Find out How to Buy Bitcoin in Hawaii

Nowadays, Bitcoin can be bought almost anywhere. This guide aims to help those buying Bitcoin in Hawaii by providing all of the essential information in one place.

Buy Crypto and Bitcoin in Hawaii Summary

Bitcoin is legal in Hawaii but there are some local laws which complicate its use and purchase from certain exchanges. To quickly purchase Bitcoin in Hawaii without any issues, follow these steps:

1. Download a Bitcoin wallet
2. Go to Uphold
3. Choose the amount of Bitcoin you wish to buy
4. Enter your payment information and Bitcoin address

If Coinmama doesn’t work for you here are a few additional exchanges for buying Bitcoin in Hawaii:

Uphold

Availability:

Worldwide

Read review

Visit exchange

Kraken

Availability:

Worldwide

Read review

Exchange

Visit Site

CEX.IO

Availability:

Worldwide

Read review

Exchange

Visit Site

Bitstamp

Availability:

Worldwide

Read review

Visit exchange

Visit Site

Is Bitcoin legal in Hawaii?

Although there is some disagreement between agencies on Bitcoin’s precise classification, Bitcoin is legal in the US and in Hawaii too, by extension. Therefore, the sale, exchange, or purchase of goods with Bitcoin is allowed by law.

Is Coinbase available in Hawaii?

There have been some unique complications for Bitcoin in Hawaii. In particular, Coinbase announced a few years ago that it was suspending its business in Hawaii, due to the state imposing certain reserve requirements on cryptocurrency exchange.

As Coinbase is a popular choice for Americans looking to buy Bitcoin, this can lead some Hawaiians to doubt Bitcoin’s legal status. Rest assured, it’s perfectly legal for you to buy Bitcoin.

Better yet, in August 2024 Coinbase announced it was opening up business in Hawaii once again. Coinbase is one of our most highly recommended exchanges for Americans, and Hawaiians, for trading crypto.

How popular is Bitcoin in Hawaii?

An increasing number of businesses in Hawaii are accepting Bitcoin. The weekly US dollar volume on LocalBitcoins shows declining volume since December of 2017.

According to Google Trends, search interest in Hawaii for Bitcoin has been climbing in 2024, and is approaching the highest levels since the 2021 bull market.

Hawaiian Bitcoin Communities

At the time of writing, Hawaii’s Bitcoin online activity is pretty thin in social media platforms. However, there is a Honolulu Bitcoin Group on Meetup with over 800 members. Also available is the Bitcoin Hawaii Facebook group, but it doesn’t seem to be too active.

How To Buy Crypto In Hawaii

Previously, purchasing cryptocurrency in Hawaii was tougher than in other states. But recent updates have simplified the process for Hawaii residents, with major exchanges beginning to operate in the area. There are also various other ways for Hawaii residents to buy crypto, all of which are detailed below.

Bitcoin exchanges based in Hawaii

While there are no Bitcoin exchanges based in Hawaii, there are some US-based Bitcoin exchanges that you can access:

Coinbase

Starting in August 2024, residents of Hawaii can use Coinbase and access the same services as other users in the U.S. As the largest exchange in the country, Coinbase is an excellent option for those in Hawaii looking to trade crypto. To learn more about Coinbase, check out our complete Coinbase review.

Kraken

Kraken, operating since 2011, is one of the oldest cryptocurrency exchanges. It operates in the USA and Canada, as well as Europe and Japan. With Kraken, you’re able to buy Bitcoin, plus get a selection of about 20 other cryptocurrencies.

The fees are relatively low at 0.16% to 0.26%, although their trading platform isn’t the most beginner-friendly. Check out our full Kraken review for more information on the advantages of Kraken.

Uphold

Uphold is a digital-money platform, rather than a cryptocurrency exchange. Uphold has been recommended by many residents in Hawaii. It’s easy to deposit via bank transfer, credit or debit card. You can then purchase Bitcoin with USD.

Keep in mind that deposits and withdrawals are on the slow side, and can take days. Uphold has a 1.05% trading fee plus a 0.0003 BTC withdrawal fee.

International exchanges available in Hawaii

In addition to Bitcoin exchanges in the USA, you have the option of a few international exchanges:

CEX.io

CEX is a Bitcoin exchange based in London that caters to users worldwide. It offers a brokerage service for purchasing Bitcoin with a credit or debit card, though this method comes with higher fees. For users who are more experienced in trading, the platform allows direct trading, which can lower costs, particularly when using a wire transfer.

Find more information on the exchange by reading our full CEX.io review.

Bitstamp

Bitstamp, based in Luxembourg, was founded back in 2011. Users of Bitstamp can purchase Bitcoin and a number of cryptocurrencies with USD. It offers users the option of buying Bitcoin with a credit card or debit card. However, there is a 5% fee attached to it. For the average user, the most likely transaction fee is 0.25%.

Read our full Bitstamp review for more in depth information.

LocalBitcoins

LocalBitcoins is a peer-to-peer marketplace based in Finland. It directly connects buyers and sellers, and is available in many countries around the world, including the USA. There are a wide range of possible payment methods in Hawaii, including cash, PayPal, and Western Union.

Keep in mind that Bitcoin prices are typically higher in Hawaii. A 1% fee is charged by the platform on top of the seller’s exchange rate. Go on ahead and check out our full LocalBitcoins review for more info.

Crypto Wallets

Best Wallet – The Best Non-Custodial Bitcoin Wallet in the Market

You don’t have to go to an exchange to buy Bitcoin anymore. One of our favorite alternative options to buying on exchanges is Best Wallet, which we regard as the best non-custodial crypto wallet for 2025. Best Wallet is an interesting option because it is essentially a one-stop option for all your Bitcoin and cryptocurrency needs. Not only can you store your Bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies in the wallet, but you can also seamlessly buy new crypto right through the wallet.

Best Wallet is also non-custodial, which means nobody but the user has access to the private keys and backup passphrases. Users take full control of the crypto coins via a mobile app, browser extension, or desktop software.

Not only does Best Wallet allow you to hold and trade Bitcoin, but it is also compatible with many other cryptocurrencies, which means it could be an all in one stop for all of your crypto needs. Best Wallet features very liquid markets for thousands of tokens on over 60 blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Sui, Dogecoin, Uniswap, and many others.

Even better, Best Wallet doesn’t charge trading fees. The only fees you’ve got to deal with are regular blockchain fees. It’s important to note that Best Wallet is a non-custodial wallet, meaning your crypto will remain safe and in your hands.

How many Bitcoin ATMs are there in Hawaii?

According to CoinATMRadar, there are 87 Bitcoin ATMs in Hawaii (as of November 2024). They are concentrated in Honolulu, the state capital, although there appears to be a good amount spread throughout the state. Check out CoinATMRadar for a map view of all of the locations.

Average fees for these BTMs are between 15% to 19%, which is on the steeper side.

Conclusion

Hawaii’s reserve requirements for US exchanges aren’t a big obstacle, given the ease with which Bitcoin may be purchased from international exchanges or directly from peers via LocalBitcoins, Paxful, and similar services.

It seems that Honolulu is host to a surprising amount of Bitcoin activity, so if you reside elsewhere in Hawaii it might be worth the trip to the capital to network with other island Bitcoiners.

FAQs