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Best crypto exchanges in the United States
6 licensed crypto exchanges, ranked on the company that would actually open your account. How we rate
Cryptoassets are highly volatile and largely unregulated in some countries. You could lose all the money you invest, and you may not be protected by a compensation scheme.
All 6 crypto exchanges
| # | Exchange | Trading fee | Cryptoassets | Min. deposit | Coinish Score | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | 0.5% | 405+ | Not verified | 80rated 4.1/5 | |
| 2 |  Licensed in the United States · NYDFS | 0.95% | 65+ | Not verified | 73rated 3.4/5 | |
| 3 |  Licensed in the United States · NYDFS | 1%App fee | 100+ | Not verified | 70rated 3.5/5 | |
| 4 | Licensed in the United States · NYDFS | 0.4% | Not verified | Not verified | 58rated 3.7/5 | |
| 5 |  Licensed in the United States · NYDFS | 1.2% | 99+ | Not verified | 57rated 3.0/5 | |
| 6 |  Licensed in the United States · CT DOB | 2.2%App fee | 300+ | Not verified | 50rated 2.8/5 |
Good to know
Crypto rules in the United States
Crypto exchanges serving US residents must register with FinCEN as money services businesses and hold state money-transmitter licences; New York additionally requires a BitLicense (or a New York trust charter). Availability can differ by state.
Regulator sources (2)
“an administrator or exchanger is an MSB under FinCEN's regulations, specifically, a money transmitter, unless a limitation to or exemption from the definition applies to the person”
fincen.gov · Oct 6, 2026
“To conduct virtual currency business activity in New York State, entities can either apply for a BitLicense or for a charter under the New York Banking Law”
dfs.ny.gov · Aug 15, 2026
Crypto in the United States at a glance
- 6 crypto exchanges with a verified licence serve residents of the United States: 6 hold a local licence (NYDFS and CT DOB).
- Top pick by Coinish Score: Coinbase (80/100, Editor Rating 4.1/5).
- Lowest order-book trading fee: 0.4% (Bitstamp).
How this ranking works
Ranked by Coinish Score: half the Editor Rating for the entity that serves residents of the United States, half Market Signal. Brokers without enough verified data for a rating are placed by Market Signal and labelled; brokers with neither are listed last. How we rate
Crypto in the United States: what to know
Of the 6 crypto exchanges on this list, 5 hold a licence from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) (Coinbase, Robinhood, eToro and 2 more) and 1 holds a licence from the CT DOB (Uphold).
Base-tier spot taker fees on the order-book exchanges here run from 0.4% (Bitstamp) to 1.2% (Gemini). Apps without an order book charge a per-trade fee instead: eToro 1% and Uphold 2.2%.
What to check before you open an account in United States
- Search the company name on the NYDFS and CT DOB registers (dfs.ny.gov and portal.ct.gov).
- Check which company your contract is with. Coinbase, for example, onboards residents of the United States through Coinbase, Inc. (NYDFS BitLicense (2017-01)), and the name on the account-opening documents should match the list.
Is crypto trading legal in the United States?
Yes, with restrictions. Crypto exchanges serving US residents must register with FinCEN as money services businesses and hold state money-transmitter licences; New York additionally requires a BitLicense (or a New York trust charter). Availability can differ by state.
Sources: fincen.gov, dfs.ny.gov
What is the best crypto exchange in the United States?
By Coinish Score, Coinbase (80/100, Editor Rating 4.1/5), through Coinbase, Inc. (NYDFS BitLicense (2017-01)). Robinhood (73) and eToro (70) follow. The score rates the company that would serve you in the United States, so the same brand can rank differently in another country.
Do you pay tax on crypto profits in the United States?
For US tax, the IRS treats digital assets as property, not currency, and every federal return asks whether you sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of any. Gains on assets held more than one year are long-term capital gains; held one year or less, they are short-term and taxed as ordinary income.
Coinish isn't a tax adviser: check your own situation with the tax authority or an accountant.
Sources: irs.gov (1), irs.gov (2)
Coinish provides general information only. Nothing on this site is investment, tax or legal advice.