Maryland
Compare fees, payment methods, and features to find the best way to buy Bitcoin in Maryland.
River
Bitcoin-only exchange with 0% fees on recurring buys. MD residents can buy via ACH or wire transfer.
Gemini
Regulated by NY DFS. Buy Bitcoin with ACH, PayPal, Apple Pay, or wire transfer — more deposit options than most exchanges.
Uphold
Trade Bitcoin alongside 250+ other assets. Fund with ACH, wire transfer, or Apple Pay.
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 trading fees. Deposit with ACH, wire transfer, or Apple Pay.
River Private Client
For Bitcoin investments of $100k+. Dedicated advisor handles execution, custody planning, and priority support.
Coinbase
Largest US exchange with 100M+ users. Buy Bitcoin with ACH, debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or wire transfer.
Bitcoin ATMs
Buy Bitcoin with cash — no bank account needed. Find ATM locations in Baltimore and across Maryland.
Table of Contents
Exchange Support
| Exchange Name | Support for Maryland |
|---|---|
| Binance.us | No |
| 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% |
| Uphold |
1.5% | 0.0% | 1.5% |
| 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 |
| Uphold |
$1.5 |
| Gemini |
$3.49 |
| Coinbase |
$3.99 |
History of Bitcoin in Maryland
Maryland has taken a proactive approach to Bitcoin regulation and adoption. In 2014, the state became one of the first to issue guidance on virtual currency through the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation. The state's approach has focused on consumer protection while fostering innovation in the Bitcoin space.
Baltimore has emerged as a regional Bitcoin hub, with numerous Bitcoin ATMs and merchants accepting Bitcoin payments. The state's proximity to Washington D.C. has also influenced its regulatory approach, with Maryland often aligning its Bitcoin policies with federal guidelines.
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). |
| Uphold |
Registered with FinCEN (US), FCA (UK), FINTRAC (Canada), and FCIS (EU). |
| 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 |
| Uphold |
ACH: Free Wire: $0 - $20 SEPA: Free FPS: Free |
| 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 Maryland
Maryland has seen its share of Bitcoin-related fraud. In 2020, the Baltimore-based DeFi Money Group, operated by Dennis Jali, orchestrated a $28 million Bitcoin investment fraud targeting members of religious communities. Jali promised returns of up to 40% monthly through supposed Bitcoin arbitrage trading.
The Maryland Attorney General's Securities Division regularly warns residents about Bitcoin investment scams and maintains an active enforcement program against fraudulent operators. Maryland residents are advised to exercise extreme caution with Bitcoin investments and to verify that any Bitcoin trading platform is properly registered with state authorities.
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.
|
| 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 |
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 |
Uphold
| 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 |
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 |