Can I Buy Bitcoin with Chime Bank?

Chime does not provide built-in cryptocurrency trading through the Chime mobile app or website. You cannot buy Bitcoin directly from a Chime Spending or Savings Account.

You can, however, fund a regulated American exchange by transferring USD from your Chime Spending Account. Supported methods include ACH transfers through the Chime app, debit card payments using the Chime Visa Debit Card, or linked account transfers. 

ACH deposits usually take one to three business days, while debit card payments settle almost instantly but may involve higher exchange fees.

How to Buy Crypto with Chime Bank

The most efficient way to use Chime for crypto investing is by connecting your account to Kraken, one of the largest US-based regulated exchanges (FinCEN MSB Registration Number 31000270997766). Kraken integrates well with Chime’s payment rails, allowing deposits through ACH, FedWire, debit cards, and PayPal.

Once funded, Kraken provides access to more than 490 cryptocurrencies, a professional-grade trading interface, staking options with transparent rewards, and strong regulatory protections for U.S. users.

Step-by-step guide to buying crypto on Kraken with Chime:

1. Create a Kraken Account: Register at Kraken.com and complete the required identity verification.
2. Deposit Funds: From the “Funding” tab, choose USD and move money from your Chime account using ACH, wire, debit card, or PayPal.
3. Pick Your Asset: Search markets for Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other tokens.
4. Confirm Your Trade: Enter the amount in USD, review the order, and finalize. Your crypto will appear in your Kraken wallet once processed.

Fees for Chime Customers Buying Crypto

Chime customers need to review deposit, withdrawal, and trading costs carefully before transferring funds to an exchange. On Kraken, U.S. users benefit from one of the most competitive fee structures:

• Deposits: ACH transfers from a Chime Spending Account are free. FedWire is supported, while debit card deposits with the Chime Visa® Debit Card carry a 3.75% fee. PayPal deposits may include variable charges by region.
• Withdrawals: ACH withdrawals back to Chime are free. Domestic wires range from $4 to $30 depending on the partner bank, while SWIFT withdrawals cost between $13 and $35.
• Trading: Spot maker fees start at 0.25% and can fall to 0% with volume, while taker fees range from 0.40% to 0.10%. Futures are set at 0.02% (maker) and 0.05% (taker).

Compared to exchanges where debit card purchases often exceed 2% in fees, Kraken offers Chime users a more cost-efficient way to buy and trade crypto.

Chime Cryptocurrency Policy

Chime has no explicit cryptocurrency policy and does not block customers from funding regulated exchanges. Community reports on forums like Reddit suggest transfers usually clear without issue, aside from standard fraud checks.

Chime accounts are issued through The Bancorp Bank and Stride Bank, which operate under U.S. banking regulations. When users send funds to platforms registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as Money Services Businesses, transactions fall within federal oversight.

The Chime Visa® Debit Card is accepted on most major exchanges, and ACH transfers through the app process reliably. Chime itself does not provide crypto trading or brokerage services, so customers seeking digital assets must link their accounts to external platforms.

Best Alternative Crypto Exchanges for Chime Customers

Chime users looking beyond Kraken have access to several regulated, FinCEN-registered platforms in the United States:

• Binance.US: Operates under BAM Trading Services Inc. (NMLS ID #1906829). Accepts USD deposits from Chime through ACH, domestic wires, and the Chime Debit Card. Lists 160+ cryptocurrencies, with fees starting at 0.1% and staking on 20+ assets.
• Coinbase: Registered with FinCEN and licensed as a Money Transmitter in most states. Compatible with Chime deposits through ACH, wire transfers, and debit cards. Supports 200+ digital assets, trading fees from 1.49%, and offers a self-custody wallet for secure storage.
• Gemini: Licensed as a New York trust company and registered with FinCEN. Accepts Chime deposits via ACH, wire, and debit card. Provides 70+ cryptocurrencies, fees starting at 0.2%, institutional-grade custody, and a crypto rewards debit card.

When selecting an exchange, Chime customers should weigh deposit options, trading fees, asset variety, and security standards.

About Chime Bank

Chime is a U.S. fintech company that delivers banking services entirely through its mobile app, working with The Bancorp Bank and Stride Bank to provide FDIC-insured accounts.

Its core products include the Chime Spending Account with a Visa debit card, a high-yield savings account, SpotMe for fee-free overdrafts, early paycheck access through direct deposit, and a secured Credit Builder card. 

Chime has grown quickly in recent years and now serves more than 22 million customers.

Final Thoughts

Chime customers cannot buy crypto directly through the app, but linking a Chime account to a FinCEN-registered exchange provides a secure and cost-effective path. 

By comparing deposit methods, fees, and asset selection across platforms like Kraken, Coinbase, Binance.US, and Gemini, investors can choose the option that best balances speed, cost, and security for building their crypto portfolio.