Can you buy crypto or Bitcoin on TD Ameritrade?
Well, as of September 2023, you cannot buy or trade actual Bitcoin or crypto on TD Ameritrade.
If you want to buy and trade Bitcoin directly, you can head over to our exchange page to find the best exchanges in your country.
Key TakeawaysWhile you can’t buy Bitcoin or crypto directly, our research found that:
It is possible to gain exposure to Bitcoin on TD Ameritrade through publicly traded investment trusts or funds, like the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC).
➤ MORE: What is GBTC?
eToro is a crypto broker alternative to TD Ameritrade.
We tested the crypto broker and it works in a similar way:
You can create an account, deposit funds, and acquire crypto.
This ad promotes virtual cryptocurrency investing within the EU (by eToro Europe Ltd. and eToro UK Ltd.) & USA (by eToro USA LLC); which is highly volatile, unregulated in most EU countries, no EU protections & not supervised by the EU regulatory framework. Investments are subject to market risk, including the loss of principal.
eToro works in all US States besides:
eToro is a social trading and multi-asset brokerage platform.
Established in 2007, it allows users to follow and copy the trades of professionals. eToro offers cryptocurrencies, stocks, and commodities. Renowned for its user-friendly interface, it revolutionizes trading via community engagement.
eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs, only real Crypto assets available.
If you really want to use TD Ameritrade though, you can trade Bitcoin futures contracts through their platform, though you will also be required to open a futures account with Charles Schwab as well.
Please note that trading futures involves substantial risk and isn’t appropriate for all investors. It’s always a good idea to speak with a financial advisor or do thorough research before getting started with any kind of investment.
| CME Micro Bitcoin Futures | CME Bitcoin Futures | |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol | /MBT | /BTC |
| Contract size | 0.1 bitcoin | 5 bitcoin |
| Minimum tick | 5 | 5 |
| Minimum value of one tick | $0.5 | $25.00 |
| Margin requirement | $1,898 | $94,397 |
| Notional value | $3,946 | $197,275 |
The primary difference between the Bitcoin Futures product and the Micro Bitcoin futures product is that the Micro product offers contracts for 1/10th of a Bitcoin as opposed to an entire Bitcoin.
Other than that, they are the same.
Trading futures contracts or investment trusts isn’t the same as owning Bitcoin itself.
When you trade futures or trusts:
It’s unclear whether Ameritrade will offer real Bitcoin.
Competitors like Fidelity seem to be moving in that direction, but nothing has happened.
A Bitcoin ETF may be the best bet for bitcoin to trade on large brokerages like Ameritrade. It’s rumored that Blackrock’s Bitcoin ETF will launch sometime in 2024.
TD Ameritrade is a leading U.S.-based brokerage firm offering a broad range of investment services.
With its merger with Charles Schwab in 2020, it’s further solidified its industry standing.
If you are a new user, here are some general tips that will make your experience more smooth.
These are the symbols and names of popular crypto and Bitcoin companies on Ameritrade:
MSTR - Microstrategy
OSTK - Overstock
HIVE - HIVE Blockchain Technologies
RIOT - Riot Platforms
MARA - Marathon Digital Holdings
CAN - Canaan
GBTC - Grayscale Bitcoin
There are dozens more, but these are the most common ones.
TD Ameritrade (Broker)
Bitcoin Exchanges (like Coinbase, Gemini or Kraken)
What is eToro?
eToro is a global trading platform offering a variety of financial instruments.
Key Features:
User Experience:
Regulations:
Announcement Date: Late 2019 Deal Value: Approximately $26 billion Nature: Although termed a merger, fundamentally an acquisition by Charles Schwab.
Key Impacts:
Industry Implications:
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.
