If you hold an ITIN instead of an SSN, you can still invest in US stocks and crypto. We compare Coinbase, Crypto.com, and the essential funding bridge Wise — covering KYC onboarding, tax reporting, and how to avoid backup withholding.
If you're a non-US resident or non-citizen living in the US, you might assume that investing in American stocks or crypto is off-limits without a Social Security Number. That's not true. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) works just as well for opening brokerage and crypto exchange accounts — and it keeps you compliant with the IRS.
The catch? Not every platform knows how to handle an ITIN during signup. Some ask for an SSN and won't take no for an answer. Others have a straightforward path for ITIN holders. We've dug through the documentation and verified guides to find the apps that actually work.
Here are the best investment apps for ITIN holders right now.
Coinbase is the largest US-based cryptocurrency exchange, and it explicitly supports ITINs during identity verification. Non-US users can submit their ITIN as their tax identification number when completing KYC.1
Once verified, you can buy, sell, and trade dozens of cryptocurrencies. Coinbase also handles tax reporting — it issues IRS Form 1099 for US taxpayers, which means your ITIN is on file and your gains are reported properly. That's a big deal for avoiding compliance headaches down the road.
The onboarding flow asks for a government-issued ID plus your tax ID. If you enter your ITIN where it asks for an SSN, the system processes it. Some users report needing to contact support if the dropdown doesn't clearly offer "ITIN" — but it's a known, supported path.
Crypto.com is a solid alternative, especially if you want access to a broader global ecosystem (their own blockchain, a Visa card, DeFi staking). The platform supports ITIN holders during the identity verification step, and it's widely used by non-US residents who have a US tax ID.1
Like Coinbase, Crypto.com will report your taxable events to the IRS using your ITIN. That means you'll receive appropriate tax forms and won't be flagged for missing documentation.
One thing to note: Crypto.com's fee structure depends on whether you stake their native CRO token. Without staking, trading fees are around 0.4% — slightly higher than Coinbase Advanced Trade. But the app experience is polished, and the crypto selection is extensive.
Here's the thing: both Coinbase and Crypto.com are crypto exchanges. To fund them, you need a way to move US dollars from your bank account. That's where Wise comes in.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) provides a US bank account — complete with a routing number and account number — that works with most major crypto exchanges.3 ITIN holders can open a Wise account and get real US bank details, then use those details to deposit funds into Coinbase or Crypto.com via ACH transfer.
Wise is not an investment app itself, but it's arguably the most important tool in your stack. Without a US bank account, many exchanges won't let you deposit or withdraw USD. Wise solves that for ITIN holders.
| Feature | Coinbase | Crypto.com | Wise |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITIN KYC | Explicitly supported | Supported | Supported |
| Tax reporting | Form 1099 (ITIN) | Form 1099 (ITIN) | N/A (not a broker) |
| Best for | US crypto investing | Global crypto + card | USD funding bridge |
| Fees | ~0.6% (standard) | ~0.4% (no CRO stake) | Low FX + transfer fees |
Using your ITIN instead of an SSN isn't just about getting an account opened. It's about tax compliance.
If you're a nonresident alien investing in US markets, the IRS generally requires you to report your income. Without a valid tax ID on file, the broker may be required to apply backup withholding — a flat 24% to 30% of your proceeds sent straight to the IRS.1
By providing your ITIN during KYC, you confirm your tax status and avoid that automatic withholding. You'll still need to file a US tax return (Form 1040-NR) if you have US-source income, but you control the process rather than having the IRS take a chunk upfront.
You don't need an SSN to invest in US markets. Coinbase and Crypto.com both accept ITINs for full account verification and tax reporting. Pair either one with Wise for a US bank account, and you've got a complete setup.
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