SideBySideCrypto
DCA Strategy December 18, 2025

Best Exchange for Recurring Crypto Buys 2025

Set it and forget it. Compare automatic purchase features and find the lowest fees for dollar-cost averaging into crypto.

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Quick Verdict

Coinbase has the best recurring buy interface with daily, weekly, and monthly options. Gemini offers similar features with slightly lower fees. Kraken has recurring buys but limited frequency options. For pure DCA, Coinbase's ease of setup wins.

What Is Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)?

Dollar-cost averaging means buying a fixed dollar amount of an asset on a regular schedule, regardless of price. Instead of trying to time the market (which rarely works), you buy $100 of Bitcoin every week whether it's at $80,000 or $100,000.

Over time, DCA smooths out volatility—you automatically buy more when prices are low and less when prices are high. It's a stress-free strategy that removes emotion from investing.

Recurring Buy Features Comparison

Exchange Frequencies Minimum Fee Coins
Coinbase Daily, Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly $1 ~1.5% 250+
Gemini Daily, Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly $10 ~1.5% 120+
Kraken Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly $10 ~1.5% 200+
Crypto.com Daily, Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly $15 ~1.5-2% 350+
Binance.US Daily, Weekly, Monthly $10 ~0.5-1% 150+

Our Top Picks

Best Experience

Coinbase

Coinbase's recurring buy is dead simple to set up. Pick your coin, amount, and frequency—done. The app sends confirmations and makes it easy to pause or modify schedules. With a $1 minimum and 250+ coins, it's the most flexible option.

How to set up: Coinbase app → Trade → Recurring → Select coin → Set amount & frequency → Confirm

✓ $1 minimum ✓ Daily option ✓ Most coins ⚠ ~1.5% fee
Security Focus

Gemini

Gemini's recurring buy works similarly to Coinbase with the added benefit of their security reputation (SOC 2 certified). Available in all 50 states. Slightly higher minimum ($10) but solid execution.

✓ All 50 states ✓ Daily option ✓ SOC 2 security
Lowest Fees

Binance.US

Binance.US has recurring buys with noticeably lower fees (~0.5-1% vs 1.5% elsewhere). The interface isn't as polished, but if fee savings are your priority over the long haul, the difference adds up.

✓ Lowest fees ✓ Daily option ✗ State restrictions

The Real Cost of Recurring Buy Fees

Recurring buys typically charge simple interface fees (~1.5%), not the lower maker/taker rates. Over time, this adds up:

Scenario Weekly Amount Annual Investment Fees (1.5%)
Small DCA $25/week $1,300 $19.50
Medium DCA $100/week $5,200 $78
Large DCA $500/week $26,000 $390

For small amounts, the convenience is worth the fees. For larger DCA strategies, consider manual weekly buys on a lower-fee platform like Kraken Pro (0.26% taker) to save hundreds annually.

DCA Calculator Example

📊 $100/week into Bitcoin for 5 years

Total Invested

$26,000

Fees (1.5%)

-$390

Net Invested

$25,610

*This doesn't account for BTC price changes. DCA performance depends entirely on price movement over your investment period.

Tips for Effective DCA

  • Set it and forget it. The whole point is removing emotion. Don't check prices obsessively.
  • Use ACH funding. Link a bank account for free deposits. Don't use debit cards (2-4% extra fee).
  • Pick a sustainable amount. $20/week for 5 years beats $500/week for 2 months before you quit.
  • Consider weekly over monthly. More frequent buys = more price points = smoother average.
  • Track for taxes. Each purchase is a separate tax lot. Use exchange exports or crypto tax software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DCA better than lump sum investing? +
Studies show lump sum beats DCA about 2/3 of the time in rising markets. But DCA reduces risk and psychological stress. For volatile assets like crypto, DCA is often preferable because it removes the "what if I buy at the top" anxiety.
Can I pause my recurring buy? +
Yes, all exchanges let you pause, modify, or cancel recurring buys at any time. Just go to your recurring buy settings. No penalties for stopping.
What time of day do recurring buys execute? +
It varies by exchange. Coinbase typically executes around midnight-2am UTC. Gemini varies. The exact time doesn't matter much for DCA—you're averaging over months/years, not optimizing for specific hours.
Should I DCA into multiple coins? +
You can, but it adds complexity. Many people DCA primarily into Bitcoin with smaller allocations to Ethereum or other assets. Keep it simple—a $50/week Bitcoin DCA is easier to maintain than five different $10 recurring buys.

The Bottom Line

Coinbase has the best recurring buy experience with a $1 minimum, daily options, and clean interface. Gemini is equally good with better security reputation. Binance.US saves money on fees but has state restrictions. For most people, the convenience of automatic DCA is worth the ~1.5% fee—just set a sustainable amount and let it run.

Compare All Exchanges