Cryptocurrency has been a pretty good ride since it was introduced, with some early investors seeing substantial profits, while those who bought at the peak have yet to fully recover from their losses. Digital coins have sparked a lot of debate in the investment industry about the merits and viability of investments, and legendary investors like Warren Buffett have said that cryptocurrencies are inherently unworthy.
In recent years, we have seen both positive and negative news for the crypto industry. Crypto Exchange FTX collapsed, with top executives being charged with crimes, while other exchanges, including Binance and Coinbase, faced charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Still, the SEC approved several spot Bitcoin ETFs in early 2024, giving traders an easy way to buy and sell the world’s largest cryptocurrency.
Some traders prefer to own the currency directly, while others turn to the futures market. Futures could be an even more attractive way to play the volatility of digital currencies such as Bitcoin. This is because traders use leverage to increase profits (but increase losses). However, futures carry more risk in exchange for their potentially high rewards.
Where to buy and sell cryptocurrency
- Traditional broker
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Brokers usually do not offer direct Bitcoin trading, only futures, but they have access to a wide range of other security, and in many cases you can purchase Bitcoin ETFS commissions for free.
- Cryptocurrency exchange
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Special crypto exchanges provide the widest cryptocurrency beyond Bitcoin and other most popular coins. You can also own the currency directly.
- Payment Services
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Some payment services, such as Cash App and PayPal, also allow users to buy and sell the most popular cryptocurrencies.
We introduce the best brokers for cryptocurrency trading, including traditional online brokers and specialized cryptocurrency exchanges. You can also check which brokers offer the best bonus to open an account and decide where you can get a little extra.
Summary: The best broker for cryptocurrency trading
Robin Hood
Robinhood is the perfect option for purchasing cryptocurrency directly. You can also take advantage of Robinhood’s extremely popular trading commission ($0 per transaction or no fee), but you can also pay built-in spread markup for your transactions. Also, if you’re interested in more than just cryptocurrency, you can stick to stocks and ETF trading at the same low price. Robinhood’s smooth app makes trading very easy, but anyone looking for a full-featured trading experience will be disappointed.
- commission: $0 but expands the internal markup
- Account Min: $0
Interactive broker
Interactive brokers allow you to exchange a small number of cryptocurrencies for one of the lowest committees on the market through Paxos Trust Company and Zero Hash, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana. Additionally, IB allows you to purchase Bitcoin and Ethereum futures, rather than directly owning the currency. And for this broker, you can buy futures on the Chicago Commercial Exchange, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana Contracts. Additionally, interactive brokers bring a complete set of investment offers, allowing you to buy almost anything you trade on the exchange.
- commission: 0.12-0.18% of trade value. Futures Committees vary
- Account Min: $0
webull
Although Webull may be less well known than its rival fee-free trading app Robinhood, it offers investors solid products, including cryptocurrency trading. Although we do not pay a committee on crypto transactions (or stocks and ETFs), Webull charges a spread markup of 100 basis points (1% of the price) on both sides of the transaction. Several cryptocurrencies are available for trading, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. Charting tools and impressive mobile apps make Webull a broker worth considering.
- commission: It’s $0, but the built-in markup is 1%
- Account Min: $1 to trade crypto
binance.us
Binance is a specialized trading platform that allows you to buy and sell digital currencies, including the largest such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, and hundreds of other much smaller coins can also be used. In total, you’ll have access to over 300 cryptocurrencies. Binance’s committee structure is lower, with more transactions being cheaper. Transaction fees fall from there from 0.57% of the transaction value (i.e. $57 for every $10,000 transaction), depending on the volume of transaction over the past 30 days. However, trading between Bitcoin and Ethereum is free here.
Binance’s finances were scrutinized in 2022 after the collapse of FTX. The accounting firm used by Binance to confirm its preparations has confirmed that it has suspended work for all crypto clients and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to the Wall Street Journal, all of the Big Four accounting firms are willing to work at Binance.
- commission: No more than 0.57% of transaction value, free Bitcoin and Ethereum trading
- Account Min: $0
Coinbase
Coinbase is a specialized cryptocurrency improvement platform that allows you to directly trade digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Tether. In total, you’ll have access to over 200 cryptocurrencies. You can also store your coins in a safe with time-lagged drawers for additional protection. The structure of the exchange committee is steep. It charges a spread markup of about 0.5% and adds trading fees depending on the size and source of funding, but its advanced trading platform does not charge spreads.
The SEC sued Coinbase in June 2023, claiming it was illegally operated as an exchange, broker-dealer and clearing agency, providing and selling unregistered securities. The lawsuit said Coinbase intentionally violates securities laws designed to protect investors. In early 2025, the SEC dismissed the lawsuit against Coinbase.
- commission: Fees start at 0.6% for advanced trade
- Account Min: $0
Kraken
Kraken is a cryptocurrency exchange that allows you to trade over 200 different digital currencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as new digital currencies, such as Cardano and Solana. Using the Kraken Pro tier, initial trading fees range from 0.25% to 0.40%, dropping rapidly from there based on 30-day trading volume. Kraken is unavailable to residents of Maine, New York and Washington.
- commission: With Kraken Pro, prices start at 0.40%
- Account Min: $1
Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab is one of the daily choices for bank rates for top brokers, and this investor-friendly company offers trading in Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana futures. Also, although there are no minimum accounts in Schwab, futures contracts you trade require a minimum margin to keep them open. Schwab offers an attractive fee of $2.25 per contract. If you can bring a large sum of money to the table, you will also receive a welcome bonus.
- commission: $2.25 per contract
- Account Min: $0, futures margin depends on contract
Tastytrade
Stastytrade is a relatively new player in the brokerage world, offering attractive prices for cryptocurrency transactions enabled by partner Zero Hash. Tastytrade does not charge a fee, but each transaction includes 0.35% built-in markup. Tastytrade offers 23 crypto coins, like the last count that includes Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana. You can also purchase Crypto Futures open and closed for $1.25 per contract.
- commission: There are no fees, but built-in markup of 0.50-0.75%. Futures contract is $1.25
- Account Min: $0
Cryptocurrency FAQ
Conclusion
Whenever you choose a broker, it is important to consider all your needs. Also, new cryptocurrency traders need to know whether they want to own cryptocurrency directly or whether they trade futures that offer higher risk as well as higher rewards. If you want to start trading cryptocurrency, here are some important things you need to know:
You also need to consider whether you want to trade more than Bitcoin. This is something that most traditional brokers limit you. If not, we recommend turning to cryptocurrency exchanges as they offer more options for trading cryptocurrency.