Buy Bitcoin & Crypto in United States
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The United States is the most important market for Bitcoin. This is mostly due to the US Dollar's status as the world’s reserve currency and the US’s influence over international finance.
LocalBitcoins daily trading volume in United States is .... The current price of Bitcoin is .... There are ... Bitcoin ATMs available to United States residents. And ... businesses accept Bitcoin in United States.
Most Popular Exchanges in United States
Coinmama
Founded 2013
Coinmama allows users to easily and quickly make bitcoin purchases from almost anywhere in the world using many different payment methods, including credit cards.
Kraken
Founded 2011
Started in 2011, Kraken was one of the first Bitcoin exchanges. Founder Jesse Powell started the exchange after helping with MTGOX's 2011 crisis/hack. It was during this experience that Jesse realized the importance of security for a bitcoin exchange. Determined to do better, Jesse started what would become Kraken later that year. As a testiment to the focus on security, Kraken has never been hacked and remains of the of top Bitcoin exchanges in the world.
Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency Trading in United States
The cryptocurrency exchange you use will depend on what your goals are. Some people buy only bitcoin, while some buy many cryptos. Some trade, while some buy and hold.
We'll outline some of the best options for each type of buyer and trader.
Best for Trading
If you plan on trading in and out of different coins, the following exchanges support many cryptocurrencies:
- — Cex.io
- — Kraken Pro
Now, let's give a bit deeper into some of the exchanges mentioned above with our detailed overviews.
Top Cryptocurrency & Bitcoin Exchanges in United States
Founded 2013
Coinmama Popular
Founded 2013Coinmama Popular
Coinmama allows users to easily and quickly make bitcoin purchases from almost anywhere in the world using many different payment methods, including credit cards.
Visit Site MorePROS
- Super Fast Withdrawal
- Higher privacy that most exchanges
- Super convienent and easy to use
- One of the few places to buy bitcoin using credit cards
CONS
- Higher fees than some other exchanges
Supported Fiat: Yes
Payment methods include: Credit Card Debit Card Wire Transfer
Headquarters: Israel
Ease of Use
Super easy
Privacy
Low
Speed
Super fast
Fees
Medium
Reputation
Excellent
Limits
-
Founded 2011
Kraken Popular
Founded 2011Kraken Popular
Started in 2011, Kraken was one of the first Bitcoin exchanges. Founder Jesse Powell started the exchange after helping with MTGOX's 2011 crisis/hack. It was during this experience that Jesse realized the importance of security for a bitcoin exchange. Determined to do better, Jesse started what would become Kraken later that year. As a testiment to the focus on security, Kraken has never been hacked and remains of the of top Bitcoin exchanges in the world.
Visit Site MorePROS
- Excellent Security record
- Large Volume
CONS
- Slow Customer Service response
- Slow account verificaiton
Supported Fiat: Yes
Payment methods include: Debit Card Bank Transfer Cash BACs Chaps
Headquarters: San Francisco, USA
Ease of Use
Super easy
Privacy
Low
Speed
Slow
Fees
Low
Reputation
Excellent
Limits
Medium
Best Bitcoin Wallet for United States
Bitcoin wallets are just software or hardware, so the truth is that wallets can work in any country.
However, we've highlighted some Bitcoin wallets we think would be good for United States users here.
Trezor Model T
Secure storage with high res color touch screen
Read ReviewThe Trezor Model T is perfect for long term holders of many coins. It's full color high resolution touch screen makes it easy to navigate and advanced features make it the most secure hardware wallet
Ledger Nano X
Secure Storage with Bluetooth Functionality
Read ReviewThe Ledger Nano X is great for traders who need to access their coins on the go. The on-board bluetooth functionality allows you to access your coins on your mobile device.
Electrum
Multi-feature desktop wallet that works with hardware wallets.
Visit WebsiteElectrum is a Bitcoin-only desktop wallet that offers many advanced features for higher level users. It is best paired with a hardware wallet.
More Bitcoin Exchanges in United States
Most Popular Exchanges in United States
Coinmama
Founded 2013
Coinmama allows users to easily and quickly make bitcoin purchases from almost anywhere in the world using many different payment methods, including credit cards.
Kraken
Founded 2011
Started in 2011, Kraken was one of the first Bitcoin exchanges. Founder Jesse Powell started the exchange after helping with MTGOX's 2011 crisis/hack. It was during this experience that Jesse realized the importance of security for a bitcoin exchange. Determined to do better, Jesse started what would become Kraken later that year. As a testiment to the focus on security, Kraken has never been hacked and remains of the of top Bitcoin exchanges in the world.
Founded 2013
Cex.io
Founded 2013Cex.io
Since its founding in 2013, CEX.io has never lost any user funds. As a pioneer in credit card payments for crypto, CEX has kept it easy to access and buy coins. Since it supports 99% of all counties,you can use CEX no matter where you are to buy and sell your favorite crypto assets
Visit Site MorePROS
- Supports 99% of all countries
- Multiple Fiat pairs
- No customer funds lost
- Easy account creation
CONS
- Slow withdraw times
Supported Fiat: Yes
Payment methods include: Credit Card Debit Card Bank Transfer SEPA SWIFT
Headquarters: London, GBR
Ease of Use
Easy
Privacy
Low
Speed
Slow
Fees
Medium
Reputation
Good
Limits
High
Founded 2013
Huobi Global
Founded 2013Huobi Global
Huobi is based in Singapore and was first popular with Asian Crypto traders; however it has since grown a worldwide user base. Traders are attacted to its advanced features and extensive pair list along with its low trading fees
Visit Site MorePROS
- Low Fees
- Many Currency Pairs
CONS
- Extensive KYC
Supported Fiat: Yes
Payment methods include: Credit Card
Headquarters: Singapore
Ease of Use
Easy
Privacy
Low
Speed
Slow
Fees
Low
Reputation
Good
Limits
Medium
Founded 2014
BitMEX
Founded 2014BitMEX
Started by commodities trader Arthur Hayes in 2014, BitMEX quickly became the leading place to make leveraged bets on the price of bitcoin. Thier unique Bitcoin only depoist/withdraw system, along with top notch security have continued to set it apart from challengers.
Visit Site MorePROS
- Up to 100X leverage
- New products constantly rolled out
- Top Notch Security
CONS
- For Advanced Traders
Supported Fiat: No
Payment methods include: Bitcoin
Headquarters: SYC
Ease of Use
Easy
Privacy
Low
Speed
Super fast
Fees
Low
Reputation
Excellent
Limits
Unlimited
Founded 2019
Swan Bitcoin
Founded 2019Swan Bitcoin
Started by Cory Klippsten in 2019, Swan Bitcoin has quickly grown into the leading (and easiest) way to by bitcoin through Dollar Coast Averaging.
Visit Site MorePROS
- Super Easy Dollar Cost Averaging
CONS
- Withdrawals can take a long time
Supported Fiat: Yes
Payment methods include: Wire Transfer ACH
Headquarters: USA
Ease of Use
Super easy
Privacy
Low
Speed
Slow
Fees
Low
Reputation
Excellent
Limits
Medium
Founded 2019
River Financial
Founded 2019River Financial
River Financial's hands on approach gives the bitcoin space a white glove touch. If you want to buy or sell large amounts of bitcoin in a setting familar to anyone used to dealing with large brokerages, River is for you. They also have finacial advisors on hand to talk with potential customers about how Bitcoin fits into an individual portfolio.
Visit Site MorePROS
- Easy Dollar Cost Averaging
- Advanced security features
CONS
- Withdrawals can take a long time
Supported Fiat: Yes
Payment methods include: Wire Transfer ACH
Headquarters: USA
Ease of Use
Super easy
Privacy
Low
Speed
Slow
Fees
Low
Reputation
Excellent
Limits
Unlimited
Founded 2014
Bittrex
Founded 2014Bittrex
Founded in 2014, Bittrex was a mainstay of crypto trading during the 2017 bull market. It has many cryptocurrency paiirs and now even allows Fiat on boarding.
Visit Site MorePROS
- Many Currency Pairs
CONS
- Extensive KYC
Supported Fiat: Yes
Payment methods include: -
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA
Ease of Use
Average
Privacy
Low
Speed
-
Fees
Low
Reputation
Good
Limits
Medium
Founded 2011
Paymium
Founded 2011Paymium
Paymium is one of the oldest exchanges in Europe. It is compliant with all EU regulations and is extremily well trusted. Paymium is based in France and supports several payment methods, including SEPA transfers and credit card purchases.
Visit Site MorePROS
- High limits for SEPA transfers
- Makers get paid to trade with low taker fees
- Great mobile support for trading on the go
CONS
- Not the easiest exchange to use
- Limited desposit methods that only supports euros
Supported Fiat: -
Payment methods include: Credit Card Bank Transfer SEPA SWIFT Apple Pay
Headquarters: Paris, FRA
Ease of Use
Easy
Privacy
Low
Speed
Super fast
Fees
Low
Reputation
Good
Limits
High
Founded 2015
Bitit
Founded 2015Bitit
EU based exchange supporting 15 different fiat trading pairs and dozens of coins beyond Bitcoin. This is one of the more established exchanges with a long track record and a clean UI that is easy for newbies and veterans alike.
Visit Site MorePROS
- 15 fiat trading pairs
- Multiple payment options supported
- 50 countries supported
- €10,000 initial weekly Neosurf cash payment limit with only 8% fees
CONS
- Very low limits to buy without KYC
- Tiny weekly €500 limit for credit and debit card purchases
- Low limits overall
Supported Fiat: Yes
Payment methods include: Credit Card Bank Transfer Cash Cash Libs Wire Transfer
Headquarters: Paris, FRA
Ease of Use
Easy
Privacy
Low
Speed
Slow
Fees
Low
Reputation
Average
Limits
Medium
The history of Bitcoin in United States
Bitcoin has been a prevalent source of trading in the US since its development over ten years ago. And its continued presence in the country shows no sign of waning in popularity, nor is it currently experiencing many potential legal challenges, despite the fact that its decentralized nature continues to make it difficult for governments or regulators to control it.
Early in 2013, the US Treasury designated Bitcoin as a ‘virtual currency’, and even put together a handy visual chart demonstrating how such asset trading works between two people. It was recategorized again in 2015 by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which classified it as a ‘commodity’.
The current status of Bitcoin in United States
Over the years, attempts were made to regulate Bitcoin and other virtual currencies. In one proposal, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) was quick to point out the potential for money laundering and other illegal activities associated with Bitcoin but also countered with the fact that any financial institution was susceptible to crime.
“Any financial institution, payment system, or medium of exchange has the potential to be exploited for money laundering or terrorist financing. Virtual currency is not different in this regard.”
In 2016, in one of the more important legal cryptocurrency decisions in recent memory, a federal judge made the landmark ruling that Bitcoin was, and is, in fact, money. And it happened almost by accident. While defending a criminal charge, the owner of what US prosecutors called an ‘unlicensed bitcoin exchange’ asked a judge to dismiss his case, claiming that Bitcoin did not qualify as a ‘funds’ under federal law and, therefore, he could not be held responsible for his charges. The judge, however, disagreed and upheld the definition to include Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Another landmark decision involving Bitcoin’s operating future in the US was made again in 2018––this time, the case made it all the way to the Supreme Court.
Bitcoin mining in the US is legal, though it is not recognized as legal tender in any jurisdiction. In fact, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Bitcoin and all other virtual currencies are treated as property for federal tax purposes.
There are a considerably high number of Bitcoin exchanges in the US, many of which are ranked solely on popularity. Some of the most trusted and heavily favored exchanges for Bitcoin in the US include Coinbase, BitQuick, and CoinBTM.