To trade crypto effectively in Hawaii, you’ll want to find the best exchange for you. With the sea of crypto exchanges available in Hawaii, it can be difficult to find the one with the right mix of features for you.
In this guide, we’ll be going over everything you need to know to find the right exchange for you, as well as Hawaii’s regulatory landscape, taxes, and more.
Key takeaways:
- Hawaii is one of the few US states where exchanges don’t need to obtain a money transmitter license.
- Top crypto exchanges are coming back to Hawaii as the state becomes more pro-crypto.
- Despite legislation moving in a pro-crypto direction, Hawaii’s high taxes make it relatively unfavorable for crypto traders.
- Being in a specific time zone is one thing; customer support working hours are a worthwhile consideration when choosing the best crypto exchange in Hawaii.
- While Hawaii’s state legislation is looser than most, federal law still prevents certain international exchanges from operating there.
How Popular is Crypto in Hawaii in 2026
Crypto is on the upswing in Hawaii. Ever since the state removed its licensing requirements for crypto exchanges, old exchanges have been returning, and new crypto exchanges are popping up regularly.
Retail interest is also high, with Hawaii consistently ranking among the top 10 US states for crypto interest per capita. However, adoption data for the last 3 years is limited.
Retail interest and relaxed regulations led to renewed interest in Web3 among local businesses, with Web3 startups like Inoa setting up shop.
Payment Methods for Buying Crypto in Hawaii
The best way to buy crypto in Hawaii is to go through a crypto exchange. While other methods of buying crypto, like crypto kiosks and direct P2P transfers, exist, exchanges are generally safer, simpler, and cheaper than alternatives.
As for the payment methods themselves, most of the best exchanges in Hawaii offer a breadth of options, including:
- Bank transfer.
- Google Pay and Apple Pay.
- 3rd-party apps like Venmo and PayPal.
- Credit or debit cards.
- Crypto-to-crypto purchases.
Top Crypto Exchanges for Hawaiian Traders
For a quick rundown of the best crypto exchanges in Hawaii, take a look below.
Detailed Reviews of the Best Crypto Exchanges Available in Hawaii
Below, we’ll break down each of the top exchanges in Hawaii, where they excel, and where there’s room for improvement.
Why Trust CCN’s Reviews
Our team of writers and editors has published hundreds of reviews across the Web3 space. The team working on each piece has 50+ years of collective experience in the space, helping us see through marketing talk and get down to the nitty-gritty details of each tool.
We also test all the tools ourselves, using in-house benchmarks rather than relying on 3rd-party data. Whether you’re looking for the best crypto exchanges in Hawaii or a guide on the best crypto wallets, you can rest assured that each tool has been judged on objective metrics.
Here at CCN, we’re committed to full transparency, showing you the good, bad, and ugly of all things Web3.
Overview of the Best Crypto Exchanges in Hawaii in 2026
| Casino |
Welcome Bonus |
Our Rating |
|
Blockchain.com
|
N/A |
4.8 |
|
Binance.US
|
Trusted, Secure & Crypto Friendly |
1.0 |
|
ChangeNow
|
Experience a 1-minute swap on a non-custodial platform. |
4.0 |
|
Uphold
|
Trusted, Secure & Crypto Friendly |
4.0 |
|
BuyUcoin
|
Get Free Bitcoin everyday upto Rs2000 INR on Sign Up, Referral, Deposit & Bitcoin Trading. |
4.0 |
|
Youhodler
|
Get up to 10,000 USDT in rewards when you deposit and trade! |
4.0 |
|
eToro US
|
Get $10 of free Qualified Cryptocurrencies when you register and verify your account. |
4.0 |
|
Coinbase
|
Earn $10 in Ethereum (ETH) when you stake $100 in ETH for the first time, up to $30 in rewards |
4.5 |
|
Kraken
|
Get $10 in Bitcoin when you register through a referral link from an existing member. |
4.5 |
|
BTCC
|
Get up to 10,055 USDT when you register, verify, and make the first deposit and the first trades. |
4.0 |
Disclaimer: Investing in cryptocurrencies carries significant risk. Values are highly volatile. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. This site does not provide financial advice. Act based on your own research and consult with a financial professional before making decisions. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.
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Regulatory Compliance: How Crypto Exchanges are Regulated in Hawaii?
Hawaii legislation is quite lax on crypto exchanges, with some notable differences from most other states.
Hawaii’s MTL requirements
In most states, crypto exchanges need a money transmitter license(MTL) to operate legally. This used to be the case in Hawaii as well. However, as of late 2024, Hawaii has removed its MTL requirements entirely.
These loosened regulations have led exchanges like Coinbase to return to Hawaii, and they are now among the best crypto exchanges in Honolulu.
Licensing in Hawaii
Exchanges can operate without a license in Hawaii; however, they must still abide by federal regulations. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) is responsible for ensuring that exchanges comply with regulations and implement FinCEN-compliant policies, such as mandatory KYC.
Hawaii’s Crypto-Friendly Policies and Restrictions
- Crypto exchanges in Hawaii must report all security breaches under HRS § 487N.
- There is no licensing requirement for crypto exchanges in Hawaii.
- Hawaii is cracking down on crypto kiosks, with proposed legislation like HB 1642 limiting or outright banning their use.
- Relatively high tax rates make Hawaii a suboptimal state for active traders.
The Legal Status of Crypto In Hawaii
While Hawaii used to be a difficult state to operate in for crypto exchanges, recent regulations have changed this. The Hawaii governor, Josh Green, has played a pivotal role in opening up the state’s crypto legislature, while cautioning citizens on the risks of investing.
Is Crypto Legal in Hawaii?
Yes. Buying, holding, and selling crypto is entirely legal in Hawaii, with most crypto legislation in the state focusing on exchanges rather than traders.
Crypto in Hawaii is treated as property, on par with stocks or bonds. Therefore, crypto gains are taxable, and each transaction is a taxable event.
Consumer Protection for Crypto Exchange Users
Although crypto consumer protections still lag behind those of TradFi institutions, the Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) has implemented state-specific protections for crypto.
For example, the DFI ensures exchanges remain transparent and mandates that they report any security breach in accordance with HRS § 487N. Another law, HB 1642, aims to combat fraud by restricting cash purchases at crypto kiosks.
Unfortunately, there’s no FDIC-style insurance on crypto holdings in Hawaii. Because of this, it’s important to use a safe crypto exchange, as your funds are uninsured in the event of a breach or fraud. To combat this, some exchanges have implemented their own insurance policies on user funds.
How is Cryptocurrency Taxed in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, crypto traders must pay either the state income tax or the state capital gains tax, depending on the type of activity that triggered the taxable event.
Capital Gains Tax on Cryptocurrency in Hawaii
When you profit from selling, trading, or spending your tokens, your gains will be taxed under capital gains tax (CGT). The amount taxed will be the difference between your initial purchase price and your sale price.
Hawaii has two types of CGT:
- Short term: If you held your crypto for a year or less, your profits are taxed at your income tax rate.
- Long term: If you held your crypto for more than a year, your gains will be taxed at a flat 7.25%.
Income Tax on Cryptocurrency in Hawaii
For some activities, your crypto income will get taxed at your income tax rate, which is between 1.4%-11%. These activities include:
- Being paid for goods or services
- Staking
- Mining
- Airdrop rewards
For businesses accepting crypto payments, there is also a General Excise Tax.
If you’re looking for ways to minimize your tax burden, we recommend taking a look at the best crypto tax software available.
Comparing Crypto Exchanges in Hawaii: How to Pick the Best Exchange for Your Needs?
Finding the best crypto exchange in Hawaii for you means determining what aspects of an exchange you want to prioritize. For example, a seasoned day trader will prioritize a fast exchange over a more intuitive one, while a Bitcoin HODL-er may prioritize convenience and low fees.
Some of the factors you should consider when looking for your ideal exchange are:
- Token Availability: The higher the number of tokens available, the easier it will be for you to pivot when the market moves. This is especially important if you’re interested in new or low-cap tokens.
- Security & Insurance: Security should always be a priority when selecting an exchange. Look for exchanges that use cold storage for user funds with a clean track record and account-side security measures like 2FA. For larger portfolios, it’s worth looking at if your exchange offers insurance on user deposits in case of a breach.
- Fees: Using a low-fee exchange can make a significant difference in your profits. Make sure to inspect your exchange’s fee structure thoroughly. Many exchanges offer cashback or fee discounts for holders of their native token or traders with high trading volume.
- Learning Materials: Many exchanges offer learning resources like webinars, quizzes, blogs, and L2E programs to their users. While these are especially useful for beginners, some exchanges publish expert-led market research, which is useful for even the most advanced trader.
- Interface & UX: Beginners should look for straightforward, simple interfaces with a quick onboarding process. Meanwhile, more advanced users might want TradingView integration or advanced charting features.
- Customer Support: Look for an exchange with a professional, responsive support team. Furthermore, since Hawaii is in a different time zone than the rest of the US, make sure your exchange’s support team is available when you need it.
Conclusion
Hawaii has shifted dramatically from one of the most difficult states for exchanges to operate in to one of the easiest. Today, there are countless crypto exchanges in Honolulu and the rest of the state.
Because of this, there’s no one clear best crypto exchange in Hawaii. Rather, the best one will vary depending on your specific needs, skills, and trading volume. Regardless of whether you’re a beginner looking for a simple way to buy Bitcoin in Hawaii or an advanced trader looking to optimize your capital efficiency, we’re confident you’ll find the right exchange on this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, even with Hawaii’s nonexistent licensing requirements, federal legislation mandates that centralized exchanges verify users’ identities before allowing them to transact. Because of this, the options to buy crypto in Hawaii without KYC are limited.
However, if bypassing KYC is extremely important to you, you can explore one of these avenues:
- Decentralized exchanges (DEX)
- Direct peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions
- Crypto-to-crypto swaps
The best low-fee exchange in Hawaii will vary based on your trading volume. For high trading volumes, Binance.us is a great choice, with its fees going as low as 0%/0.0475% maker/taker.
However, for traders with relatively low volume, an exchange like Coinbase or Kraken might be a better fit.
The international version of Binance is unavailable in the US. However, Binance.us is available in Hawaii. While Binance.us has fewer supported tokens and lacks specific features like futures or margin trading, it’s still a good choice for buying crypto in Hawaii.
Yes. If an exchange is allowed to operate in the US and follows federal regulations, you’ll be able to use it in Hawaii. Since June 30, 2024, exchanges in Hawaii don’t need a money transmitter license to operate.
Since they’re allowed to operate as unregulated entities, many of the world’s best exchanges are available in Hawaii, with exchanges that formerly left the state returning to the state.
The best crypto exchange for beginners should offer an intuitive UI, a clear layout, and a streamlined on- and off-ramping process, while maintaining high-quality infrastructure. Coinbase is the best overall fit, but other platforms that offer support for local currency are also worth considering if you’re just looking for maximum convenience.
Rundown of the Best Crypto Exchanges in Hawaii in 2026
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Blockchain.com
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Binance.US
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ChangeNow
-
Uphold
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BuyUcoin
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Youhodler
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eToro US
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Coinbase
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Kraken
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BTCC
Ilija is a CCN writer with 7 years of experience covering all things crypto. Ever since a fateful run-in with Litecoin in 2013, he's been an avid investor and writer in the space. When he's not maniacally hacking away at his keyboard, Ilija spends his time either hiking in nature or holed up in his apartment gaming.
