Hawaii

A list of ways to purchase bitcoin in Hawaii.


Exchange Support


Exchange Name Support for Hawaii
Binance.us No
Coinbase Yes
Kraken Yes
Kucoin No
CEX.io No
Gemini Yes
Uphold Yes
eToro No
Luno No
Crypto.com Yes
Unchained Yes
River Yes



Frequently Asked Questions



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
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
KrakenKraken 0.4
RobinhoodRobinhood 0.55
RiverRiver 1.3
UpholdUphold 1.5
GeminiGemini 3.49
CoinbaseCoinbase 3.99


History of Bitcoin in Hawaii

Hawaii has had a unique relationship with Bitcoin adoption due to its strict regulatory environment. In 2016, the state's Division of Financial Institutions implemented double reserve requirements for Bitcoin businesses, requiring them to hold both the value of Bitcoin and an equivalent amount in fiat currency, which led many Bitcoin exchanges to cease operations in Hawaii.

However, in 2020, Hawaii launched a regulatory sandbox program called the Digital Currency Innovation Lab, allowing select Bitcoin companies to operate in the state without a money transmitter license. This initiative has helped increase Bitcoin accessibility for Hawaii residents while maintaining consumer protections.



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)


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 Hawaii

Hawaii's isolated geography has not protected it from Bitcoin-related fraud. In 2019, the Cloud Stake mining operation, based in Honolulu, defrauded local investors of over $1.2 million by promising guaranteed returns through Bitcoin mining operations that didn't exist. The company's founder, David Puu, was later charged with wire fraud and money laundering.

The Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions regularly issues consumer advisories about Bitcoin scams, particularly those targeting the state's senior population. Hawaii residents are urged to be vigilant about Bitcoin investment opportunities and to work only with companies approved under the state's Digital Currency Innovation Lab program.



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
Review Read our review

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