Yes, you can buy crypto on Fidelity, but only through specific accounts and with restrictions that depend on your account type

Fidelity offers cryptocurrency trading through two separate platforms: Fidelity Crypto (a standalone app for buying and holding Bitcoin and Ethereum) and Active Trader Pro (their desktop platform, which offers a wider range of cryptocurrencies for self-directed investors). You cannot buy crypto through a standard Fidelity brokerage account the way you would buy stocks. The account you use, the cryptocurrencies available to you, and whether you can hold crypto in retirement accounts all vary by which Fidelity product you choose.

Each platform has different minimums, fee structures, and available cryptocurrencies. Understanding which one fits your situation means knowing what you want to trade, how often you plan to trade, and whether you want crypto inside a retirement account.

Key Takeaways

  • Fidelity Crypto is a separate app that lets you buy Bitcoin and Ethereum with no account minimum, but it is not connected to your regular Fidelity brokerage account.
  • Active Trader Pro offers more cryptocurrencies and advanced trading tools, but requires a Fidelity brokerage account and connects to your existing investments.
  • You cannot hold cryptocurrency directly inside an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged retirement account through Fidelity at this time.
  • Fidelity does offer Bitcoin and Ethereum exposure through cryptocurrency trusts that can be held in retirement accounts, which is different from owning the crypto itself.

Fidelity Crypto: The standalone app for Bitcoin and Ethereum

Fidelity Crypto is a mobile and web app where you can buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin and Ethereum. It operates independently from your Fidelity brokerage account — you do not need an existing Fidelity account to use it, and money you deposit into Fidelity Crypto stays in that app. There is no account minimum to open one.

You fund the account by linking a bank account or debit card. Once money is in Fidelity Crypto, you can trade Bitcoin and Ethereum at any time. Fidelity does not charge a commission on crypto trades through this app, though the price you see includes a spread (the difference between what Fidelity pays for the crypto and what it charges you). You can transfer your Bitcoin or Ethereum to an external wallet if you want to move it off Fidelity's platform.

The trade-off is simplicity: Fidelity Crypto offers only two cryptocurrencies. If you want to buy altcoins or use advanced trading features, you need Active Trader Pro instead. For someone who wants to buy Bitcoin or Ethereum and hold it without complexity, this app is the fastest route.

Active Trader Pro: More cryptocurrencies and advanced tools

Active Trader Pro is Fidelity's desktop platform for self-directed investors. It connects to your existing Fidelity brokerage account and lets you trade stocks, options, futures, and cryptocurrencies all in one place. The number of cryptocurrencies available through Active Trader Pro is larger than Fidelity Crypto, though Fidelity does not publish a complete list of which coins are tradable at any given time.

To use Active Trader Pro, you need a Fidelity brokerage account. You can open one with no minimum deposit. Once your account is open, you read the desktop software and can begin trading crypto alongside other investments. Like Fidelity Crypto, there is no commission on crypto trades, but you pay a spread on the price.

Active Trader Pro is built for people who want charting tools, real-time data, and the ability to place complex orders. If you only want to buy and hold Bitcoin or Ethereum, Fidelity Crypto is simpler. If you want to trade multiple cryptocurrencies or use limit orders and other advanced features, Active Trader Pro is the right choice.

Cryptocurrency in retirement accounts: Trusts and funds instead of direct ownership

You cannot hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies directly inside an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged retirement account through Fidelity. This is a limitation of how retirement accounts work, not a Fidelity-specific rule — the IRS does not allow direct crypto ownership in most retirement plans.

Fidelity does offer Fidelity Bitcoin Trust and Fidelity Ethereum Trust, which are funds that track the price of those cryptocurrencies. You can buy shares of these trusts inside a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or other retirement account. When you own the trust, you own a share of the fund's holdings, not the cryptocurrency itself. The trust holds the actual Bitcoin or Ethereum, and you benefit from price changes without holding the asset directly.

This matters because trusts are simpler to hold in retirement accounts and you do not have to manage private keys or worry about custody. The downside is that you pay an expense ratio (an annual fee) to hold the trust, whereas holding crypto directly through Fidelity Crypto or Active Trader Pro has no annual fee.

Fees and costs across Fidelity's crypto platforms

Both Fidelity Crypto and Active Trader Pro charge no commission on trades. Instead, you pay a spread — the difference between the bid price (what Fidelity pays for crypto) and the ask price (what Fidelity charges you). The spread varies depending on market conditions and the cryptocurrency you are trading. Bitcoin and Ethereum typically have tighter spreads than less-traded coins.

If you hold crypto in Fidelity Crypto or Active Trader Pro, there is no annual holding fee. If you buy shares of Fidelity Bitcoin Trust or Fidelity Ethereum Trust inside a retirement account, you pay an expense ratio that Fidelity publishes in the fund's prospectus — this is a percentage of your holdings charged annually.

Fidelity does not charge fees to transfer crypto out to an external wallet, though the blockchain network itself may charge a transaction fee depending on network congestion. When comparing total cost, factor in whether you plan to hold long-term (where the spread matters less) or trade frequently (where spreads add up).

How to get your free guide: The account setup process

For Fidelity Crypto: read the Fidelity Crypto app on iOS or Android, or visit the web version. Create an account with your email and a password. Verify your identity by providing your Social Security number and date of birth. Link a bank account or debit card to fund your account. Once your bank link is confirmed (usually one to two business days), you can buy Bitcoin or Ethereum when ready.

For Active Trader Pro: Open a Fidelity brokerage account online at Fidelity's website. Provide your Social Security number, employment information, and funding source. Fidelity will review your process, which typically takes one business day. Once approved, read Active Trader Pro on your computer, log in with your Fidelity credentials, and you can begin trading crypto. You do not need to fund the account to read the software or view prices, but you need money in the account to place trades.

For Fidelity Bitcoin or Ethereum Trust: Open or use an existing Fidelity IRA or brokerage account. Search for the trust by its ticker symbol (FBTC for Bitcoin Trust, FETH for Ethereum Trust) in your account's trading interface. Place an order for shares the same way you would buy a stock or mutual fund. The order settles in the same way as any stock purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer crypto from another exchange into Fidelity?

Yes, you can transfer Bitcoin or Ethereum from another exchange into Fidelity Crypto or Active Trader Pro by sending it to your Fidelity wallet address. Fidelity will provide you with a unique wallet address for each cryptocurrency. The transfer time depends on blockchain confirmation, usually 10 minutes to a few hours. Fidelity does not charge a fee to receive the transfer, though the sending exchange may charge a withdrawal fee.

What happens to my crypto if Fidelity goes out of business?

Cryptocurrency held through Fidelity Crypto or Active Trader Pro is held in custody by Fidelity, meaning Fidelity owns the private keys and you own the crypto. If Fidelity were to fail, your crypto would be part of your account assets and subject to the same protections as other brokerage assets. However, crypto is not covered by SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation) the way stocks and bonds are. Fidelity maintains insurance on crypto holdings, but the exact coverage limits vary.

Can I set up automatic purchases of crypto on Fidelity?

Fidelity Crypto does not currently offer automatic recurring purchases or dollar-cost averaging features. You must manually buy crypto each time through the app. Active Trader Pro may have more advanced order types, but you should check Fidelity's current documentation to confirm what automated features are available on that platform.

Is there a limit to how much crypto I can buy?

Fidelity does not publish a per-transaction or daily limit for crypto purchases through Fidelity Crypto or Active Trader Pro. However, your bank or payment method may have limits on how much you can transfer in a single day or week. If you are funding with a linked bank account, your bank's transfer limits explore. If you are funding with a debit card, your card issuer's daily spending limit applies.