Where to buy bitcoin in the United States

A clean bitcoin-only app built on the Lightning network. Buy with a bank transfer at a transparent tiered fee (recurring buys are free after the first week), then send or withdraw instantly for pennies. Covers all 50 US states and 95+ countries.

Why it’s here: The app we'd hand a beginner who plans to actually use their sats, not just hold them.

Local note: All 50 states + DC + Puerto Rico, NYDFS-licensed; loans/Bill Pay/Send Globally are select-states only

If you're in the US, this app is probably already on your phone — and it sells bitcoin. Recurring buys and buys over $2,000 are fee-free; small one-off buys carry a fee that shrinks as the amount grows. Withdraw over Lightning or on-chain.

Why it’s here: For millions of Americans there's no new account to create — the shortest path from curious to holding sats.

Local note: New York IS served (Block holds an NYDFS license) but Lightning is unavailable to NY residents; territories (Puerto Rico etc.) unstated — don't assert them

The stock app millions already have also sells bitcoin — commission-free with the cost built into the price, in every US state and territory plus most of Europe. Coins can be withdrawn to your own wallet (on-chain only, no Lightning).

Why it’s here: Already on millions of phones — the shortest path from stocks to first sats.

Local note: Every state plus DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands; withdrawals to your own wallet work (no Lightning)

The mainstream exchange — publicly traded, licensed where it operates, with local-money buying in 45+ countries (in ~50 more it's crypto-to-crypto only). The simple buy button costs ~1.5% plus spread; the Advanced Trade screen on the same account drops that under 0.6%.

Why it’s here: The safe, boring on-ramp — a household name that answers the "is this legit?" fear.

Local note: All states, incl. Hawaii since Aug 2024 (the legacy locations article still saying otherwise is stale)

A NYDFS-chartered US exchange with a strong security record, serving every US state plus a short international list — it closed its UK, Europe and Australia accounts in April 2026. Simple buys show their fee at order time; the ActiveTrader screen is cheaper.

Why it’s here: The largest signup bonus on this page — worth it if you were going to buy anyway.

Local note: Every state incl. New York (its home regulator), plus DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

A bitcoin-only US platform built for steady stacking: recurring buys are fee-free after the first week, withdrawals are free, and support answers the phone. Not available in New York or Nevada.

Why it’s here: Set up a weekly buy once and the zero fees quietly compound in your favor.

Local note: Every state EXCEPT Nevada and New York; Puerto Rico + armed-forces addresses served; DC unstated

Buy bitcoin inside SoFi's banking app — the first nationally chartered US bank to offer crypto trading, at roughly 1% per trade. The big caveat: withdrawals to your own wallet aren't supported yet ("coming soon", says SoFi), so your sats stay in the app for now.

Why it’s here: The best percentage bonus here — $25 on a $50 buy — if you're okay with the sats staying put for now.

Local note: All 50 states + DC and military addresses — but no withdrawals to your own wallet yet (buy, sell and hold only); US territories and citizens abroad not served

A multi-asset app serving the US, UK and Europe — by its own count 100+ more countries, though we list only what we've confirmed (Canada isn't served). Commission-free with the cost in the spread, about 1.8–2% on bitcoin; coins withdraw to your own wallet.

Why it’s here: The one signup bonus here that's open outside the US.

A veteran exchange, running since 2011, serving 190+ countries and every US state except New York and Maine. Instant Buy costs ~1.5%, but the same account unlocks Kraken Pro at 0.25–0.4% — and Lightning withdrawals are free.

Why it’s here: The cheapest all-in route on this list, if you're willing to learn a real exchange screen.

Local note: Served except residents of New York and Maine

The decentralized old-timer: software that trades over Tor with no company behind it at all. The newer Bisq Easy mode is far friendlier, but sellers there charge a real premium — often 10% or more — as the price of its reputation-based security.

Why it’s here: The most censorship-resistant way to buy there is — you pay for that in the premium, not in fees.

An entirely Lightning-based P2P exchange reached over Tor. Fees are tiny and trades settle in minutes — but you'll need a Lightning wallet and the Tor browser before you can start.

Why it’s here: For the already-comfortable: the cheapest private sats on the internet.

What faucets really pay per hour — honest math, and whether any are still worth a claim.

The full list — surveys, signup bonuses, games, cashback, passive apps, and bitcoin jobs. Tested, updated monthly, no gambling.

Sats to USD, USD to sats, and more — quick calculators built for people counting their first sats.