Michigan
Compare fees, payment methods, and features to find the best way to buy Bitcoin in Michigan.
River
Bitcoin-only exchange with 0% fees on recurring buys. Buy via ACH, bank account, or wire transfer.
Gemini
Regulated by NY DFS with a MI Money Transmitter License. Buy Bitcoin with ACH, PayPal, Apple Pay, 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 MI Money Transmitter License.
River Private Client
For Bitcoin investments of $100k+. Dedicated advisor handles execution, custody, 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 Detroit and across Michigan.
Table of Contents
Exchange Support
| Exchange Name | Support for Michigan |
|---|---|
| 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% |
| 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 Michigan
Michigan has developed a balanced approach to Bitcoin regulation and adoption. In 2017, the Michigan Department of Treasury issued guidance clarifying that Bitcoin and other virtual currencies are subject to Michigan sales tax laws. Detroit has become particularly notable in the Bitcoin space, with the city hosting one of the highest concentrations of Bitcoin ATMs in the Midwest.
The state's regulatory framework was further refined in 2019 when Michigan updated its money transmitter laws to explicitly include businesses dealing with Bitcoin. This provided clearer guidelines for Bitcoin companies operating in the state while maintaining consumer protections.
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 Michigan
Michigan residents have faced several significant Bitcoin scams. In 2021, the Grand Rapids-based CashCoin venture, operated by James Peterson, defrauded investors of $3.2 million through a sophisticated Bitcoin mining scheme. Peterson claimed to operate a large-scale mining operation that didn't exist, promising investors monthly returns of 15-20% on their Bitcoin investments.
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) actively investigates Bitcoin-related fraud and has issued multiple cease-and-desist orders against unauthorized Bitcoin trading platforms. Michigan residents are strongly advised to verify any Bitcoin investment opportunity with LARA and to be wary of unsolicited investment offers.
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 |