Tired of trying to time the crypto market? Recurring cryptocurrency investments might be your answer. This strategy lets you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, regardless of price fluctuations. Think of it as putting your crypto investing on autopilot. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about setting up automated crypto purchases and implementing an effective dollar-cost averaging strategy.
Dollar-cost averaging smooths out Bitcoin’s volatility compared to lump-sum investing
Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is an investment strategy where you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, regardless of the asset’s price. With cryptocurrency recurring investments, this approach helps mitigate the impact of volatility that’s common in crypto markets.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are known for their price volatility. By spreading your purchases over time, you avoid the risk of investing all your money at a market peak. Instead, you buy more coins when prices are low and fewer when prices are high, potentially lowering your average cost per coin.
Research shows that investors who use DCA tend to stick with their investment plan during market downturns, rather than panic selling. This disciplined approach removes emotion from the equation and creates a sustainable investing habit.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. The same applies to cryptocurrency recurring investments.”
By automating your investments, you eliminate the stress of trying to time the market perfectly. This removes emotional decision-making from your investment strategy.
When prices drop, your fixed investment amount buys more cryptocurrency. Over time, this can result in a lower average purchase price compared to lump-sum investing.
Regular investments help build your crypto portfolio steadily over time, regardless of market conditions. This consistency is key to long-term growth.
Once set up, recurring investments require minimal maintenance. This “set it and forget it” approach makes investing accessible even for busy individuals.
By spreading purchases across time, you reduce the risk of investing all your funds at an inopportune moment, protecting against poor market timing.
With an automated strategy in place, you’ll worry less about daily price movements and focus more on long-term growth potential.
Our free DCA calculator helps you plan your strategy and see potential results based on historical data.
Several cryptocurrency exchanges and specialized platforms offer recurring buy features. Here’s how they compare:
Platform | Minimum Investment | Supported Coins | Recurring Buy Fee | Withdrawal to Cold Wallet |
Coinbase | $10 | 100+ | 1.49% + spread | Yes |
Binance | $15 | 350+ | 0.5% + spread | Yes |
Kraken | $20 | 65+ | 1.5% + spread | Yes |
Swan Bitcoin | $10 | Bitcoin only | 0.99% | Yes (auto-withdrawal) |
Example of a recurring investment setup page on a crypto exchange
Setting up recurring cryptocurrency investments is straightforward on most platforms. Here’s a general process that works across most exchanges:
Setting up recurring crypto investments can be done easily from your smartphone
1. Log in to your Coinbase account and click “Trade” in the top navigation.
2. Select “Recurring” instead of “Buy once.”
3. Choose your cryptocurrency, amount, and frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly).
4. Select your payment method and confirm the setup.
1. Navigate to “Earn” and select “Auto-Invest.”
2. Choose “Create a plan” and select your cryptocurrency.
3. Set your investment amount and frequency.
4. Review the details and click “Subscribe.”
Beyond basic exchange features, several specialized tools can enhance your recurring investment strategy:
3Commas offers advanced DCA bots that can execute more complex strategies, including grid trading and rebalancing alongside basic recurring buys.
Stacked combines portfolio management with automated investing features, allowing for more sophisticated recurring investment strategies across multiple assets.
Cryptohopper provides automated trading bots with DCA capabilities, allowing for customizable recurring investment schedules based on technical indicators.
12-month comparison of $12,000 invested as lump sum vs. $1,000 monthly DCA into Bitcoin
Let’s examine a real-world example of how cryptocurrency recurring investments performed compared to lump-sum investing:
Investment Approach | Starting Amount | Final Value | Return | Maximum Drawdown |
Lump Sum (January 2022) | $12,000 | $8,640 | -28% | -65% |
Monthly DCA ($1,000/month) | $12,000 total | $10,920 | -9% | -25% |
In this example from the 2022 bear market, the DCA approach significantly outperformed the lump-sum strategy. By spreading investments throughout the year, the investor was able to purchase more Bitcoin at lower prices during market downturns, resulting in a better overall position despite the challenging market conditions.
While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, this example illustrates how cryptocurrency recurring investments can help manage risk during volatile market periods.
Recurring cryptocurrency investments create multiple taxable events that must be tracked carefully:
Protect your recurring investments with these security measures:
Regularly transfer your accumulated cryptocurrency to a hardware wallet for enhanced security
Most platforms will attempt to notify you of the failed transaction. You’ll need to ensure adequate funds are available and manually initiate the missed investment if desired. Some platforms offer retry options or will automatically attempt the transaction again after a certain period.
If you’re using services like 3Commas or Cryptohopper and experience API connection problems:
During a blockchain fork, your recurring investment will typically continue purchasing the main chain’s token. If you want exposure to both chains after a fork, you may need to set up a separate recurring investment for the new token or adjust your existing plan.
Most platforms allow you to modify or cancel your recurring investments through the same section where you set them up. Look for “Manage recurring investments,” “Recurring buys,” or similar options in your account settings. Changes typically take effect before the next scheduled transaction.
Example of a failed recurring payment notification with troubleshooting options
Implementing cryptocurrency recurring investments is one of the most effective ways to build a digital asset portfolio while managing volatility risk. By automating your purchases and taking advantage of dollar-cost averaging, you remove emotion from the equation and establish a disciplined approach to crypto investing.
Regular review of your cryptocurrency recurring investment performance helps optimize your strategy
Download our free DCA calculator to plan your strategy and see potential results based on historical data.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrency investments are subject to high market risk. Please conduct your own research and consider your financial situation before investing.