Can you buy crypto without a Social Security number?

Buying crypto without a Social Security number is difficult on most US exchanges. Regulated platforms ask US customers for an SSN or another taxpayer identification number as part of their identity checks, and they need it to report sales to the IRS. Some list alternatives, but the rules vary by platform and by feature.

Why does Coinbase need my SSN?

There are two reasons. The first is identity verification. Coinbase's US user agreement lists a taxpayer identification number and government ID among the details it may request, and its account setup list asks for an SSN or an ID number from a government-issued document. These checks are part of the know your customer rules that apply to money businesses.

The second is tax reporting. Coinbase asks US customers to complete Form W-9, which certifies their name, address and taxpayer number. It uses this to report taxable activity to the IRS, including on the new Form 1099-DA.

What happens if you do not give an exchange your tax number?

Under IRS rules, a customer who does not give a broker a certified tax number on Form W-9 can face backup withholding, where the broker holds back part of the sale proceeds and sends it to the IRS. IRS Notice 2025-33 says brokers do not have to backup withhold on digital asset sales in 2025 or 2026, and gives the rate as 24%.

Coinbase's help page says that from January 1, 2027, customers who have not verified their W-9 will be subject to backup withholding at 24% of proceeds, and that some states add their own percentage. As of October 2026, that change is a few months away.

Can you use an ITIN on a crypto exchange?

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN, is issued by the IRS for federal tax purposes to people who need a tax number but are not eligible for an SSN. The IRS says it does not authorize work or change immigration status.

Exchanges differ on whether an ITIN works. Kraken's verification table asks US clients for a "Social Security Number or Tax ID," which leaves room for other tax numbers, but its page on US bank funding lists a US-issued SSN as a requirement for wire and ACH deposits. Coinbase's W-9 page refers to SSNs and TINs that must match government records without naming the ITIN. Because of this, people with an ITIN often need to ask the platform's support team directly.

Are there ways to buy crypto without an SSN?

Platforms that skip identity checks exist, including some peer-to-peer markets and decentralized exchanges. They carry the trade-offs described in our KYC guide, such as weaker recourse if something goes wrong. Avoiding an SSN request does not remove any duty to report gains, as explained in how crypto is taxed in the US.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check the tax authority or a qualified professional for your own situation.