Can Kids Invest in Crypto? A Parent’s Guide to Getting Started

When kids and teens hear about Bitcoin millionaires or see influencers talking about NFTs on TikTok, their natural curiosity kicks in: “Can I buy some crypto?” For parents, that question can feel tricky. On one hand, you want your kids to learn about money, technology, and investing early. On the other, you need to navigate real-world restrictions, safety risks, and long-term responsibility.

The short answer: most under-18s can’t directly buy crypto or open an exchange account. But there are responsible pathways for families who want to introduce kids to Web3 investing—whether that’s holding a bit of Bitcoin, experimenting with NFTs, or learning through simulations. Here’s what you need to know.

Also, be sure to check out our reference tables at the end of the article for key guidance.

Why Kids Want In

For many young people, crypto and NFTs don’t feel exotic anymore. They already live in digital worlds where they:

• Spend real money on virtual outfits, skins, and collectibles.

• Watch YouTubers and gamers talk about digital assets as casually as stocks.

• See peers making side income online—from streaming to selling in-game items.

In that sense, Web3 feels like a natural extension of their digital lives. Investing isn’t just about making money; it’s about belonging to a space they already value.

The Legal Reality: Age Limits

In most countries, you must be 18 years old to:

• Open an account on a crypto exchange like Coinbase, Kraken, or Binance.

• Legally sign up for an NFT marketplace.

• Operate a bank-linked wallet that handles crypto.

This means your child can’t simply download an app, deposit their allowance, and start trading. But that doesn’t mean the door is closed. Parents can help kids participate in structured, legal, and educational ways.

Option 1: Custodial Accounts

Some financial services now offer crypto custodial accounts, designed specifically for minors. Think of these as the crypto version of a custodial stock account.

• How it works: The parent opens the account, retains legal control, and manages deposits/withdrawals. The child is the beneficiary and can learn by observing and helping make decisions.

• Examples: Apps like UNest and EarlyBird allow parents to gift crypto or ETFs into a custodial account for a child’s future. Some brokerages also let parents allocate part of a custodial investment account toward crypto ETFs.

• Best for: Long-term savings goals, such as holding Bitcoin or Ethereum as part of a diversified portfolio.

This option keeps things compliant while giving kids a real stake in the future of Web3.

Option 2: Family-Owned Wallets

Parents can set up a crypto wallet—hardware or software—and involve their kids in managing it.

• The wallet is legally in the parent’s name.

• Parents can allocate a small, controlled amount of crypto for their child to follow and learn from.

• Kids can help with tasks like tracking prices, researching coins, or exploring how wallets and private keys work.

Think of it as co-managing a digital savings jar. The child doesn’t legally own the assets yet, but they gain hands-on experience.

Option 3: NFTs as Collectibles

NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are often compared to digital baseball cards or Pokémon collectibles—except they live on the blockchain.

Parents can:

• Buy a child-friendly NFT on their behalf (in a parent-owned wallet).

• Treat it like a collectible or memento, not a get-rich-quick investment.

• Use it as a teaching tool about scarcity, utility, and digital culture.

For example, a child who loves art might design digital drawings that can be “minted” as NFTs—with the parent managing the actual wallet side. This turns NFTs into a creative learning experience rather than a speculative gamble.

Option 4: Play-to-Earn and Simulated Platforms

Some Web3 games allow players to earn tokens or NFTs through gameplay. While most are technically meant for 18+, many teens encounter them anyway. Parents can either:

• Supervise participation carefully (to avoid scams and overexposure).

• Or encourage alternatives: mock investing apps that simulate buying and holding crypto without using real money.

Simulators can help teach risk, volatility, and portfolio management—without the financial downside.

What to Watch Out For

Even small-scale crypto exposure for kids comes with risks. Parents should stay alert to:

• Scams & fraud: Fake giveaways, phishing, and shady projects are common.

• Addiction & overtrading: Just like day trading stocks, crypto’s volatility can hook teens.

• Tax implications: Any crypto held in a custodial or parent account may need to be reported.

• Emotional swings: Kids may overreact to price drops—turning lessons into stress.

The antidote is parental involvement: set clear boundaries, frame investments as long-term, and treat everything as a learning experience.

Bottom Line

Your 13-year-old can’t open a Coinbase account on their own—but with the right guardrails, they can start building healthy habits around Web3 investing.

Whether through custodial accounts, family wallets, NFTs, or simulations, kids can begin learning about ownership, risk, and the value of digital assets. Think of it as the modern piggy bank—except instead of dollar bills, it might hold ETH, Bitcoin, or a digital collectible.

What matters most isn’t the size of the holdings, but the lessons: patience, responsibility, and understanding that digital money is still real money.

✅ Parent Tip: If your child is asking about crypto, don’t dismiss it. Use it as a springboard to teach financial literacy, digital responsibility, and long-term thinking.

Platforms & Services That Support Crypto Investing for Kids / Through Custodial Shades

What to Double-Check Before Choosing

To make sure a given platform will work (and is safe), parents / guardians should check:

1. Age / KYC rules — Even if the platform nominally supports minors through custodial accounts, they may still require ID, proof of guardianship, etc.

2. What “crypto exposure” means — Sometimes it's via ETFs/funds (e.g. shares of a fund that track Bitcoin, rather than owning actual Bitcoin), which has implications for how you use or transfer the asset, and for risk.

3. Custodial ownership vs. transferability — Many custodial or parent-controlled wallets/accounts do not allow the minor to move assets out until they reach legal age. Also, crypto bought for a child may often not be transferred to a non-custodial wallet in many setups. (EarlyBird is one example where assets are non-transferable to personal wallets initially.) EarlyBird+1

4. Fees and minimums — Crypto investing can have higher fees or minimums; ETF options typically have lower friction but might have expense ratios or fund fees.

5. Regulatory status of crypto ETFs — In many jurisdictions, only certain crypto ETFs are allowed, and sometimes there are delays or restrictions. Always verify which ones are legal/available in your state or region.

6. Security and custody — Even in custodial setups, ensure the provider has strong security practices (cold storage, insured custody, etc.).

U.S. — minors + crypto exposure

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Other Articles In This Issue:

• The Next Internet Our Kids Will Inherit

•  Editorial: Digital Parenting in the Web3 Era

• Companion Guide: 5 Practical Steps Parents Can Take Now

• Case Study: From Roblox Skins to Real Digital Ownership

• CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS EDITIONS