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How to buy cryptocurrency in Iowa

Buying cryptocurrency in Iowa doesn't have to be tricky — compare 11+ licensed platforms.

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By

Bethany Hickey

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Disclaimer: This page is not financial advice or an endorsement of digital assets, providers or services. Digital assets are volatile and risky, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Potential regulations or policies can affect their availability and services provided. Talk with a financial professional before making a decision. Finder or the author may own cryptocurrency discussed on this page.

In Iowa, there are multiple exchanges to choose from to buy coins like Cardano (ADA), Basic Attention (BAT) and Bitcoin (BTC). Iowa also has 326 registered Bitcoin ATMs where you can buy Bitcoin on the go, with the most popular locations being Des Moines (120 ATMs), Cedar Rapids (79 ATMs) and Waterloo (36 ATMs). The most popular coin in Iowa in 2021 was Chainlink, as reported by FinanceBuzz. Of course, there are more than 10,000 cryptocurrencies in existence, so who knows what Iowa's most popular coin will be next year.

How to buy cryptocurrency in Iowa

With a personal per-capita income of $51,865 in Iowa, choosing the right exchange and coin to purchase is a big decision. The average person in Iowa earns the equivalent of roughly 1.87 BTC or 29.39 ETH per year. Follow these steps to buy the crypto of your choice:

Step 1: Compare exchanges.

Exchanges vary in what coins they list and wallets they support. For example, SoFi Invest Crypto lists over 30 cryptocurrencies and eToro USA LLC Cryptocurrency Trading lists 50. Exchanges can also vary in deposit methods and fees. Confirm the platform supports any specific coins you're interested in before signing up.

Gemini Cryptocurrency Exchange
Read review

Our top pick: Gemini Cryptocurrency Exchange

$0
Minimum Deposit
112
Cryptocurrencies
7
Fiat Currencies
  • Wide range of exchangeable currencies
  • User friendly
  • Newcomer incentives
  • Insurance on currency balances up to $250k
  • Balances can earn interest
  • High fees on mobile app
  • Missing some notable top 20 currencies
  • No linked debit cards available
Gemini is a cryptocurrency exchange with a simple UI that's user-friendly and accommodating to newcomers and experienced traders. Gemini's strongest point is its Gemini Earn program, which allows users to earn up to 7.4% interest on specified cryptocurrency balances. Gemini has a wide selection of cryptos available for exchange on the platform. However, some notable entries from the top 20 by market cap are missing, such as Cardano and Solana.
Deposit Methods Bank transfer (ACH)
Cryptocurrency
Debit card
PayPal
Apple Pay
Google Pay
SWIFT
Deposit Fees Cryptocurrency: None
Bank transfer (ACH): None, bank fees may apply
Wire Transfer: Determined by your bank
Debit Card: 3.49% + Trading Fees
Paypal: 2.50% of total deposit amount + Trading Fees
Withdrawal Fees Cryptocurrency: None (for 10 withdrawals and below per month)
Others: None (for 10 withdrawals and below per month)
Trading Fees ≤ $10.00: $0.99
> $10.00 but ≤ $25.00: $1.49
> $25.00 but ≤ $50.00: $1.99
> $50.00 but ≤ $200.00: $2.99
> $200.00: 1.49% of your Web Order value

No matter what exchange you choose, it's important to verify that it's available in Iowa. Some states have strict requirements, while others simply require a money transmitter license. Once you've settled on an exchange, you're required to complete "know your consumer" (KYC) requirements, which involves your name and proof of identification. You may also need to prove your address by uploading something like a lease, a mortgage statement or a pre-printed paystub from your employer.

General steps to signing up with an exchange include:

  1. Create an account
  2. Verify your identity, usually with government-issue ID
  3. Connect a digital wallet
  4. Deposit funds

Step 2: Choose a digital wallet.

A crypto wallet, often called a digital wallet, is where you store your crypto assets, like coins and tokens. Digital wallets fall into roughly two types:
  • Software. Downloadable, Internet-connected programs stored on your computer or device.
  • Hardware. External, offline physical devices you plug into your computer or device to access your digital assets. Also called cold storage.
Online digital wallets typically require steps that include:
  1. Create an account
  2. Record generated seed phrase — or master password
  3. Connect a debit card, credit card or bank account
  4. Connect wallet to network required by the marketplace

Popular online wallets include Ledger, Trust Connect, MetaMask and Coinbase.

Step 3: Research coins.

You've heard of crypto staples Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), but there are literally thousands of altcoins available to invest in, with more created all the time. Other recently popular coins include Radiant Capital (RDNT), Hop Protocol (HOP), Camelot Token (GRAIL) and Optimism (OP). Cryptocurrency is a speculative investment. Costs can vary greatly among coins and fluctuate daily, leaving room for dramatic gains and losses. Investing in the big-name coins still doesn't come with any guarantee of profit. Despite the lack of guarantee, you can still narrow down a coin that fits your needs by researching elements that include:
  • Market capitalization. Our in-depth coin guides include details on how a coin ranks in market value, its availability and the max number of coins expected to be issued.
  • Long-term performance. Look for stability or patterns you think you can trade on. Large drops may indicate waning demand.
  • Utility and accessibility. A well-known coin that is listed on multiple exchanges, or used for crypto applications like play-to-earn games, may have more value if demand is high.

Where do I buy crypto in Iowa?

To buy crypto in Iowa, look for a crypto exchange that fits your needs. Consider using:

SoFi Invest Crypto

Finder rating 4.5 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site Read review
Founded in 2011, this popular fintech offers multiple options for investing, including crypto. Lists 21 cryptocurrencies that include BTC, ETH, DOGE, LTC, SOL and ADA. No account minimum, and free financial counseling. Charges 1.25% markup on crypto transactions, supporting purchases of $10 to $50,000, with limits on select coins. You can't transfer crypto to external wallets or accounts.

eToro USA LLC Cryptocurrency Trading

Finder rating 4 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site Read review

Paybis Cryptocurrency Exchange

Go to site Read review
Paybis is a global cryptocurrency broker based out of the UK, founded in 2014. It's supported in over 180 countries, supports 42 fiat currencies and lists over 30 cryptocurrencies. While you have hundreds of buying options, you can only sell BTC on the platform. For payment, the fees vary, and there are high fees for fiat transactions. Paybis is known for its responsive customer service and supports nine different languages. It may be best suited for beginner traders looking to buy crypto with fiat currency, but it's not supported in all U.S. states.

CEX.IO Cryptocurrency Exchange

Go to site Read review
Marketplace founded in 2013, extending from London to the US in 2019. Cex.io allows you to fund an account with ACH, credit cards, wire deposits. It lists 18 cryptocurrencies that include BTC, BCH, ETH and DOGE.

Robinhood Crypto

Finder rating 4 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site Read review
Founded in 2013 as a traditional investment app, you can now buy up to seven cryptocurrencies through Robinhood, including BTC, ETH, LTC and DOGE. No fees to buy and sell crypto and no account minimum. But you can't withdraw crypto funds from your Robinhood account.

Can I buy Cardano (ADA) in Iowa?

Yes, you can buy Cardano in Iowa using an exchange like CEX.IO, eToro or Webull. We recommend exploring a list of exchanges that support Cardano and taking a deeper dive into how to buy Cardano.

Can I buy Basic Attention (BAT) in Iowa?

Yes, you can buy Basic Attention in Iowa using an exchange like Coinbase, Paybis or Paxful. We recommend exploring a list of exchanges that support Basic Attention and taking a deeper dive into how to buy Basic Attention.

Can I buy Bitcoin (BTC) in Iowa?

Yes, you can buy Bitcoin in Iowa using an exchange like CEX.IO, Paybis or Webull. We recommend exploring a list of exchanges that support Bitcoin and taking a deeper dive into how to buy Bitcoin.

Regulations around cryptocurrency in Iowa

States also vary on regulations, guidelines and financial regulatory agencies that govern cryptocurrency — despite the fact that crypto is considered decentralized finance, or DeFi.

Iowa's regulations according to Bloomberg Law

There is no exclusion for digital currency businesses from Iowa’s Uniform Money Services Act in Iowa Code § 533C.103. Digital currency dealers such as Coinbase have obtained money services licenses from the Iowa Department of Banking.
Source: Bloomberg Law
Exchanges must also obtain a money transmitter license to operate in states. The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 requires exchanges to get money transmitter licenses, since cryptocurrency is considered a digital currency.

Know before you buy crypto

Cryptocurrency is decentralized finance, so there isn't an authoritative entity out there looking out for you. While exchanges and digital wallets can do their best to keep things secure, you can proactively protect yourself with our top tips:
  • Secure your wallet. One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from theft or hacking is by keeping your digital wallet's keys safe. If someone gets access, you could lose your assets without much hope for recovery.
  • Read the fine print. Marketplaces and exchanges often aren't liable if bad actors get access to your digital wallet or assets. Learn about the security measures in place to prevent access to your money.
  • Watch out for phishing scams. No exchange will ask you to confirm the password to your wallet or keys through email or by phone. Call the company directly to ask about suspicious contacts or anything else you're not sure about.
  • Reputable exchanges require ID. Signing up with a reputable exchange site typically requires you to submit such personal information as your address, SSN and email. This step is often called KYC and is required. If you skip this step, there may be legal consequences – especially if you skip it to use a non-licensed exchange.
  • Cryptocurrency is volatile. Don't invest more than you can afford to lose. The value of any coin can change in a matter of seconds, spelling major losses or gains that depend on interest and how much you invest. Learn more about the fundamentals of cryptocurrency to better equip yourself in this volatile market.
  1. Favorite crypto by state - FinanceBuzz
  2. State regulations - Bloomberg Law
  3. GDP data - Wikipedia
  4. Bitcoin ATM locations - CoinAtmRader

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