Yes, you can trade crypto on Robinhood, but only certain coins
Robinhood lets you buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrency directly through the same app you use for stocks and options. You do not need a separate crypto wallet or exchange account. The coins available change over time, but Robinhood typically offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and a rotating list of others — usually between 15 and 20 different cryptocurrencies at any given time.
The process works like buying a stock: you search for the coin, enter the dollar amount or quantity you want, and confirm the purchase. Your crypto sits in your Robinhood account, and you can sell it whenever you want during market hours. There are no commissions on crypto trades, though Robinhood makes money on the spread — the difference between the buy and sell price they show you.
One important limit: Robinhood does not let you transfer crypto out of your account to a wallet or another exchange. You can only buy and sell within Robinhood itself. If you want to move your coins elsewhere or use them outside the app, you will need to use a different platform.
Key Takeaways
- Robinhood offers crypto trading for roughly 15 to 20 different cryptocurrencies, with Bitcoin and Ethereum always available.
- You buy and sell crypto the same way you buy stocks — through the Robinhood app with no commission fees.
- Your crypto stays in your Robinhood account and cannot be transferred to an external wallet or another exchange.
- Robinhood makes money on the spread between buy and sell prices, not through commissions.
- Crypto markets on Robinhood are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, unlike stock trading.
How to buy crypto on Robinhood
Open the Robinhood app and tap the search icon at the bottom. Type the name or ticker of the cryptocurrency you want — for example, "Bitcoin" or "BTC". Tap the coin when it appears in the results.
On the coin's page, tap the "Buy" button. You will see two options: enter a dollar amount or enter a quantity of coins. Choose whichever is easier for you. If you enter $100, Robinhood will show you how many coins that buys at the current price. If you enter a quantity like 0.5 Bitcoin, it will show you the dollar cost. Review the price and tap "Review Order".
Robinhood will show you a final summary with the price per coin, your total cost, and any applicable fees. Tap "Confirm" to complete the purchase. The coins appear in your account when ready, though the transaction settles within a few minutes. You can see your holdings in the "Crypto" tab of the app.
How to sell crypto on Robinhood
Go to the "Crypto" tab and find the coin you want to sell. Tap it to open the coin's page. Tap the "Sell" button.
You will see the same two options as when buying: enter a dollar amount or a quantity. If you want to sell all your Bitcoin, you can tap "Sell All" to automatically fill in your entire balance. Review the sale price and tap "Review Order".
Confirm the sale on the next screen. Your coins are removed from your account, and the cash appears in your Robinhood cash balance. You can then transfer that cash to your linked bank account, or use it to buy stocks, options, or other cryptocurrencies.
What cryptocurrencies does Robinhood offer
Robinhood always has Bitcoin and Ethereum available. Beyond those two, the list changes. Other coins that have been available include Dogecoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum Classic, Ripple (XRP), Cardano, Solana, Polkadot, and Shiba Inu, but Robinhood adds and removes coins based on regulatory changes and user demand.
To see the current full list, open the Robinhood app, go to the "Crypto" tab, and scroll through the available coins. You can also search for a specific coin to see whether Robinhood currently offers it. If a coin you want is not listed, you cannot buy it on Robinhood — you would need to use a different crypto exchange.
Fees and costs when trading crypto on Robinhood
Robinhood charges no commission on crypto trades. However, you do pay an indirect cost through the spread. When you buy a coin, Robinhood's price is slightly higher than the market price. When you sell, their price is slightly lower. That difference — the spread — is how Robinhood makes money on crypto trading.
The spread varies depending on market conditions and the specific coin. Bitcoin and Ethereum typically have tighter spreads (smaller differences) because they trade in high volume. Smaller or less popular coins may have wider spreads, meaning you pay more to buy and receive less when you sell.
Robinhood does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees for moving cash in and out of your account. However, your bank may charge a fee if you transfer money to or from an external account.
When you can trade crypto on Robinhood
Crypto markets on Robinhood are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. You can buy or sell at any time, even when the stock market is closed. Prices update in real time, so you always see the current market price before you confirm a trade.
This is different from stock trading on Robinhood, which is limited to market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on weekdays, with extended hours available for some stocks). Crypto never closes, so you have full flexibility to trade whenever you want.
Risks and limits of crypto on Robinhood
Cryptocurrency is highly volatile, meaning prices can swing dramatically in short periods. You can lose money quickly if the price drops after you buy. Robinhood does not insure crypto holdings the way it insures cash and stocks through SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation), so if Robinhood fails, your crypto may not be protected.
Because you cannot transfer your crypto out of Robinhood, you are locked into using their platform to buy and sell. You cannot move coins to a hardware wallet for long-term storage, send them to another person, or use them on other platforms. This makes Robinhood crypto trading best suited for people who want to hold coins as an investment within the app, not for people who want to use crypto actively.
Robinhood also does not offer advanced crypto features like margin trading, lending, or staking rewards. If you need those tools, you would need to use a dedicated crypto exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate account to trade crypto on Robinhood?
No. Crypto trades through your existing Robinhood brokerage account. You do not need to sign up for anything extra or link an external crypto wallet. Your crypto holdings appear in the same app alongside your stocks and options.
Can I transfer my crypto from Robinhood to another exchange or wallet?
No. Robinhood does not allow transfers of crypto out of your account. You can only buy and sell within Robinhood. If you want to move coins elsewhere, you must sell them on Robinhood first, then buy them again on a different platform.
What happens to my crypto if Robinhood goes out of business?
Robinhood crypto is not covered by SIPC insurance, which protects stocks and cash. However, Robinhood holds customer crypto in segregated accounts, meaning it is legally separate from Robinhood's own assets. In a bankruptcy, your coins should be returned to you, but there is no government may provide like there is for cash deposits.
Can I buy crypto with margin or borrowed money on Robinhood?
No. Robinhood does not offer margin trading for crypto. You can only buy crypto with cash you have in your account. This is different from stocks, where Robinhood Gold members can borrow money to trade.
How long does it take to buy or sell crypto on Robinhood?
Trades execute almost when ready. You see the price, confirm the order, and the transaction completes within seconds. The coins or cash appear in your account right away, though the underlying settlement can take a few minutes behind the scenes.