How to Buy Crypto with BMO Harris Bank [2024]

Summary: Unfortunately, BMO Harris Bank doesn’t offer crypto trading on its platform; hence, its customers can’t buy digital assets directly. However, customers are allowed to use their BMO Harris banking accounts to transfer funds to third-party crypto brokers to buy Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and other cryptocurrencies.

If you’re looking to buy crypto with BMO Harris, we recommend using eToro, a multi-asset investment platform that offers a wide variety of the world’s most popular cryptocurrencies and low trading fees.

Best Crypto Exchange for Intermediate Traders and Investors

• Invest in cryptocurrencies and 3,000+ other assets including stocks and precious metals.

• 0% commission on stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.

• Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.

• eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.

30+ million Users

Get Started

Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD

Can you buy crypto with BMO Harris Bank? 

You can buy crypto with BMO Harris Bank, but you need to connect to a FINRA-licensed cryptocurrency exchange. As mentioned above, this is because BMO Harris does not offer the buying and selling of cryptocurrency directly through its online banking platform.

How to buy crypto with BMO Harris Bank?

The best way to buy Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency with a BMO Harris Bank account in the US is through a broker like eToro, which is a widely trusted multi-asset investing platform with over 70 cryptocurrencies and unique features such as “Copy Trading,” which enables users to copy top-performing crypto traders, in addition to a custom watchlist, as well as advanced charts and technical analysis tools. 

How to buy crypto with BMO Harris Bank: Step-by-Step

You can get started in minutes with four simple steps:

• Step 1: Create an account on eToro and complete your verification (personal or company);
• Step 2: Enter the USD amount you want to deposit on the eToro platform;
• Step 3: Connect your BMO Harris Bank account to deposit your selected fiat currency;
• Step 4: The final step is to find the cryptocurrency you want to purchase and execute your trade.

Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB.

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.

Best Crypto Exchange for Intermediate Traders and Investors

• Invest in cryptocurrencies and 3,000+ other assets including stocks and precious metals.

• 0% commission on stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.

• Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.

• eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.

30+ million Users

Get Started

Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD

About BMO Harris Bank

BMO Harris Bank is an American retail bank headquartered in Chicago, providing personal and commercial banking, global markets, and investment banking services to more than 12 million clients. Founded in 1882 and now an independent subsidiary of the Bank of Montreal (BMO), it is the eighth-largest bank in North America by assets.

Services offered by BMO Harris Bank include: 

• Personal banking: Checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, loans and lines of credit, home refinancing, certificate of deposits (CDs), individual retirement accounts (IRAs); 
• Business banking: Business checking and savings accounts, loans and lines of credit, credit cards;
• Wealth management: Wealth planning and investment management services and brokerage services.

BMO Harris investment management

BMO Harris also offers its customers brokerage services through their online investing platform via BMO Investment Services. The bank’s investment management platform helps customers to build a diversified investment portfolio for all risk levels and offers securities (bonds, mutual funds), annuities, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs); however, the bank is yet to provide any crypto-related investment products.

BMO crypto policy

While BMO’s crypto policy doesn’t support crypto trading from its own platform, customers can use their BMO Harris Bank accounts to deposit funds to FINRA-regulated crypto exchanges to buy digital assets. 

How to buy crypto safely

Despite growing popularity, cryptocurrencies remain highly volatile investments, particularly compared to more traditional financial instruments such as stocks or bonds. In addition, fraud and cybercrime among crypto assets are particularly rampant, putting both seasoned and amateur investors at risk. 

Furthermore, although cryptocurrency broker-dealers in the US are required to register with FINRA, which imposes several requirements on them, including implementing and maintaining both anti-money laundering (AML) and customer identification programs (CIPs), crypto assets themselves are not regulated. 

That said, there are ways to ensure you’re careful when buying crypto. We have compiled a list of tips on what you should do when getting started with digital assets and how to best protect yourself and your money.

How to buy crypto safely – tips

• Research the cryptocurrency you want to buy: Make sure you understand how it works and what the risks are; 
• Only use a safe device: Avoid public computers and Wi-Fi networks. Always use your personal computer with a VPN, which helps establish a secure connection between you and the web, keeping your sensitive information safe;
• Choose a reputable exchange: Ensure the exchange is licensed by the appropriate regulators in your country and has a solid track record. Study the exchange’s user terms and agreements carefully to learn more about where your money is kept and what happens to your funds if the business goes bankrupt. You may also want to scour through user reviews to catch any red flags;
• Secure your account: Use two-factor authentication and a strong password to protect your account;
• Use a secure wallet: Store your cryptocurrency in a secure wallet to protect it from hackers. You can opt for either a hot (online) or cold (offline) wallet. To choose the right one for you, make sure to check out our in-depth guide on crypto wallets;
• Don’t invest money you can’t afford to lose: Because the crypto market can be so volatile, you need to be conservative with your investments, particularly when starting out. For more investing tips, have a look at our guide on investing mistakes to avoid;
• Monitor your investments: Keep an eye on the market and be aware of any changes in the price of the cryptocurrency you’re investing in. 

Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk. 

FAQs about how to buy crypto with BMO Harris Bank: 

Best Crypto Exchange for Intermediate Traders and Investors

• Invest in cryptocurrencies and 3,000+ other assets including stocks and precious metals.

• 0% commission on stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.

• Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.

• eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.

30+ million Users

Get Started

Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD