Those interested in buying large amounts of Bitcoin often include individuals, traders, and institutions.

We’ve researched and listed trusted exchanges with low fees. We believe these are two important factors for buyers of large amounts.

Top Exchanges for Large Purchases

Online exchanges can be one of the fastest and easiest ways to buy large amounts of crypto. We’ve researched and listed the top exchanges below.

Kraken - Best for Low Fees

Kraken is one of the largest global exchanges and services most countries, including:

• USA
• Canada
• UK
• EU
• MENA Region
• Most other countries besides Cuba, North Korea and Iran

Kraken has some of the lowest fees in crypto. Kraken charges maximum 0.26% on trades. Depending on your trading volume and trade type, this can go as low as 0%.

Visit Kraken

Coinbase Advanced Trader

Coinbase Advanced Trader is separate from Coinbase’s main brokerage services.

Coinbase Advanced Trader is currently the largest U.S. based Bitcoin Exchange, with around 7,000-10,000 BTC traded daily.

Users of the following locations can use Coinbase Advanced Trader:

• USA (all 50 states)
• Europe
• Canada
• UK

Visit Coinbase Advanced Trader

River - Best for Bitcoin Only

River Financial, based in San Francisco, operates as a Bitcoin-only exchange. They’ve positioned themselves to offer users an unparalleled, professional Bitcoin buying journey.

• Location: San Francisco-based.

River Financial is designed to offer users a straightforward and professional experience when purchasing Bitcoin. Registered in the USA, it upholds strict security standards to ensure users’ peace of mind.

Security:

• Assets safeguarded with military-grade technology.
• Utilizes 2FA authentication for added safety.

The platform’s “Private Client” service is especially beneficial for users looking to invest in significant amounts of Bitcoin. Not only does it allow for the purchase of larger Bitcoin volumes, but it also provides personalized phone support for a smooth acquisition process.

River’s fee structure is tailored according to the size of the purchase. The more you buy, the more you save.

Visit River

Fees:

• Purchases up to $250,000: 1.20%.
• $250,000.01 to $1,000,000: 1.00%.
• $1,000,000.01 to $5,000,000: 0.90%.
• Over $5,000,000: 0.80%.

While River boasts a highly-rated iOS app for easy on-the-go transactions, potential users in Nevada and New York should be aware that the platform is currently not accessible in those states.

Coinbase

Coinbase is a good option for individuals who want to buy large quantities of bitcoin. It’s also one of the easiest ways to buy bitcoin in the US, Canada, or Europe.

Fully verified users can buy up to $50,000 worth of bitcoin per day on Coinbase, through a connected bank account via ACH bank transfer, or with a wire transfer.

Here are some key points:

• Coinbase sells Bitcoin at a fixed rate, which is generally very close to market price.
• The downside to Coinbase is the 1.49% fee per transaction.
• If you buy $50,000 worth of bitcoin, you’ll pay a $500 fee and receive $49,500 worth of bitcoin.
• To prevent paying a fee and to select your own price, use Coinbase Advanced Trader.

Users in certain US states and Europe can request to raise their deposit limit from $50,000 to $100,000.

If your request is granted, deposits over the $50,000 per day must be made with a wire transfer.

Gemini

The Winklevoss twins launched Gemini in November 2015. Gemini works with both individuals and institutional clients.

Fully verified users have high deposit limits. While the exchange has received a lot of hype, it’s not yet shown in its volume. Due to this users may have a tough time making use of their large deposits. In the future, this may be a better option.

In January 2022, Gemini agreed to purchase BITRIA, acquiring its tools that allow for advisors to manage holdings of cryptocurrencies for clients. This is thought to allow the company to expand into the wealth management area and offer full-service digital asset management in addition to the traditional portfolio management systems.

Cumberland Mining

Cumberland Mining is one of the leading OTC liquidity providers in the digital currency space. It is a subsidiary of DRW Trading, a prominent financial cryptocurrency trading firm.

As one of the few institutional trading firms in the digital currency space, it helps provide global liquidity to the overall ecosystem through competitive markets/prices. It offers:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
• Ether (ETH)
• Litecoin (LTC)

Cumberland offers trading of these coins to institutional investors who want to make large orders using USD, EUR, GBP and other fiat currencies.

Bitstamp

Established in 2011, Bitstamp stands as one of the longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges. Its reputation for reliability, robust security features, and transparency has positioned it as a trusted choice for substantial cryptocurrency trades.

High Liquidity: Thanks to its established standing in the market, Bitstamp boasts substantial liquidity, ensuring that large trades are executed swiftly and efficiently.

Advanced Trading Interface: Bitstamp offers a state-of-the-art trading platform that caters to both novice and seasoned investors. For those making significant transactions, this advanced interface provides in-depth analysis and real-time data to inform buying decisions.

Security First: Prioritizing the safety of its users’ assets, Bitstamp employs a multi-tiered security approach. This includes cold storage solutions, two-factor authentication, and mandatory confirmation for high-value withdrawals.

Transparent Fee Structure: For high-volume traders, Bitstamp offers a competitive, tiered fee structure that decreases as trading volume increases, benefiting those transacting substantial amounts.

Global Reach with Compliance: Bitstamp’s commitment to regulatory compliance allows high-net-worth individuals and institutional traders to transact with peace of mind, knowing their significant investments are made on a platform that adheres to international legal standards.

In essence, for large-scale cryptocurrency purchases, Bitstamp offers a perfect blend of security, liquidity, and advanced trading features.

Satstreet - Best for Canada

Satstreet is an OTC desk in Canada, specializing in selling large amounts of crypto. Here are some key features:

• Processed over $1.5B in transactions.
• Ensures optimal pricing for trades from $25k to $100M+.
• 24/7 accessibility with dedicated client support.
• Top-tier institutional security options, including self-custody and multi-sig.
• Mobile app for efficient portfolio tracking.
• Comprehensive trade history reporting for tax and accounting.

Fee Comparison

Exchange Name	Fees
Kraken	0 - 0.26%
Coinbase Advanced Trader	0.4 - 0.6%
Gemini	0.5% - 3.49%
Cumberland Mining	Unclear
River Financial	0.8% - 1.2%

Use OTC Brokers and Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Over-the-counter crypto exchanges have helped increase liquidity. Large players now have more options to deal with large blocks of bitcoin, thanks to the companies discussed in depth below.

Just be aware that in many (if not most) cases, buying large amounts of Bitcoin will mean paying a premium over the spot price. This is especially true for OTC purchases.

his premium may seem to counter how most purchases work since bulk purchases usually come with a discount. However, large transactions are harder to fill than small ones, and the profit made on them is less since most exchanges make money on transaction volume.

FAQ

Terms to Understand

• Bitcoin (BTC): A decentralized digital currency, operating without a central bank or single administrator.
• Online Cryptocurrency Exchanges: Platforms allowing users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies at determined or user-set prices.
• Over-the-counter (OTC): Trading method that doesn't use a centralized exchange, often for large transactions.
• KYC (Know Your Customer): Regulatory process exchanges use to verify the identity of their users to prevent illicit activities.
• Fiat: Government-issued currency, like the US Dollar or Euro, not backed by a physical commodity.
• Liquidity: The ease with which an asset can be quickly bought or sold without affecting its price.
• Multisig Wallet: A type of wallet requiring multiple keys to authorize a transaction, enhancing security.
• Full Node: A program verifying transactions and blocks on a blockchain, ensuring network's rules are followed.