A comprehensive guide to buying cryptocurrency on Fidelity — covering platforms, payment methods, fees, settlement, custody, security, and how to reduce transaction risk.
Fidelity Investments, one of the world's largest asset managers and brokerages, has expanded into cryptocurrency trading, allowing eligible clients to buy, sell, and hold digital assets directly within their brokerage accounts. This integration offers a seamless experience for investors who prefer to manage crypto alongside traditional assets like stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds.
This guide walks you through the entire process of buying cryptocurrency on Fidelity — from eligibility and funding to order execution, settlement, and custody. It also covers the fees, limits, security features, and common pitfalls to avoid.
As of mid-2026, Fidelity's crypto offering is available to a growing number of clients, though availability may depend on your account type, state of residence, and the specific products Fidelity offers at the time. Always check the Fidelity platform or official website for the most current eligibility and feature information.
Fidelity's crypto offering is subject to change. Asset availability, fees, and features evolve. Always verify current details directly on the Fidelity platform or official website before making any transaction decisions.
The process is designed to be straightforward for Fidelity clients who are familiar with the brokerage interface. Here is a typical workflow.
Log into your Fidelity brokerage account and navigate to the crypto trading section. If you do not see a crypto option, your account type or state may not yet support the feature. You may need to accept additional terms or complete a suitability questionnaire.
Crypto purchases are funded using settled cash in your Fidelity brokerage account. Deposit funds via bank transfer (ACH), wire, or by selling existing securities and waiting for the proceeds to settle. Ensure you have sufficient cash available before initiating a trade.
In the Fidelity mobile app or web platform, look for the "Crypto" section under the trade menu. This will display the available cryptocurrencies, current prices, and your account's crypto holdings.
Choose the cryptocurrency you want to buy (e.g., Bitcoin or Ethereum). Enter the amount you wish to purchase in either fiat currency (USD) or the crypto asset itself. Fidelity will display an estimated price and the total cost, including any applicable spread or fee.
Review the order preview carefully: the price, quantity, estimated fees, and settlement date. Confirm the order. Once executed, your crypto position will appear in your account holdings, typically alongside your stocks and ETFs.
After purchase, you can view your crypto holdings in your portfolio. Depending on Fidelity's offering, you may be able to sell, hold, or in some cases transfer the assets (though withdrawal capabilities may be limited).
Before confirming any trade, review the order preview for the total cost, estimated fee, and settlement date. Take a screenshot or note the confirmation number for your records.
Understanding how to fund your crypto purchase is essential for a smooth transaction experience.
The primary method for funding crypto purchases is cash in your Fidelity brokerage account. This cash can come from:
If you deposit funds and immediately use them to buy crypto, your crypto may be subject to a hold until the deposit clears (typically 3-5 business days). During this hold period, you may not be able to transfer or sell the crypto. Always check the availability of funds before placing an order.
To avoid holds on your crypto, use settled cash that has been in your account for several days. If you need to trade immediately, use funds that have already cleared. Check your cash balance and availability status in the Fidelity app.
Understanding the fee structure and transaction limits on Fidelity helps you manage your costs and plan your trades effectively.
Fidelity does not charge a traditional commission for crypto trades. Instead, the platform uses a spread-based pricing model. The spread is the difference between the wholesale price at which Fidelity buys the crypto (from its liquidity providers) and the price at which they sell it to you. This spread is typically between 0.5% and 2% of the transaction value, depending on the asset, order size, and market conditions.
Fidelity may impose limits on crypto transactions, including:
Always check the order preview on the Fidelity platform for the most accurate fee and limit information. The platform will show you the estimated total cost, including any spread, before you confirm the trade. Fee structures and limits can change, so consult Fidelity's official resources for the most current details.
Before buying, compare the price displayed on Fidelity with the current market spot price (from a trusted source like CoinMarketCap). This will give you a sense of the effective spread you are paying. For larger trades, the spread may be smaller as a percentage.
Understanding settlement timelines helps you plan your trades and manage your expectations around when your crypto becomes available.
When you place a crypto buy order on Fidelity, the settlement process typically occurs within 1-2 business days, though some trades may settle on the same day. The exact timing depends on the asset, the funding source, and Fidelity's internal processes. Check the order confirmation for the estimated settlement date.
If you use funds that have not yet fully settled from a recent deposit, Fidelity may place a hold on the crypto position until the deposit clears. This hold can restrict your ability to sell or transfer the crypto. Always confirm that your cash balance is fully settled before trading to avoid unexpected holds.
Once your crypto purchase settles, the crypto becomes available for you to view in your portfolio. However, if your account type or the specific product has withdrawal restrictions, you may not be able to transfer the crypto to an external wallet even after settlement. Check the specific terms for your product.
Understanding how Fidelity safeguards your crypto assets is essential for assessing the security of your holdings.
When you buy crypto through Fidelity, the assets are typically held in custody by Fidelity Digital Assets — a dedicated, institutional-grade custody solution. This means Fidelity (or its custody arm) holds the private keys in a secure, offline environment. You do not have direct access to the private keys, and you cannot self-custody unless Fidelity offers withdrawal functionality — which may be restricted or unavailable for certain products.
Depending on the specific product, Fidelity may offer limited or no withdrawal capabilities for crypto purchased through its retail platform. Some products are designed to be held within the Fidelity ecosystem. If you want to transfer your crypto to an external wallet or another exchange, confirm Fidelity's current transfer policy before buying.
Custody by Fidelity eliminates the risk of losing your private keys, but it introduces counterparty risk — you are trusting Fidelity to safeguard your assets. While Fidelity is a well-established institution, no custodian is immune to operational failures, fraud, or regulatory seizure. Review Fidelity's custody disclosures carefully.
This table compares key attributes of buying crypto through Fidelity versus alternative options, helping you decide which platform best fits your needs.
| Attribute | Fidelity Crypto | Dedicated Crypto Exchanges | Other Brokerages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee structure | Spread-based (0.5–2% typical) | Maker/taker fees (0.1–0.5% typical for high volume) | Spread-based or commission-free (varies) |
| Custody | Fidelity Digital Assets (institutional-grade) | Self-custody optional; exchange custody default | Exchange or brokerage custody |
| Asset selection | Limited (Bitcoin, Ethereum, plus occasional others) | Wide variety (100+ assets) | Limited to moderate selection |
| Withdrawal to external wallet | Often limited or unavailable | Generally available | Varies — often limited |
| Integration with traditional assets | Full integration in brokerage account | Separate platform | Some integration |
| Regulatory oversight | High (SEC, FINRA, state regulators) | Varies (some regulated, some not) | Moderate to high |
This is a general comparison. Specific features, fees, and availability change over time. Verify all details directly on the respective platforms.
Context: Maria is a long-term Fidelity customer with a $100,000 brokerage account. She wants to allocate 3% of her portfolio to Bitcoin for diversification. She values integration with her existing holdings, institutional-grade custody, and a familiar interface.
Decision: Maria chooses to buy Bitcoin through Fidelity. She pays a spread of approximately 1.0%, which equates to about $30 on a $3,000 purchase. Her Bitcoin is held by Fidelity Digital Assets, and she can view it alongside her stocks and ETFs. She cannot transfer the Bitcoin to a hardware wallet, but she accepts this because she is comfortable with Fidelity's custody and plans to hold for the long term.
Outcome: Maria completes the purchase in minutes. The Bitcoin appears in her account after settlement. She sets up price alerts and continues to monitor the position as part of her overall portfolio.
Use this checklist before and during your transaction to avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth experience.
Even experienced investors can make these errors. Avoiding them can save you money and frustration.
Concise answers to common questions about buying crypto on Fidelity.
To buy crypto on Fidelity, log into your brokerage account, navigate to the crypto trading section, select the asset you want to buy, enter the amount, review the order preview, and confirm the trade. You must have settled cash in your account to fund the purchase.
Fidelity currently offers Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) for retail trading, though the list may expand over time. Availability may vary by state and account type. Check the Fidelity platform for the current list of supported assets.
Fidelity typically charges a spread-based fee rather than a traditional commission. The spread is embedded in the displayed price and can range from 0.5% to 2% depending on the asset, order size, and market conditions. Review the order preview to see the total cost before confirming.
Transfer capabilities vary. Some Fidelity crypto products support withdrawals to external wallets, while others may not. Check the specific product terms in your Fidelity account. If self-custody is important to you, confirm withdrawal functionality before purchasing.
Fidelity uses Fidelity Digital Assets, an institutional-grade custody solution, to secure client crypto holdings. Assets are stored primarily in cold storage with insurance coverage for certain losses. This provides a high level of security but introduces counterparty risk.
You fund crypto purchases using cash in your Fidelity brokerage account. This cash can come from bank transfers (ACH), wire transfers, or proceeds from selling securities. Fidelity does not accept credit cards for crypto purchases.
Settlement typically takes 1-2 business days, though some trades may settle same-day. The timing depends on the funding source and the specific product. Check the order preview for the estimated settlement date before confirming your trade.
Fidelity Digital Assets maintains insurance coverage for certain losses, including theft or loss of assets from the custody platform. However, insurance has limitations, deductibles, and exclusions. Review Fidelity's official disclosures to understand the full scope of coverage.