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Investing · Explainer

Can TD Ameritrade Customers Still Buy Crypto?

TD Ameritrade is gone after the Schwab merger. Learn whether former TD users can still buy Bitcoin, crypto ETFs, or actual coins today.

Can TD Ameritrade Customers Still Buy Crypto?
Eric Nkando
By Eric Nkando, senior writer · 4 min read · Updated
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!Can You Still Buy Crypto With TD Ameritrade headline displayed above a laptop with a cryptocurrency trading chart and Bitcoin coins.

  • TD Ameritrade stopped existing as a standalone platform in May 2024.
  • Schwab absorbed every TD account, but it still does not sell spot crypto.
  • Buying actual coins still requires a separate exchange, same as before.

TD Ameritrade does not exist anymore. Charles Schwab finished absorbing every remaining account in May 2024. The login screen, the app and the TD brand are gone. Only thinkorswim, the trading platform TD built its reputation on, survived the move, and it now runs under Schwab. More in crypto investing.

That timeline matters here because it changes the actual question. This is not about whether TD Ameritrade allows crypto purchases. It is about whether Schwab does, since that is the account structure that replaced it.

What Schwab Offers Instead of Spot Crypto

Schwab gives account holders indirect exposure to crypto, not the coins themselves.

That comes in three forms.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs track the price of Bitcoin without requiring a wallet. CME Bitcoin and Ether futures are available for traders who are comfortable with margin and contract expiry. Crypto adjacent equities, such as mining companies and exchange operators, round out the list.

None of these options puts actual BTC or ETH under your control. You cannot withdraw an ETF holding to a wallet or move it to cold storage. For direct ownership, a dedicated exchange is still required.

How to Buy Actual Crypto From a Schwab Account

The mechanics have not changed since the TD Ameritrade days. Only the name on the login page has.

Pick a regulated exchange.

eToro remains a solid option for US-based buyers. It is registered with FinCEN and built for straightforward first-time purchases.

Verify your identity.

Standard KYC applies across regulated exchanges. Expect to submit ID and wait a day or two for approval.

Link a bank account, not the Schwab brokerage directly.

Most exchanges connect to checking or savings accounts rather than brokerage accounts. Route funds through a linked bank first.

Fund the account.

ACH transfers are the typical method. Minimums are usually low, often around $50.

Place the order.

Check live pricing before confirming a trade.

Choosing the Right Route

An exchange purchase and a Schwab ETF solve different problems. One delivers direct ownership. The other delivers exposure without custody.

If holding the asset itself matters, an external exchange is still the only path, unchanged from the TD Ameritrade era. If simplicity matters more, Schwab’s ETF and futures products keep everything inside one account.

Either route creates tax obligations once a trade happens. The crypto tax guide breaks down how gains, staking income, and 1099-DA reporting apply this year. Buyers comparing platforms can also check current crypto sign-up bonuses before committing to one.

Alternatives

Frequently asked questions

Does TD Ameritrade still exist?
No. It was fully retired in May 2024. Any remaining TD accounts are now Schwab accounts.
Can I buy Bitcoin through Schwab?
Not directly. Schwab offers Bitcoin ETFs and futures contracts, not spot ownership of the coin.
What happened to thinkorswim?
It is still active, now operating under Schwab. It did not shut down with the rest of the TD Ameritrade brand.
What is the easiest way to buy actual crypto now?
Open an account with a regulated exchange such as eToro, link a bank account, and buy directly. The process matches what TD Ameritrade users relied on before the merger closed. Source Schwab: Welcome to Schwab How to Buy S&P 500 with Revolut; The Easy Way to Bridge to Cronos [From Ethereum, Polygon & BSC](/crypto-guides/bridge-to-cronos/)