| How To Buy Bitcoins Online Learn how to buy bitcoins online by following these simple steps:Find a Bitcoin exchangeBuy bitcoins by exchanging your local currency, like the U.S. dollar or euro, for bitcoinTransfer the bitcoins to your walletBefore buying bitcoins, understand that there is no official Bitcoin exchange rate. Bitcoin price indexes exist which pull data from the world’s largest Bitcoin exchanges to create an average, helping you better understand Bitcoin’s true exchange rate.Once you find a Bitcoin exchange in your country, compare the exchange rate on your local exchange to a Bitcoin price index. | Overview - Table of ContentsBuy Bitcoins OnlineUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaMexicoSouth AmericaAsiaAustraliaBrazilGermanyFranceAfricaBest Bitcoin ExchangeGet a Bitcoin Wallet |
| If you can’t find information about your country below, use Buy Bitcoin Worldwide to find a local exchange. Buy Bitcoins in the United States Coinbase and Circle are considered the best ways to buy bitcoins online in the United States. At Coinbase you buy bitcoin with a connected bank account. Circle offers additional payment methods; you can buy bitcoin with a credit card, debit card, or connected bank account. |  |
Coinbase is one of the world's largest Bitcoin exchanges. Users in the United States, Canada, most of Europe, and Singapore can buy bitcoins with a connected bank account or SEPA transfer.
European users can purchase bitcoins with 3D secure credit or debit cards.
Circle Buy Circle makes it easy to buy bitcoins with a credit card, debit card, or connected bank account. Its buy price is often only 0.5% more than the average market rate. Circle is available to residents of the United States and United Kingdom.
Indacoin Buy Clients can buy bitcoins with a credit or debit card without registration. The first purchase takes less than 20 minutes. Clients will have to enter 4 digits from your online card statement and 6 digits from a phone call. After the credit card is verified then all transaction go through instantly and clients will not need to verify again. A new card is limited to USD$35, the second purchase can be made in four days with a USD$100 limit and the third purchase could be made in seven days USD$500 limit. After one month clients will not have any limits to buy bitcoins with Visa or Mastercard credit cards.
Kraken Buy Kraken is one of the world's largest Bitcoin exchanges. Residents of Europe and the UK can deposit and purchase bitcoins with same day SEPA transfer.
LocalBitcoins Buy LocalBitcoins is an escrow service that helps match Bitcoin buyers and sellers.
BitQuick Buy BitQuick is an escrow service that facilitates the buying and selling of bitcoins via cash deposit.
Wall of Coins Buy Wall of Coins is an escrow service that facilitates the buying and selling of bitcoins. Cash deposit is the most popular payment method.
Many people want to know: is it possible to buy bitcoins with PayPal? Since PayPal bans its merchants from accepting PayPal payments for bitcoins, it’s not possible to buy bitcoins with PayPal directly.
Buy Bitcoins in the United Kingdom
Coinbase is one of the world's largest Bitcoin exchanges. Users in the United States, Canada, most of Europe, and Singapore can buy bitcoins with a connected bank account or SEPA transfer.
European users can purchase bitcoins with 3D secure credit or debit cards.
Circle Buy Circle makes it easy to buy bitcoins with a credit card, debit card, or connected bank account. Its buy price is often only 0.5% more than the average market rate. Circle is available to residents of the United States and United Kingdom.
Indacoin Buy Clients can buy bitcoins with a credit or debit card without registration. The first purchase takes less than 20 minutes. Clients will have to enter 4 digits from your online card statement and 6 digits from a phone call. After the credit card is verified then all transaction go through instantly and clients will not need to verify again. A new card is limited to USD$35, the second purchase can be made in four days with a USD$100 limit and the third purchase could be made in seven days USD$500 limit. After one month clients will not have any limits to buy bitcoins with Visa or Mastercard credit cards.
Bittylicious Buy UK residents can buy bitcoins online in a little under an hour at Bittylicious with UK instant bank transfer.
Buy Bitcoins in Canada
Coinbase is one of the world's largest Bitcoin exchanges. Users in the United States, Canada, most of Europe, and Singapore can buy bitcoins with a connected bank account or SEPA transfer.
European users can purchase bitcoins with 3D secure credit or debit cards.
Indacoin Buy Clients can buy bitcoins with a credit or debit card without registration. The first purchase takes less than 20 minutes. Clients will have to enter 4 digits from your online card statement and 6 digits from a phone call. After the credit card is verified then all transaction go through instantly and clients will not need to verify again. A new card is limited to USD$35, the second purchase can be made in four days with a USD$100 limit and the third purchase could be made in seven days USD$500 limit. After one month clients will not have any limits to buy bitcoins with Visa or Mastercard credit cards.
Kraken Buy Kraken is one of the world's largest Bitcoin exchanges. Residents of Europe and the UK can deposit and purchase bitcoins with same day SEPA transfer.
QuickBT Buy Buy bitcoins quickly in Canada with Interac Online or debit card.
Buy Bitcoins in South America
LocalBitcoins Buy LocalBitcoins is an escrow service that helps match Bitcoin buyers and sellers.
SatoshiTango Buy SatoshiTango is a Bitcoin broker available in Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay.
Bitex.la Buy Bitex.la is a Bitcoin exchange that offers services in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay. Deposits can be made with cash in Argentina and Chile, or with AstroPay in all four countries.
SurBitcoin Buy SurBitcoin is Venezuela's only local Bitcoin exchange. Deposits are made with Venezuelan national bank transfer.
SurBTC Buy SurBTC is Chile's largest and most well funded Bitcoin exchange. It received a Series A investment of $0.3 million on February 2016.
Bitcoin Peru Buy Bitcoin Peru is a Bitcoin broker in Peru. It's possible to buy via local bank transfer and get bitcoin within 24 hours.
GuaraniBitcoin Buy GuaraniBitcoin is Paraguay’s local exchange.
Buy Bitcoins in Mexico
Bitso Buy Bitso is one of Mexico's largest Bitcoin exchanges. Fund your account at more than 135,000 physical locations with cash or via online bank transfer.
Chip-Chap Buy Buy bitcoins in Mexico at more than 5,000 brick-and-mortar stores. Buy bitcoins in Europe with SafetyPay, or with EasyPay at 500 physical locations in Greece.
Buy Bitcoins in Asia
BTCC Buy BTCC is one of China's three largest Bitcoin exchanges.
Huobi Buy Huobi is one of the largest Bitcoin exchanges in China, with more than $150 million of daily trading volume.
OKCoin Buy OKCoin is one of the largest Bitcoin exchanges in China, with more than $200 million of daily trading volume.
Unocoin Buy Unocoin is India's largest Bitcoin exchange. Fund your account via India local bank transfer.
BitX Buy Bitcoin exchange available in Indonesia and Malaysia. BitX makes it easy to buy bitcoin instantly via local bank transfer (Indonesia) or Inter-Bank GIRO (Malaysia).
BitFlyer Buy BitFlyer is Japan's most popular and well funded Bitcoin exchange. Deposit with bank transfer.
Urdubit Buy Pakistan’s first Bitcoin exchange. Users can fund accounts via local bank transfer.
Coins.ph Buy Known as the easiest way to buy bitcoins in the Philippines and can also be used to send and receive remittances.
CoinHako Buy Buy bitcoins in Singapore with local bank transfer.
Korbit Buy Korbit is the largest and most well funded Bitcoin exchange in South Korea, with average daily volumes over 500 BTC.
Coinplug Buy To buy BTC with cash in South Korea use CoinPlug to find a Bitcoin ATM.
MaiCoin Buy Buy bitcoin in Taiwan with cash or bank transfer at MaiCoin.
BitoEX Buy BitoEX has 5,000 locations at convenience stores across Taiwan where it’s possible to buy with cash.
Coins.co.th Buy Coins is a remittance service, but also makes it easy to purchase bitcoins in Thailand with cash, bank transfer, or cash deposit.
Buy Bitcoins in Australia
BTC Markets Buy Australia's largest Bitcoin exchange. Buy Bitcoins today with POLi and EFT. Low trading fees and full API available.
Buy-aBitcoin Buy Buy bitcoins with cash in Australia. Only verification required is an email address and phone number
Buy Bitcoins in Brasil
Bitex.la Buy Bitex.la is a Bitcoin exchange that offers services in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay. Deposits can be made with cash in Argentina and Chile, or with AstroPay in all four countries.
FoxBit Buy FoxBit is one of the largest Bitcoin exchanges in Brazil. Buy bitcoins online with bank transfers and no deposit fees.
Mercado Bitcoin Buy Mercado Bitcoin is one of Brazil's largest Bitcoin exchanges. Users can buy bitcoin online with bank transfers.
Buy Bitcoins in Germany
Coinbase is one of the world's largest Bitcoin exchanges. Users in the United States, Canada, most of Europe, and Singapore can buy bitcoins with a connected bank account or SEPA transfer.
European users can purchase bitcoins with 3D secure credit or debit cards.
Coinhouse Buy Buy bitcoins in the UK and Europe with a 3D secure credit or debit card. Prepaid credit and debit cards are also accepted if 3D secure.
Indacoin Buy Clients can buy bitcoins with a credit or debit card without registration. The first purchase takes less than 20 minutes. Clients will have to enter 4 digits from your online card statement and 6 digits from a phone call. After the credit card is verified then all transaction go through instantly and clients will not need to verify again. A new card is limited to USD$35, the second purchase can be made in four days with a USD$100 limit and the third purchase could be made in seven days USD$500 limit. After one month clients will not have any limits to buy bitcoins with Visa or Mastercard credit cards.
Kraken Buy Kraken is one of the world's largest Bitcoin exchanges. Residents of Europe and the UK can deposit and purchase bitcoins with same day SEPA transfer.
LocalBitcoins Buy LocalBitcoins is an escrow service that helps match Bitcoin buyers and sellers.
Bitcoin.de Buy Bitcoin.de is a Bitcoin exchange based in Germany, with average daily trading volume of 3,000-7,000 BTC. Deposits must be made with SEPA transfer.
Cashila Buy Cashila is a payment processor that enables users to transfer, hold and receive funds using bitcoin or euros.
Buy Bitcoins in France
Coinbase is one of the world's largest Bitcoin exchanges. Users in the United States, Canada, most of Europe, and Singapore can buy bitcoins with a connected bank account or SEPA transfer.
European users can purchase bitcoins with 3D secure credit or debit cards.
Coinhouse Buy Buy bitcoins in the UK and Europe with a 3D secure credit or debit card. Prepaid credit and debit cards are also accepted if 3D secure.
Indacoin Buy Clients can buy bitcoins with a credit or debit card without registration. The first purchase takes less than 20 minutes. Clients will have to enter 4 digits from your online card statement and 6 digits from a phone call. After the credit card is verified then all transaction go through instantly and clients will not need to verify again. A new card is limited to USD$35, the second purchase can be made in four days with a USD$100 limit and the third purchase could be made in seven days USD$500 limit. After one month clients will not have any limits to buy bitcoins with Visa or Mastercard credit cards.
Kraken Buy Kraken is one of the world's largest Bitcoin exchanges. Residents of Europe and the UK can deposit and purchase bitcoins with same day SEPA transfer.
Bitcoin.de Buy Bitcoin.de is a Bitcoin exchange based in Germany, with average daily trading volume of 3,000-7,000 BTC. Deposits must be made with SEPA transfer.
Cashila Buy Cashila is a payment processor that enables users to transfer, hold and receive funds using bitcoin or euros.
Paymium Buy Buy bitcoins in France with local bank transfer.
Buy Bitcoins in Africa
BitX Buy Buy and sell bitcoins via bank transfer in South Africa and Nigeria.
NairaEx Buy Buy and sell bitcoins in Nigeria with Perfect Money and Web Money.
BitPesa Buy Buy and sell bitcoins with Airtel in Kenya, and with Paga or Quickteller in Nigeria.
Best Bitcoin Exchange
A number of factors must be considered when finding the best bitcoin exchange, which will vary person-to-person depending on the factors below.
Exchange Rate
How close is the exchange rate to the global average price found on an index like the CoinDesk BPI? By comparing a local Bitcoin exchange’s prices to a Bitcoin price index, it’s easier to get the best Bitcoin exchange rate.
Payment Method
You’ll need to find a Bitcoin exchange that accepts your preferred payment method. Different payment methods also incur varying fees. Credit card purchases, for example, are often charged a fee of 3-10%, while most deposits with bank transfers are free. More information about fees can be found on each exchange’s website.
Speed
You may have found the best Bitcoin exchange, but if verification takes one week and you need bitcoins now, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Initial verification can often take a few days, but all subsequent purchases may be instant. You’ll have to research each Bitcoin exchange to determine verification levels and delivery speeds.
Amount
Each Bitcoin exchange has different buying limits, which often varies depending on level of identity verification. At Coinbase, for example, regular users may only purchase up to $1,000 worth of bitcoins per day. Fully verified users, however, can buy up to $50,000 per day. Most exchanges offer a FAQ page online where the different levels of verification are explained.
Fees
Each Bitcoin exchange charges different fees for its services. Most Bitcoin brokers, that sell bitcoins directly to buyers, charge a flat rate of 1% per transaction. Exchanges with orderbooks are geared towards high volume trading, and often have fees of 0.25-0.50% per trade. More information can be found on each exchange’s website.
Privacy
Exchanges that accept credit cards or bank transfers are required by law to collect information about users’ identities. Buying bitcoins with cash is the most private way to buy bitcoins, whether it be through a P2P exchange like LocalBitcoins or at a Bitcoin ATM.
Regulatory Compliance
In order to buy bitcoins, local currency, like the U.S. dollar or Euro, must be exchanged for bitcoins. In this process trust users must trust the Bitcoin exchange to secure money and not run away with funds. It’s best to use a regulated Bitcoin exchange. Most exchanges offer information about their regulatory compliance on their websites. If an exchange seems shady and doesn’t offer information about regulation or who’s behind the site, it’s best to find a different exchange.
Getting a Bitcoin Wallet
History is filled with Bitcoin exchanges running away with users’ funds. For this reason, it’s best to move your bitcoins off the exchange once you buy and store your coins in a wallet you own.
There are different types of Bitcoin wallets, each offering unique features and benefits. The wallet that’s right for you will depend on your specific needs and on how you intend to use Bitcoin.
For secure storage, wallets like the TREZOR and Ledger Nano make it easy to protect bitcoins. Paper wallets are another good option for those with greater technical knowledge.
If you’ll be making Bitcoin transactions frequently, hot wallets that work across many devices are a better option.
Recap
Now that you have a better idea on how to buy bitcoins, here’s a recap of the best places to buy:
- Coinbase: Buy bitcoins in the United States, Europe, Canada, or Singapore.
- Circle: Buy bitcoins in the U.S. with bank transfer, credit card, or debit card.
- LocalBitcoins: Buy bitcoin anywhere with available sellers for cash.
- BitQuick: Purchase bitcoins in the US via cash deposit.
- Kraken: Buy bitcoins with SEPA transfer in Europe.