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How to buy cryptocurrency with your bank account

Read our step-by-step guide to buying bitcoin and other digital currencies with a bank transfer.

Kraken Cryptocurrency Exchange

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If you want to buy cryptocurrency with US dollars, using a crypto exchange that accepts bank transfers can be one of the cheapest and most convenient solutions. But if you’re new to cryptocurrency, it can be tough knowing where to get started.

Read on for a list of which exchanges accept bank transfers and how you can buy crypto with your bank account.

Disclaimer: This page is not financial advice or an endorsement of digital assets, providers or services. Digital assets are volatile and risky, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Potential regulations or policies can affect their availability and services provided. Talk with a financial professional before making a decision. Finder or the author may own cryptocurrency discussed on this page.

Where to buy cryptocurrency with a bank transfer

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1 - 5 of 7
Product GXFCY Finder Score Fiat currencies Cryptocurrencies Deposit methods Offer Disclaimer
Gemini logo

7

81

Bank transfer (ACH), PayPal, Wire transfer (USD), Bank transfer (EUR and GBP), FAST transfer (SGD), Cubix, Plaid Direct Payments (UK)
Get $25 in Bitcoin when you trade $100 with code Finder25
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Capital at risk

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Uphold logo

27

253

Bank transfer (ACH), Bank transfer, Credit card, Debit card, Wire, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Refer a friend to earn US$20 — $10 for you and $10 for the person you refer. T&Cs apply.
Terms apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk. Available in the US, CA, UK and AU
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Capital at risk

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Kraken logo

6

277

Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, SEPA, Instant SEPA, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SWIFT, ACH online banking
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Capital at risk

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Coinbase logo

23

271

Bank transfer (ACH), Debit card, PayPal, Wire transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Get up to $200 in crypto with eligible purchases.
Go to site

Capital at risk

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Robinhood logo

1

20

Bank transfer, Cash, Debit card
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Capital at risk

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How to buy cryptocurrency with your bank account

Buying crypto with your bank account is actually quite easy. To show you how to do it, let’s look at an example of how to buy bitcoin (BTC) with US dollars.

Choosing the right exchange

There are a number of platforms to choose from when purchasing crypto with your bank account, so compare your options to see how each exchange performs across a range of key areas:

  • Payment methods. How can you send USD to the exchange: bank transfer, debit card and/or PayPal? Look for an exchange with your preferred method.
  • Fees. How much will it cost you to complete your transaction? Remember to also consider the trading fees the exchange charges.
  • Transaction limits. Are there any minimum or maximum limits on the amount of crypto you can purchase? When you want to transfer the crypto you purchase away from the exchange, what is the minimum withdrawal limit?
  • Processing times. How long will it take for you to complete your crypto purchase from start to finish? For example, bank transfers can take four to five business days on Coinbase, though debit card purchases are almost instant.
  • Supported cryptocurrencies. Which cryptocurrencies can you purchase directly with USD? Some platforms will only provide access to one or two popular digital currencies while others will offer a much wider range.
  • Ease of use. Does the platform have a simple and intuitive user interface that you can navigate without any problems?
  • Signup and verification. What information and documentation will you need to provide to register for an account? How long does the verification process take?
  • Security features. What protective measures are in place to ensure the security of your funds? For example, does the platform support two-factor authentication? Where are your funds stored? Has the exchange ever been hacked?
  • Customer support. How can you contact the customer support team? What contact methods are supported and during what hours is the team available? Is there an online help center where you can easily find solutions to a range of common problems?
  • Reputation. Check out online forums and reviews to gauge what level of community trust the platform has. Would other users recommend it?

Answering these questions should help you narrow down your choices and find a platform that will work for you.

Compare exchanges now

Must read:How to store your crypto

If you want to store your newly acquired crypto coins on the exchange where you bought them, you can. However, this is not recommended for a couple of reasons:

  • You don’t control your private keys, the exchange does.
  • Exchanges are frequently targeted by hackers and there have been numerous incidences of security breaches.

With this in mind, the safest course of action is to move your digital coins into a secure wallet that allows you to retain control of your private keys. From desktop and mobile wallets to online and hardware wallets, there are plenty of options to choose from. Make sure you do your research before picking one that’s right for you.

Find out more about choosing a cryptocurrency wallet.

Is it safe to buy crypto using a bank account?

Buying crypto with a bank account offers a safe and secure way to exchange USD for digital currency, but only if you’re certain you’re dealing with a reputable exchange provider. With this in mind, it’s essential that you thoroughly research the credentials of any platform before transferring any funds.

You’ll need to find out the following:

  • Who are the people behind the platform?
  • Where is it based?
  • How is it regulated and is it properly licensed?
  • How long has it been in business?

Of course, if you plan on buying cryptocurrency from someone through a peer-to-peer platform, you’ll need to be certain you’re dealing with a reputable seller before transferring any funds. This is why it’s a good idea to set up the trade through a marketplace that uses some sort of reputation system and has security measures in place to protect against fraud.

From a broader point of view, you should also be fully aware of the risks associated with buying cryptocurrency before you make a purchase. Cryptocurrencies are complicated and volatile assets, so there’s a risk of losing some or all of the money you spend.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Buy crypto directly with USD.
  • Relatively simple process.
  • Cheaper than buying with a credit card.
  • Suitable for beginners looking to get their hands on some digital currency.

Cons

  • Bank transfers can take several business days to process.
  • Only a limited selection of altcoins can be purchased with USD many digital currencies can only be exchanged for other cryptocurrencies.
  • Fiat-to-crypto trades usually attract higher fees than crypto-to-crypto trades.
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Next steps

If you want to buy crypto with your bank account, the first thing you need to do is start comparing a range of cryptocurrency exchanges. Compare their features, accepted payment methods, transaction limits, fees and level of community trust to find a platform that’s right for your needs.

Compare exchanges now


FAQs

Images: Shutterstock

Disclosure: At the time of writing, the author holds ADA, ICX, IOTA and XLM.

Whether products shown are available to you is subject to individual provider sole approval and discretion in accordance with the eligibility criteria and T&Cs on the provider website.

Product GXFCY
Finder Score
Fiat currencies
Cryptocurrencies
Deposit methods
Offer
Disclaimer
eToro Cryptocurrency Trading
eToro logo

18

79

Bank transfer, Credit card, Debit card, Neteller, Skrill
Disclaimer: Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in the UK and some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.
Go to site

Capital at risk

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Binance logo
Not scored yet

1

369

Bank transfer, Cryptocurrency
Go to site

Capital at risk

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KuCoin Cryptocurrency Exchange
KuCoin logo

50

743

Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, PayPal, P2P
Not available for US citizens
Go to site

Capital at risk

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Bybit Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bybit logo

73

281

Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, P2P
Disclaimer: Highly volatile investment product. Your capital is at risk. Not available for US citizens
Go to site

Capital at risk

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Gate.io logo

8

1609

Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card
Complete beginners tasks and receive $50 - $100 in rewards.
Not available for US citizens
Go to site

Capital at risk

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Kraken logo
Not scored yet

8

222

Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SWIFT
Go to site

Capital at risk

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Uphold
Uphold logo

27

237

Bank transfer (ACH), Credit card, Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay

Capital at risk

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Paybis logo

42

357

Bank transfer, Credit card, Debit card, Neteller
Finder Exclusive: Get 25% discount on all commission for 1 transaction when using promocode Finder25. There is no time limit on the validity of the promo code.
US residents: Restricted in the following states - NY, CT, NM, WA, HI, AL, VT, FL, AK, NV.
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Capital at risk

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Bitstamp logo
Not scored yet

3

96

Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, SEPA, Faster Payments (FPS)

Capital at risk

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Coinmama logo

6

15

Credit card, Fedwire, SEPA, Google Pay, SWIFT, Bank card

Capital at risk

View details
Gemini logo

7

81

Bank transfer (ACH), PayPal, Wire transfer (USD), Bank transfer (EUR and GBP), FAST transfer (SGD), Cubix, Plaid Direct Payments (UK)
Get $25 in Bitcoin when you trade $100 with code Finder25
Go to site

Capital at risk

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Crypto.com logo

31

378

Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, PayPal, Wire transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SWIFT

Capital at risk

View details
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Bybit Cryptocurrency Exchange

Bybit Cryptocurrency Exchange logo
  • Offers leverage and derivative trading
  • Supports EUR, GBP and CHF
  • Licensed to operate in all European countries
Go to site
Disclaimer: Highly volatile investment product. Your capital is at risk. Not available for US citizens

KuCoin Cryptocurrency Exchange

KuCoin Cryptocurrency Exchange logo
  • Buy, sell and trade over 700 crypto assets
  • Supports 10 Asian fiat currencies
  • Offers crypto futures trading
Go to site
Not available for US citizens

Kraken Cryptocurrency Exchange

Kraken Cryptocurrency Exchange logo
  • Buy, sell and trade over 200 crypto assets
  • Licensed to operate in 17 jurisdictions in Oceania
  • Supports AUD
Go to site

Binance Cryptocurrency Exchange (Not available to US users)

Binance Cryptocurrency Exchange (Not available to US users) logo
  • Supports over 300 crypto assets
  • Binance Pay enables users spend their crypto
  • Binance P2P supports multiple African fiat currencies
Go to site

Binance Cryptocurrency Exchange (Not available to US users)

Binance Cryptocurrency Exchange (Not available to US users) logo
  • Supports over 300 crypto assets
  • Binance Pay works with Credencial Payments to support crypto payments
  • Binance P2P supports five Latin American fiat currencies
Go to site

Bybit Cryptocurrency Exchange

Bybit Cryptocurrency Exchange logo
  • Supports leverage and derivative trading
  • Supports 300 spot trading pairs
  • Low-to-non-existent trading fees
Go to site
Disclaimer: Highly volatile investment product. Your capital is at risk. Not available for US citizens
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Written by

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

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