Exchanging Cash For Bitcoin

The subject of buying bitcoin can be a daunting subject.

Luckily for you we have narrowed down the best places to buy bitcoin by each payment method.

If you want to learn how to buy bitcoin securely with the lowest fees then keep reading…

Best Bitcoin App

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Coinbase

The World’s Leading Cryptocurrency Exchange Trusted By Over 30 Million Users

Best Trading Platform

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Etoro

The World’s Leading Social Trading And Investment Platform For Cryptocurrency

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Best Bitcoin Exchange

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CEX.IO

The Easiest And Most Secure Platform To Buy & Trade Cryptocurrency

Buy Bitcoins

Last Update June 27th, 2023. Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency and is often compared to gold in terms of rarity.

Many people want to own bitcoin and can do so with a select few methods.

This guide will teach you step-by-step how you can purchase bitcoin and where you can do it.

How To Buy Bitcoins Online: The Best Bitcoin Exchanges

Why You Should Get Bitcoins

Bitcoin is considered a form of money, both in day-to-day monetary transactions and as a long-term financial asset. It is popular for its rarity, fungibility, and immutability.

Bitcoin has its own protocol and isn’t going down anytime soon. Bitcoin is used for many applications including storage of value, investing, gaming, banking, and more.

What Is The Fastest Way To Buy Bitcoin Today

With over 30 million customers and venture capital backing, Coinbase is the strongest and most popular bitcoin exchange around. Coinbase is also the fastest way to buy bitcoin with credit card from anywhere on Earth.

How To Buy Bitcoin With Credit Card Summary

  1. Create an account with Coinbase.
  2. Verify your account.
  3. Add a credit card as your payment method.
  4. Go to “Bitcoin” and select the amount you want to buy.
  5. Receive bitcoins directly into your Coinbase wallet.

That’s it! You have successfully bought bitcoin using credit card as your payment method.

Where You Can Buy Bitcoin

Depending on the country you live in or the payment method you need to use, you can still obtain bitcoin easily and instantly.

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Step 1: Find A Friend Or Local Dealer Online

LocalBitcoins Map

It is not necessary that you have to sign up for an exchange in order to obtain or purchase bitcoin.

You can easily locate a bitcoin dealer in your local area on sites like Facebook or LocalBitcoins and trade with them in-person.

Bitcoin can be sent directly to a person’s wallets as a gift or in exchange for goods and services.

It is not uncommon for people to be introduced to bitcoin by frequent users who prefer using it as money.

How To Buy Bitcoins Anonymously

The first use case of bitcoin is as an anonymous currency and still is, for the most part, today, anonymous.

Bitcoin transactions, wallets, and miner rewards are stored on the blockchain ledger, so although there is technically not a name or address attached to the ledger, bitcoins can still be tracked to the original miner or previous wallet owner.

Buy Bitcoin With Cash

If you want to buy bitcoin anonymously you will have to find a friend or dealer in-person who will sell you bitcoin for cash or similar. It is also best that you use a hardware wallet or wallet that doesn’t have your personal information attached to it such as an exchange.

LocalBitcoins and similar meetup sites are good places to start to find a nearby dealer in your local area who is willing to accept cash for bitcoin.

Although there will likely be people nearby, if you need a small amount of bitcoin and don’t mind the high fees, another good option is to find and use a Bitcoin ATM nearby you.

Cash is the most popular way for people to buy bitcoin anonymously. Check out our buy bitcoin with cash guide to learn more about this payment method.


Step 2: Choose A Payment Method

Payment Methods

No matter your skill level with the cryptocurrency space, it is simple to get started.

Most people prefer buying bitcoin from an exchange because it is more convenient and secure than buying from a local dealer, and you have many more payment methods available to you.

Usually, the exchange will also supply you with a bitcoin wallet to help you store your bitcoin.

Why Do I Need To Provide ID To Buy Bitcoin On An Exchange?

Due to AML and KYC regulations, all customers must present some form of identity verification upon registration before they can begin to purchase bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on an exchange.

Do Banks Like Bitcoin?

Many banks discourage the purchase of bitcoin for many reasons although they are becoming more open to the idea of it as a legitimate currency.

We recommend finding a bitcoin-friendly bank before making a purchase to prevent any issues with your transaction or account.

Buying bitcoin with a debit card, credit card or bank account is the most popular way of purchasing bitcoin.

Credit Card or Debit Card

Credit Card or Debit Card Icon

Not only is buying bitcoin with a credit card or debit card the fastest option for procuring bitcoin but also it is secure because you have a bank behind your purchase.

Most institutional banks offer a debit card for customers to make purchases anytime they please. The most common types of cards issued by banks are those from VISA, Mastercard and UnionPay.

If you are in a rush and need to buy bitcoins at the price you want, then we recommend purchasing bitcoin with either a debit card or credit card.

Buying bitcoin with a debit card or credit card is by far the most popular method of purchasing bitcoin online.

Want more information about this payment method? Have a look at our guide to buying bitcoin with debit card or credit card.

Popular Exchanges For Buying Bitcoin With Debit Card Or Credit Card Instantly

Company
Fees
Countries Supported
Coinbase Icon ResizedCoinbase3.99%102 countries (see full list)
CEX IO Icon ResizedCEX.IO2.99%Worldwide
Paybis LogoPaybis5.99%Worldwide
Coinmama Icon ResizedCoinmama5.00%Worldwide
Gemini Icon ResizedGemini3.49%Most countries

Bank Account Or Transfer

Bank Account Symbol

Purchasing bitcoin with a bank account or transfer is the most secure route of doing business and carries the lowest fees. Depending on the country you live in and the exchange you are doing business with, a bank transfer will require between 1 to 5 business days to process. Some countries like the UK have a more optimized banking system for sending and receiving payments with a bank account.

SWIFT wire transfer is an international system for sending and receiving payments and is a secure and efficient payment method supported by most exchanges.

ACH bank transfer is a popular payment method for those living in the United States and supported countries, although processing time may be slower than other methods.

SEPA bank transfer is a popular payment method for citizens living in the European Union and member states for sending and receiving payments.

Faster Payments is exclusive to citizens of the United Kingdom and is an instant and secure payment method for sending and receiving money with a bank account.

If you are trading large volumes then you will want to look for an exchange that offers security, tools, and flexibility.

Want more information about this payment method? Have a look at our guide to buying bitcoin with bank account or bank transfer.

Popular Exchanges For Buying Bitcoin With Bank Account Or Transfer Instantly

Company
Fees
Countries Supported
Coinbase Icon ResizedCoinbaseFree102 countries (see full list)
Kraken Bitcoin Exchange Icon ResizedKrakenFreeWorldwide
Etoro Icon ResizedEtoroFree, $5 withdrawal feeWorldwide
CEX IO Icon ResizedCEX.IOFreeWorldwide
Paybis LogoPaybis>FreeWorldwide

PayPal

PayPal Logo

Established in 1998 by moguls Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and Reid Hoffman, PayPal is a multinational payment processing platform.

PayPal provides a world-class payment system and a seamless interface where others don’t.

Transactions on PayPal are fast and secure. PayPal also provides excellent customer service and buyer protection.

Many people use PayPal as a mobile wallet or bank, so using it to purchase bitcoin is an easy transition.

Want more information about this payment method? Have a look at our guide to buying bitcoin with PayPal.

Popular Exchanges For Buying Bitcoin With PayPal Instantly

Company
Fees
Countries Supported
Coinbase Icon ResizedCoinbaseFree102 countries (see full list)
CEX IO Icon ResizedCEX.IO2.99%Worldwide
Etoro Icon ResizedEtoroFree, $5 withdrawal fee

Your Capital is at risk.

Worldwide
Wirex Icon ResizedWirexFreeWorldwide

Gift Card

Amazon Gift Card

Gift cards are an immensely popular method for buying bitcoin, especially in countries with few supported exchanges or countries where banks specifically prohibit the purchase of bitcoin.

You can buy bitcoin with most gift cards, particularly the popular ones including Amazon, iTunes, eBay, and many, many more.

Want more information about this payment method? Have a look at our guide to buying bitcoin with gift card.

Popular Exchanges For Buying Bitcoin With Gift Card Instantly

CompanyFeesCountries Supported
Paxful Icon ResizedPaxfulFree, 0.1% to 5% for sellersEvery country except for a few (see banned countries)
LocalBitcoins Icon ResizedLocalBitcoinsFree, 1% to advertisersAll countries

Venmo

Venmo Icon

Venmo, acquired by PayPal in 2013 for $800 million, is one of the most popular platforms for sending and receiving money. As bitcoin is a uniquely peer-to-peer digital currency, Venmo is a peer-to-peer social payment platform.

Buying bitcoin with Venmo is also a popular method for many cryptocurrency traders.

On Venmo, transactions must go through the centralized Venmo network where users can instantly send money to their friends by opening the app and finding their friends’ profiles.

Want more information about this payment method? Have a look at our guide to buying bitcoin with Venmo.

Popular Exchanges For Buying Bitcoin With Venmo Instantly

Company
Fees
Countries Supported
Binance IconBinanceFreeAll countries

Step 3: Find A Reliable Exchange Or Marketplace

Once you have decided on a payment method the next step is to find a trustworthy exchange or marketplace that accepts your chosen method of payment.

If you want to fully utilize each exchange make sure that you are fully verified and that you secure your account with a strong password and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).

Some of the most reputable exchanges on the planet include:

The most popular person-to-person marketplaces include:

What Is The Best Overall Place To Buy Bitcoin?

Here are our personal favorite bitcoin exchanges for each method of payment:

Buy Bitcoin With Credit Card or Debit Card (Top Recommendation: Coinbase)

Buy Bitcoin With A Bank Account (Top Recommendation: CEX.IO)

Buy Bitcoin With PayPal (Top Recommendation: Etoro)

Buy Bitcoin With Gift Card (Top Recommendation: Paxful)

Buy Bitcoin With Venmo (Top Recommendation: LocalBitcoins)

Buy Bitcoin With Cash (Top Recommendation: Bitcoin ATM)

Coinbase Icon

Best Overall: Coinbase

With over 30 million customers, San Francisco-based Coinbase is the strongest exchange out of them all. With a strong insurance and cold storage offering on top of an amazing interface, Coinbase is the premier bitcoin exchange that is popular in many countries of the world (100+). Coinbase supports many payments and is an easily accessible and secure option for holding your cryptocurrency assets.


Step 4: Secure Your Bitcoins

Buy Bitcoins

After investing or buying a large amount of bitcoin you will want to further secure them so that they are safe in the case of a natural disaster or hack.

Too much currency held inside of an exchange puts you at risk.

Our advice is to get a reliable bitcoin wallet that will secure your bitcoin in the event of an Internet outage or hack.

Hot Wallet vs Cold Wallet

Exchanges are considered to be hot wallets and are always connected to the Internet, so it is preferable to store your bitcoin offline within a dependable cold storage hardware wallet so only you have control of where your bitcoin is held.

Refer to our official bitcoin wallet guide for more information on this topic.


What Are Some Other Payment Methods I Can Use To Buy Bitcoin?

Aside from the payment methods listed above, customers can also choose to buy bitcoin with Skrill, Neteller, Apple Pay, Giropay, or Klarna and many others on numerous exchanges.

Can I Buy Bitcoin Without Fees?

Depending on the size and desired speed, every bitcoin transaction incurs a small fee that finds its way to the original miner of the BTC.

Although they usually require 2 or more business days to complete, bank transfers are primarily the best way to avoid fees when purchasing Bitcoin.

You can find some of the exchanges with the lowest fees in this guide.

How Can I Buy Bitcoin Stock?

Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency that is considered by most to be a volatile alternative asset. You can buy stock in bitcoin on most exchanges and trading platforms. Some exchanges will let you transfer the bitcoin in and out of the exchange i.e. Coinbase, while others will only allow you to buy and sell bitcoin for profit i.e. Cash App.

Have a look at our guide to buying bitcoin stock for more information.

How Do I Get Bitcoin At The Best Price?

If you want to get bitcoin at the best possible price our recommendation is to make a purchase when the price is at a low inflection point. Alternatively, most exchanges will allow you to set a market limit order that executes when the price of bitcoin passes a certain threshold. If you are serious about buying bitcoin at the best possible price this would be the best way to do it.

Where Are The Other Exchanges?

There are many exchanges not listed in this guide for one reason or another. Some exchanges only serve certain countries, while others don’t support all payment methods or cryptocurrencies. You can have a look at our complete list of exchanges if you want to find one that suits your needs better.

Where Can I Learn How To Buy Cryptocurrencies As A Whole?

Have a look at our how to buy cryptocurrencies guide here.