How to Buy Bitcoin
If you don't feel like mining Bitcoin, the easiest way of acquiring Bitcoin is to buy it with fiat or another cryptocurrency.
There are plenty options to choose from. Let's have a look at the most common ones.
Buy bitcoin with fiat
Buying with "your" government paper money can be an easy and convenient option. In fact, it's likely your only way to enter the world of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general.
However, you may be required to give up your privacy and go through often very invasive KYC/AML procedures.
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If privacy is a big concern, you may want to avoid traditional exchange markets and use alternative ways.
Bitfinex
Bitfinex is one of the largest crypto exchange markets and trading platforms by volume.
- KYC required: Yes (photo ID, proof of address)
- SEPA: Yes
- Card payment: No
- International payment: Yes
- Buy fee: 0.10 - 0.20%
- Supported cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Monero, Litecoin, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Zcash, Bitcoin Cash (Bcash) and more
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Bisq
Decentralized bitcoin trading network: trade bitcoin for fiat or other cryptocurrencies. Private by default, secure by design, and free as in freedom.
- KYC required: No
- SEPA: Yes
- Card payment: Yes
- International payment: Yes
- Buy fee: 0.1-0.7%
Bitpanda
Bitpanda is a European crypto exchange market that supports many different payment options.
- KYC required: Yes (phone number, photo ID, proof of address depending on the tier)
- SEPA: Yes
- Card payment: Yes
- International payment: Yes
- Buy fee: 5% with a credit/debit card
- Supported cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dash, Bitcoin Cash (Bcash) and Ripple
Bitstamp
Bitstamp is one of the oldest and most reputed Bitcoin exchange markets with customers mainly from the European Union.
- KYC required: Yes (photo ID, proof of address)
- SEPA: Yes
- Card payment: Yes (5000 EUR daily/20000 EUR monthly limit)
- International payment: Yes
- Buy fee: 0.25%
- Supported cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash (Bcash), Ripple (not really a crypto)
Kraken
Kraken is the US-based exchange markets with the largest EUR exchange volume.
- KYC required: Yes (photo ID, proof of address)
- SEPA: Yes ($2000 daily/$10000 monthly limit)
- Card payment: No
- International payment: Yes
- Buy fee: 0.16 - 0.26%
- Supported cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Monero, Litecoin, Ethereum, Zcash, Bitcoin Cash (Bcash) and more
Binance
Binance is the largest cryptocurrency exchange market by volume. They are popular mainly because of low fees, high liquidity and low-latency platform.
- KYC required: No, but limits apply
- Sign up required: Yes
- Fee: 0.1%
Bittrex
Trade Tokenized Stocks: Buy fractional shares of stocks like Apple, Tesla and more
- KYC required: Yes
- Sign up required: Yes
- Fee: 0.25%
HodlHodl
Global P2P Bitcoin lending & trading platform that doesn't hold funds.
- KYC required: Depends on the seller
- SEPA: Yes
- Card payment: Yes
- International payment: Yes
- Buy fee: 0.6%
AgoraDesk
AgoraDesk is a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency OTC desk.
- KYC required: Depends on the seller
- SEPA: Yes
- Card payment: Yes
- International payment: Yes
- Buy fee: 0% (1% fee paid by the seller)
LocalBitcoins
LocalBitcoins is the largest peer-to-peer exchange market that offers the most payment options (including cash) with users all over the world.
If there's no traditional exchange market in your country, there will likely be at least one seller on LocalBitcoins.
- KYC required: Yes
- SEPA: Yes
- Card payment: Yes
- International payment: Yes
- Buy fee: 1%
Buy bitcoin via ATMs
There are many Bitcoin ATMs around the world.
They vary in fees and KYC/AML requirements. Generally speaking, you will pay at least 3% in fees and will have to provide some kind of personal information such as a phone number or photo ID.
Godex
Find where to buy or sell bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies for cash.
Buy bitcoin with altcoins
Once you've entered the crypto space, it's very easy to buy bitcoin with another cryptocurrency.
Be careful when choosing a crypto-only exchange market though, as they're often shady. There have been many instances of exit scams in the past.
Godex
Exchange anonymously any volume with guaranteed fixed rate
- KYC required: No
- Sign up required: No
- Fee: $0 (the exchange rate may differ from other markets)
SideShift.ai
SideShift.ai enables HUMANS and AI to shift between 30+ cryptocurrencies. Swap between coins with fast and easy user experience, no sign-up required.
- KYC required: No
- Sign up required: No
- Fee: 0.5%
Changelly
Fast and secure way to exchange and purchase 150+ cryptocurrencies.
- KYC required: No
- Sign up required: No, but available
- Fee: 0.5%
changeNOW
Instantly exchange Bitcoin free of limits, accounts, and worries.
- KYC required: Depends
- Sign up required: No
- Fee: $0 (the exchange rate may differ from other markets)
More ways to buy Bitcoin may be added in the future.
