How to Buy Crypto with BMO Harris Bank [2023] | Step-by-Step

Summary: BMO Harris Bank doesn’t offer customers the opportunity to buy cryptocurrencies on its own platform. Instead, BMO Harris Bank customers can connect their banking accounts to a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licensed cryptocurrency broker to buy digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

In short, to buy cryptocurrency with BMO Harris Bank, investors in the US will need to sign up with a FINRA-regulated crypto exchange like eToro and deposit USD from their BMO Harris account.

Best for:

Intermediate Traders and Investors

2.8 Million Active Accounts

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Finbold is compensated if you access certain of the products or services offered by eToro USA LLC and/or eToro USA Securities Inc. Any testimonials contained in this communication may not be representative of the experience of other eToro customers and such testimonials are not guarantees of future performance or success.

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 FINRA-regulated broker like eToro, which is a licensed and 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 staking service, 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.

Best for:

Intermediate Traders and Investors

2.8 Million Active Accounts

Get Started

Finbold is compensated if you access certain of the products or services offered by eToro USA LLC and/or eToro USA Securities Inc. Any testimonials contained in this communication may not be representative of the experience of other eToro customers and such testimonials are not guarantees of future performance or success.

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 Bank’s cryptocurrency policy

While BMO Harris Bank’s cryptocurrency 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:

• 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: