Robinhood offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, and about a dozen other cryptocurrencies
Robinhood lets you buy and sell Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ethereum Classic without paying a commission. The platform also offers Cardano, Solana, Polkadot, Polygon, Chainlink, Uniswap, Aave, and Compound. The exact list can change — Robinhood adds and removes cryptocurrencies based on regulatory conditions and market demand.
You can hold these cryptocurrencies in your Robinhood account, but you cannot transfer them to an external wallet or exchange. If you want to move your coins elsewhere, you would need to sell them first and then buy them on a different platform. This is different from some other brokers that allow direct transfers.
Robinhood does not charge trading commissions on crypto purchases, but the platform makes money through the spread — the difference between the buy and sell price you see. This spread is typically wider on crypto than on stocks, so the actual cost of trading is built into the price you pay.
Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin and Ethereum are always available on Robinhood, along with a rotating list of altcoins that currently includes Dogecoin, Litecoin, Solana, and Cardano.
- You can buy fractional amounts of any cryptocurrency on Robinhood, so you do not need to own a full coin to start trading.
- Cryptocurrencies held on Robinhood stay in your Robinhood account and cannot be transferred to a personal wallet or another exchange.
- Robinhood charges no commission on crypto trades, but profits from the spread between buy and sell prices, which is wider than on stocks.
- The list of available cryptocurrencies changes over time as Robinhood responds to regulation and market conditions.
How to see the full current list
The easiest way to see which cryptocurrencies Robinhood currently offers is to open the app or website and search for "crypto" or navigate to the Crypto tab. Each coin shows its current price, 24-hour change, and a buy button. If a cryptocurrency is not listed in the search results, Robinhood does not currently offer it.
Robinhood sometimes adds new cryptocurrencies without announcement, and occasionally removes ones that face regulatory pressure. If you are looking for a specific coin and cannot find it, check back in a few weeks — availability can change. You can also contact Robinhood support through the app to ask whether a particular cryptocurrency might be added in the future, though they cannot may provide it.
What fractional shares mean for crypto purchases
Unlike stocks, where fractional shares are a relatively new feature, Robinhood has always allowed you to buy any amount of cryptocurrency — even $1 worth of Bitcoin. This means you do not need to save up for a full coin. You can start with whatever amount fits your budget and add to it over time.
Fractional ownership also means the price you see ($45,000 for Bitcoin, for example) is not a barrier to entry. You can spend $50 and own a small piece of that Bitcoin. This makes it easier to experiment with crypto without committing large sums upfront.
Why you cannot transfer crypto off Robinhood
Robinhood does not allow you to withdraw cryptocurrencies to an external wallet or send them to another exchange. This is a deliberate business choice, not a technical limitation. The company treats crypto more like a stock you own through a brokerage than like actual coins you control yourself.
If you want to move your cryptocurrency elsewhere, you must sell it on Robinhood first, then buy it again on a platform that does allow transfers. This creates a taxable event — you will owe capital gains tax on any profit when you sell. If you think you might want to transfer coins to a personal wallet or use them for transactions, you should consider using a different platform from the start.
Fees and costs beyond the commission
Robinhood advertises zero-commission crypto trading, which is true — you will not see a separate fee line item. However, the spread (the gap between buy and sell price) is how Robinhood makes money on crypto. When you buy Bitcoin at $45,000, the actual market price might be $44,950, and when you sell at $44,950, the market price might be $45,000. That gap is your real cost.
The spread on major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum is usually smaller than on lesser-known coins. If you are buying or selling during off-hours or when the market is volatile, the spread can widen. There are no other hidden fees — no deposit fees, no holding fees, no withdrawal fees (though you cannot withdraw crypto anyway).
How Robinhood crypto compares to other platforms
Robinhood is simpler than dedicated crypto exchanges like Coinbase or Kraken, which offer hundreds of cryptocurrencies and the ability to transfer coins to your own wallet. Robinhood is better if you want to buy a few major cryptocurrencies and hold them in one brokerage account alongside stocks and options.
Other brokers like Fidelity and Charles Schwab also offer crypto, though their selection is smaller than Robinhood's. If you want to trade altcoins, use a personal wallet, or move coins between exchanges, you will need a dedicated crypto platform. If you want to keep everything in one place and do not need to transfer coins, Robinhood works fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy any altcoin on Robinhood?
No. Robinhood offers roughly 15 cryptocurrencies at any given time, with Bitcoin and Ethereum always included. If a coin is not listed in the app, you cannot buy it on Robinhood. For access to hundreds of altcoins, you would need to use a dedicated crypto exchange like Coinbase or Kraken.
What happens if Robinhood removes a cryptocurrency I own?
If Robinhood stops offering a cryptocurrency, you can still hold it in your account and sell it, but you cannot buy more. You will see it in your portfolio and can monitor its price. You must sell it if you want to close the position — you cannot transfer it out.
Do I pay taxes on crypto I hold on Robinhood?
You do not pay taxes just for holding crypto. You owe capital gains tax when you sell at a profit. Robinhood sends you a 1099 form at tax time showing your transactions. Short-term gains (held less than a year) are taxed as ordinary income; long-term gains (held over a year) get lower tax rates.
Can I set up automatic purchases of crypto on Robinhood?
Robinhood does not offer automatic recurring purchases for crypto the way some platforms do. You must manually buy each time. Some users set phone reminders to buy on a schedule, but the purchase itself is not automated.
Is my crypto safe on Robinhood?
Robinhood holds your crypto in custody, meaning they control the private keys, not you. If Robinhood is hacked or goes out of business, your crypto could be at risk. Robinhood does carry insurance, but it does not cover all scenarios. If security is your top concern, a personal hardware wallet gives you full control, though it requires more technical knowledge.