secure the network and make Bitcoin a proof of work cryptocurrency.
While in the early days of Bitcoin you could earn sizable amounts of Bitcoin (and many people did) with just a desktop computer, these days the emergence of commercial mining farms with specialized hardware has made that all but impossible. Still, there are software programs you can run on any computer if you wish to see how it works just for curiosity's sake.
If you're looking to start a profitable mining operation, it's essential to calculate your profit factor using the amount of hash rate available to you, the current price of Bitcoin, the power consumption of your operation, and the cost of your electricity.
Source: AsicMinerValue.com
Note: Some of these are Ethereum miners, see the Algo column
Which Texas Banks Support Bitcoin Wallets?
With more and more institutions getting into crypto - and especially Bitcoin - you might be wondering if you can custody your own BTC with a bank. It's easy to imagine a future where you can log in to your online banking and simultaneously see that your paycheck has come through while watching the value of your crypto portfolio.
This year alone, there have been big steps in that direction. The state of Wyoming has issued two bank charters, one to Kraken Financial and one to Avanti. These two institutions are now classified as special purpose depository institutions (SPDIs). This designation is not quite a money transmitter license - the Holy Grail of bringing all payment flows in-house - but it does allow the two firms to conduct business that will help them achieve a money transmitter license in future.
For example, Avanti has been granted approval to issue its own stablecoin called Avit. After building up a record of responsible business dealings, the hope is that regulations will evolve to the point where crypto banks can do everything that the major retail banks can do.
It is difficult to state the over-importance of this milestone. This represents the development of an efficient, transparent, responsible nexus between the world of traditional finance and the developing crypto ecosystem. I think this is a historical time and the kind of thing that students of finance and history will look back on as a watershed moment for the development of financial assets.
However, there are no Texan banks that currently offer cryptocurrency wallets or custody to retail investors. You'll need to secure your holdings with one of the many great wallets outlined below.
COMPARISON
There has definitely been a large amount of progress in that direction, though. Every year it gets easier to invest in Bitcoin, and crypto services become more and more beginner friendly. JPMorgan's recent announcement that it will be providing banking services for Coinbase and Gemini is a sign that big things may be just around the corner.
