Buying Bitcoin in Louisiana is easy once you know where to go. Bitcoin is a digital currency that can be used to buy goods and services from participating merchants online. Unlike cash, Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain.
This guide will walk you through the simple steps to purchase your first Bitcoin as a Louisiana resident. We’ll explain the different buying options available like peer-to-peer exchanges and cryptocurrency exchanges. You’ll also learn how to store your Bitcoin securely in a digital wallet. So whether you’re looking to diversify your investment portfolio or just curious about the future of money, keep reading to get started with Bitcoin in Louisiana today.
What you'll learn 👉
Crypto Regulations in Louisiana
Louisiana has implemented the Virtual Currency Businesses Act (VCBA) to oversee virtual currency activities within the state. By July 1, 2023, all businesses involved in “virtual currency business activity” are required to secure a license, including those already holding money transmitter licenses in Louisiana. The enforcement of this law was contingent on the final regulations set by the Office of Financial Institutions (OFI). These regulations were recently established through an emergency rule last month.
Consequently, Louisiana’s regulatory framework for virtual currency officially became effective on January 1, 2023. The process for applying for licensure is expected to be accessible through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System. Furthermore, on June 13, 2023, Louisiana revised its virtual currency licensing, updating the rules concerning the regulation and licensing of virtual currency businesses.
Easiest and cheapest ways to buy crypto in Louisiana
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, GBP, EUR + more
Uphold is one of the most unique crypto platforms because it integrates both digital and physical asset trading. It was launched in 2015 in New York, and it quickly gained recognition by using proprietary technology and various e-money apps as the foundation. Commodity trading is one more unique feature that makes this crypto exchange stand out.
This exchange also offers trading of cryptos, precious metals, US equities, and Forex. One user account can access more than 50 US Stocks, 60 cryptocurrencies, 4 precious metals, and 27 national currencies. Uphold is supported in more than 180 countries worldwide, and it has around 10 million registered users. However, as of 2022, UK and EU users can no longer create accounts on the platform. The users from these countries that already have accounts will not be affected.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Free ⚡️ Trading fees: Based on spreads ⚡️ Service fees: 1% – 3% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Debit/credit cards and (SEPA) bank transfers. ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, GBP, EUR, and 15+ more
Cross-asset trading feature Simple registration process Extremely low fees More than 60 supported cryptocurrencies
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees -Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD
Gemini Exchange, established in 2014 by the renowned investors and twins, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss—who also happened to be Harvard peers of Mark Zuckerberg—is a prominent cryptocurrency exchange.
Operating in over 60 countries, including the U.S., U.K., and Canada, Gemini provides a range of services catering to both novice investors and seasoned traders. These services encompass a trading platform, a trusted digital asset custodial service, and a sophisticated trading interface. A standout feature of Gemini is its custodial service, which boasts a substantial insurance coverage of $200 million for its cryptocurrency holders.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: 0.001 BTC ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.10% – 0.35% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Credit/debit cards, Local bank transfer ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD
Ability to set real-time market limit orders Low fees Clean user interface Strong reputation
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Average 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – EUR, USD, and 50+ more
Coinbase is one of the well-known, established, and trusted cryptocurrency exchanges. It was founded back in 2012, with its headquarters in San Francisco.
Coinbase offers its services in over 100 different countries around the world and has more than 60 million registered users. It offers its users more than 100 cryptocurrencies to choose from. Additionally, well above 400 trading pairs are offered on the Coinbase exchange. Furthermore, there is also a mobile app that is supported on Android as well as IOS.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Credit/Debit Card: 3.99%SEPA: €0U.S Bank Transfer: 1.49% (the US $0.15 min.)Coinbase USD wallet: 1.49%ACH Transfer USD: $0 Wire Transfer USD: $10 ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: SEPA: €0.15U.S Bank Transfer: 1.49% (US $0.15 min.) Coinbase USD wallet: 1.49%Wire Transfer USD: $25 ⚡️ Trading fees: Fees vary ⚡️ Payment Methods: Bank Account, Debit Card, Credit Card, Wire Transfer, SEPA Transfer, ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CNY & 50+ more
An easy way for new users to purchase Bitcoin More than 100 cryptocurrencies to choose from A regulated and trustworthy company High liquidity and purchasing limits
Confusing fee composition Higher than usual fees
Best Bitcoin Wallets in Louisiana
It is never a good idea to keep your coins on an exchange as that exposes you to numerous risks (exchange hacks, fund freezes by the exchange or some government regulatory body, etc). That is why you should use one of the wallets we list below to store your digital assets.
But, which bitcoin wallet is available in this country?
The safest option is a hardware wallet like Nano X but ZenGo is also a good choice, especially for newcomers.
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Average 👛 Verification – 2-3 Days 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD
Established in 2011, Kraken has carved a niche for itself as a trusted and reliable crypto exchange. It boasts support for an impressive roster of over 220 digital assets, encompassing major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and many others. Security has always been a cornerstone for Kraken, making it a go-to choice for many.
Its global footprint is vast, covering a majority of countries with only a few exceptions such as Iran and Washington state. On the convenience front, Kraken doesn’t disappoint. Users have a wide array of payment options at their disposal, and the platform is also flexible when it comes to fiat currency transactions. Additionally, seasoned traders can leverage advanced features to optimize their trading strategies.
⚡️ Deposit fees: EUR SEPA Deposit (Free) – EEA countries only USD Bank Wire Deposit ($5 USD) – US onlyEUR Bank Wire Deposit (€10) – outside the US only USD Bank Wire Deposit ($10 USD) – outside US onlyJPY Bank deposit (Free, ¥5,000 deposit minimum) – Japan-only USD, Wire Deposit (Free) ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Cryptocurrency: Fees vary, SEPA Withdrawal (€0.09) – EEA countries only USD Bank Wire Withdrawal ($5 USD) – US only USD Bank Wire Withdrawal ($60 USD) – outside US onlyEUR Bank Wire Withdrawal (€60) – outside US onlyJPY Bank withdrawal (¥20) – Japan onlyCAD EFT Withdrawal ($10 CAD) ⚡️ Trading fees: Maker: 0.16%Taker: 0.28% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Fedwire, Bank Transfer (SEPA), SWIFT, Wire Transfer, Etana Custody, Silvergate Exchange Network (SEN), FPS, CHAPS, and BACS, PayID, Osko ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD
Available almost worldwide High security Over 90 cryptocurrencies Various payment methods
Fees slightly above the industry average No tax support
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – High 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, RUB
Cex.io is cryptocurrency exchange platform that allows users to buy and sell various digital assets and store them in their account. It offers a range of trading tools and features for both beginner and experienced traders, including a margin trading platform called CEX.IO Broker where users can trade commission-free. The reputation of the exchange seems to be very high, mainly due to its longevity on the crypto market.
CEX.IO is a cryptocurrency exchange platform that allows users to buy and sell various digital assets and store them in their account. It offers a range of trading tools and features for both beginner and experienced traders, including a margin trading platform called CEX.IO Broker where users can trade commission-free. The platform has a simple and easy-to-use interface and is available on desktop and mobile devices through the CEX.IO app. CEX.IO prioritizes security and is compliant with various regulations and standards such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DDS) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDP). It also offers two-factor authentication and full data encryption. CEX.IO charges transaction fees based on users’ 30-day trade volume and has deposit and withdrawal fees that vary depending on the payment method used. The platform also has a customer support team available 24/7.
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and 10+ more
Crypto.com, headquartered in Singapore, is a digital currency exchange platform. They provide a range of services such as a mobile application, trading platform, digital wallet, and an NFT marketplace. With support for over 250 cryptocurrencies, the platform enables users to transact and trade a diverse array of digital currencies.
Currently, Crypto.com is available in more than 150 countries around the world, and it has over 1.5 million users. It prides itself as a one-stop shop where crypto enthusiasts can buy, sell, transfer, spend, earn, and track cryptocurrencies.
It was known initially as Monaco Technologies but swapped to Crypto.com in July 2018. It wasn’t long for it to show that it meant business as it raised $26.7M in a token sale in June 2017 after being accepted into Supercharger, a leading FinTech accelerator. With a built-in exchange, an intuitive mobile app, prepaid VISA cards, and an increasing number of supported cryptocurrencies Crypto.com has established itself as a popular name in the cryptocurrency world.
It accepts both fiat and cryptocurrencies Mobile App (iOS and Android) It provides other financial services like crypto loans, crypto staking, DeFi, etc., depending on your country It offers tax support
The customer support could do better Fiat withdrawals take too long You need to have 50,000,000 CRO (its native token) to benefit from its highest fee discount
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – High 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
Coinmama is one of the oldest exchanges in the cryptocurrency world, having been established in 2013 by Laurence Newman, Nimrod Gruber, and Ilan Schuster. The company’s headquarters are located in Slovakia and Ireland.
Coinmama is an exchange that serves over 1.5 million users in over 150 countries and has a team of over 40 employees. Its user-friendly interface makes it an ideal choice for those new to cryptocurrency. When you buy coins through Coinmama, they are transferred directly to your own non-custodial wallet, rather than being held in Coinmama’s own wallets.
⚡️ Deposit fees: 0 – 5 % ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: None ⚡️ Trading fees: 2.9 – 3.9 % ⚡️ Payment Methods: Bank Transfer (SEPA), SWIFT, Fedwire, Bank cards, Open Banking, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Skrill ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
Beginner-friendly interface Available almost worldwide Various ways to deposit Simple to use No withdrawal fee
No mobile app and no staking No phone number for customer support
With its headquarters in the United Kingdom, Paybis offers a multilingual platform with 9 different languages to choose from English, French, Arabic, Italian, Korean, Spanish, German, and Russian. Paybis supports 180 different countries around the world, and they have 24/7 multilingual customer support. The platform offers only 38 cryptocurrencies, including the most popular ones: BTC, BCH, BNB, ETH, LTC, XRP, USD Tether, etc. Paybis is registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network as an MSB.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Free ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.99 – 2.49 % ⚡️ Payment Methods: Bank Transfer, Credit/Debit Card, Skrill, and Neteller. ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, and 40+ more
Super easy to use Excellent customer support A great resource for crypto education Transparent fees and fast transactions
A limited number of supported crypto assets A bit higher trading fees
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, and more
LocalBitcoins is one of the oldest P2P online marketplaces where you can buy and sell Bitcoin. It is considered the largest peer-to-peer crypto platform. LocalBitcoins is based in Helsinki, Finland.
LocalBitcoins was founded by Jeremiah Kangas in 2012. It operates in more than 240 countries worldwide. The platform is a peer-to-peer network that connects sellers with buyers in the local area. Users post ads on the platform in which they state payment methods and exchange rates for purchasing or selling Bitcoins. Then, other users reply to these ads in order to make a transaction. LocalBitcoins has a great reputation in the crypto market and it pays a lot of attention to regulations and security of the platform.
It has been active on the crypto market for a very long time A large number of payment methods Available worldwide, in all countries
KYC is mandatory Potentially meeting a person face-to-face might be unpleasant
Frequently asked questions about buying Bitcoin in Louisiana
How do I buy bitcoins in Louisiana❓
You can buy bitcoins in Louisiana on any of the exchanges mentioned in this article.
Is Cryptocurrency legal in Louisiana❓
Louisiana released guidance saying that any company that “offers to exchange, administer, or maintain virtual currencies may be subject to state regulation and licensing as well as federal regulation.” An exchanger is “a person engaged as a business in the exchange of virtual currency for real currency, funds, or other”.
Is Kraken allowed in Louisiana❓
Yes, Kraken is available in Louisiana.
Can I use Binance in Louisiana❓
Yes, you can use Binance US in Louisiana.
Is Gemini better than Coinbase❓
Gemini provides features that support institutional investors, while Coinbase lets you earn crypto while learning about trading. Beginners will feel comfortable using either platform. However, Coinbase has a slight edge, as it’s available in more countries and offers more currency types.
Is Coinbase available in Louisiana❓
Yes, Coinbase is available in Louisiana.
How are regular people making returns of as much as 70% in a year with no risk? By properly setting up a FREE Pionex grid bot - click the button to learn more.
Crypto arbitrage still works like a charm, if you do it right! Check out Alphador, leading crypto arbitrage bot to learn the best way of doing it.
As the Head of Content at Captainaltcoin, I bring years of experience in the crypto industry. With a strong belief in the potential of the web3 market since 2017, I'm passionate about sharing valuable insights and knowledge.
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and let's discuss the exciting world of cryptocurrencies and decentralized technologies!
