Buying Crypto

How to buy Bitcoin and Altcoins For Beginners

This section is designed to help beginners buy bitcoin and cryptocurrency as simply and quickly as possible.

Most popular methods to buy crypto

5

Bank transfer

5
Credit or debit card
5
Pre-paid cards
5
Gift cards

Where to buy bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies easily?

It can be rather daunting when you are trying to work out how to buy your first cryptocurrency. There are hundreds of exchanges to choose from and here you will find the most popular and easy-to-use exchanges.

Step One

Choose an exchange you like from the list below and click on it.

Step Two
You will need to signup to the exchange
Step Three
Buy the crypto you want.
Once you have bought your crypto you can either keep it on that exchange, or move it into a wallet you fully control.

Visit our wallet section to chose a digital wallet.

If you are still confused and would like us to help guide you through buying and storing your first cryptocurrency please visit our crypto consulting service.

Crypto 101 guide

On this page, you will find how to buy your first bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies quickly (usually within 30 minutes or less) from a crypto exchange using either a credit/debit card or bank transfer.

We have listed only the most popular, safe, regulated, and insured crypto exchanges that are perfect for beginners.

These exchanges are the most trusted and user-friendly in the crypto space. We would like to remind you that this is not financial advice and to please read our disclaimer.

Once you have bought your first crypto and feel comfortable looking at other methods and crypto exchanges you can visit our full crypto exchanges section.

Coinbase Crypto Exchange

Our top recommendation for beginners is Coinbase

The reason for this – it is the number one preferred exchange for beginners and is very easy to use. Coinbase is also regulated and insured. A rarity in the crypto exchange space. Join over 56 million people from over 100 Countries who already use Coinbase. Buy with total confidence!

In fact, Coinbase is actually a publicly-traded company on the US Nasdaq stock exchange.

What payment methods are available on Coinbase?

You can pay with these methods
5

Paypal

5
Debit Card
5
Bank transfer
5
Apple Pay

What cryptocurrencies can you buy on Coinbase?

Here is a list of the cryptocurrencies you can buy on Coinbase. They will add new cryptocurrencies to buy over time.

Coinbase is selective with which cryptocurrencies they add to their platform and we see this as a good thing for beginners.

You can see from the list below that they offer a wide variety of the top coins to buy, including, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Cardano, Litecoin, and more.

Coinbase’s List Of Cryptocurrencies

How to join (signup) to Coinbase and get started on your crypto investment journey

Create A Coinbase Account

(It is totally free to join, create a crypto account and there are no on-going fees to maintain your crypto account with them)

What you will need to create an account

STEP 1

Create A Coinbase Account

Go to the Coinbase secure website click HERE.

Now you are on their website you need to go to the Get started button.

You will find the Get started button on the top

Click the Get started button and you will then be asked for the following information.

Enter accurate and up-to-date information to avoid any issues.

  • Legal FULL name (they will ask for proof)
  • Email address (use one that you have access to)
  • Password (write this down and store it in a secure place – not on your computer)
  • Your location (they will ask for proof)

STEP 2

Email Verification

Once you have signed up you will be sent a verification email. You will need to go to your email and click the verify link.

Once you have clicked the verify email link you will need to sign back into your new account. Use your email and password.

STEP 3

Verify Your Phone Number

  • Sign in to Coinbase and add your phone number.
  • Select your Country.
  • Enter your mobile number.
  • Click send code (computer) or tap Continue if using a mobile.
  • Enter the 7-digit code that Coinbase has sent to your mobile phone.
  • Click Submit or tap Continue.

If you did not receive a code. Select Resend-SMS.

STEP 4

Add Your Personal Information

  1. Enter the information shown on your valid government-issued photo ID. You will need to submit a photo of this ID later.
    • First Name
    • Last Name
    • Date of Birth
    • Address

  2. Answer the following questions:
    • What do you use Coinbase for?
    • What is your source of funds?
    • Current Occupation.
    • Employer.
    • Last 4 digits of SSN.
  3. Select Continue to finish the process.
  4. Application Process Complete!

This completes the application process.

You will need to wait till you receive further instructions from your email.

STEP 5

Verify Your Identity

To buy and sell crypto with Coinbase you will need to first verify your identity and add a bank account.

  1. Sign in to your Coinbase account.
  2. Complete the ID verification.

The reason you are asked for this ID verification is Coinbase must be compliant with international laundering regulations similar to opening a bank account. In fact, some banks actually allow you to link your Coinbase account directly to your bank account. When you are finished here visit our Crypto Banking Section to see which banks allow this.


Once you are identified we also recommend setting up your 2-step verification app (TOTP) to add another layer of protection to your Coinbase crypto account.

Visit our Cybersecurity section (2FA) if you have any issues with setting this up.

STEP 6

Link A Payment Method

Choose your Country below to learn which payment methods are available for your Country.

For US customers

Bank Account


Debit Card

Apple Pay

Bank Account

How To Cash Out From Coinbase

UK Customers




European Customers





How Do You Buy Cryptocurrency From Coinbase?

  1. Sign in to Coinbase.
  2. Select Buy / Sell on the upper right-hand side.
  3. Click the Buy field to select the asset you’d like to purchase.
  4. Enter the amount you’d like to buy denominated in crypto or your local currency.
  5. Select your payment method.
  6. Click Preview Buy to confirm your purchase (you can always click the back arrow to make a change).
  7. If the details are correct, click Buy to complete your purchase.

If you’d like to make this a recurring purchase, click One time purchase and select how often you’d like the purchase to repeat.

Once you have created a Coinbase account it is very simple to purchase cryptocurrencies.

Bitpanda Crypto Exchange

Bitpanda is one of the best crypto exchange option for UK and EU citizens.

Bitpanda used to be only for cryptocurrency buying and selling, but it is now so much more. Now you can buy, sell and swap bitcoin and other crypto’s, invest in stocks, ETFs, and precious metals all from one platform.

5

Bitpanda has been around since 2014.

5
It is the leading European retail broker for bitcoin, ethereum ripple, and more. They have nearly 3 million users.
5
Bitpanda is regulated (PSD2)
5
Fully compliant with AML5. Funds secured in offline wallets.

What Payment Methods Are Available On Bitpanda?

They accept EUR, CHF, GBP, USD or TRY to pay or cash out.

You can pay with these methods

5

Credit card

5
Debit card
5
SEPA
5
Bank transfer
5
EPS
5
GiroPay
5
Sofort
5
Skrill
5
Neteller
5
Zimpler
5
iDEAL
5
Cash (Prepaid voucher in Austria)

What Cryptocurrencies Can You Buy On Bitpanda?

Here is a list of the cryptocurrencies you can buy on Bitpanda. More cryptocurrencies are added over time.

Bitpanda has a fantastic and organised list of cryptocurrencies that its members can buy and sell on their platform.

Who Can Use Bitpanda?

How To Join (signup) To Bitpanda And Get Started On Your Crypto Investment Journey

STEP 1

Create A Bitpanda Account

Go to the Bitpanda secure website click HERE

Now you are on their website you need to go to the Get started button.

You will find the Get started button on the top right-hand section of their website.

Click the Get started button and you will then be asked for the following information.

Enter accurate and up-to-date information to avoid any issues.

Please note that only one account per user is allowed. You can use both the website and the Bitpanda App with a single account.

STEP 2

Secure Your Account

Almost their entire cryptocurrency reserve is stored offline, so they can ensure the security of their users.

Cold Storage
This means that this reserve is not connected to the web server or stored on a computer that is connected to the internet.

Session management
Login attempts from new devices must be confirmed by email from your registered email address.

reCAPTCHA
reCAPTCHA helps guard your account from unauthorized access.

Confirmation email
Confirmation emails add an additional security layer to your account, especially on critical actions like sending cryptocurrencies or Fiat withdrawals.

What you should do for your security
We recommend you to contribute to the security of your wallet by the following means.

1. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

If you want to download a 2FA authentication app visit our Cybersecurity section and then come back to this section to continue.

What is two-factor authentication (2FA) and how do I activate it?
In addition to the conventional login method, using an email address and a password, online accounts can be further secured by so-called two-factor authentication (2FA).

If two-factor authentication (2FA) is activated, a numerical code valid for a limited period of time is also requested during login in addition to the login data. This numerical code is generated via an app (e.g. Google Authenticator).

Desktop 2FA

Login using Desktop 2FA

Mobile App 2FA (Android)

Login With Mobile Android 2FA

Mobile App 2FA (iOS)

Login With Mobile iOS (APPLE) 2FA

STEP 3

Verify Your Account

Desktop Verification

Mobile App (Android) Verification

Mobile App (iOS-Apple) Verification

Congratulations you are now Verified!

STEP 4

Deposit Money And Buy Cryptocurrencies

Be aware that the payment provider account must be in your name and that a deposit from and for third parties is not permitted.

How can I deposit money to my Fiat Wallet and how do I buy cryptocurrencies?

Bitpanda’s fiat wallet feature allows you to deposit money to your Bitpanda account so that it is available at any time in order to purchase cryptocurrencies.

You can also sell cryptocurrencies to your fiat wallet and withdraw money at any time. This allows you to react quickly to the market regardless of the processing times of the payment methods.

Available Fiat Wallets

At the moment the following fiat wallets are available:

  • Euro (EUR)
  • US Dollar (USD)
  • Swiss Franc (CHF)
  • British Pound (GBP)
  • Turkish Lira (TRY)





Depositing Fiat (Desktop)

Depositing Fiat (Android)

Depositing Fiat (iOS-Apple)

STEP 5

Buying Cryptocurrencies

After you deposited money to your fiat wallet you can now buy bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Buy Cryptocurrency (Desktop)

Buy Cryptocurrency (Android)

Buy Cryptocurrency (iOS-Apple)

STEP 6

Sell Cryptocurrencies

Choose your Country below to learn which payment methods are available for your Country.

How Do You Sell Cryptocurrencies?

Sell Cryptocurrencies (Desktop)

Sell Cryptocurrencies (Android)

Sell Cryptocurrencies (iOS-Apple)

STEP 7

How Do You Withdraw Your Money?

Bitpanda’s fiat wallet feature allows you to sell cryptocurrencies to your fiat wallet and withdraw money at any time. You can also deposit money to your fiat wallet and have it available at any time to purchase cryptocurrencies. This allows you to react quickly to the market regardless of the processing times of the payment methods.

Available Fiat Wallets

The following fiat wallets are available at the moment:

  • Euro (EUR)
  • US Dollar (USD)
  • Swiss Franc (CHF)
  • British Pound (GBP)
  • Turkish Lira (TRY)

Withdraw Your Money (Desktop)

Withdraw Your Money (Android)

Withdraw Your Money (iOS-Apple)

Now that you have signed up to a crypto exchange that allows you to buy bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies we would like to invite you to view our main Crypto Exchanges and Digital Wallets section.

If you would like to learn more about this fascinating crypto world read our Articles and visit our learn about cryptocurrency section.