Buy Bitcoin in the USA

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Popular Exchanges to Buy Bitcoin in the USA
eToro
  • Start trading fast; high limits
  • Easy way for newcomers to get bitcoins
  • Your capital is at risk.

Fees: 1%

Account Minimum: $10

Promotion: None

LEARN MORE
eToro USA LLC; Investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. Archived, "Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk."
Coinbase
  • US based crypto & Bitcoin exchange
  • Best way to buy crypto in the US
  • Instantly connect bank account and buy

Fees: 0% - 0.50%

Account Minimum: None

Promotion: Earn $5

BUY NOW
at Coinbase's Secure Site

Top Cryptocurrency & Bitcoin Exchanges in America

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, UK, Singapore, and Canada.

Customers in the above-mentioned countries can purchase bitcoins by debit card, bank transfer, SEPA transfer, and more.

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

Pros
  • High liquidity and buying limits
  • Easy way for newcomers to get bitcoins
  • "Instant Buy" option available with debit card
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
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Privacy
Low
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Speed
Average
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Fees
Average
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Reputation
Trusted
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Limits
High

GeminiGemini

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.

Get $20 of free BTC after trading $100 or more within 30 days.

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

UpholdUphold

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

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

Bitcoin IRABitcoin IRA

Bitcoin IRA offers a tax-advantaged way to invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum using your 401k or other retirement savings.

Bitcoin IRA is a US licensed IRA custodian, so you know your crypto or Bitcoin IRA is in full compliance with the Federal Government.

Pros
  • Tax Advantaged Bitcoin Savings
  • Easy to set up 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
Low
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Reputation
Trusted
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Limits
High

Swan BitcoinSwan 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.

Get $10 in free BTC when you make your first purchase.

Pros
  • Easy to set up
  • Automated dollar cost averaging
  • Very low fees
Cons
  • First purchase takes awhile
  • No way to sell on platform
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Ease of Use
Hard
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Privacy
Low
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Speed
Fast
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Fees
Low
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Reputation
Trusted
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Limits
High

Coinbase ProCoinbase Pro

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.

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

LibertyXLibertyX

LibertyX is an American service which 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
  • Daily $1000 limit is fairly high for a convenience service
Cons
  • Participating stores add their own variable 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
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Privacy
Average
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Speed
Average
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Fees
Average
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Reputation
Trusted
limits icon
Limits
Average

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%.

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

Best Bitcoin Wallet for USA

Bitcoin wallets are just software or hardware, so the truth is that wallets can work in any country.

However, we've highlighted some wallets we think would be good for USA users.

Best for Security

folded ledger nano x

Ledger Nano X

Secure storage for any cryptocurrency

Visit Website

The Ledger Nano X is the newest crypto hardware wallet, and is very easy to use. It connects to iOS, Android & desktop computers.

Best for Desktop

electrum logo

Electrum

Simple yet powerful desktop wallet

Learn More

Electrum is a Bitcoin-only wallet that has been around since 2011. It's easy to use, but has advanced features.



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Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency Trading in the USA


Bitcoin is a digital currency that has been around for almost a decade now. It was created in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto, but the developer’s true identity has never been verified. It took some time for the world to embrace Bitcoin, but it eventually found its way in to the U.S. financial markets.

Here is a comprehensive insight into the history, legality, and mining of Bitcoin in the U.S.A.

Bitcoin has been in use in the USA since its development. It has not always been considered as a legal currency, but its decentralized nature made it difficult for the government and financial regulators to control its use.

There are three crucial events that define Bitcoin’s history in the U.S. The first event is the U.S. Treasury’s classification of Bitcoin, as a decentralized and convertible virtual currency. This classification came in 2013, five years after the unveiling of the cryptocurrency. It paved the way for the legalization and general acceptance of Bitcoin in the country.

The 2013 classification was followed by another classification in 2015, this time by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This commission officially classified Bitcoin as a commodity towards the end of 2015 – this classification meant that Bitcoin would be liable to taxation by the Internal Revenue Service as it was categorized as property.

The third significant event in Bitcoin’s history in the U.S.A. came in 2016 when a federal judge ruled that the virtual currency is money just like any fiat currency. This came following the prosecution of Anthony Murgio, who was accused of running an unlicensed Bitcoin exchange platform. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan ruled that Bitcoin qualifies as money citing a similar ruling earlier in 2014 by U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff.

Over the years, Bitcoin has become more entrenched in the U.S., and its adoption is still ongoing.

There is now tons of media to consume if you want to learn more about Bitcoin, from Bitcoin youtube channels to Bitcoin podcasts.

If, however, you want to buy Bitcoin and not just learn about it, one of the easiest ways to do so in the USA is through the cryptocurrency exchanges outlined above. There are several exchanges offering Bitcoin in the USA, and you can easily select one based on your requirements and preferences using our guide. Different exchanges have different transaction fees, withdrawal limits, payment modes, and verification processes that need to be kept in mind before users select one.

Additionally, Bitcoin buyers need to keep in mind the fact that certain exchanges might require them to get a wallet of their own before they are able to buy the digital currency. Also, it is recommended to have a wallet of your own for security reasons, preferably a hardware wallet.

Another way to buy Bitcoins in the USA is through automated teller machines (ATMs). These ATMs allow users to instantly purchase the cryptocurrency using cash, and most of them only require a telephone number for verification, so long as you aren’t buying a lot of Bitcoin. This makes them more private than exchanges.


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Bitcoin Hacks and Scams in the USA


Fake Apps

In August 2021, due to a report by Trend Micro, Google had to remove 8 fake Android apps from their play store that looked like crypto related sites that were nothing but scams.

This type of scam has become more frequent as Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies become more widely accepted. Cybercriminals are taking advantage and recreating cryptocurrency apps that look similar to reputable apps or sound like they may be reputable.

It's been reported that over 10,000 people have downloaded fake apps. Before you enter information into the app be sure that the app name, logo and description match with the website of the originator.

Another tip is to be suspicious of misspelled words or apps that attempt to increase fees for upgraded benefits. Or, better yet, download the app directly from links on the wallet or exchanges website.

Twitter Hack

In 2020, the social media platform Twitter was the subject of a major hack wherein a single entity was able to take control of the tweets of any account on the platform.

The attacker eventually sent out tweets from 130 different high-profile twitter accounts in order to acquire Bitcoin. The tweets contained a Bitcoin address and told followers that whatever Bitcoin was sent to the address would be sent back doubled and given to a charitable organization.

Among the individuals whose accounts were used include: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Mr. Beast, Bill Gates, and more.

In connection with the attack, a Florida teenager, 17, named Graham Ivan Clark was charged with 30 counts of felony fraud, each carrying up to 30 years in prison. Two other individuals were also charged with aiding Clark in the attack: 19-year-old Mason Joh Sheppard of the UK, and 22-year-old Nima Fazeli of Orlando, Flordia.

The attackers appeared to have gained access to twitter's admin dashboard with a social engineering attack designed to phish employee credentials. Once one of the phishing attempts was successful, they actually managed to control all of twitters internal systems for email and password resets. This effectively gave them access to any account on the platform.

Eventually, twitter regained control by hand verifying every single one of its employees with a new password.


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Bitcoin Mining in the USA


Although most Bitcoin holders turn to crypto exchanges to get the digital currency, tech-savvy holders prefer to mine it. All of the Bitcoins that have been generated to date were mined using special software. Miners need powerful computers and other related hardware to facilitate mining. For those who lack the resources or know-how, there are many startups that offer communal mining services at a fee, though almost all of these are scams.

Mining Bitcoin in the U.S.A. is legal and convenient, but it can also be expensive. This is because the mining process requires a lot of power. As such, although anyone can mine Bitcoin from anywhere in the country, there are certain states that have been classified as preferable thanks to their affordable energy rates. Miners and researchers have recommended five states for their affordable energy rates: Louisiana, Idaho, Washington, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, and Arkansas. On the other hand, the five most expensive states to mine Bitcoin in the U.S.A. are Hawaii, Alaska, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

Developers are optimistic that it will be easier and cheaper to mine Bitcoin in the U.S. with time. The largest mining farm ever built was a 300MW facility owned by Bitmain in Rockdale, Texas that cost $500 million.

It was launched in October of 2019. However, this facility had to scale back operations temporarily when the price of Bitcoin tanked below $4k.


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FAQ


Does Coinbase work in the USA?

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. In fact, 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.

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.

Another way to sell Bitcoins in the USA is through automated teller machines (ATMs). These ATMs allow users to instantly purchase and sell cryptocurrency using cash, however most of them require at least a phone number, so they aren't totally private.

LocalBitcoins is another option. Here, you can buy and sell Bitcoin for a wide range of payment methods, from gift cards to bank transfers. LocalBitcoins is a peer-to-peer (P2P) exchange, where you buy and sell with another individual. This does introduce a degree of risk, though by ensuring that you conduct all business on the platform, make use of its escrow services, and only trade with users who have a good reputation, you'll minimize any potential problems.

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 accepter machines will pay you out in Bitcoin, but you will need a lot of coins as well as be ok with paying a high fee.

About the Author

jordan tuwiner
Jordan Tuwiner

Jordan Tuwiner is the founder of BuyBitcoinWorldwide.com. 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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