Uphold
Multi-asset platform for crypto, fiat and precious metals, priced with a spread instead of a commission.
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Uphold key facts
| Category | Crypto exchange |
|---|---|
| US availability | No regulator listed for HI, LA, MA, MT, NE, NY, WI |
| Trading fees | No commission; spread 2.05–3.8% |
| Simple buy fee | Spread 2.05–3.8% |
| Debit card purchase | 1.75% (min $1), debit card or Apple Pay deposit |
| Staking (US) | Yes: 20% to 25% commission (Boosted), 50% (Flexible); not in LA, WA |
| US licenses | State MTLs (NMLS 1269875) |
| Custody | Custodial |
| Self-custody wallet | Uphold Vault (2-of-3 keys) |
Not verified yet: coins available (us). We add a value only after checking it on Uphold’s own pages.
What is Uphold?
Uphold is a multi-asset platform for crypto, fiat currencies and precious metals. US customers are served by Uphold HQ Inc. in San Francisco. Trades carry no commission; the cost is a spread. Uphold also offers Vault, an assisted self-custody wallet.
How Uphold works
Uphold quotes a single all-in price for every trade.
The spread is set by the asset, the trade size, market volatility, what Uphold pays its liquidity venues, and network costs. A quote stays open for 18 seconds. When market spreads are wider than 4%, the app warns you before you confirm. In a trade between two asset types, the higher of the two rates applies, so selling an altcoin for a stablecoin is priced at the altcoin rate. Vault is Uphold's assisted self-custody wallet, built on three keys. You hold two, Uphold holds one, and any two are needed to move assets. If you lose one of your keys, Uphold helps replace it.
How to start with Uphold
- You create a Vault in the Uphold mobile app by choosing a plan and generating your keys.
- After a 30-day free trial it costs $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, and plans renew automatically.
- Staking comes in two programs.
- Boosted Staking is available wherever Uphold accepts new accounts except Louisiana and Washington.
- Flexible Staking also excludes California.
- In Boosted Staking, Uphold stakes nothing without your express prior consent.
Uphold fees and limits
- Uphold's published spreads are 2.05% to 2.2% for BTC and ETH, 2.85% to 3.8% for altcoins, and 2.35% to 3.40% for precious metals.
- Stablecoins other than USD ones cost under 0.25%.
- Converting between US dollars and supported USD stablecoins is 1:1 at 0% on the first $20,000 per rolling month, as long as the stablecoin trades within 0.2% of $1.
- Staking commission is 20% to 25% of rewards on Boosted Staking and 50% on Flexible Staking.
Risks to know before using Uphold
- Newly listed and small-cap tokens carry wider spreads, and Uphold can change its spreads at any time.
- If a network slashes staked assets, the loss can reduce your principal.
- Uphold's reimbursement for slashing excludes protocol-level failures such as bugs, and events outside its control.
- The regulators page lists no licensing authority for seven states: Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New York and Wisconsin.
Uphold alternatives
Other exchanges US customers compare with Uphold.
Austrian investment app for crypto, stocks, ETFs and metals that does not accept US citizens or residents.
The largest US-listed crypto exchange, with a simple buy screen and the Coinbase Advanced order book.
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US-available crypto exchange with an instant-buy app and the Kraken Pro order book.
US exchange run separately from Binance.com, with low order-book fees but limited state coverage.
US crypto exchange and custodian, public since September 2025, available in all 50 states.
Where Uphold ranks on DappAtlas
Listed next to Uphold
- Crypto.com Crypto exchange
Uphold pros and cons
- Assisted self-custody through Uphold Vault
- Precious metals as well as crypto
- Licensed as a money transmitter in most states
- Spreads of about 2–3.8% on crypto
- No regulator listed for 7 states, including New York
- Spreads widen when markets are volatile
Uphold FAQ
What is Uphold?
Uphold is a multi-asset platform for crypto, fiat currencies and precious metals. US customers are served by Uphold HQ Inc. in San Francisco. Trades carry no commission; the cost is a spread. Uphold also offers Vault, an assisted self-custody wallet.
Is Uphold available in the US?
No regulator listed for HI, LA, MA, MT, NE, NY, WI, according to Uphold’s own page (checked Sep 26, 2026).
What are Uphold’s trading fees?
At the lowest volume tier: No commission; spread 2.05–3.8%. Higher-volume traders pay less.
How much does it cost to buy crypto on Uphold?
On the simple buy screen: Spread 2.05–3.8%.
Can I stake on Uphold?
Yes: 20% to 25% commission (Boosted), 50% (Flexible); not in LA, WA.
Does Uphold hold my crypto?
Uphold is custodial: it holds the keys to your balance. To hold your own keys, withdraw to a self-custody wallet.
Sources
How this page works
Sources: Uphold: official site, Uphold service fees, Uphold: regulators for US residents. Data as of Oct 1, 2026.
Not affiliated with any project listed. Educational content, not financial advice.