Where & How To Buy Bitcoin
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Buying Bitcoin is one of the first steps to entering the cryptocurrency market. It is undoubtedly the king of the industry and the dominant asset by market capitalization. For those who are yet to purchase Bitcoin and sitting on the fence, this guide will explain how to buy Bitcoin and compare the best places to buy Bitcoin so you can make an informed decision.
How To Buy Bitcoin - Quick Tutorial
The easiest and safest way to purchase Bitcoin is by using an exchange and following these steps:
- Compare and select a crypto exchange. Find and compare cryptocurrency exchanges that are available within the specific country and support the fiat currency that is to be converted into BTC.
- Register an account with the exchange. Create an account with a crypto exchange and complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. It is also recommended to activate 2-factor authentication (2FA) for additional account security.
- Deposit funds to a wallet. Choose a payment option that offers the best fees and reasonable speed for the funds to arrive in the exchange wallet. The most common payment methods include a bank transfer, wire transfer, debit card, credit card, and PayPal.
- Buy Bitcoin. Browse the supported assets and choose Bitcoin. Use the funded account to choose an amount to spend and then confirm the purchase.
Where To Purchase Bitcoin - 2023 Reviews
1. Binance
Binance is the largest and most traded exchange in the world for buying, trading, and storing Bitcoin, according to CoinMarketCap. It's free to join and is available in over 100 countries worldwide and accepts deposits in multiple fiat currencies such as AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, SGD & UGX which can be safely converted into Bitcoin. The most common payment methods available are bank transfers, SEPA, bank cards (VISA), and SWIFT.
At the time of writing, Binance is the most used exchange for trading Bitcoin against Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) with approximately 7.48% of all trading volume. Deep liquidity translates to lower spreads and the risk of slippage. Moreover, Binance has a maximum trading fee of 0.1% which reduces with higher trading volume and staking BNB. In short, Binance is one of the cheapest places to buy Bitcoin when all fees and spreads are considered.
Read our full Binance review.
2. Coinbase
Coinbase is widely known as a safe and reputable crypto exchange that is trusted by thousands of customers worldwide. Coinbase is one of the best exchanges in the US for buying Bitcoin and managing a portfolio with its easy-to-use mobile app.
The overall experience of selecting a payment method and buying Bitcoin is quick and easy with a variety of supported fiat currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR, and AUD. Funds can be allocated to a trading account using a credit and debit card but the fees are quite expensive at 3.99% for most regions.
Read our full Coinbase review.
3. eToro
eToro is a trusted and reliable financial services provider. Similar to Coinbase, the ease of use and visual portfolio manager separates eToro from its competitors. There is even a free demo mode to trade crypto for users to become familiar with the platform and markets.
Getting started with eToro is straightforward and can be funded using a bank transfer or wire transfer with as little as USD 10. This is also the minimum trade which means investors can purchase Bitcoin with a small amount of money.
The fees on eToro are a flat 1% commission on Bitcoin purchases. While the fees are a little higher compared to other crypto platforms, the spreads are very competitive. Overall, eToro is a trusted and regulated Bitcoin platform with an innovative mobile app to monitor a purchase on the move.
Read our full eToro review.
What To Consider When Buying Bitcoin
To buy Bitcoin safely and securely, it is important to select a reputable crypto exchange or platform that complies with local regulations and laws. Here are a few considerations to take on board before buying Bitcoin on an exchange:
- Trusted and regulated exchange: Using a local exchange is a smart decision when buying or selling Bitcoin. To operate within the country, the exchange will need to abide by the Government's laws and regulations.
- Deposit options: The exchange should accept a preferred payment option to fund an account. The most common methods are bank transfers, wire transfers, PayPal, credit/debit cards or a cryptocurrency wallet. Each option will have varying payment fees, minimum and maximum limits, and transfer speeds to be aware of.
- Fees: There are several different fees to be aware of. Depositing funds such as fiat currencies will usually incur a payment charge. Depending on the exchange, payment method and the amount, the fees can be a fixed amount or a percentage. The other major cost is the trading fee which can be as high as 2.99% per transaction. The major crypto exchanges are the best choices as they can offer zero fiat deposit fees and low trading fees from 0.1%. There is also a withdrawal fee to transfer Bitcoin to an external wallet.
- Secure wallet: Bitcoin purchases on a centralized exchange will be held by the platform until it is transferred to a personal wallet. To minimize the risk of fraudulent account access, the exchange should at a minimum include 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) for login and withdrawals and utilize a combination of hot and cold wallets. Some exchanges even provide insurance on stored Bitcoin.
Different Ways To Pay For Bitcoin
Crypto enthusiasts are always looking for cheaper, faster and more secure ways to buy Bitcoin. Here is the best method for buying Bitcoin on cryptocurrency exchanges that can be used.
- Bank transfers. Most crypto exchanges support the option to buy Bitcoin with bank transfers. Common bank transfer options include SEPA in Europe, ACH in the United States, Faster Payments in the U.K., and SWIFT which is available worldwide. Bank transfers are a preferred option since they provide higher spending limits and low or no processing fees. The only drawback is that bank transfers are not instant and it could take 3 to 5 days for the funds to be received in the account wallet.
- Credit and debit cards. Bank cards are simple, safe, and fast payment options for investors. Most crypto exchanges can be linked to Visa or Mastercard credit cards issued in their fiat currency. The platforms automatically convert the currency into their supported options. A downside of using a credit card to buy Bitcoin is the surcharge costs that can range from 0% to 5% per transaction.
- Prepaid cards. A common payment method on most cryptocurrency exchanges. Otherwise referred to as everyday cards, prepaid cards are similar to conventional debit or credit cards, except they don’t rely on a bank or financial institution. Users only need to load their cards with money and proceed to purchase Bitcoin. Cardholders can also replenish their prepaid cards when funds are running low. Buying Bitcoin with a prepaid card may attract higher fees compared to other payment methods.
- Apple Pay. A handful of cryptocurrency exchanges allow users to buy Bitcoin with Apple Pay, an exclusive payment method for the iOS ecosystem. Apple Pay works as a digital wallet, so users don’t need any physical needs. Some benefits of this payment method are that users enjoy simplified payments, they can pay offline, and manage their transactions and assets from a centralized place. A drawback is that Apple Pay doesn’t support large transactions.
- Gift cards. Investors can redeem unused or leftover gift cards, such as from Amazon, through online exchanges to buy Bitcoin. Peer-to-peer platforms such as Paxful have the option to buy Bitcoin with an Amazon gift card.
- PayPal. Several exchanges and platforms support PayPal as a means to deposit fiat money to fund a wallet. Individuals located in the U.S. and U.K can even buy Bitcoin directly through the PayPal application. It is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to buy Bitcoin. For more information on how and where to buy Bitcoin with PayPal, read this guide.
What Strategy To Buy Bitcoin?
It is important to invest in Bitcoin using a strategy. Different strategies are suited to different time horizons, so choosing an investment strategy can have a big impact when Bitcoin is purchased. Here are a few popular strategies that investors use to gain exposure to Bitcoin.
- Dollar Cost Averaging. One of the most common investment strategies is called Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA). This strategy is best for crypto investors who plan to hold bitcoin for a long time. DCA involves buying bitcoin at predefined intervals using a predefined amount of investment capital. Rather than investing all investment capital in one go, capital can be evenly invested over frequent intervals.
- Trading Bitcoin. Another option for those looking to capitalize on volatile market conditions is cryptocurrency trading. With this strategy, the objective is to buy Bitcoin when prices are falling and then sell when prices are beginning to rally. Trades can take minutes, hours, days, or even weeks to complete depending on an individual’s trading strategy. Trading allows for the potential of quick short-term gains. However, it is also far riskier than long-term investing.
Is Now A Good Time To Buy Bitcoin?
Bitcoin has provided the best returns of any financial asset over the last 10 years. However, like the equity market, returns are amplified for those who invest early. Therefore, for those who believe in Bitcoin and the potential that it holds, now is always a good time to buy. The longer that Bitcoin is held, the more likely it is to turn a profit.
But, it is important to remember that bitcoin is a speculative asset. Investors should consider the risks involved. There are no guarantees that the price of bitcoin will continue to increase over time. Future regulation, recessions, and cybercrime are all threats to Bitcoin’s development.
Step-By-Step Guide To Buying Bitcoin
1. Compare and select a crypto exchange
The first step to buying Bitcoin is to decide on what type of cryptocurrency services to use. There are several options which include fiat-to-crypto exchanges, trading platforms, decentralized exchanges, and brokerages to choose from. Centralized crypto exchanges are the most commonly used and convenient for beginners which allow individuals to buy, store, trade, and sell Bitcoin.
Exchanges such as Coinbase, Binance, and Crypto.com offer a wide range of features, products, and services that can be beneficial after the initial purchase. For example, these particular exchanges allow investors to earn interest on Bitcoin to earn passive rewards.
Important aspects to keep in mind when selecting a Bitcoin exchange are:
- Supported countries and accepted fiat currencies
- Deposit methods and limits
- All fee types (deposit, trading, and withdrawal)
- Ease of use for all experience levels
- Trading volume and liquidity (minimize spread and slippage)
- Industry-standard security measures
- Live-chat or support desk
2. Register an account with the exchange
Create an account with the selected cryptocurrency exchange using a valid email address. To buy Bitcoin with a fiat currency such as USD, GBP, EUR or AUD, an identity verification process will need to be completed that will generally require the following information:
- Full name
- Email address
- Proof of ID
- Proof of address
- A photograph showing the face
This information is collected by the exchange to comply with the international Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements. Certain platforms with crypto-to-crypto trading only do not require ID verification, however, there may be limits on the amount that can be withdrawn per day. For additional account security, it is also recommended to activate 2 Factor Authentication which adds another security layer for account login and withdrawal requests.
3. Deposit funds
The next step is to deposit funds to the account or transfer cryptocurrency from another trading platform or wallet. For those who are buying crypto for the first time using fiat currency, exchanges provide several on-ramp options to deposit money including wire transfer, bank transfer, credit/debit cards, and Faster Payments. There are usually minimum limits and payment fees for each supported payment method which can vary on the investor's place of origin. A common method available is buying Bitcoin with a credit card, however, the fees are a lot higher and are not recommended.
Buying Bitcoin on Coinbase with a debit card.4. Buy Bitcoin
Once an account is funded with money, the last step is to find Bitcoin in the asset list and click buy. Depending on the exchange, the way to purchase Bitcoin will be a simple order form or using an advanced trading platform with different order types. Using the deposited funds, choose the amount to spend on Bitcoin. The amount of Bitcoin that will be received will usually be shown at the time of the transaction. Review and complete the trade and the purchased amount of Bitcoin will arrive near-instantly in the user's wallet.
Buying Bitcoin Country Guides
Finding a suitable exchange to invest in Bitcoin is an important consideration. Global exchanges may not be suitable for everyone and therefore, we have curated guides for specific countries to buy Bitcoin outside of the USA.
Where To Store Bitcoin
Purchased Bitcoin should not be left on an exchange permanently. While they will generally feature bank-like security measures, the best practice is to withdraw the Bitcoin and hold it within a wallet under the owner's custody. The options available to an investor after purchasing are:
- Leave the Bitcoin on the exchange. Centralized cryptocurrency exchanges provide wallets for users to store their Bitcoin. While these exchanges feature leading-edge security features, exchanges have been known to be hacked. Purchased Bitcoin should be withdrawn as most exchanges do not have insurance or consumer protection.
- Transfer to a software or mobile wallet. Often referred to as 'hot wallets, these wallets store Bitcoin on portable devices such as mobile phones, computers and apps. They are highly convenient, accessible, available and easy to use for Bitcoin owners but have a risk of theft as it is still connected to the internet.
- Transfer to a hardware wallet. The devices are small compact devices that store the unique encrypted private key that gives access to the wallet. The stored Bitcoin is disconnected from the internet which severs the opportunity for hackers to steal the Bitcoin. The downside is that users are 100% responsible for Bitcoin safety. For more information, read our guide on the best hardware wallets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Bitcoin can be fractionalized to as little as one hundred millionth of a BTC. This allows individuals to buy a small fraction of Bitcoin and not a full coin. For example, an investor can deposit $100 to obtain a small amount of Bitcoin. The exact amount of BTC received will depend on the Bitcoin price at the time of the purchase. Some exchanges will impose a minimum transaction amount that should be considered.
Yes, it is possible to make real money from investing in Bitcoin. Due to the constant imbalance of supply and demand, there will always be opportunities to buy Bitcoin and sell for cash profits. Investing in the Bitcoin market is highly speculative and losses can occur.
There are several methods to acquire Bitcoin without directly purchasing it with fiat currency or other cryptocurrencies. Popular ways to earn free Bitcoins include cashback programs, lending Bitcoin to earn interest, completing surveys and polls, mining Bitcoin and joining affiliate programs that pay in BTC.
Conclusion
The process of buying Bitcoin is becoming more accessible through cryptocurrency exchanges that provide easy-to-use platforms and mobile apps. While many investors will be initially challenged to understand how to buy Bitcoin on an exchange and transfer to a personal wallet, the overall experience will become more streamlined and simplified with mainstream adoption. At the time of writing, using an exchange is the best approach to obtaining Bitcoin which can be completed in 4 steps: selecting a reputable Bitcoin provider, registering an account, depositing funds, and purchasing Bitcoin.
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