Using a cryptocurrency broker is the simplest way to buy and sell crypto, including the most popular coins Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH). There are many different brokers available, and it can be hard to determine which is the best one to use. Important factors to consider include the range of coins, fees, deposit methods, and features, but the most crucial element in our opinion is security. This should be your #1 concern if you are deciding on a new crypto broker to use. If your broker is not regulated and insured, then your entire investment is at risk. Investing in cryptocurrency is already risky due to extreme market volatility, so make sure you are not adding unnecessary risk on top. We have carefully selected the top crypto brokers in USA by focusing on security, so you can buy and sell with peace of mind. Here are our recommendations of the best crypto brokers:
Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS:1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for Beginners  | ☑️ Extremely safe exchange (Global brand and regulated in the US) ☑️ Supports 110 cryptocurrencies that you can buy with debit card, online banking or wire transfer ☑️ Demo account provided so you can practise trading risk-free with $100,000 virtual money | 9.8 | Open AccountRead More |
Free Trading Bots  | ☑️ 18 FREE in-built trading bots, so you can earn up to 270% APY ☑️ Extremely low trading fees of just 0.05% ☑️ Over 120+ different cryptocurrencies available | 9.7 | Open AccountRead More |
Wide Range of Assets  | ☑️ Supports 125+ cryptocurrencies, 27 fiat currencies and 4 precious metals ☑️ Trade from one asset to any other asset ☑️ Fees incorporated into spreads, which are quite reasonable compared to industry standards | 9.5 | Open AccountRead More |
Runner-up for Beginners  | ☑️ Offers more than 160+ cryptocurrencies & over 10+ fiat currencies ☑️ Coinbase privately insures their own platform so users' funds are safe in the event of a cybersecurity breach ☑️ Deposit Methods: Bank transfer (ACH), Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer (SEPA), Wire transfer | 9.4 | Open AccountRead More |
Best for Speed & Ease  | ☑️ Allows customers to buy crypto instantly, with no need to pre-fund account ☑️ Various payment methods including debit/credit cards, wire transfers, Google Pay and Apple Pay ☑️ Serves 15 cryptocurrencies to over 2 million customers | 9.3 | Open AccountRead More |
Low fees  | ☑️ Supports over 200+ cryptocurrencies with low trading fees (0.00% - 0.26%) ☑️ Offers futures trading, margin trading, forex trading, OTC desk and more ☑️ Deposit Methods: Bank transfer (ACH), FedWire, SWIFT, SEN, Apple Pay & Google Pay | 9 | Open AccountRead More |
Best for Altcoins  | ☑️ Fees as low as 0.1% and a loyalty scheme which earns you their native cryptocurrency (KCS) ☑️ Deposit Methods: Bank transfer (ACH), PayPal, Interac e-Transfer ☑️ Offers over 700+ cryptocurrencies & over 40 fiat currencies | 8.8 | Open AccountRead More |
Best Crypto Broker for Beginners: eToro
eToro is a great broker for beginners and semi-serious investors. The process is as simple as depositing USD into your account and then selecting a cryptocurrency to buy. After your purchase you can view your assets in your portfolio tab, where you can track value changes and sell when you like. This simple system makes it ideal for those who want to buy a small range of cryptos and hold them as a long term strategy. However eToro is not ideal if you want to do serious day-trading as it has only 110 coins and 1% trading fees. If you want to dabble in some recreational trading then eToro is a good option, but when it comes time to scale your trades, there are better options.
eToro does have a cool feature where you can copy popular traders move-for-move, automating your investment strategy. The community at eToro also adds a lot of value, your news feed will be full of interesting posts from different traders who are sharing their observations and predictions on market movements.
eToro is a multinational brand, and is regulated in the USA, so you can trust that your funds will be handled with a high level of security. You can also use eToro's Demo account to test your trading decisions with $100,000 of virtual money, meaning you can learn how to trade completely risk-free. I recommend eToro to anyone who is new to crypto investing, or wants to buy and HODL their digital assets. For experienced traders, eToro is probably not the best option for you.
Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS:1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk.
Free Crypto Trading Bots: Pionex
Pionex is a relatively new cryptocurrency broker, established in 2019 with a focus on automated trading, with 18 free built-in trading bots. They claim that you can achieve up to 270% APY by using their bots to trade, without needing to continually check the markets. Pionex is easy to use, with detailed tutorials to explain how each bot works, and what each one is best used for.
The fees on Pionex are extremely low, at just 0.05% for both maker and taker, and they aggregate liquidity from Binance and Huobi Global, so you know that you will always have deep liquidity on their platform. Pionex is safe to use in the USA, with an approved Money Services Business license from FinCEN.
Related articles: Pionex review, Best crypto trading bots
Broker with Wide Range of Asset Classes: Uphold
Uphold is a broker established in 2015 not just for the cryptocurrency market, but also offering trading in precious metals and forex. Uphold is an excellent choice for traders that want to diversify their investment portfolio beyond only crypto. Their platform supports over 125+ cryptocurrencies, 27 fiat currencies and 4 precious metals (gold, silver, platinum and palladium), and a feature to trade from one asset to any other asset you like. To give an example, you can conveniently buy ADA using your Ether or trade your Bitcoin for Gold.
Uphold is not just a broker, it also provides customers access to financial services that are not available from a bank. You can use Uphold to receive payments from your employer in any currency, fiat or digital, or even a combination of currencies, for example 60% USD, 25% Euro and 15% Bitcoin. Sending money to your friends and family across the globe is also easy, instant and free, using your choice of any fiat or cryptocurrency. Uphold even has a Debit card that can be used at nearly 50 million merchants and ATMs globally, with no foreign transaction fees. Users earn 1% Cash Back in USD on any USD-sourced purchases and 2% back in the crypto used for every purchase with the Uphold Debit card.
Uphold includes their trading fees in spreads as opposed to a separate commission fee. Spreads vary based on the coin, and they are quite reasonable (eg: Bitcoin and Ethereum spreads are only 0.8% - 1.2%). Uphold is a great choice for those that want to invest in cryptocurrency, and also get their feet wet with other investment instruments.
Uphold Disclaimer: Assets available on Uphold are different per region. All investments and trading are risky and may result in the loss of capital. Cryptoassets are largely unregulated and are therefore not subject to protection.
Runner-up Best Broker: Coinbase
Coinbase is the biggest US cryptocurrency broker, offering over 160+ cryptocurrencies to its 68 million users. The features that make Coinbase one of the most popular brokers include a user-friendly platform, easy registration, multiple deposit options, and crime insurance cover against cybersecurity breaches. The fees on Coinbase are known to be higher than some competitors, but in return you receive ease of use, advanced security features and peace of mind with the insurance cover.
Related articles: Coinbase vs Gemini, Coinbase vs Kraken, Coinbase vs KuCoin
Best Broker for Speed & Ease: Coinmama
Coinmama is perfect for anyone looking buy cryptocurrency instantly from a broker, with no depositing beforehand. Any crypto you purchase is paid for at the time of sale, and the digital assets are sent direct to your personal wallet. Selling crypto is just as easy, even if you bought it on a different exchange, and the payment goes straight into your bank account. Coinmama is a very safe broker, as it doesn't holds users' funds nor does it keep any payment information. You always have complete control of your cryptocurrency and fiat assets when you use Coinmama, as they are a non-custodial broker.
Coinmama does have wider spreads as well as high buy fees (from 3.90%) and they are limited to only 15 different cryptocurrencies. We place Coinmama in this list because of their speed and simplicity, but their fees and lack of a mobile app let it down.
Best Broker for Low Fees: Kraken
Kraken is a US based cryptocurrency broker that has been established since 2011. Kraken offers many features including margin trading, futures trading, forex trading and staking. The low trading fees, user-friendly interface and top-level security measures ensure it remains one of the best crypto brokers in the world.
Related articles: Kraken vs Coinbase, Kraken vs Gemini, Kraken vs KuCoin
Best Broker for Altcoins: KuCoin
Kucoin has two defining qualities, their exceptionally wide range of cryptocurrencies (over 700+ altcoins) and their competitive trading fees (from 0.1%). They also have an interesting loyalty scheme that allows traders to reduce fees and earn interest when they use KuCoin's native cryptocurrency (KCS). KuCoin accepts payment in over 40 different fiat currencies, and has an easy sign-up process. Read our full review to learn more.
Related articles: KuCoin vs Kraken, KuCoin vs Coinbase, KuCoin vs Binance
Because you live in the USA
Here in the US, the government generally has stricter regulations than many other countries. This means that we have access to fewer services, and we need to jump through more hoops (sometimes involving identity verification) before we can buy crypto. At face value, it seems annoying but it's actually in place to protect us, since there are a lot of predatory 'investment' instruments out there that will part you from your money. The tight regulations in USA save us billions of dollars in fraud each year.
All the crypto brokers listed above have gone through the necessary regulatory processes and follow all the strict guidelines. This is why we are happy to recommend them, and we have similar recommendations for those looking for the best crypto exchanges in the US. Keep in mind that these regulations also exist at a state level, so check with each broker about their state level laws, some brokers do not operate in all US states.
Comparison Table of the Best Crypto Brokers in the USA
Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS:1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk.
What's the difference between a crypto broker and an exchange?
- A cryptocurrency broker is an individual or an entity that acts as the middle man between the cryptocurrency markets and their customer to facilitate buying and selling of cryptocurrencies
- Cryptocurrency brokers offer buying and selling of cryptocurrencies at prices set by them.
- A cryptocurrency exchange provides an online platform for buyers and sellers who trade cryptocurrencies between each other based on current market prices, they make money by charging trading fees.
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