Illinois
Compare fees, payment methods, and features to find the best way to buy Bitcoin in Illinois.
River
Bitcoin-only exchange with 0% fees on recurring buys. IL residents can buy via ACH or wire transfer.
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. Fund with ACH, wire transfer, or Apple Pay.
Kraken
Operating since 2011 with some of the lowest fees in the industry. Deposit with ACH, wire transfer, or Apple Pay.
River Private Client
For Bitcoin investments of $100k+. Dedicated advisor, priority phone support, and high limits.
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 and accumulate Bitcoin steadily.
Bitcoin ATMs
Buy Bitcoin with cash — no bank account needed. Find ATM locations in Chicago and across Illinois.
Table of Contents
Exchange Support
| Exchange Name | Support for Illinois |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Illinois
Illinois was one of the first states to recognize the potential of Bitcoin. In 2013, the Illinois legislature passed a resolution supporting the use of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
This was followed by the passage of the Illinois Bitcoin Act in 2014, which legalized the use of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for commercial transactions. The act also established a regulatory framework for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in Illinois.
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 Illinois
Illinois residents have been targeted by several Bitcoin scams in recent years. One of the most notable scams is the 'Illinois Bitcoin Scam,' which targets Illinois residents with fraudulent offers of Bitcoin investment opportunities.
The scam involves fraudulent websites and emails that promise high returns on Bitcoin investments. The Illinois Attorney General's office has warned residents about the scam and urged them to be cautious when investing in Bitcoin.
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 |