River vs Fidelity Crypto: Which is Best? [2026]
Key differences
River vs Fidelity Crypto Fees Calculator
We built this fee calculator to help you compare the fees of River and Fidelity Crypto.
Enter the amount you want to buy and we'll show you the estimated fees for each exchange.
River vs Fidelity Crypto in Comparison
Description
River is a trusted Bitcoin-only exchange based in the USA.
Fidelity Crypto lets you buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin & Solana alongside traditional investments.
Supported Countries
USA
Available in select U.S. states. Not available in New York or Hawaii. Full features including Crypto IRAs available in most supported states with some restrictions (e.g., CA, OR for IRA).
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin-only
Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Solana (SOL)
Fees
- Order Size: Up to $1,000,000 | Fee: 1.00%
- Order Size: >$1,000,000 to $5,000,000 | Fee: 0.70%
- Order Size: >$5,000,000 to $15,000,000 | Fee: 0.40%
- Order Size: >$15,000,000 | Fee: 0.25%
- Order Size: All recurring buy orders | Fee: 0.00%
- Trading Fee: 1% spread on buy and sell transactions
- Custody Fee: $0
- Account Opening: $0
- Account Maintenance: $0
Payment Methods
ACH, Bank Account, Wire Transfer
ACH, Bank Account, Wire Transfer
Do These Exchanges Allow you To Earn Interest on Crypto?
3.8%
Earn 3.8% interest on FDIC-insured cash, paid out in Bitcoin. No fees or minimums. Withdraws allowed anytime.
N/A
Fidelity Crypto does not currently offer interest on crypto holdings.
Mobile App Ratings
iOS Rating: 4.8 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.9 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
iOS Rating: 4.8 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.5 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
Storage
River holds client Bitcoin in full reserve with no lending. They built their own custody systems from the ground up to minimize third-party dependencies. Security includes regular independent audits, mandatory 2FA, real-time notifications, 24/7 monitoring, and bcrypt password hashing. Users can verify holdings via Proof of Reserves.
Fidelity Crypto employs institutional-grade security through Fidelity Digital Assets. Assets are stored in cold-vaulted storage with secure, monitored facilities. Multi-layered security protocols protect crypto at every step. Private holdings are kept off-chain for enhanced privacy.
Have These Exchanges Been Hacked Before?
No. Has never lost customer funds in any way.
No. Has never lost customer funds in any way.
Official Site
Exchange Review
"I really like the app so far. It does what it's supposed to and paired with the desktop web app, I could not personally ask for more. Great customer service and lots of upcoming features in the pipeline from my understanding."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
Read our Fidelity Crypto review
"Being able to trade crypto in the same app where I manage my stocks and retirement accounts is incredibly convenient. The security measures give me peace of mind."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
River vs Fidelity Crypto Comparison
Fee Structures
River is the better choice if you're focused exclusively on Bitcoin, especially for recurring purchases where fees drop to 0%. Fidelity Crypto charges a flat 1% spread on all transactions but offers the convenience of managing crypto alongside traditional investments.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
River is Bitcoin-only, which they view as a feature for security and simplicity. Fidelity Crypto supports four cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Solana (SOL).
Retirement Investing
Fidelity Crypto stands out with Crypto IRAs, allowing you to invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum through Traditional, Roth, or Rollover IRAs for tax-advantaged retirement savings. River does not currently offer IRA options.
Additional Features
River offers unique features like the ability to earn interest on USD balances (paid in BTC) and Bitcoin mining services. Fidelity Crypto provides the advantage of integrated portfolio management with stocks, ETFs, and other traditional investments.
Geographic Availability
River is available in 48 U.S. states (excluding New York and Nevada). Fidelity Crypto is available in select U.S. states where Fidelity Digital Assets is licensed, excluding New York and Hawaii.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose River if you're a Bitcoin maximalist who wants the lowest possible fees, especially for dollar-cost averaging strategies.
Choose Fidelity Crypto if you want to manage crypto alongside your existing Fidelity investments, need access to ETH/LTC/SOL, or want to invest in crypto through a tax-advantaged IRA.
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