Are you thinking of investing in Bitcoin? Or maybe you want to use Bitcoin as an alternative currency to pay for goods or services. Either way, it's easier to buy Bitcoin safely now that Bitcoin has been more widely adopted. You can purchase Bitcoin using familiar apps like PayPal, Cash App, and Robinhood, order it on an exchange like stocks, or even buy it in person. In this article, we'll teach you the easiest and safest ways to buy and store Bitcoin.
Things You Should Know
- The easiest way to buy Bitcoin is to use a digital payment app like Cash App, PayPal, or Venmo.
- A cryptocurrency exchange makes it easy to trade cash for Bitcoin and other tokens and can also serve as a digital wallet.
- You can also store Bitcoin in a separate cryptocurrency wallet. Wallets can be mobile apps, on the web, on hardware devices, and even on paper.
Steps
Using an Exchange
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Choose an exchange. Buying Bitcoin through a centralized cryptocurrency exchange is a great option, especially if you're interested in trading other cryptocurrencies in a user-friendly setting. A cryptocurrency exchange works like any other currency exchange: You register, deposit your region's currency, and then trade it for Bitcoin. Exchanges also let you trade Bitcoin for other cryptocurrencies and send and receive them from your wallet. Centralized exchanges are a good option if you want to engage in regular trading and don’t need total anonymity.
- Choosing the best exchange depends on where you are located and the type of currency you want to use to buy Bitcoin. Some of the more well-known exchange services include Coinbase, Kraken, Binance, Kucoin, Bitstamp, and Bitfinex. [15] X Research source
- Some exchanges do not allow fiat (your regional currency) deposits. For example, if you want to use a decentralized exchange, you'll need another type of cryptocurrency to trade for Bitcoin instead of your region's currency. If you want to buy Bitcoin with your bank account, debit card, or credit card, avoid "crypto-only" exchanges.
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Verify your account. To use a centralized exchange, you'll need to provide proof of identity to the service—a process known as KYC (Know Your Customer) designed to meet anti-money laundering requirements. [16] X Research source This process usually involves taking a photo of yourself holding up a sheet of paper that says the exchange's name and the date or sometimes holding up your identification. You'll also need to scan your government ID.
- Though you must provide proof of your identity, exchanges do not provide the same protection that banks do. You are not protected against hackers or given reimbursement if the exchange goes out of business.
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Connect a payment method. You'll need to deposit some cash to buy Bitcoin on an exchange. Most exchanges make it easy to link your bank account or debit card to transfer funds easily, while others only accept wire transfers. Follow your exchange's instructions to fund your account.
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Buy Bitcoin. Some exchanges, like Coinbase and Crypto.com, allow you to simply click or tap Bitcoin, enter an amount, and instantly make a purchase. Other exchanges are more like stock exchanges, where instead of choosing what you want and paying for it, you'll need to examine the charts and place a market or limit order. Either way, once you place your order, your Bitcoin will be deposited into your exchange wallet.
- Centralized exchanges store your Bitcoin and fiat currency for you online so you can trade, sell, send, and receive Bitcoin and other tokens. However, most experts agree that you should send your Bitcoin to a non-custodial wallet rather than leaving your Bitcoin on an exchange—just in case the exchange goes bankrupt.
Using Bitcoin ATMs
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Find a Bitcoin ATM near you. Now that Bitcoin is growing more popular, you can buy it at Bitcoin-specific ATMs. You'll often find these kiosks at malls, airports, universities, and convenience stores. To find the closest Bitcoin ATM, visit https://coinatmradar.com/ and enter your address.
- While these ATMs initially allowed you to stay anonymous when buying Bitcoin, most now require you to provide identification—many even require you to scan your government ID. At the very least, you'll need to provide your phone number at most Bitcoin ATMs. [17] X Research source
- If you haven't already created a Bitcoin wallet, you'll need to do so before using a Bitcoin ATM.
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Sign in to the Bitcoin ATM with your phone number. To get started at most Bitcoin ATMs, you'll usually need to enter your phone number to verify your identity. Once you do this, you may be prompted to provide additional information.
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Withdraw out cash from your bank account. Most Bitcoin ATMs only accept cash, as they are not set up to process debit or credit card transactions. [18] X Research source
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Insert your cash into the ATM. Then, scan your mobile wallet QR code or access the codes needed from your account via your smartphone to load bitcoins onto your wallet. [19] X Research source
- Exchange rates at Bitcoin ATMS can vary from 3% to 8% on top of the standard exchange price.
How to Store Your Bitcoin
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Create a Bitcoin wallet. If you buy Bitcoin through a service like Robinhood, PayPal, or Cash App, you don't have to create a separate wallet. But if you buy Bitcoins on an exchange, through a Bitcoin ATM, or via a person-to-person transaction, you'll want a Bitcoin wallet to store your private keys. There are two types of wallets:
- Custodial wallets: When you use a custodial wallet, you're storing your private keys on a remote server run by a third party. These wallets are usually offered by cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance, Coinbase , Kucoin, and Crypto.com. You can think of using a custodial wallet like depositing cash into a bank account. However, because Bitcoin is not insured like most banks, you risk losing your Bitcoin if the wallet provider goes bankrupt.
- Non-custodial wallets: With this type of wallet, you store the keys for your Bitcoin on your device, such as your computer, phone, tablet, hardware wallet, or even a paper wallet . Non-custodial wallets include MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Electrum, Atomic Wallet, and hardware devices like Trezor and Ledger.
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Get your wallet address. If you create a wallet that isn't on a cryptocurrency exchange, you'll need access to your Bitcoin address to receive the Bitcoin you purchase. Look for a "Receive" or "Deposit" link in your Bitcoin wallet to find the long series of characters that make up your wallet address. When buying Bitcoin at a Bitcoin ATM, from a person directly, or on a decentralized exchange, you must provide this address during your purchase.
- If you want to buy Bitcoin at Bitcoin ATMs, consider a Bitcoin wallet that supports deposits using a QR code like Electrum, Trust Wallet , or Coinbase Wallet. Don't trust any online Bitcoin QR code generators, which are often scam sites.
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Send Bitcoin to your wallet. While some wallets have a built-in method to buy Bitcoin from their app or website, most just act as a holding place for your tokens. Once you purchase Bitcoin on an exchange or in a finance app, look for the "send," "transfer," or "withdraw" option, and enter your Bitcoin wallet address. If you're using a Bitcoin ATM, you can usually scan your wallet's QR code for a quick transfer.
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
- Familiarize yourself with how to sell your Bitcoins as well.Thanks
- If buying Bitcoin in person, meet the seller in a busy public place. Avoid meeting in private homes. You should take all the precautions, especially if you carry cash to pay the seller for the coins.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-do-i-get-started-with-cryptocurrency-with-paypal-help567
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-to-use-crypto-at-checkout-help571
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-do-i-transfer-my-crypto-help822
- ↑ https://help.venmo.com/hc/en-us/articles/360061922654-Buying-Cryptocurrency-on-Venmo
- ↑ https://venmo.com/resources/our-fees/
- ↑ https://cash.app/help/us/en-us/3103-bitcoin-fees
- ↑ https://cash.app/help/us/en-us/3100-what-is-bitcoin
- ↑ https://robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/crypto-buying-and-selling/
- ↑ https://robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/buying-a-cryptocurrency/
- ↑ https://robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/crypto-transfers/
- ↑ https://robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/no-commission-crypto/
- ↑ https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/crypto/how-to-trade-crypto
- ↑ https://www.fidelity.com/crypto/overview
- ↑ https://cash.app/help/us/en-us/3103-bitcoin-fees
- ↑ https://coinmarketcap.com/rankings/exchanges/
- ↑ http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
- ↑ https://cointelegraph.com/learn/bitcoin-atms-a-beginners-guide-to-bitcoin-teller-machines
- ↑ http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
- ↑ http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
- ↑ http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/100314/what-are-risks-investing-bitcoin.asp
About This Article
If you want to buy Bitcoins, you will need to set up an online storage site by either installing a wallet on your home computer or creating an account with a third party site. You can also store the key to your Bitcoins on a piece of paper printed with a code. Once you’ve set up your account, you can obtain Bitcoins by purchasing them through an exchange service, or you can purchase them from an individual Bitcoin seller. In some areas, you can even find Bitcoin ATMs where you can convert your Bitcoins into cash. To learn more about the risks and benefits of having Bitcoins, keep reading the article!
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