California
Compare fees, payment methods, and features to find the best way to buy Bitcoin in California.
River
Bitcoin-only exchange with 0% fees on recurring buys. Automate your purchases on any schedule, or buy instantly with ACH.
Gemini
Regulated by the NY Department of Financial Services. Buy Bitcoin with ACH, PayPal, Apple Pay, or wire transfer.
Uphold
Trade Bitcoin alongside 250+ other assets including stocks and precious metals. Fund with ACH, wire transfer, or Apple Pay.
Kraken
Operating since 2011 with some of the lowest trading fees in the industry. Deposit with ACH, wire transfer, or Apple Pay.
River Private Client
For Bitcoin investments of $100k+. Work directly with a dedicated advisor for execution, custody planning, and priority support.
Coinbase Advanced
Coinbase's pro trading interface — same account, lower fees. Use limit orders and advanced charts for more control.
Swan Bitcoin
Bitcoin-only platform designed for long-term investors. Set up automatic purchases on any schedule via ACH or wire.
Bitcoin ATMs
Buy Bitcoin with cash — no bank account needed. Find ATM locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Sacramento, and hundreds of other CA cities.
Table of Contents
Exchange Support
| Exchange Name | Support for California |
|---|---|
| Binance.us | Yes |
| Coinbase | Yes |
| Kraken | Yes |
| Kucoin | No |
| Fold | Yes |
| Gemini | Yes |
| Uphold | Yes |
| Luno | No |
| Crypto.com | Yes |
What If You 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swan Bitcoin |
0.3% | 0.99% | 1.29% |
| Kraken |
0.0% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| River |
0.3% | 1.0% | 1.3% |
| Uphold |
1.5% | 0.0% | 1.5% |
| Gemini |
0.5% | 2.99% | 3.49% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Swan Bitcoin |
$1.29 |
| Kraken |
$0.4 |
| River |
$1.3 |
| Uphold |
$1.5 |
| Gemini |
$3.49 |
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 |
|---|---|
| River |
Registered MSB with FinCEN. |
| Gemini |
New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). |
| Uphold |
FinCEN (USA), FCA (UK), FINTRAC (Canada), FCIS (EU) |
| Kraken |
Registered money services business with FinCEN (USA). |
| River Private Client |
Registered MSB with FinCEN. |
| Coinbase Advanced |
Chartered by New York State Department of Financial Services for virtual currency. |
| Swan Bitcoin |
Swan connects users to licensed custodians Bakkt, BitGo, and Equity Trust, ensuring compliance with state laws. Bakkt is BitLicensed and FinCEN registered; BitGo and Equity Trust operate under their own regulations. |
| Bitcoin ATMs |
Bitcoin ATM regulations vary by state. Please check with individual ATM operators for their regulatory status. |
Deposit Fees
These are fees exchanges may charge for deposits. Fees are subject to change.
| Exchange | Deposit Fees |
|---|---|
| Coinbase Advanced |
ACH: Free Wire: $10 USD SEPA: €0.15 EUR SWIFT: Free |
| Gemini |
ACH: $0 Wire: $0 SEPA: $0 SWIFT: $0 |
| Kraken |
ACH: $0 Wire: $0 SEPA: $0 SWIFT: $3 |
| River Private Client |
ACH: $0 Wire: $0 |
| River |
ACH: $0 Wire: $0 |
| Uphold |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| River |
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| Gemini |
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| Uphold |
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| Kraken |
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| River Private Client |
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| Coinbase Advanced |
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| Swan Bitcoin |
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| Bitcoin ATMs |
Earn Interest & Rewards
The following table shows interest rates offered by exchanges.
| Exchange | Interest Rate & Details |
|---|---|
| River |
3.8%
Earn 3.8% interest on FDIC-insured cash, paid out in Bitcoin. No fees or minimums. Withdraws allowed anytime.
|
| Uphold |
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.
|
| Kraken |
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).
|
| River Private Client |
3.3%
Earn 3.3% interest on FDIC-insured cash, paid out in Bitcoin. No fees or minimums. Withdraw anytime.
|
| Coinbase Advanced |
4.70%
Earn 4.70% APY rewards by holding USDC on Coinbase. USDC is fully backed 1:1 by US dollars. Minimum $1.
|
Exchange snapshots
River
| River snapshot | |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
| iOS app score |
4.9
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, Bank Account, Wire Transfer |
| Review | Read our review |
Gemini
| 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, Wire Transfer, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
Uphold
| 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 |
Kraken
| 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 |
River Private Client
| River Private Client snapshot | |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
| Deposit Methods | ACH, Wire Transfer, Bank Account |
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 | ACH, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Bank Account, PayPal, Apple Pay, iDEAL, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer, Instant Verification, Google Pay |
Swan Bitcoin
| Swan Bitcoin snapshot | |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
| iOS app score |
4.8
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
| Android app score |
4.3
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
| Deposit Methods | ACH, Bank Account, Wire Transfer |
Bitcoin ATMs
| Bitcoin ATMs snapshot | |
| Minimum Deposit | Each ATM will have a different minimum deposit amount. Typically $20-$50 minimum. |
| Deposit Methods | Cash |