ACH (Automated Clearing House) is a secure electronic bank-to-bank payment network that allows U.S. users to transfer funds directly from their bank account to CEX.IO. With ACH, you can deposit USD or buy cryptocurrency instantly while enjoying the convenience of direct bank transfers.
Using ACH:
Instant deposits
Immediate trading access — use your funds after depositing right away.
Bank-level security
$0 Fees on ACH Deposits
ACH transactions on CEX.IO are now completely fee-free from our end. Whether you deposit USD to your balance or buy crypto directly, zero funding fees are applied, regardless of the amount. The full sum you transfer is credited to your account with instant buying power, so you can start trading right away.
Only standard conversion fees apply to direct crypto purchases.
Here's how it works:
Connect your U.S. bank account via ACH.
Make a deposit or buy any crypto at $0 funding fee.
You can buy & trade your favorite digital assets right away, while your funds settle
Submitted ACH deposit and crypto purchase allow you to trade immediately, but assets must fully settle before they can be withdrawn. CEX.IO covers 100% of standard ACH deposit fees; standard bank transaction and conversion fees still apply. Digital asset trading involves significant risk of capital loss.
The guide below will walk you through linking your bank account, depositing funds, and buying crypto with ACH.
How to Link Your Bank Account
Before you can use ACH, you need to link your bank account:
Log in to your CEX.IO account and navigate to the Add Funds section of your dashboard.
Select USD as your currency.
Choose Bank Account (ACH) from the list of payment methods and click Connect.
Review the security disclaimer:
Secure: Your information is encrypted end-to-end.
Private: CEX.IO never stores your online banking credentials.
Click Continue and select your financial institution.
Log in using your online banking credentials.
Once verified, you will see a Bank account connected successfully message.
Your bank account is now linked and ready to use for ACH transfers.
How to Deposit Funds Using ACH
Once your account is linked, you can transfer USD directly to your CEX.IO wallet:
Go to Add Funds and select your linked bank account from the payment methods.
Enter the amount you wish to deposit (for example, $50) and click Add USD.
Review the Transaction Confirmation screen, which displays:
Available to Trade: Instantly — you can start trading right away
Available for Withdrawal: Typically 5-7 business days (after the ACH transfer clears)
Click Confirm and complete the authorization if prompted.
What happens next:
Your Total Balance will increase immediately, allowing you to trade, convert, or use your funds for other CEX.IO products without delay. However, these funds will have a temporary withdrawal hold until the ACH transfer fully settles with your bank (typically 5-7 business days).
How to Buy Crypto Directly with ACH
ACH also allows you to purchase cryptocurrency in a single step, without first depositing USD to your wallet.
Navigate to the Buy Crypto section and select the cryptocurrency you wish to purchase.
Choose Bank Account (ACH) as your payment method.
Enter the USD amount you want to spend. The interface will display an estimated amount of crypto you'll receive.
Click Buy Now and carefully review the confirmation details.
Click Confirm to complete your purchase.
What happens next:
Your cryptocurrency will be delivered instantly to your wallet and is immediately available for trading. However, just like cash deposits, the purchased amount will be subject to a withdrawal hold until the ACH transfer settles with your bank (typically 5-7 business days).
Understanding Your Balances
When using ACH, you may notice different balance types in your dashboard. This is due to the 5-7 business-day settlement period required for ACH transfers.
Here's what each balance means:
Total Balance: The total value of all your assets, including pending ACH deposits. You can use your Total Balance for trading, converting, staking, or accessing other CEX.IO products immediately.
Available for Withdrawal: Funds that have fully settled and can be withdrawn from the platform or used for Person-to-Card (P2C) transfers.
Temporary Holds: The portion of your balance currently clearing through the ACH network. These funds cannot be withdrawn until the hold is lifted (once the bank transfer completes).
Tip: You can check your Available for Withdrawal amount directly on your dashboard under the Total Wealth section. This helps you understand exactly how much you can move off the platform at any time.
ACH Deposit Limits
Your ACH deposit limits are determined by your account's age and activity level. As you build history on the platform, your limits will increase.
Current limit structure:
User Type | Daily Limit | Monthly Limit |
New Users | $1,000 | $3,000 |
Active Users | Current Account Limit | $15,000 |
Important Notes
ACH transfers are available only for U.S. users who completed at least identity verification.
Settlement times (5-7 business days) are standard for the ACH network and are determined by your bank.
If you have more questions about ACH transfers, check our Limits and Commissions page or contact our support team.
The web content provided by CEX.IO is for educational purposes only. The information and tools provided neither are, nor should be construed as, an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, or a recommendation, to buy, sell or hold any digital asset or to open a particular account or engage in any specific investment strategy. Digital asset markets are highly volatile and can lead to loss of funds.
Services are subject to eligibility and regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions and are not available to the UK and Spain residents. To understand what products and services are available in your region, please see our list of supported countries and territories. Nothing in this material constitutes investment or financial advice. Trading digital assets involves significant risk, including the potential loss of capital. Please conduct your own research. Terms and conditions apply
CEX.IO Corp. is not a registered broker-dealer or FINRA member. Crypto is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).
Taxes may be payable on any return and/or on any increase in the value of your digital assets and you should seek independent advice on your tax obligations.