How to Buy Zcash (ZEC) in Washington
Yes, you can buy Zcash in Washington.
Available on local exchanges
The major US exchanges have completed the state's licensing process and serve Washington normally; most list Zcash. Washington's Department of Financial Institutions runs one of the strictest money transmitter licensing regimes in the US, which is why some smaller platforms do not serve the state at all. There is no Washington-specific license you need as a buyer.
Recommended exchanges
These exchanges serve Washington residents and list Zcash (ZEC). Fees shown are for the lowest 30-day volume tier; your rate can drop as your trading volume grows.
| Exchange | Best for | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kraken | Most ZEC liquidity | Starting at 0.25% / 0.40% | Sign up |
| Gemini | NY/CA regulated | Starting at 0.20% / 0.40% | Sign up |
| Coinbase | Largest US exchange, public company | 0.40% / 0.60% | Sign up |
| Crypto.com | Mobile-first | Starting at 0.25% / 0.50% | Sign up |
How to buy Zcash (ZEC) in Washington: step by step
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Pick an exchange
For most Washington buyers, Kraken is a reasonable starting choice: Most ZEC liquidity. The table above compares fees and specialties if you want to shop around. All listed options are licensed to serve Washington residents.
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Create an account and verify your identity
Sign up with your email, set a strong password, and enable two-factor authentication. The exchange will ask for a government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID) and a selfie. This is called KYC (Know Your Customer) and is legally required. Verification usually takes a few minutes to a few hours.
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Fund your account
US-licensed exchanges accept:
- ACH bank transfer (free or low-fee, takes 1-3 business days for funds to clear)
- Wire transfer (same-day or next-day, usually $10-30 bank fee)
- Debit card (instant but with a 2-4% convenience fee)
For anything beyond a few hundred dollars, ACH is the cheapest. Wire is the right call if you want to buy a large amount quickly and don't mind paying the fee.
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Place your ZEC order
On the exchange, find the ZEC trading pair (usually ZEC/USD or ZEC/EUR depending on your region). You have two order types to choose from:
- Market order: buy immediately at the current price. Simple, fills in seconds.
- Limit order: set the exact price you are willing to pay. Fills only when the market reaches that price.
For your first purchase, a market order is fine. Limit orders are better once you are comfortable with the interface and want more control.
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Move your ZEC off the exchange
Once the order fills, your ZEC sits in the exchange's wallet. For long-term holding, move it to a wallet you control. This is called self-custody and it means only you can access the coins. Leaving coins on an exchange means you are trusting the exchange to stay solvent and honest.
For Zcash (ZEC), look at the wallet reviews for options that support Zcash shielded addresses.
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Record the transaction for tax
Keep a record of the date, the amount of ZEC purchased, the price you paid (in your local currency), and any fees. You will need this for your tax return when you eventually sell or spend the coin. Most exchanges export a transaction history in CSV format.
What to know
Common questions
Is it legal to buy and hold Zcash in Washington?
Yes. There is no Washington-specific restriction on owning Zcash. The licensing requirement is on the exchange, not on you.
How are Zcash gains taxed in Washington?
Federal capital-gains tax applies. Washington has no broad state income tax, but does impose a state capital gains tax on long-term gains above an annual threshold (around $270,000 in 2024, indexed). Most buyers fall under the threshold and pay only federal.
Why do some exchanges not serve Washington?
Washington's money transmitter rules require a more substantial financial commitment and reporting than most states. Smaller exchanges sometimes choose not to bother, so they geo-block Washington signups.
Can I still use a crypto ATM in Washington?
Not in Spokane or Spokane Valley, both of which have banned them. Other Washington cities still allow them but more bans are likely. Check the operator's status before traveling to a kiosk.
I'm visiting Washington. Can I buy Zcash here?
Yes. Visitors can use an exchange that serves their home state or country. Washington's rules target exchanges serving Washington residents, not travelers.
Legal & regulatory detail
Federal US rules apply. Stringent WA DFI money transmitter license required. Municipal kiosk bans (Spokane since August 2025, Spokane Valley April 2026).