California

A list of ways to purchase bitcoin in California.


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
UnchainedUnchained 0.0% 1.0% 1.0%
KrakenKraken 0.0% 0.4% 0.4%
RobinhoodRobinhood 0.55% 0.0% 0.55%
RiverRiver 0.3% 1.0% 1.3%
UpholdUphold 1.5% 0.0% 1.5%
GeminiGemini 0.5% 2.99% 3.49%
CoinbaseCoinbase 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
UnchainedUnchained 1.0
KrakenKraken 0.4
RobinhoodRobinhood 0.55
RiverRiver 1.3
UpholdUphold 1.5
GeminiGemini 3.49
CoinbaseCoinbase 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
RobinhoodRobinhood FinCEN as a money services business. U.S. SEC as a broker-dealer.
CoinbaseCoinbase Chartered by New York State Department of Financial Services for virtual currency.
RiverRiver Registered MSB with FinCEN.
Coinbase AdvancedCoinbase Advanced Chartered by New York State Department of Financial Services for virtual currency.
UnchainedUnchained NMLS ID 1900773. Loans originated through Lead Bank (FDIC member).
KrakenKraken Registered money services business with FinCEN (USA).
GeminiGemini New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).
UpholdUphold FinCEN (USA), FCA (UK), FINTRAC (Canada), FCIS (EU)
ATM RadarATM Radar This is a map only. Please check with individual ATM operators for their regulatory status and licenses.
Bitcoin DepotBitcoin Depot 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
Coinbase AdvancedCoinbase Advanced ACH: Free
Wire: $10 USD
SEPA: €0.15 EUR
SWIFT: Free
CoinbaseCoinbase ACH: Free
Wire: $10 USD
SEPA: €0.15 EUR
SWIFT: Free
GeminiGemini ACH: $0
Wire: $0
SEPA: $0
SWIFT: $0
KrakenKraken ACH: $0
Wire: $0
SEPA: $0
SWIFT: $3
RiverRiver ACH: $0
Wire: $0
RobinhoodRobinhood ACH: $0
SWIFT: $0
UpholdUphold 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
RobinhoodRobinhood
CoinbaseCoinbase
RiverRiver
Coinbase AdvancedCoinbase Advanced
UnchainedUnchained
KrakenKraken
GeminiGemini
UpholdUphold


Earn Interest & Rewards

The following table shows interest rates offered by exchanges.

Exchange Interest Rate & Details
CoinbaseCoinbase 4.70%
Earn 4.70% APY rewards by holding USDC on Coinbase. USDC is fully backed 1:1 by US dollars. Minimum $1.
RiverRiver 3.8%
Earn 3.8% interest on FDIC-insured cash, paid out in Bitcoin. No fees or minimums. Withdraws allowed anytime.
Coinbase AdvancedCoinbase Advanced 4.70%
Earn 4.70% APY rewards by holding USDC on Coinbase. USDC is fully backed 1:1 by US dollars. Minimum $1.
KrakenKraken 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).
UpholdUphold 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.




Exchange snapshots

Robinhood

Visit Exchange
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

Coinbase

Visit Exchange
Coinbase 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 ACH, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Bank Account, PayPal, Apple Pay, iDEAL, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer, Instant Verification, Google Pay

River

Visit Exchange
River snapshot
Minimum Deposit $1
iOS app score 4.8
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
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

Coinbase Advanced

Visit Exchange
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

Unchained

Visit Exchange
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

Kraken

Visit Exchange
Kraken snapshot
Minimum Deposit $1
iOS app score 4.7
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android app score 4.3
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
Deposit Methods ACH, Bank Account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Instant Verification

Gemini

Visit Exchange
Gemini snapshot
Minimum Deposit $1
iOS app score 4.8
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, Bank Account, PayPal, Apple Pay, Debit Card, Google Pay

Uphold

Visit Exchange
Uphold snapshot
Minimum Deposit $1
iOS app score 4.6
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android app score 4.7
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
Deposit Methods ACH, Bank Account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Credit Card, Debit Card, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer

ATM Radar

Visit Exchange
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.
Android app score 4.5
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
Deposit Methods Cash

Bitcoin Depot

Visit Exchange
Bitcoin Depot snapshot
Minimum Deposit $1
iOS app score 4.4
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android app score 4.3
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
Deposit Methods Cash