Tracking cryptocurrency

Quicken lets you track cryptocurrency holdings in your investment accounts alongside your other securities. You record purchases and sales the same way you record standard security transactions, with one key difference: cryptocurrency requires a specific search format to find it, because Quicken uses a separate data source for crypto prices.

Before you start

You need an investment account set up before you can track cryptocurrency. If you don't have one, see Setting up investment accounts.

Cryptocurrency tracking requires detailed investment account tracking. Simple investment tracking accounts do not support this feature.

Add a cryptocurrency to Quicken

Before you can record any transactions, the cryptocurrency must exist in your Quicken securities list. You can add it in two ways.

Option 1: Add from the Security field while entering a transaction

You can search for and add a cryptocurrency directly from the Security field while entering a transaction.

1. In the Security field, type a caret (^) followed by the name or symbol of the cryptocurrency. For example, type ^BTC to search for Bitcoin.

2. Quicken searches the cryptocurrency data source and returns matching results. Select the cryptocurrency you want from the list.

3. If the cryptocurrency does not already exist in your securities list, Quicken adds it automatically.

Option 2: Add from the Securities list

You can also add a cryptocurrency directly through the Securities list before entering any transactions.

1. Choose Window > Securities.

2. Click + at the bottom left of the window.

3. In Type, select Cryptocurrency.

4. Click in the Symbol field and type the symbol preceded by a caret, for example ^BTC. A dropdown appears showing matching cryptocurrencies with their full names and symbols.

5. Select the cryptocurrency you want from the list. Quicken fills in the Security Name and Symbol automatically.

6. Click Save.

Quicken automatically sets the Asset Class to Cryptocurrency when you select that type.

For more information about the Securities list, see Creating securities.

Record a purchase

Once the cryptocurrency exists in your securities list, record a purchase as a Buy transaction. When you select this transaction type, your cash balance is decreased by the total amount entered.

1. In the sidebar, select the investment account you want to use.

2. Click the Transactions tab and then click the New Transaction icon in the register toolbar.

3. Select Buy from the transaction types list.

4. Fill in the following fields:

   • Date: Enter the date of the purchase.

   • Security: Select the cryptocurrency. Use the caret search (^) if you need to find it by name or symbol.

   • Total Cost: Enter the total amount paid, including any fees.

   • Number of Shares: Enter the number of units purchased. For cryptocurrency, this is the coin or token quantity, not a share count in the traditional sense.

   • Commission: Enter any trading fee or commission, if applicable.

   • Memo: Enter any note you want to associate with the transaction.

   • Tags: Enter any tags you want to use when searching for the transaction.

5. To attach a file such as a trade confirmation or receipt, go to the Attachments tab, click Add attachment, and select the file.

6. Click Save.

Record a sale

Record a cryptocurrency sale as a Sell transaction. When you select this transaction type, your cash balance is increased by the total proceeds entered.

1. In the sidebar, select the investment account you want to use.

2. Click the Transactions tab and then click the New Transaction icon in the register toolbar.

3. Select Sell from the transaction types list.

4. Fill in the following fields:

   • Date: Enter the date of the sale.

   • Security: Select the cryptocurrency you sold.

   • Total Proceeds: Enter the total amount received from the sale, after any fees.

   • Number of Shares: Enter the number of units sold.

   • Commission: Enter any trading fee or commission, if applicable.

   • Memo: Enter any note you want to associate with the transaction.

   • Tags: Enter any tags you want to use when searching for the transaction.

5. To attach a file, go to the Attachments tab, click Add attachment, and select the file.

6. Click Save.

View your cryptocurrency holdings

After recording a transaction, your cryptocurrency appears in the portfolio alongside your other holdings. Quicken retrieves price history and current quotes automatically, so your portfolio value updates as prices change.

To view more detail about a specific holding, select it in the portfolio and click Security Detail. The Security Detail view shows your current holdings, cost basis, gain or loss, price history, and transaction history for that cryptocurrency.

Things to know

These notes cover behavior that is specific to cryptocurrency and may differ from how standard securities work in Quicken.

• The caret (^) prefix is required when searching inline for a cryptocurrency. This tells Quicken to search the cryptocurrency data source rather than the standard securities database. Without the caret, Quicken will not return cryptocurrency results in the inline search. Symbols follow the format ^SYMBOLCURRENCY, for example ^BTCUSD for Bitcoin priced in US dollars.

• Some symbols are shared between equities and cryptocurrencies. For example, BTC exists as both a standard security name and as part of Bitcoin's symbol. The caret ensures Quicken looks in the right place.

• Cryptocurrency positions can involve very small fractional quantities. Quicken supports up to eight decimal places for cryptocurrency share values, so your holdings are tracked with the precision the asset class requires.

• Cryptocurrency does not pay dividends. If you receive staking rewards or other income distributions, record those as separate transactions using the appropriate income transaction type.

• Cryptocurrency prices can be highly volatile. The market value shown in your portfolio reflects the latest price available in Quicken and may not match real-time exchange prices exactly.

• For tax purposes, each sale of cryptocurrency may be a taxable event. Quicken tracks your cost basis and gain or loss per transaction, which you can review in investment reports. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

• If a cryptocurrency does not appear in your portfolio after you record a transaction, check that your investment account is set to detailed tracking. Simple investment tracking accounts do not support cryptocurrency.