New York, Hawaii, and a few other states have stricter rules. Some exchanges are not available in your state at all. Gemini is one of the few that works in all 50 states including New York.
CryptoPickr is a practical guide for beginners. No price predictions. No hype. Just the information you need to pick a safe exchange, learn the basics, and avoid the most common mistakes.
Pick the track that matches where you are right now. Each path is 7 lessons. You can switch at any time.
These are the things most beginner guides skip. Read them first.
New York, Hawaii, and a few other states have stricter rules. Some exchanges are not available in your state at all. Gemini is one of the few that works in all 50 states including New York.
Robinhood charges 0% trading fees. Coinbase's standard interface charges up to 2.5%. On a $500 purchase, that difference is $12.50 per trade, every trade. Know your fees before you place a single order.
Bitcoin and Ethereum have both been around long enough to have real track records. The exchange you choose, though, determines your fees, your security options, and what happens if something goes wrong. Pick the right platform first.
Bitcoin trades in tiny fractions called satoshis. Buying $25 of Bitcoin is completely normal. You own a proportional share, not a whole coin. There is no advantage to waiting until you can afford more.
Unlike a forgotten bank password, a lost seed phrase or locked exchange account can mean permanent loss of funds. There is no customer support call that recovers a lost private key. Set up your security before your first deposit.
Match your goal to the right platform. All five are regulated US exchanges.
| Your goal | Best exchange | Available states | Trading fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total beginner | Coinbase | All 50 | Up to 2.5% | Easiest interface. Use Coinbase Advanced for lower fees. |
| Crypto card + rewards | Crypto.com | All 50 | 0.075% | Best for the Visa card and staking rewards. |
| Lowest fees possible | Robinhood | All 50 | 0% | No trading fees. Limited withdrawal options. |
| NY residents | Gemini | All 50 incl. NY | From 0.03% | One of the only regulated options for New York. |
| Active traders | Kraken Pro | 48 states | From 0.02% | Not available in Washington or New York. |
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