Connecticut
Compare fees, payment methods, and features to find the best way to buy Bitcoin in Connecticut.
River
Bitcoin-only exchange with 0% fees on recurring buys. Buy instantly or automate purchases with ACH. Holds a CT Money Transmission License.
Gemini
Regulated by NY DFS with a CT Money Transmission License. Buy Bitcoin with ACH, PayPal, Apple Pay, debit card, or wire transfer.
eToro
Buy Bitcoin ETFs with 0% fees, or actual BTC with 1% fee. Fund with ACH.
Kraken
Operating since 2011 with some of the lowest fees. Deposit with ACH, wire, or Apple Pay. Holds a CT Money Transmission License.
River Private Client
For Bitcoin investments of $100k+. Dedicated relationship manager, priority support, and high limits.
Coinbase
Largest US exchange with 100M+ users. Buy Bitcoin with ACH, debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or wire. Holds a CT Money Transmission License.
Bitcoin ATMs
Buy Bitcoin with cash — no bank account needed. Find ATM locations in Hartford, New Haven, and across Connecticut.
Table of Contents
Exchange Support
| Exchange Name | Support for Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Binance.us | Yes |
| Coinbase | Yes |
| Kraken | Yes |
| Kucoin | No |
| Fold | Yes |
| Gemini | Yes |
| Uphold | Yes |
| Luno | No |
| Crypto.com | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kraken |
0.0% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| River |
0.3% | 1.0% | 1.3% |
| Gemini |
0.5% | 2.99% | 3.49% |
| Coinbase |
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 |
|---|---|
| Kraken |
$0.4 |
| River |
$1.3 |
| Gemini |
$3.49 |
| Coinbase |
$3.99 |
History of Bitcoin in Connecticut
Connecticut has established itself as a significant player in Bitcoin regulation and adoption. In 2017, Connecticut passed House Bill 7141, which amended the state's money transmission laws to explicitly include virtual currency businesses, making it one of the first states to create a clear regulatory framework for Bitcoin companies.
The state's Department of Banking has taken an active role in overseeing cryptocurrency activities, requiring money transmission licenses for companies dealing with Bitcoin. Connecticut has also been home to several Bitcoin ATM operators and has seen growing adoption of cryptocurrency services among its financial technology sector.
Financial & Regulatory Licenses
| Exchange | Licenses & Regulation |
|---|---|
| River |
Registered MSB with FinCEN in the United States. |
| Gemini |
Licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). |
| eToro |
Registered with FinCEN; regulated by the SEC and FINRA in the United States. |
| Kraken |
Registered MSB with FinCEN in the United States. |
| River Private Client |
Registered MSB with FinCEN in the United States. |
| Coinbase |
Chartered by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) for virtual currency. |
| Bitcoin ATMs |
Regulations vary by jurisdiction; 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 |
|---|---|
| River |
ACH: $0 Wire: $0 |
| Gemini |
ACH: $0 Wire: $0 SEPA: $0 SWIFT: $0 |
| eToro |
ACH: $0 |
| Kraken |
ACH: $0 Wire: $0 SEPA: $0 SWIFT: $3 |
| River Private Client |
ACH: $0 Wire: $0 |
| Coinbase |
ACH: Free Wire: $10 USD SEPA: €0.15 EUR SWIFT: Free |
Bitcoin Scams in Connecticut
Connecticut residents have faced various Bitcoin-related scams, prompting the state's Department of Banking to issue multiple investor alerts. A notable case involved the GAW Miners scandal, where a Connecticut-based company allegedly defrauded investors through a fraudulent virtual currency mining operation.
The Connecticut Department of Banking regularly warns residents about common Bitcoin scams, including fake investment platforms and fraudulent initial coin offerings (ICOs). Connecticut investors are encouraged to verify that any Bitcoin-related business is properly registered with state authorities and to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited investment opportunities.
Mobile App Support
| Exchange | iOS AppiOS | Android AppAndroid |
|---|---|---|
Earn Interest & Rewards
The following table shows interest rates offered by exchanges.
| Exchange | Interest Rate & Details |
|---|---|
| River |
3.3%
Earn 3.3% interest on FDIC-insured cash, paid out in Bitcoin. No fees or minimums. Withdraws allowed anytime.
|
| 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 |
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
| 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
| 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 |
eToro
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
| Deposit Methods | ACH, Bank Account, PayPal |
Kraken
| 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
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
| Deposit Methods | ACH, Wire Transfer, Bank Account |
Coinbase
| 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, Google Pay |
Bitcoin ATMs
| Minimum Deposit | Each ATM will have a different minimum deposit amount. Typically $20-$50 minimum. |
| Deposit Methods | Cash |