How to Buy Crypto Online: The Complete 2025 Beginner-to-Pro Guide

This is called custodial storage because the exchange holds the coins for you. You can also choose non-custodial storage, where you control your coins using your own wallet. Signing up for a crypto exchange is pretty straightforward, but the steps can vary slightly depending on which platform you choose and how you plan to pay. After choosing your preferred cryptocurrency exchange, the next step is to create and verify your account. We’re one of the most trusted global exchanges, with access to over 400 cryptocurrencies in more than 20 currencies. Our mobile app has been developed with a deeply intuitive design in mind, and we also offer additional features including Visa cards, staking, and DeFi access – all in one ecosystem.

• According to our January 2025 Market Sizing Report, global crypto owners increased by 13% last year, rising to 659 million investors as of December 2024.
• As I mentioned briefly at the beginning of the article, there are alternative ways to purchase crypto apart from crypto exchanges and brokerages.
• Continue using the exchange order book to start trading different pairs or even explore decentralized exchanges (DEXs) with a self-custody wallet.

And in this guide, we’ll walk you through how to do it, whether you’re new or want to refine your crypto-buying skills. Pay for your crypto with credit card, payment app, or by bank account Download the Bitcoin.com Wallet mobile app or create an account to access your crypto on any device. Yes, cryptocurrency is very volatile compared to traditional investments, and prices can fluctuate quickly.

After buying your cryptocurrency, it’s mission critical to store and manage your new assets securely. Most users are verified within a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the volume of applications. Once your account is verified, you’ll unlock full access to all Crypto.com features – including trading, staking, and the Visa card. Verification not only boosts account security but also gives you higher transaction limits and smoother access to the crypto ecosystem. Considering investing in cryptocurrency but not sure where to begin? In layman’s terms, a cryptocurrency exchange is a place where you meet and exchange cryptocurrencies with another person.

Pros of cryptocurrencies

Broker firms Robinhood and Interactive Brokers are popular examples of this trend. Here are the key features of some examples of top crypto wallets. However, knowing which service is safest or easiest to use can be overwhelming. Here are some of the best ways to buy cryptocurrency online today. Whether you’re interested in Bitcoin or meme coins, you must first grasp the fundamentals of buying crypto online to make the most informed decisions and get the best ROI.

While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn’t influence our assessment of those products. Please don’t interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. Finder compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don’t provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service. Holly Jennings is the deputy crypto editor and updates writer at Finder, working with writers across all niches to deliver quality content to readers.

Create and verify your account

Approximately 28% of American adults, or about 65 million people, own cryptocurrencies, according to a 2025 annual cryptocurrency consumer report. Bitcoin continues to hit all-time highs, and Coinbase, a top crypto exchange, recently joined the S&P 500. Buying cryptocurrency has never been more mainstream or accessible.

Swap. Swap DeFi coins and earn Triple Yield.

Coinbase is one of the most popular cryptocurrency broker exchanges. It is a secure exchnage that accepts bank transfers, credit / debit cards, PayPal, and Apple / Google Play. buy crypticcoin The fees charged depend on which payment method you choose, so be sure to check before you pay!

• The first — and arguably most important — thing to know about HYPER is that it’s not affiliated with BTC, although it benefits from its association with the most well-known crypto coin.
• Once complete, the crypto will show in your exchange wallet.
• They go from 0.45% for buying crypto with Euros to 4.35% for using Skrill and Neteller.

How to Buy Crypto Using an Exchange: A Step-by-Step Guide

When there’s a significant market correction or an economic downturn, crypto may not be impacted. That said, volatility is a feature of cryptocurrency and you’ll need to keep that in mind. There aren’t many investments generating more excitement than cryptocurrency.

However, they can make it tricky to transfer crypto assets to other platforms. This privacy and the diverse payment options account for P2P platforms’ appeal. However, since they’re unregulated and don’t require any due diligence, you risk dealing with unverified, potentially questionable sellers. Top peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms like OKX and Bybit connect buyers and sellers of cryptocurrency directly. This can be done without KYC, giving privacy-focused crypto enthusiasts a way to buy crypto anonymously. Hot wallets like Best Wallet are software-only, letting you instantly execute online crypto transactions 24/7.

Reliable sources, community feedback, and official project websites can be helpful when it comes to making smart choices and avoiding scams. The Crypto.com App offers a secure built-in hot wallet for everyday use, backed by strict security protocols. For users looking for even greater control, we also support withdrawals to external cold wallets, giving you full autonomy over how your crypto is stored. Unsurprisingly, the crypto market has grown rapidly over the past few years.

Best New Service with Free Offer: Moby Premium

Most major platforms and exchanges support buying crypto with a debit card. Look for platforms offering secure debit card crypto purchase options with lower fees. Learn more in our ‘Using Different Payment Methods to Buy Crypto Online’ section. In addition to holding your assets, many top crypto wallets like Best Wallet let you buy crypto directly from within the app. You simply need to install the relevant app, set up various security verifications, and load it with enough money to buy crypto and pay fees.

Luckily, there are a lot of good wallets to choose from that can store multiple cryptocurrencies. Exodus, for example, is a software wallet that can store Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dash, EOS, and more! Now, let me introduce you to all the key things you should know about. You can compare a cryptocurrency wallet with your bank account.

Global exchanges like Coinbase or Binance are suitable for most users. However, there can be geographical restrictions based on local licensing regulations. So, if you want to use another platform, make sure to research its history, security and track record in the industry.

Many view bitcoin as a digital alternative to gold — a scarce, decentralized store of value immune to inflationary policies. But you can use this guide to learn more about eight of the best crypto projects for 2026, how to evaluate them safely and how to add them to your crypto portfolio. Here are the pros and cons of the most popular crypto online payment methods.

We’ll also introduce you to top-of-the-line wallets like Best Wallet and Ledger, and some of the best exchanges like Binance and Margex Exchange, to help you kickstart your crypto journey. If you’re just buying and holding crypto on an exchange, they usually don’t apply. Most beginners start with custodial storage on the exchange where they bought their crypto.

Many regulated platforms and exchanges require your ID for KYC purposes before you can buy crypto online. However, some P2P and DEX platforms offer KYC-free options for smaller purchases. Find out more in the ‘What You Need to Buy Crypto Online’ section. On the other hand, cold wallets like Ledger are offline devices that hold your crypto assets on a piece, or multiple pieces, of hardware. They offer high security and long-term storage, but are not as handy for online transactions as hot wallets.

In the same way that you store traditional currencies(USD, JPY, EUR etc.) in your bank account, you will store your cryptocurrencies in your crypto wallet. Once there is money in your account, you’re ready to place your first cryptocurrency order. There are hundreds of cryptocurrencies to choose from, ranging from well-known names like Bitcoin and Ethereum to more obscure cryptos like Theta Fuel or Holo. To buy crypto, you’ll need to make sure you have funds in your account. You might deposit money into your crypto account by linking your bank account, authorizing a wire transfer or even making a payment with a debit or credit card.