SideBySideCrypto
Altcoins December 18, 2025

Best Exchange to Buy Cardano (ADA) 2025

Cardano is available on every major US exchange. Here's how to buy it with the lowest fees and best staking rewards.

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Quick Verdict

Kraken is the best overall choice for Cardano—0.16% maker fees, ADA staking at 3-6% APY, and rock-solid security. Binance.US has the lowest fees at 0.10% if you're in a supported state. Coinbase is easiest for beginners but charges significantly more.

Exchange Comparison for Cardano (ADA)

Exchange Trading Fee ADA Staking Withdrawal Fee Best For
Kraken 0.16-0.26% ✅ 3-6% APY 0.6 ADA Best overall
Binance.US 0.10% ✅ 2.3% APY 1 ADA Lowest fees
Coinbase 0.40-0.60% ✅ ~2% APY Dynamic Beginners
Gemini 0.20-0.40% ❌ Not available Dynamic Security
Crypto.com 0.075-0.40% ✅ Up to 3% 2 ADA Card users

Our Top Picks for Buying ADA

Best Overall

Kraken

Kraken hits the sweet spot for Cardano buyers: competitive fees, reliable ADA staking, and a 13+ year track record without a single hack. Their staking yields (3-6% APY) are among the best available on centralized exchanges, though US users in some states can't access staking due to SEC restrictions.

Cost example: Buying $1,000 of ADA costs ~$1.60 in fees (maker) vs $6.00 on Coinbase's simple interface.

✓ Low fees ✓ ADA staking ✓ Never hacked ⚠ Staking not in all states
Lowest Fees

Binance.US

At 0.10% flat fees, Binance.US is the cheapest place to buy ADA in the United States. They also offer staking at ~2.3% APY. The catch: Binance.US isn't available in New York, Texas, and about 8 other states.

Cost example: Buying $1,000 of ADA costs just $1.00 in fees.

✓ Cheapest fees ✓ ADA staking ✗ State restrictions
Easiest

Coinbase

Coinbase is the easiest way to buy ADA, especially if you're new to crypto. The app is clean, verification is fast, and you can stake ADA directly. The downside: you'll pay 3-6x more in fees than Kraken or Binance.US.

Tip: Use Coinbase Advanced (free, same account) to cut fees in half.

✓ Beginner friendly ✓ ADA staking ✗ Higher fees

ADA Staking: Exchange vs Self-Custody

Cardano's native staking protocol yields approximately 2.5-3% APY when you stake directly through a Cardano wallet like Daedalus or Yoroi. Exchange staking takes a cut of those rewards, but eliminates technical complexity.

Method APY Lockup Effort
Self-custody (Yoroi/Daedalus) ~3% raw None Higher
Kraken 3-6% None Low
Binance.US 2.3% None Low
Coinbase ~2% None Lowest

For most people buying under $10,000 worth of ADA, exchange staking makes sense. The convenience outweighs the 0.5-1% yield difference. If you're holding serious amounts long-term, consider self-custody staking for maximum rewards and security.

Step-by-Step: Buying ADA on Kraken

  1. Create account — Sign up at kraken.com with email. KYC verification takes 1-5 minutes for most users.
  2. Deposit funds — Bank transfer (ACH) is free but takes 3-5 days. Wire transfer is faster but costs $5.
  3. Navigate to ADA — Search "ADA" or "Cardano" in the trading interface.
  4. Place order — Use a limit order at 0.16% fee, or market order at 0.26%. For $500+, limit orders save meaningful money.
  5. Enable staking — Go to Earn → Staking → ADA. One click to start earning rewards (where available).

Cardano Quick Facts

Native Token

ADA

Consensus

Ouroboros (Proof of Stake)

Staking Yield

~2.5-3% native protocol

Block Time

~20 seconds

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cardano available on all US exchanges? +
Yes, ADA is listed on Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, Binance.US, Crypto.com, and most other US exchanges. It's one of the most widely supported altcoins.
Can I stake ADA in New York? +
Exchange staking is restricted for NY residents on most platforms. However, you can stake ADA yourself using a self-custody wallet like Yoroi or Daedalus—that's not affected by state regulations.
What's the minimum amount of ADA I can buy? +
Most exchanges have minimums under $10. Coinbase and Kraken let you buy as little as $1-2 worth. With ADA around $0.80-$1.00, you can buy just a few tokens to start.
Should I buy ADA with a credit card? +
Generally no. Credit card purchases incur 3-5% fees on top of trading fees. Use bank transfer (ACH) for free deposits. Only use a card if you need instant access and understand the extra cost.

The Bottom Line

Kraken is our top choice for buying Cardano—low fees, reliable staking, and bulletproof security. Binance.US beats everyone on fees if you have access. Coinbase is fine for beginners willing to pay for simplicity. All three support ADA staking, so you can earn passive rewards regardless of which you choose.

Compare All Exchanges