7 Best Crypto-Friendly Banks In The US

Investing in crypto is potentially extremely profitable, which explains why more and more people are signing up to cryptocurrency exchanges. Cryptocurrency and DeFi (decentralized finance) allow you to do many things in a decentralized manner that weren’t possible before in the traditional financial system. For example, you can easily loan out crypto with much higher APY returns than usual, or you can receive a loan for a higher APR than usual in exchange for instant access and no approval/credit check process.

Unfortunately, a majority of traditional banks avoid cryptocurrency because it is so new. Some even ban buying or selling cryptocurrencies with their accounts because of their perceived threat to fiat currencies. For this reason, you may find it hard to include cryptocurrencies in your portfolio as long as you’re using traditional banks.

That said, a number of banks have opened their doors to customers who use Bitcoin (BTC) and other digital currencies. These crypto-friendly banks are incentivized by the fact that an increasing number of merchants now accept cryptocurrencies as payment options. In this crypto banks list, we outline such banks to help you figure out the options at your disposal.

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What Are Crypto-Friendly Banks?

Crypto-friendly banks are banks that allow users to buy, sell and store cryptocurrency assets safely. They generally offer lower transaction fees when you want to move cryptos from one wallet to another or convert them to fiat currencies and vice-versa. Some may be large names you recognize with secured funds like Goldman Sachs, and others have no FDIC protection and only deal with crypto assets, such as Binance. Make sure you’ve done your research on where you hold any cryptocurrency or fiat currency.

With that being said, crypto-friendly banks make it possible for you to include cryptocurrencies in your portfolios. They won’t ban or close your account for holding or trading these digital currencies. Some go one step beyond to integrate traditional bank operations and cryptocurrencies in the same operations.

As a business owner, for example, you can accept cryptocurrency as a method of payment and easily convert it to cash through your crypto-friendly bank.

The big question is, why is it important to align yourself with the best crypto banks? For one, some financial experts are touting cryptocurrency as the currency to replace cash. If you’re an investor or business owner, you want to get a head start with any new currency. The best banks for crypto can help with that.

Secondly, cryptocurrencies offer potentially extreme profits. Bitcoin, for example, has gained over 8,000,000,000% (that’s eight BILLION percent!) since its inception. With these kinds of gains, it’s hard to ignore the impact and potential of cryptos. At the very least, you don’t want your bank to be the reason why you can’t get in on the crypto fun.

Finally, cryptos do need fiat currencies – at least for now. You’ll need cash to buy your first cryptocurrency. There are times when you’ll need to convert crypto into cash to make a payment – particularly if the payee doesn’t accept cryptos. The growth of cryptocurrency itself is largely attributable to fiat currencies. These digital coins wouldn’t have gained the value they have if they hadn’t been traded with cash on cryptocurrency exchanges.

With that in mind, here’s a more detailed list of seven of the best banks for crypto:

Revolut

Website: https://www.revolut.com/

Revolut easily tops the list of crypto-friendly banks because of its built-in crypto exchange and access to other essential facilities like loans, credit cards, and account maintenance services. It also has a wide reach. Originally a U.K. and Europe bank, Revolut now offers free as well as paid accounts in the U.S. market. You only need a passport, ID, and selfie photo to sign up.

Once you have a Revolut account, you can purchase Bitcoin and other cryptos directly through the bank’s app, which is available for both iOS and Android. The built-in exchange allows users to buy cryptocurrencies any time or set automated trading where the app completes purchases and sales when rates hit specific prices.

Key Features Of Revolut

Signing up is completely free, and you get additional features like an FDIC-insured account.
It’s very easy to use, which explains why the bank has over 15 million customers from all over the world – including the U.S.
Offers free, premium and metal account options, with premium and metal accounts costing $9.99 and $16.99 respectively.
Each Revolut account has a fee-free limit for trading cryptos. Once you exceed this limit, your account is charged a 2.5% or 1.5% fee if it’s a standard or premium account respectively.
Supports over 30 different types of currencies.
Provides both personal and business debit cards, which make moving money easier.

Ally Bank

Website: https://www.ally.com/

Ally Bank is integrated with the Coinbase cryptocurrency exchange, giving its customers access to cryptos through Coinbase. You can sell and purchase digital currencies directly through your credit and debit cards. And since Ally Bank operates 24/7, there are no time limits on crypto trading and investment.

One thing that puts Ally Bank up there with the best crypto banks is its portfolio management options. You can choose between self-managed trading, where you have complete control over your trades, and managed portfolio, where your trades use a Robo-advisor. Either way, Ally Bank won’t charge you any monthly fees. You won’t even need to make minimum deposits to hold an account.

Key Features Of Ally Bank

Offers other investment options in addition to cryptocurrencies. They include stocks, options, and ETFs.
There are no commission fees on all trading activities, making Ally Bank one of the best banks for crypto, especially if you are keen on saving.
Integrates with Coinbase, which is one of the leading platforms in blockchain technology. Coinbase allows buying, selling, storing and transferring digital currencies.
Offers up to 2.75% APY on any money that you hold in your account.
Ally Bank is, in fact, a fully-fledged bank offering savings accounts, loans, retirement plans and trading options.

Binance

Website: https://www.binance.com/

Although it’s technically a cryptocurrency exchange, Binance provides all the primary functions of traditional banks, including fixed deposits, credit cards, and loans. Thanks to the Binance Visa Card, you can easily make purchases from over 60 million merchants across the world using cryptos. And you only need a valid ID document to open an account. You can either use a driving license or passport.

The biggest selling point for Binance is its infrastructure services as far as blockchain technology. It has multiple trading platforms that cater to various levels of trading experience. Better yet, Binance guarantees returns on stablecoin portfolios, which means less risk for your money when you invest in stablecoins.

One thing to keep in mind is that users in the U.S. can only access Binance through its U.S.-based platform. Besides, it’s also not available in seven states, namely, Connecticut, Hawaii, New York, Texas, Vermont, Idaho, and Louisiana.

Key Features Of Binance

It’s the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, making it one of the best platforms to create your digital wallet for trading over 150 cryptocurrencies.
Since Binance offers guaranteed returns on stablecoin portfolios, it’s one of the safest when you want to invest in these coins.
Binance provides full-service banking options with both flexible and fixed duration savings.
Allows users to use crypto assets as collateral for securing loans. This is invaluable to all users, but more so business owners who need frequent access to business loans.
Binance transaction and handling fees are low while interest rates are flexible.

USAA

Website: https://www.usaa.com/

USAA was the first major US-based bank to partner with Coinbase and invest in a cryptocurrency exchange. Through this partnership, USAA customers can link their bank and coinbase accounts and view all their crypto transactions directly on the USAA app. If you’re a business owner, you can accept crypto payments to your account using NOWPayments.

Something to keep in mind is that USAA membership is generally restricted to active, retired and honorably separated military members and their immediate families. This tends to limit the people who can use USAA. But if you’re eligible, you’ll be glad to know that having and maintaining an account with the bank is completely free. You can transfer funds, pay bills and access all traditional banking services from your account.

Key Features Of USAA bank

USAA doesn’t accept cryptocurrencies directly, but it aids trading and holding them.
The bank allows users to link several accounts, including their traditional bank account as well as coinbase account.
You can fully track your Coinbase account and crypto wallet through the USAA app
Offers traditional financial services as well, including banking and insurance. Customers get commission-free withdrawals from a network of over 60,000 ATMs in the U.S.
You can move cash between your USAA and coinbase accounts

BankProv

Website: https://bankprov.com/

If you’re looking for old but crypto friendly banks, then BankProv is your ideal partner. Previously known as The Provident Bank, BankProv has over 200 years in the American banking market, making it one of the oldest.

While most old banks avoid and even ban cryptos, BankProv is pitched as a leader in fintech and blockchain technology. That is because it has a dedicated cryptocurrency section on its website where you get access to the ProvXchange Network and API banking, both of which can be used as platforms for crypto transfers.

Additionally, BankProv has a partnership with Anchorage Digital which allows the latter’s customers to get loans that are backed by cryptocurrencies. That said, BankProv is generally more ideal for business banking than personal banking. Although you can still open a personal account, you’ll often find that their business packages are more appealing.

Key Features Of BankProv

BankProv is publicly traded, which in itself is a reasonable and reliable guarantee of your investment.
Offers full-service and fully-insured USD accounts for businesses that use or trade in cryptocurrencies.
Extends crypto-backed loans to borrowers through Anchorage Digital.
24/7 client-to-client transfers through the ProvXchange network.
You also get traditional banking services, including funds transfer, loans and credit/debit cards.

Fidor Bank

Website: https://www.fidor.de/en/

Fidor is a German-based online bank with operations in the U.S. Thanks to a 2014 partnership with bitcoin.de and Kraken, it was among the first European banks to integrate cryptocurrencies in their operations. You can link your Fidor account with your crypto wallets through an API connection and view the status and transactions of your crypto wallet through the Fidor dashboard.

More importantly, Fidor bank customers can deposit funds in their accounts and use them to buy or sell cryptocurrencies. This is a service that most banks still shun. You can also convert your cryptocurrencies into fiat currencies and vice versa.

Seeing as Fidor bank has direct partnerships with cryptocurrency exchanges, you can rest assured that your crypto assets are always protected and the bank won’t freeze or ban your account if you hold or trade cryptos. Because of its excellent security, flexibility and support, Fidor earns a spot on the best crypto banks list.

Key Features Of Fidor bank

Fidor dashboard includes a customizable suite of tools for cryptocurrency transactions.
Partnerships with various cryptocurrency exchanges means that you can easily and quickly transfer, withdraw and convert your cryptos – especially BTC and kraken.
You get two free cash withdrawals each month and a fixed 1.5% charge on debit card transactions.
Fidor corporate bank accounts allow cryptocurrency investors to conduct initial coin offerings (ICO).
Standard Fidor accounts can be reloaded with cryptos, which makes it great if you’re trying to avoid fiat currencies completely.

Goldman Sachs

Website: https://www.goldmansachs.com/

Goldman Sachs first allowed crypto trading in 2018, but then paused the service following reservations by some investors. But the recent surge in bitcoin prices and popularity has seen the bank reintroduce crypto trading, albeit very gingerly. Specifically, Goldman Sachs currently trades bitcoin futures with Galaxy Digital and is expanding into options and futures in Ether.

Although the number of cryptos on offer is limited, Goldman Sachs sure is leading Wall Street giants into a world where fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies can coexist. The only challenge is that the bank is mainly offering these digital currencies to its wealthy investors, thus locking out some of the not-so-wealthy yet interested parties. As a side note, Morgan Stanley is also exploring the possibility of offering the same to its wealthy investors.

Key Features Of Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs is currently offering BTC and ether exposure to its customers who use the private wealth management division.
In any case, your Goldman Sachs account won’t be closed or banned if you hold or trade cryptocurrencies.
In their partnership, Galaxy Digital provides Goldman with liquidity, thus allowing crypto holders to convert their currencies from digital to fiat and vice versa.
Allows integration of cryptos into portfolios.

Final Thoughts

The number of crypto friendly banks is not as big as the number of banks that ban and avoid these coins. But more and more institutions are starting to embrace cryptocurrencies. With large banks like Goldman Sachs and BankProv now encouraging their customers to invest in cryptos, it’s just a matter of time before other banks start to join in the fun.