River vs Coinbase vs Kraken: Coinbase (9PBNMCW) is the easy one, $20 in Bitcoin after a $15 buy. River (C5CJISTX) pays up to $100 in bitcoin in tiers as you buy more. Kraken (g2s2jjgd) has the biggest max, rewards up to $300, based on its plan terms. Terms apply. Crypto involves risk.
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River vs Coinbase vs Kraken at a glance
| River | Coinbase | Kraken | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code | C5CJISTX | 9PBNMCW | g2s2jjgd (alt: tb4y3bmc72by) |
| What you get | Up to $100 in bitcoin | $20 in Bitcoin (new U.S. users) | Rewards of up to $300 |
| How it's earned | $5 when you buy $100, $15 more at $1,000, $80 more at $10,000 | Buy $15 of any crypto | Meet the funding or trading requirements in Kraken's plan terms |
| Time limit | Check River's terms | Within 90 days of becoming trade eligible | The window in Kraken's plan terms |
| Who it's for | New River users | People who've never had a Coinbase account | No current or past Kraken account, in a region where Kraken referrals are allowed |
| Official terms | River terms | Coinbase terms | Kraken terms |
| Full details | River page | Coinbase page | Kraken page |
Quick take
- Just want a little free bitcoin: Coinbase. Buy $15, get $20 in Bitcoin. Coinbase says it lands about 48 hours after your first trade.
- Bitcoin-only and buying more over time: River. It pays in tiers, so $100 bought gets you $5 and the full $100 bonus takes $10,000 in buys.
- Biggest max: Kraken, up to $300, but you have to hit the requirements in Kraken's plan terms.
Worth knowing
- All three are separate programs, so you can be new to each one.
- Coinbase Advanced and Prime purchases don't count for the Coinbase bonus. At Kraken some trades, like fiat-to-stablecoin, don't count.
- Gemini is another option: up to $50 in the crypto of your choice after $100 in qualifying trades in 30 days (offer varies). See the Gemini page.
Investing and crypto involve risk, including losing money you put in. A sign-up bonus isn't a reason to invest more than you can afford to lose. Nothing here is financial or tax advice.
Only weighing two? See Coinbase vs Kraken. All offers ranked: best crypto sign-up bonuses.
Frequently asked questions
Which gives the most free bitcoin, River, Coinbase or Kraken?
Kraken lists the highest max at rewards up to $300, depending on its plan terms. River pays up to $100 in bitcoin, and Coinbase gives a fixed $20 in Bitcoin after a $15 buy.
Which is easiest for a small amount?
Coinbase. New U.S. users buy $15 of any crypto and get $20 in Bitcoin.
How does the River bonus work?
It's tiered: $5 when you buy $100, $15 more at $1,000, and $80 more at $10,000, for up to $100 in bitcoin.
Can I get all three?
They're separate programs, so you can qualify for each if you're new to that platform and meet its terms.
Is bitcoin risky?
Yes. Prices swing a lot and you can lose money. Not investment advice.