North Carolina
Compare fees, payment methods, and features to find the best way to buy Bitcoin in North Carolina.
River
Bitcoin-only exchange with 0% fees on recurring buys. NC residents can buy instantly or set up automatic purchases with ACH.
Gemini
Regulated by NY DFS. Buy Bitcoin with ACH, PayPal, Apple Pay, or wire transfer — more deposit options than most exchanges.
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, priority support, and high transaction 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.
ATM Radar
A map that allows you to find Cash to Bitcoin ATMs in any location in the world.
Bitcoin ATMs
Buy Bitcoin with cash — no bank account needed. Find ATM locations in Charlotte, Raleigh, and across North Carolina.
Table of Contents
Exchange Support
| Exchange Name | Support for North Carolina |
|---|---|
| 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% |
| 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 |
| Gemini |
$3.49 |
History of Bitcoin in North Carolina
North Carolina has established a clear regulatory framework for Bitcoin through the North Carolina Money Transmitter Act. In 2016, the state updated this legislation (House Bill 289) to specifically address virtual currency businesses, making it one of the first states to provide clear guidelines for Bitcoin operations.
The Research Triangle area, encompassing Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, has become a notable Bitcoin technology hub. The region's universities and tech companies have contributed to Bitcoin development, while Charlotte's banking sector has shown increasing interest in Bitcoin infrastructure.
Financial & Regulatory Licenses
| Exchange | Licenses & Regulation |
|---|---|
| River |
Registered MSB with FinCEN. |
| Gemini |
New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). |
| 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. |
| ATM Radar |
This is a map only. Please check with individual ATM operators for their regulatory status and licenses. |
| 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 |
Bitcoin Scams in North Carolina
North Carolina residents have encountered several significant Bitcoin scams. In 2020, the Charlotte-based Kings of Crypto operation, run by Michael Baldwin, defrauded investors of $4.7 million through a fraudulent Bitcoin mining scheme. Baldwin promised unrealistic returns from supposed mining operations while operating a classic Ponzi scheme.
The North Carolina Secretary of State's Securities Division actively investigates Bitcoin-related fraud and has issued multiple investor alerts about unauthorized Bitcoin trading platforms. North Carolina residents are advised to verify that any Bitcoin investment opportunity is properly registered with state authorities and to be particularly wary of mining investment schemes.
Mobile App Support
| Exchange | iOS App | Android App |
|---|---|---|
| River |
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| Gemini |
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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.
|
| 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 |
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 |
ATM Radar
| ATM Radar snapshot | |
| Minimum Deposit | Each ATM will have a different minimum deposit amount. |
| iOS app score |
4.5
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
| Android app score |
4.5
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
| Deposit Methods | Cash |
Bitcoin ATMs
| Bitcoin ATMs snapshot | |
| Minimum Deposit | Each ATM will have a different minimum deposit amount. Typically $20-$50 minimum. |
| Deposit Methods | Cash |