How to Buy Bitcoin or Crypto with Bank of Hawaii
As outlined above, the best way to buy digital assets with a Bank of Hawaii account is through a regulated broker that is licensed by FinCEN. With this method, investors can easily connect their Bank of Hawaii account, or deposit funds with a Debit Card/Credit Card. Our expert team found that Uphold was the best option after comparing their deposit speed, fees & available assets with other top platforms.
Here is a simple step-by-step guide to getting started:
- Sign Up: Create an account on Uphold and complete your verification (personal or company).
- Connect Account: Select the currency you want deposit on Uphold (USD + 30 more).
- Deposit Funds: Connect your Bank of Hawaii account via Plaid to quickly deposit USD.
- Buy Crypto: The final step is to find the crypto you want to buy and execute your trade.

What are the Fees to Buy Crypto?
The fees to invest in cryptocurrencies will vary depending on which platform you choose. At Uphold, they offer a 0% fee on USD deposits with Bank of Hawaii and some of the lowest trading fees in the industry. Their platform also boasts industry leading fees and spreads that average at around 0.5% per trade, which is significantly lower than alternatives like Coinbase, eToro and Kraken who charge in excess of 2%.
Is Bank of Hawaii Crypto-Friendly?
Bank of Hawaii's website states that they do not have a policy against cryptocurrencies, and customers may be able to use their Bank of Hawaii debit or credit card to purchase cryptocurrencies on FinCEN-licensed exchanges that are approved in the United States. It's important to note that transactions involving cryptocurrencies are subject to Bank of Hawaii's anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) policies, and customers must comply with these requirements to transact with the bank.
Final Thoughts
Bank of Hawaii does not offer direct support for buying or selling cryptocurrencies, so investors will need to sign up for a regulated digital asset exchange with access to USD deposits from Bank of Hawaii. After reviewing over 30 exchanges, our team found that Uphold was the best choice for Bank of Hawaii account holders offering fast deposits and low-fees across over 250 crypto assets. Uphold is fully licensed and regulated by FinCEN, so customers can rest assured that their funds are safe and secure.