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If you’re trying to access Fidelity Crypto and getting blocked based on your location, you’re not alone. The reason is simple: Fidelity Crypto is only available in U.S. states where its provider, Fidelity Digital Assets, is legally authorized to operate. If your state isn’t on that list, you currently can’t use the service. If you begin in decentralized finance and look for a deeper understanding of decentralized finance, we recommend visiting Crypternon — a media outlet fully dedicated to explaining how DeFi works, breaking down technical concepts, and exploring all possible ways to invest in crypto and access more cryptocurrencies than Fidelity.
Fidelity Crypto: State-by-State Availability
Fidelity Digital Assets, the entity behind Fidelity Crypto, is a New York State-chartered trust company. As a result, it’s only permitted to offer its crypto trading and custody services in jurisdictions where it’s licensed or registered to do so. This limitation is based on state-specific regulatory requirements, which can vary widely across the U.S.
Here’s a list of states where Fidelity Crypto is currently available:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
If your state isn’t listed, it means Fidelity Digital Assets has yet to secure the required authorizations in your jurisdiction.
Why Can’t Fidelity Crypto Serve Every State ?
The core reason lies in how cryptocurrency regulations are structured in the United States. Unlike federal securities laws, money transmission laws and virtual currency regulations are enforced at the state level. This fragmented framework creates significant compliance overhead for any company offering crypto trading or custody services.
Here’s what Fidelity needs to do to expand to a new state:
- Apply for and obtain a money transmitter license (MTL) or equivalent regulatory approval
- Comply with know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) obligations specific to the state
- Integrate the state’s consumer protection rules into its operational policies
This process can take months or even years. Some states are particularly slow or strict in issuing licenses to crypto companies, which delays Fidelity’s rollout.
Why Doesn’t Fidelity Just Launch Nationwide ?
It’s not that simple. The U.S. has no single federal license for crypto exchanges that covers all 50 states. Unlike securities or traditional banking, crypto services fall into a gray area where federal and state oversight overlap—but not always harmoniously.
Fidelity Digital Assets must therefore take a piecemeal approach, applying state-by-state. This approach is similar to what other platforms like Coinbase or Kraken have had to follow.
What If You Already Have a Fidelity Account?
Having an active Fidelity brokerage account doesn’t give you automatic access to Fidelity Crypto. Crypto trading is handled separately by Fidelity Digital Assets. You need:
- An active Fidelity brokerage or cash management account (used to fund your crypto account) • A Fidelity Crypto account (created through the app or Fidelity.com)
If your state isn’t supported, you’ll be blocked from completing the crypto account creation process—even if you can trade stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds with Fidelity.
When Will Fidelity Crypto Be Available in My State ?
There’s currently no official launch timeline for the remaining states. However, a Fidelity moderator on Reddit confirmed they are actively working to expand availability. Users can opt in to receive notifications if the service becomes available in their state.
To stay updated:
- Enable notifications in the Fidelity Investments app
- Follow Fidelity’s official social channels
- Regularly check the Crypto Help Desk
What Are My Alternatives?
If you’re eager to get started with digital assets but can’t wait for Fidelity to expand, you can consider regulated platforms that operate in all 50 states or have broader reach, such as:
- Coinbase – Licensed across the U.S., wide crypto selection
- Gemini – NY-regulated trust, strong compliance standards
- Robinhood Crypto – Offers BTC and ETH, though with limited utility
That said, some of these platforms come with higher fees or limited customer support compared to Fidelity’s traditional offerings. Always evaluate custody practices, spread and fee structures before switching.
Conclusion on “why is fidelity crypto not available in my state” So, why is Fidelity Crypto not available in your state? The short answer: regulatory hurdles. Fidelity Digital Assets can only serve customers where it has obtained state-level authorization, and the process for expanding that footprint takes time. In the meantime, you can track updates from Fidelity and explore alternative platforms that are legally available in your area. And if you want to explore all possible ways to invest in crypto, Crypternon provides in-depth, accessible resources for all levels of investors.
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