California
A list of ways to purchase bitcoin in California.
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Robinhood
Popular and well-known exchange based in the USA. Buy & trade with ACH transfers. Also offers U.S. Bitcoin ETFs like IBIT and FBTC.
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Coinbase
Coinbase is headquartered in California and fully regulated. CA residents can purchase Bitcoin through ACH transfers, bank accounts, debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay and wire transfers. Regulated by FinCEN.
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River
Available to California residents and fully regulated. CA users can buy Bitcoin through ACH with low fees, and even 0% if using auto-buying.
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Coinbase Advanced
Coinbase's Advanced Exchange. Best for lower fees than Coinbase Simple and for more advanced order types.
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Unchained
Unchained is available to California residents and fully regulated. CA users can buy Bitcoin through ACH and wire transfers with 1% fees.
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Kraken
Popular and well-known exchange based in the USA.
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Gemini
Gemini is available to California residents and fully regulated. CA users can buy and trade Bitcoin through ACH transfers, PayPal, Apple Pay and other payment options.
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Uphold
Popular exchange based in the USA with support for multiple payment methods.
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ATM Radar
A map that allows you to find Cash to Bitcoin ATMs in any location in the world.
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Bitcoin Depot
Bitcoin Depot is a company that specializes in making cash to Bitcoin machines in the USA. They have locations in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Bernardino, Oakland, and many other towns.
Table of Contents
Exchange Support
Exchange Name | Support for California |
---|---|
Binance.us | Yes |
Coinbase | Yes |
Kraken | Yes |
Kucoin | No |
Gemini | Yes |
Uphold | Yes |
Luno | No |
Crypto.com | Yes |
If I Bought Bitcoin
See how much you would have made if you bought Bitcoin in the past.
Transaction Fees
A look at the transaction fees for each exchange, both spread and commission.
- Spread fee: Exchanges may charge a higher price than the actual price of Bitcoin.
- Fee: Exchange fee for the transaction.
- Total fees: The sum of the spread fee and the fee.
Exchange | Spread Fee | Fee | Total Fees |
---|---|---|---|
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0.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
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0.0% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
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0.55% | 0.0% | 0.55% |
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0.3% | 1.0% | 1.3% |
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1.5% | 0.0% | 1.5% |
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0.5% | 2.99% | 3.49% |
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1.0% | 2.99% | 3.99% |
Actual fees may vary. Fees are subject to change. Fee estimates based on our research and testing. Some exchanges may charge less depending on volume.
Estimated Fees on $100
An estimate of the fees for buying $100 worth of Bitcoin using a bank account.
Exchange | Total Cost on $100 |
---|---|
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1.0 |
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0.4 |
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0.55 |
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1.3 |
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1.5 |
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3.49 |
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3.99 |
History of Bitcoin in California
California has been at the forefront of Bitcoin adoption and innovation in the United States. As the home of Silicon Valley, the state has played a pivotal role in the development of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency infrastructure. In 2014, California became one of the first states to officially legalize Bitcoin use through Assembly Bill 129.
The state has also been home to numerous influential Bitcoin companies, including Coinbase, which was founded in San Francisco in 2012. California's regulatory framework for digital assets has evolved significantly, with the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) providing oversight of crypto businesses through its money transmitter licensing requirements.
Financial & Regulatory Licenses
Exchange | Licenses & Regulation |
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FinCEN as a money services business. U.S. SEC as a broker-dealer. |
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Chartered by New York State Department of Financial Services for virtual currency. |
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Registered MSB with FinCEN. |
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Chartered by New York State Department of Financial Services for virtual currency. |
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NMLS ID 1900773. Loans originated through Lead Bank (FDIC member). |
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Registered money services business with FinCEN (USA). |
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New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). |
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FinCEN (USA), FCA (UK), FINTRAC (Canada), FCIS (EU) |
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This is a map only. Please check with individual ATM operators for their regulatory status and licenses. |
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Registered MSB with FinCEN in the USA and FINTRAC in Canada. Licensed for money transmission in applicable US states. |
Deposit Fees
These are fees exchanges may charge for deposits. Fees are subject to change.
Exchange | Deposit Fees |
---|---|
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ACH: Free Wire: $10 USD SEPA: €0.15 EUR SWIFT: Free |
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ACH: Free Wire: $10 USD SEPA: €0.15 EUR SWIFT: Free |
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ACH: $0 Wire: $0 SEPA: $0 SWIFT: $0 |
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ACH: $0 Wire: $0 SEPA: $0 SWIFT: $3 |
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ACH: $0 Wire: $0 |
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ACH: $0 SWIFT: $0 |
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ACH: Free Wire: $0 - $20 SEPA: Free FPS: Free |
Bitcoin Scams in California
Given California's large population and high concentration of Bitcoin activity, the state has seen its share of cryptocurrency-related fraud. One notable case was the BitConnect scandal, which affected numerous California residents before its collapse in 2018. The scheme promised high returns through a crypto trading bot and lending platform.
The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) regularly issues warnings about crypto investment scams, including fake crypto mining operations and fraudulent trading platforms. California residents are advised to verify that any crypto business they work with is properly licensed with the DFPI and to be wary of promises of guaranteed returns or pressure to invest quickly.
Mobile App Support
Exchange | iOS App | Android App |
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Earn Interest & Rewards
The following table shows interest rates offered by exchanges.
Exchange | Interest Rate & Details |
---|---|
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4.70%
Earn 4.70% APY rewards by holding USDC on Coinbase. USDC is fully backed 1:1 by US dollars. Minimum $1.
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3.8%
Earn 3.8% interest on FDIC-insured cash, paid out in Bitcoin. No fees or minimums. Withdraws allowed anytime.
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4.70%
Earn 4.70% APY rewards by holding USDC on Coinbase. USDC is fully backed 1:1 by US dollars. Minimum $1.
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0.15% - 6.5%
Available for BTC (0.15% bonded/0.1% flexible), USDT/USD/USDC (6.5% bonded/4.5% flexible), and EUR (4.45% bonded/3.5% flexible).
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2 - 4.65%
Earn up to 4.65% APY on USD balances of $1,000 or more, or 2% APY on balances below $1,000 in Uphold's USD Interest Account.
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Exchange snapshots
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Robinhood
Robinhood snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.2
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Android app score |
4.2
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | ACH, Debit Card, Bank Account, Wire Transfer |
Review | Read our review |
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Coinbase
Coinbase snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.7
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
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Android app score |
4.6
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | ACH, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Bank Account, PayPal, Apple Pay, iDEAL, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer, Instant Verification, Google Pay |
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River
River snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.8
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
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Android app score |
4.9
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | ACH, Bank Account, Wire Transfer |
Review | Read our review |
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Coinbase Advanced
Coinbase Advanced snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.7
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Android app score |
4.6
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | Same as Coinbase |
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Unchained
Unchained snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $2,000 |
iOS app score |
4.8
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | ACH, Wire Transfer, Bank Account |
Review | Read our review |
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Kraken
Kraken snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.7
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
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Android app score |
4.3
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
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Deposit Methods | ACH, Bank Account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Instant Verification |
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Gemini
Gemini snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.8
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
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Android app score |
4.2
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | ACH, Bank Account, PayPal, Apple Pay, Debit Card, Google Pay |
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Uphold
Uphold snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.6
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
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Android app score |
4.7
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
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Deposit Methods | ACH, Bank Account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Credit Card, Debit Card, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer |
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ATM Radar
ATM Radar snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | Each ATM will have a different minimum deposit amount. |
iOS app score |
4.5
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
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Android app score |
4.5
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
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Deposit Methods | Cash |
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Bitcoin Depot
Bitcoin Depot snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.4
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
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Android app score |
4.3
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
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Deposit Methods | Cash |