Can Banks Block You From Buying Crypto? | Ask CryptoVantage (2024)

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When you look at our cryptocurrency exchange reviews, we outline the various ways in which you can buy crypto through that exchange, and this often includes debit and credit cards.

While many of these exchanges do accept both of those methods of payment, you may have discovered that you were unable to use them yourself. This is because your bank/card issuer is blocking you from doing so. But why can they do that, and is there a way around it? We will answer both of those questions in this edition of Ask CryptoVantage.

Can Banks Block You From Buying Crypto? | Ask CryptoVantage (1)
Evan Jones

Written by Evan Jones Arrow Right Cryptocurrency expert and consultant

Evan Jones was introduced to cryptocurrency by fellow CryptoVantage contributor Keegan Francis in 2017 and was immediately intrigued by the use cases of many Ethereum-based cryptos. He bought his first hardware wallet shortly thereafter. He has a keen and v...

  • Can Banks Block You From Buying Crypto? | Ask CryptoVantage (2)

|Sep 15, 2023

Can Banks Block You From Buying Crypto? | Ask CryptoVantage (3)

My Bank Won’t Let Me Buy Crypto — Why?

There are three main reasons that banks block users from purchasing crypto assets with the debit or credit cards they have issued. The first reason is legality, as it is still illegal to purchase crypto in some countries. In this situation the banks are simply following the laws. This is true in a country like China.

The next reason is that some banks are concerned with bad actors, and this refers both to those undertaking illegal activities with crypto, and customers who may file chargebacks or default on a crypto purchase they make with a credit card. The volatility of crypto means that some people may purchase Bitcoin only to watch the value immediately fall, and is this situation some will try to get their money back from the bank, which is something the banks would rather not have to deal with, so they simply do not allow crypto purchases. Money laundering is an ever-present issue with digital assets, and because of that banks also choose not to allow cryptocurrency purchases.

The final reason that banks block you from buying cryptocurrencies is because they do not want to bother to put in processes to safeguard against bad actors, deal with potential scams, or take on unnecessary risks, as they do not see it as being a financially beneficial sector for them to deal with. This is something that is likely to change for many banks if the crypto sector continues to grow at the rate it has been.

Can You Work Around Being Blocked?

If your attempts to purchase crypto assets are being blocked then you may be pleased to discover there are ways around the bank blocking your transactions, though it should be noted these are not necessarily options for every person blocked from making crypto purchases.

Debit/Credit combination cards do sometimes work as is, but not all do and not every bank offers this type of card. However, you can send a bank transfer, either in the form of a wire transfer, or in Canada, an e-transfer. A bank transfer can still be blocked occasionally but it works more often than not. E-transfers are a great option for those in Canada, for example if you use the Crypto.com Exchange or App then you can send them Canadian dollars to fund your wallet, and then buy whatever crypto you like with those funds.

Another option is a peer-to-peer (P2P) Bitcoin or crypto exchange. With this option you generally have a few different options for payment, often including something like PayPal, but because you are buying directly from other users it can be a much slower process. The risks with P2P exchanges are not as high as they used to be and there are reliable ones which we have discussed here.

What Happens if Crypto.com Declined by Issuer?

Crypto.com is one of the biggest crypto exchanges/apps so it gets a lot of attention from banks and financial regulators.

If you get the dreaded “declined by issuer” error it generally means that you’re either going to have to call your bank and OK the transaction manually or you’re going to have to try a different bank. Until then, Crypto.com won’t let you buy crypto.

This problem isn’t unique to Crypto.com and you will occasionally run into it on other crypto exchanges.

Why Do Banks Block Crypto Transactions?

As we referenced above, banks primarily block crypto transactions because they are worried about fraudulent activity.

Fortunately this is changing as more and more financial institutions are starting to offer legitimate crypto products and the industry is becoming more regulated.

What Banks Accept Bitcoin?

You won’t really find any traditional banks in the USA that accept Bitcoin. There are some financial institutions — like Goldman Sachs that let users invest in Bitcoin but it’s not quite the same as accepting Bitcoin deposits.

If you’re looking for crypto-friendly banking you might want to check out fintech companies like SoFi, Weathsimple, Cash App or Robinhood for easy exposure to Bitcoin and crypto.

Cash App is particularly good because you can buy, sell, deposit and withdraw Bitcoin.

Finally the following traditional banks are relatively easy to connect to Coinbase so they might be good options for someone looking to purchase crypto for the first time:

  • Ally Bank
  • Bank of America
  • Chase

Frequently Asked Crypto Banking Questions

There are no banks in the USA that directly support crypto but, in our experience, we’ve had success with the following banks permitting crypto transactions:

  • Ally Bank
  • Chase
  • Bank of America

Yes. If the bank flags the transaction you’ll have to call them and manually OK the transaction or try a different bank.

No. Crypto exchanges accept a wide range of funding options including credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, Apple Pay, Cash App and more.

If you keep trying you’ll eventually find a method that works well for you.

Absolutely. But keep in mind that debit and credit card crypto purchases generally have a fee attached.

The bright side is that credit and debit cards are generally the fastest possible way to buy crypto.

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About the Author

EvanJones

Evan Jones was introduced to cryptocurrency by fellow CryptoVantage contributor Keegan Francis in 2017 and was immediately intrigued by the use cases of many Ethereum-based cryptos. He bought his first hardware wallet shortly thereafter. He has a keen and vested interest in cryptos involving decentralized backend exchanges, payment processing, and power-sharing.

Learn more aboutEvan Jones

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Can Banks Block You From Buying Crypto? | Ask CryptoVantage (2024)

FAQs

Can Banks Block You From Buying Crypto? | Ask CryptoVantage? ›

Contact Your Bank: Sometimes, banks may block certain types of transactions, including those related to cryptocurrency, as a precautionary measure. If you're experiencing issues with your card payments, a simple call to your bank can often resolve these blocks and provide clarification on any transaction limits.

Can my bank stop me from buying crypto? ›

If the bank flags the transaction you'll have to call them and manually OK the transaction or try a different bank. Do I need a credit card to buy crypto? No. Crypto exchanges accept a wide range of funding options including credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, Apple Pay, Cash App and more.

Why is my bank not allowing me to buy crypto? ›

Unfortunately, there can be many reasons why card payments are failing or getting rejected whether by our payment systems or your own bank systems starting from security flags, insufficient funds, bank account spending limits, details mismatch or unusual usage of the card/bank account being used.

Why do banks block crypto purchases? ›

Double currency conversion

It can also affect single-currency transactions processed by banks that use distinct local currencies. The extra charge and confusion that comes with these types of exchanges are viewed as an unnecessary burden by some banks, so they choose to ban crypto transactions in the first place.

Which banks are blocking crypto purchases? ›

Similarly, HSBC has been known to block transactions related to the purchase of cryptocurrencies and has even gone as far as to prevent its customers from transferring funds from crypto wallets to their bank accounts.

Can my bank block me from buying crypto? ›

Contact Your Bank: Sometimes, banks may block certain types of transactions, including those related to cryptocurrency, as a precautionary measure. If you're experiencing issues with your card payments, a simple call to your bank can often resolve these blocks and provide clarification on any transaction limits.

Do banks allow you to buy crypto? ›

Depending on what exchange or wallet service you use, your ability to purchase or transfer crypto may vary from bank to bank. Typically, you would “deposit” or add funds to your crypto wallet by purchasing the currency directly from an exchange like Coinbase.

Why is my account restricted from buying crypto? ›

Reasons for account restriction

Suspicion of malicious activity targeting your account. Detection of a security issue during account recovery. Requested by you via a link in a Coinbase email due to unrecognized account activity.

Can I buy crypto through my bank? ›

To buy Bitcoin using a bank account no verification of your source of funds is required. You just need to provide some personal information, like your name, date of birth, and place of residence. Once you register and pass the verification, top up your account with fiats and start buying crypto.

Why is Chase not letting me buy crypto? ›

Why don't you allow crypto asset payments? We've made this decision because fraudsters often use crypto assets to steal large sums of money from people. Blocking these payments is one of the ways we help keep you and your money safe.

Does Bank of America block crypto purchases? ›

For starters, major issuers such as Bank of America, Capital One, Citi and Wells Fargo do not permit their credit cards to be used to buy cryptocurrency. Among the credit card issuers that allow crypto purchases, these transactions are typically treated as cash advances, which involve fees and high interest rates.

Are banks worried about crypto? ›

Why Banks are Cautious of Cryptocurrencies. According to a study conducted by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) and the U.K.'s Royal United Services Institute, nearly 63% of respondents who work in the banking industry perceive cryptocurrency as a risk rather than an opportunity.

Why banks hate cryptocurrency? ›

Bitcoin Is Used in Illicit Activities

It isn't easy to trace the provenance of a transaction or the identity of an individual or organization behind the address. Besides this, the algorithmic trust engendered by Bitcoin's network obviates the need for trusted contacts at either end of an illegal transaction.

Why has my bank stopped me buying crypto? ›

Unable to buy crypto or add cash

There are various reasons you might not be able to buy crypto or add cash: Your account may have been temporarily disabled. Buy/sell services may have been disabled. Your account may not be recognized as a trusted payment source.

Which bank is the most crypto-friendly? ›

Top Crypto-Friendly Banks 2024
  1. Revolut. Revolut is the best-known FinTech operator headquartered in the UK. ...
  2. Juno. Juno is a digital banking platform with crypto-friendly features, providing services to individuals and businesses. ...
  3. Wirex. ...
  4. Bank Frick. ...
  5. Mercury. ...
  6. Ally Bank. ...
  7. Bank Prov. ...
  8. Monzo.
Apr 15, 2024

What banks are crypto friendly? ›

What are the best crypto friendly banks in 2024?
CompanyAvailable inCrypto features
RevolutGlobalIn-app trading & staking
WirexGlobalIn-app trading & staking
JunoGlobalIn-app trading
MonzoUKN/A
6 more rows

Can banks hold crypto now? ›

WASHINGTON—The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today published a letter confirming that national banks and federal savings associations must demonstrate that they have adequate controls in place before they can engage in certain cryptocurrency, distributed ledger, and stablecoin activities.

Can banks control cryptocurrency? ›

Is Bitcoin Controlled by Central Banks? Bitcoin is decentralized, which means that central banks do not control them. Governments can regulate its use, giving them some control over it.

Why won't Chase let me buy crypto? ›

Why don't you allow crypto asset payments? We've made this decision because fraudsters often use crypto assets to steal large sums of money from people. Blocking these payments is one of the ways we help keep you and your money safe.

Can banks track crypto transactions? ›

Anonymity vs.

While crypto users are identified by their public addresses instead of personal information, transactions can still be traced through various blockchain analysis techniques.

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