Even though legendary investors like Warren Buffett believe cryptocurrency, especially bitcoin, is worthless, it has proven to be a common trading vehicle. Part of the reason for cryptocurrency trading’s success is its instability, allowing traders to profit from market fluctuations.
Bitcoin, for example, smashed through the $1,000 mark at the start of 2017. The digital currency had risen to about $20,000 by the end of the year. Bitcoin was trading about $3,200 about a year back. However, it resurfaced in 2019, rising to more than $10,000, and has grown gradually since then, crossing the $50,000 threshold in early 2021.
This form of market action has drawn traders hoping to benefit from the tides. Although some traders choose to own the currency outright, others decide to exchange futures. Futures could be an even more appealing way to profit from the fluctuations of digital currency like bitcoin since they enable traders to maximize their profits (but also magnify losses).
What are the best places to purchase and sell cryptocurrencies?
Traditional brokers benefit from providing a broad range of investible options, but you will usually only exchange bitcoin futures directly with them. Crypto markets, on the other side, are restricted to crypto assets. Still, you may hold them now and also purchase multiples, rather than either bitcoin or bitcoin futures, like you can through a general trader. PayPal has been in on the act and enables consumers in the United States to purchase and sell cryptocurrencies.
The best cryptocurrency brokers, including conventional online brokers and recently advanced cryptocurrency trading, are mentioned below. You would also want to look at can brokers give the best sign-up incentives to see if you can save a little money.
TradeStation
Traders at this broker have a few choices, as it has launched direct currency trading through TradeStation Crypto, with commission-based pricing. The broker’s account balance determines to price and whether or not the order is specifically marketable. Typically, pricing varies from 0.25 percent to 1 percent of the order. Traders can also purchase and sell bitcoin futures and profit from significant volume pricing discounts.
Coinbase
Coinbase is a cryptocurrency exchange that enables you to swap digital currencies such as bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin, and bitcoin cash directly. You’ll have connections to over three hundred cryptocurrencies in all. For added protection, you’ll be able to store your coins in a vault with time-delayed withdrawals. The commission structure of the trade is enormous. It adds a settlement fee and a spread markup of around 0.5 percent, based on the transaction and funding source scale.
Robinhood
While the online broker hasn’t had the best of starts this year, Robinhood is a fantastic choice for purchasing cryptocurrencies directly. You’ll still be willing to use Robinhood’s wildly famous trading commissions, which are either $0 per trade or commission-free.
If you’re involved in more than bitcoin, you may even exchange stocks and ETFs for the same low amount. The slick Robinhood software makes trading a breeze, but anyone seeking a full-featured trading experience would be disappointed.
Interactive Brokers
Rather than owning bitcoin outright, Interactive Brokers helps you to purchase bitcoin futures. You will buy futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange from this trader, with all-in contracts costing $15.01 and five bitcoins per option. Furthermore, Interactive Brokers brings the whole portfolio of trading products, allowing you to purchase virtually everything that trades on an exchange.
Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab is regularly rated as a top broker by Bankrate, and this investor-friendly firm also provides bitcoin futures trading. There is no account minimum with Schwab, but any futures contracts you exchange would take some margin to keep them accessible. Schwab pays a competitive fee of $1.50 per deal, with a welcome incentive if you add a large amount of money to the table.
TD Ameritrade
TD Ameritrade is a leading full-service broker that not only provides access to conventional securities like stocks and shares but has since extended its offering to include bitcoin futures. TD Ameritrade, on the other hand, would not facilitate direct dealing of the digital currency. To get acquainted with bitcoin futures, you’ll need to reach the account minimum. (Charles Schwab acquired TD Ameritrade, and the two businesses would soon be integrated.)