Can you buy stocks with crypto?

You can buy stocks with crypto, but rarely in a single step. In most cases you sell the crypto for cash or a dollar stablecoin and then use that money to buy shares. The routes differ by app and country, and the tax result in the US is the same either way: disposing of the crypto counts as a sale.

How do you buy stocks with crypto?

The simplest route is an app that holds both. Robinhood's US help center says that when you sell crypto, the proceeds can be used right away to buy stocks, options or more crypto. Withdrawing that money to a bank is slower, with standard transfers taking up to five business days. The crypto sits in a separate Robinhood Crypto account, and it cannot be used as collateral for stock positions.

Another route is to sell on a crypto exchange, withdraw dollars to a bank, and send them to any stock broker. This takes longer but works with any brokerage. Steps for the first half are in how to sell crypto for cash.

Can you buy shares with bitcoin or stablecoins?

Not with bitcoin directly at a regular US broker. Coinbase is the closest to it. On February 24, 2026, it opened stock and ETF trading to all US users, Cointelegraph reported, with commission-free trades and fractional shares. Its stocks page says trades can be funded with USD or USDC from one account.

The legal setup matters. Coinbase says stocks are offered by Coinbase Capital Markets Corp, a FINRA and SIPC member, with Apex Clearing handling execution, clearing and custody. Crypto, including USDC held in the main Coinbase account, is offered by a separate company and is not covered by SIPC.

How do tokenized stocks with stablecoins work?

Tokenized stocks are tokens on a blockchain linked to a company's shares. Our guide to tokenized stocks explains the main types. Kraken's xStocks are one example. Kraken says users can fund with cash, crypto or stablecoins such as USDC and USDG, and Kraken converts as part of the trade, with purchases from $1.

The fine print is different from owning a share. Kraken says xStocks are backed one-for-one by the underlying equity but give holders no voting rights and no legal claim to the shares, describing them as synthetic exposure. Dividends are reinvested as more tokens. As of November 2026, xStocks are not offered in the US, Canada, the UK or Australia.

Is selling crypto to buy stocks taxable?

In the US, generally yes. The IRS says selling digital assets for dollars creates a capital gain or loss, and so does exchanging them for other property. The gain or loss is what you receive minus your cost basis. Coins held more than a year produce a long-term result, and one year or less a short-term one. Swapping into USDC first does not avoid this, as covered in is swapping crypto taxable.

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