Best Crypto Exchange in Texas 2025
Texas is one of the most crypto-friendly states in America. Here's how to choose the right exchange—and what to know about Binance.US restrictions.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Kraken is the best choice for most Texas residents. With the lowest fees among major US exchanges (0.16% maker), excellent security (never been hacked), and full functionality in Texas, Kraken offers the best value. Coinbase is a close second for beginners who want more coins.
Texas: A Crypto-Friendly State
🤠 The Lone Star Advantage
Texas has positioned itself as one of the most crypto-friendly states in America. The state has no personal income tax (great for crypto gains), relatively light regulatory touch, and has attracted significant Bitcoin mining operations due to cheap energy.
Unlike New York with its restrictive BitLicense, Texas allows most major crypto exchanges to operate freely.
What's Available in Texas
- Major US exchanges: Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini all fully operational
- Staking: Legal and available on most platforms
- DeFi: No state-level restrictions on decentralized protocols
- Mining: Texas is a major hub for Bitcoin mining
One Caveat: Binance.US has restrictions in Texas. More on that below.
Best Crypto Exchanges for Texas (Ranked)
| Rank | Exchange | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | Coins | Texas Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Kraken | 0.16% | 0.26% | 200+ | ✓ Full Access |
| 🥈 | Coinbase | 0.40% | 0.60% | 250+ | ✓ Full Access |
| 🥉 | Gemini | 0.20% | 0.40% | 70+ | ✓ Full Access |
| 4 | Robinhood | ~0.35% spread | 20+ | ✓ Full Access | |
| 5 | Binance.US | 0.10% | 0.10% | 150+ | ⚠️ Restricted |
🥇 #1 Kraken — Best Overall for Texas
Kraken offers the best combination of low fees, security, and features for Texas residents. With 0.16% maker fees on Kraken Pro—significantly cheaper than Coinbase or Gemini—it's the platform of choice for cost-conscious traders.
Why Kraken for Texas
- Lowest major exchange fees: 0.16% maker / 0.26% taker beats all competitors
- Never been hacked: Founded 2011, spotless security record
- 200+ cryptocurrencies: Wide selection including altcoins
- Full Texas functionality: Trading, transfers, staking all work
- Kraken Pro: Advanced trading interface with limit orders
- Lightning Network: Near-instant, ultra-cheap BTC withdrawals
Fee Comparison: Why Kraken Wins
Annual fee savings on $25,000 trading volume:
Note: Kraken halted staking for US users in 2023 following an SEC settlement. Texas users cannot stake on Kraken. For staking, use Coinbase or Gemini instead.
Best For: Active traders, cost-conscious investors, security-focused users. Kraken's combination of low fees and perfect security record makes it ideal for anyone trading $5,000+/year.
🥈 #2 Coinbase — Best for Beginners & Coin Selection
Coinbase is the most recognizable name in US crypto and offers the widest coin selection (250+). Higher fees than Kraken, but the beginner-friendly interface and Learn & Earn program make it ideal for newcomers.
Why Coinbase for Texas
- 250+ cryptocurrencies: Most coins available to Texas users
- Best beginner experience: Intuitive app, easy onboarding
- Staking available: Earn rewards on ETH, SOL, and more
- Coinbase One: $30/month for zero trading fees (up to $10K/mo)
- Learn & Earn: Free crypto for completing educational modules
- NASDAQ listed: Public company with regulatory transparency
Fee Options
Best For: Beginners, altcoin enthusiasts, users who want staking. If you're new to crypto or want access to the widest coin selection, Coinbase is your best bet in Texas.
🥉 #3 Gemini — Best Security & Credit Card
Gemini offers excellent security credentials (SOC 2 certified) and the best crypto credit card in the market. Fees fall between Kraken and Coinbase, with full Texas functionality.
Why Gemini for Texas
- SOC 2 Type 2 certified: Enterprise-grade security validation
- Gemini Credit Card: Up to 3% back in crypto on purchases
- ActiveTrader: 0.20% maker / 0.40% taker fees
- Staking available: Earn on ETH, SOL, and more
- Available all 50 states: Including NY and TX with full features
- Insurance: Captive insurance entity for cold storage
Best For: Security-focused users, credit card rewards enthusiasts. If you want a crypto credit card or prioritize security certifications, Gemini delivers.
Binance.US Texas Restrictions Explained
⚠️ Binance.US in Texas: What You Need to Know
Binance.US has faced regulatory challenges that affect Texas users. While the platform technically accepts Texas residents, there have been periods of restricted functionality and uncertainty about the platform's future.
Current Status (December 2025)
- Basic trading available for most Texas users
- USD deposits/withdrawals have faced on-and-off restrictions
- Staking availability varies
- New account signups may be limited
Why the Uncertainty?
Binance.US has faced SEC lawsuits and banking partner issues that have caused service disruptions. While the platform offers lower fees (0.10%), the regulatory uncertainty makes it a riskier choice for Texas residents.
Our Recommendation: Use Kraken or Coinbase instead. The slightly higher fees are worth the regulatory stability and peace of mind.
Robinhood in Texas
Unlike New York, Robinhood offers full crypto functionality in Texas, including crypto transfers in and out of the platform.
✅ Texas Gets
- • Crypto trading (20+ coins)
- • Crypto transfers in/out
- • Hardware wallet withdrawals
- • Unified stocks + crypto
❌ Still Missing
- • Limit orders for crypto
- • Staking rewards
- • Advanced trading tools
- • Wide coin selection
Robinhood works fine for casual Texas investors who want stocks and crypto in one app, but serious crypto users should use Kraken or Coinbase.
Staking in Texas
Unlike some states (California, New Jersey, etc.) that restrict staking, Texas allows full staking functionality on most platforms.
| Exchange | TX Staking | ETH APY | SOL APY | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | ✓ Yes | 2-4% | 5-7% | Best staking selection |
| Gemini | ✓ Yes | 2-3% | 4-6% | Good option |
| Kraken | ✗ No | — | — | SEC settlement 2023 |
| Robinhood | ✗ No | — | — | Not offered |
Staking Strategy for Texas: Use Kraken for trading (lowest fees) and Coinbase for staking (best selection). Many Texas users maintain accounts on both platforms.
Texas Tax Advantage
🤑 No State Income Tax
Texas has no personal state income tax, which means your crypto gains are only subject to federal capital gains tax—not additional state tax.
Texas Residents Pay:
- • Federal capital gains tax only
- • 0-20% depending on income
- • No state tax on crypto
California Residents Pay:
- • Federal capital gains tax
- • Plus up to 13.3% state tax
- • Significantly higher total
This tax advantage makes Texas one of the best states in America for crypto investing and is a major reason many crypto professionals have relocated to cities like Austin.
Which Exchange for Your Situation?
You want the lowest fees
→ Kraken — 0.16% maker fee saves you 60%+ vs. Coinbase
You're new to crypto
→ Coinbase — Best beginner experience, Learn & Earn free crypto
You want to stake your crypto
→ Coinbase or Gemini — Kraken doesn't offer US staking
You prioritize security
→ Kraken (never hacked) or Gemini (SOC 2 certified)
You want the most coins
→ Coinbase — 250+ cryptocurrencies, most of any US exchange
You want crypto + stocks in one app
→ Robinhood — Full Texas functionality, simple interface
Frequently Asked Questions
Is crypto legal in Texas?
Yes, crypto is fully legal in Texas. The state is one of the most crypto-friendly in America, with no specific regulations restricting crypto ownership or trading. Texas has even attracted significant Bitcoin mining operations.
Can I use Binance in Texas?
Binance.US (not global Binance) is available in Texas but has faced regulatory challenges causing service disruptions. We recommend Kraken or Coinbase instead for more reliable service.
Do I pay taxes on crypto in Texas?
Texas has no state income tax, so you only pay federal capital gains tax on crypto profits. This makes Texas one of the most tax-advantaged states for crypto investors.
Can I stake crypto in Texas?
Yes, staking is legal and available in Texas on platforms like Coinbase and Gemini. Kraken doesn't offer US staking following a 2023 SEC settlement.
What's the cheapest way to buy Bitcoin in Texas?
Use Kraken Pro with limit orders (0.16% maker fee). For $1,000 in Bitcoin, you'd pay just $1.60 in fees—significantly less than Coinbase ($4-6) or Gemini ($2-4).
Our Texas Recommendation
Start with Kraken for trading. The 0.16% maker fees are unbeatable among major US exchanges, and the platform has never been hacked. Texas users get full functionality.
Add Coinbase for staking and coin variety. Since Kraken doesn't offer US staking, use Coinbase to earn rewards on ETH, SOL, and other assets. Coinbase also offers 250+ coins vs. Kraken's 200+.
Skip Binance.US for now. The regulatory uncertainty isn't worth the slightly lower fees. Stick with Kraken and Coinbase for reliability.
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