SideBySideCrypto
Bonuses & Promos December 18, 2025

Crypto Exchange Sign-Up Bonuses 2025

Every current welcome offer from major US exchanges. Free crypto, deposit bonuses, and fee credits—all verified this month.

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Quick Verdict

Gemini currently offers $15 in free Bitcoin after your first trade—no deposit minimum. Coinbase offers $10 in Bitcoin. Crypto.com has the biggest potential ($25) but requires CRO staking. Don't chase bonuses over fundamentals—pick an exchange that fits your trading style, then claim any bonus as a cherry on top.

Current Sign-Up Bonuses (December 2025)

Exchange Bonus Requirements Difficulty
Gemini $15 BTC Complete first trade (any amount) Easy
Coinbase $10 BTC Complete first trade (any amount) Easy
Crypto.com $25 Stake CRO + first purchase Medium
Kraken None currently
Binance.US Varies Periodic promotions Check site
Robinhood Free stock Deposit any amount Easy

Bonuses verified December 2025. Terms change frequently—always confirm on the exchange's site.

Bonus Breakdown by Exchange

Best Value

Gemini — $15 in Bitcoin

Gemini's bonus is straightforward: complete your first trade of any size within 30 days of account creation, get $15 in BTC deposited to your account. The BTC is yours immediately with no holding period.

How to claim: Sign up → Verify identity → Deposit any amount → Make your first buy → $15 BTC arrives within 24-48 hours

✓ No minimum deposit ✓ Immediate withdrawal ✓ All 50 states
Most Trusted

Coinbase — $10 in Bitcoin

Similar to Gemini's offer but $5 less. Make any trade after signup and get $10 in BTC. The real value of Coinbase is its ease of use and brand trust, not the bonus size.

How to claim: Sign up → Verify identity → Make first purchase → $10 BTC credited

✓ No minimum ✓ Instant credit ⚠ Higher fees
Highest Potential

Crypto.com — Up to $25

Crypto.com's bonus structure is more complex. The full $25 requires staking their CRO token for a debit card tier. Without staking, bonuses are smaller and periodic. Check their current promotions.

Current promo: $25 for new users who stake CRO for Ruby card tier or higher + make first purchase

✓ Highest bonus amount ✗ Requires CRO stake ⚠ Complex terms

Robinhood — Free Stock (Not Crypto)

Robinhood offers a free stock (not crypto) valued $5-$200 for new sign-ups. You can sell the stock and use proceeds to buy crypto on their platform. However, Robinhood's crypto offering is limited—you can't withdraw crypto to external wallets.

✓ Easy to claim ✗ Can't withdraw crypto ⚠ Stock not crypto bonus

The Real Math on Bonuses

A $15 bonus sounds great, but context matters. If you're trading $1,000 worth of crypto:

Exchange Bonus Fee on $1K Net Gain
Gemini +$15 -$4.00 +$11
Coinbase +$10 -$6.00 +$4
Kraken $0 -$2.60 -$2.60
Binance.US $0 -$1.00 -$1.00

For a single $1,000 trade, Gemini with its bonus beats Kraken's lower fees. But if you're trading $10,000 over a year, Kraken's 0.16% maker fee saves you $40 vs Gemini's 0.40%—far exceeding that one-time $15 bonus.

Bottom line: Claim bonuses opportunistically, but choose your exchange based on ongoing fees and features.

How to Maximize Sign-Up Bonuses

Claim multiple bonuses legitimately. Nothing stops you from opening accounts at Gemini, Coinbase, and others to collect each bonus. Just don't try to create multiple accounts at the same exchange—that violates terms and will get you banned.

Watch for limited-time promos. Exchanges frequently run enhanced bonuses during market dips or around holidays. Binance.US and Crypto.com are especially active with promotions.

Use referral links. Sometimes referral bonuses beat standard sign-up offers. Ask crypto-savvy friends if they have referral codes before signing up.

Read the fine print. Some bonuses require trading volume or holding periods. Crypto.com's tiered bonuses especially can have complex requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I withdraw sign-up bonuses immediately? +
Usually yes. Gemini and Coinbase bonuses can be withdrawn immediately. Crypto.com may have holding periods depending on the promotion. Check terms before signing up.
Are crypto bonuses taxable? +
Yes, sign-up bonuses are generally considered ordinary income by the IRS. A $15 BTC bonus is taxable at its fair market value when received. Keep records for tax time.
Can I get bonuses from multiple exchanges? +
Absolutely. Each exchange's bonus is independent. You can legitimately claim bonuses from Coinbase, Gemini, Crypto.com, and others. Just don't create multiple accounts at the same exchange.
Why doesn't Kraken offer a sign-up bonus? +
Kraken competes on low fees and security rather than promotional bonuses. Their 0.16% maker fee effectively "pays" active traders more over time than a one-time bonus would.

The Bottom Line

Free money is nice, but don't let $15 drive your exchange choice. Gemini's $15 offer is the easiest to claim with no strings attached. Coinbase's $10 is solid for beginners who want the most trusted platform. Crypto.com has bigger potential but more hoops. Claim what you can, then trade where fees and features suit you best.

Compare All Exchanges