The fastest and most convenient way to buy Bitcoin online is with a credit card. You will, however, first need to open an account with a trusted cryptocurrency exchange that not only supports credit card deposits – but low fees.
In this guide, we discuss where to buy Bitcoin with a credit card in less than five minutes from start to finish.
There’s been no shortage of excitement in cryptocurrency markets in recent months, with plenty of new investors interested in buying in.
But taking that first step to purchase a small amount of bitcoin or ethereum requires plenty of research beforehand: what type of crypto you want to buy, the most secure exchanges to use, and even how you’ll make the purchase. Because crypto transactions take place online, you might even consider using your credit card, like you would for many other online transactions to keep the purchase secure.
It is often possible to buy cryptocurrency using a credit card. But it’s costly, and can add to the risk you’re already taking by adding a volatile crypto asset to your portfolio. You’ll incur fees from your credit card issuer and the crypto exchange you use, and take on high interest debt if you don’t pay down your balance immediately.
“Crypto is still highly volatile without any guarantee of return, so when it comes to how much you invest it should be limited to how much you feel you can comfortably lose,” says Lauren Anastasio, CFP and director of financial advice at Stash, an investing, banking, and education platform. “I would hate to see anyone charging large deposits to their credit cards with the hopes of large returns on their crypto investment only to get burned by credit card interest and fees.”
Is It Possible to Buy Crypto With a Credit Card?
It is sometimes possible to buy crypto with a credit card, but it ultimately depends on both the crypto exchange you’re using to invest and your credit card issuer.
Some crypto exchanges, including Coinmama, CEX.io, and Paxful do accept credit card payments. However, many exchanges, including ones like Coinbase and Gemini, which NextAdvisor includes among the best crypto exchanges, do not. Among the exchanges that do accept credit cards, terms and fees required for doing so can vary widely. As an example, crypto exchange Coinmama charges an additional 5% credit card fee on top of the transaction fees it charges to buy or sell cryptocurrency. At Binance, the fee for using a credit card is 2% on top of the extra fees your credit card charges.
Often, the fees are also higher than other forms of payment, including ACH bank transfer.
PRO TIP
Transferring money to a crypto exchange from your bank account using ACH transfer can be a fast and less expensive way to purchase crypto.
The other thing to consider is whether your credit card issuer will allow a cryptocurrency purchase using your card. Most commonly, your purchase will be processed as a cash advance.
Credit card issuers such as American Express, Chase, Capital One, and Citi all allow crypto purchases and treat them as a cash advance. “There are no known banks that do not charge a cash advance fee for purchasing cryptocurrency with a credit card,” says John Taylor Garner, founder of credit card rewards app Card Curator.
The vast majority of credit cards carry fees for cash advances, which typically range about 5% of the advance, with a minimum of $10. What’s more, cash advances incur higher interest and do not come with a grace period, meaning your crypto charges will begin accruing interest from the day you charge them — even if you planned to pay your credit card balance in full before your due date.
So, while buying crypto with a credit card may be possible, you’ll more than likely rack up numerous expensive fees from both the crypto exchange and your credit card issuer if you choose to pay this way.
How to Buy Crypto With a Credit Card
If you want to buy crypto with a credit card, you should be aware of any and all fees that apply to the purchase beforehand, and be prepared to add that to to the cost of exchanging dollars for coins. This includes fees from both the crypto exchange and your credit card issuer.
If you do decide you don’t mind the cost and want to buy crypto with a credit card, here are a few steps to take so you are clear on the extra costs you’ll pay to do it this way:
- Step 1: Inquire with your credit card company about cash advance fees and charges: Refer to your card agreement or call the number on the back of your card to ask a representative how much you’ll pay in cash advance fees for purchasing crypto with your card, as well as the cash advance APR that will be charged on your balance.
- Step 2: Determine how much you’ll pay in exchange fees. If you’ve decided to invest in crypto, it’s important to choose the exchange you’ll buy (and possibly store) your coins on based on factors like fees, tools for investors, accessibility, and most importantly, security. If you choose an exchange that also accepts credit card payments, look for a page on the exchanges website that clearly outlines the fees you’ll incur for using a card.
- Step 3: Fund your account with your credit card, then use it to purchase cryptocurrency. Once your exchange account is funded with the money you plan to use for crypto, you can research coins and invest once you’re ready.
- Step 4: Pay your card balance off right away. Because your cash advance will begin to accrue interest when you make the purchase, you should have a plan to pay the balance down as quickly as possible, to avoid extra interest charges.
1. eToro – Overall Best Place to Buy Bitcoin With a Credit Card
In terms of fees, security, user-friendliness, and minimum stakes – eToro is the overall best place to buy Bitcoin with a credit card. First and foremost, it only takes a couple of minutes to open an account here and you can verify your identity instantly by uploading a copy of your ID. This means that buying Bitcoin with eToro is straightforward and can be done in a matter of minutes. For example, you can buy BTC with a bank account on eToro in a few steps.
In doing so, US clients can then deposit funds with a credit card on a fee-free basis. This is also the case with debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets like PayPal. In terms of account minimums, you only need to deposit $10 when using a credit card at eToro.
Once your credit card payment has been executed, you can then proceed to buy Bitcoin with low trading fees. In addition to Bitcoin, you can also buy other cryptocurrencies with a credit card. eToro supports dozens of tokens – including but not limited to Ethereum, AAVE, Shiba Inu, Dogecoin, Litecoin, EOS, Cardano, and Decentraland.
What we also like about eToro is that it supports fractional cryptocurrency purchases. As such, instead of needing to risk thousands of dollars to invest in Bitcoin, you only need to meet a minimum purchase requirement of $10. We also like the copy trading tool offered on the eToro website – which allows you to trade passively.
Put simply, once you have selected a seasoned crypto trader that you like the look of and decided how much to invest ($200 minimum), any positions that they enter will be mirrored in your own account. US clients also like the smart portfolios offered on the eToro website – which allow you to invest in a basket of cryptocurrencies or stocks via a single trade.
When it comes to security, eToro offers an in-built crypto wallet that is both safe and user-friendly. You can also download the eToro wallet to your mobile device. eToro is also heavily regulated – which includes licenses with the SEC, ASIC, FCA, and CySEC. As such, you can buy Bitcoin with a credit card here without worrying about the safety of your funds.
| Number of Cryptos | 59 |
| Credit Card Fee | FREE for US clients |
| Fee to Buy Bitcoin | 1% plus the spread |
| Minimum Credit Card Deposit | $10 |
What We Like:
- Nearly 60 cryptos to trade
- Minimum deposit is only $10
- Regulated by numerous top-tier entities
- Accepts credit/debit card and PayPal deposits
- User-friendly trading app
- Copy trading tools
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
2. Crypto.com – Buy Bitcoin With Credit Card via a User-Friendly App
The next exchange to consider when deciding on where to buy Bitcoin with a credit card is Crypto.com. This exchange is worth considering if you prefer to buy and sell cryptocurrencies on your smartphone via an app. The Crypto.com app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and is very user-friendly.
After downloading the app to your device, you will first need to register an account and upload some ID. After that, you can instantly buy Bitcoin with a credit card. You will, however, be required to pay a fee of 2.99% when using a credit card, so do bear this in mind.
In fact, if you’re primary reason for using a credit card is because of speed, then you might instead consider using ACH on the Crypto.com app. This is because ACH payments are not only instant – but free. Either way, in addition to Bitcoin, Crypto.com offers more than 250+ other cryptocurrencies.
As such, Crypto.com is a good option if you are planning to buy multiple cryptocurrencies with your credit cards. In terms of standard trading commissions, Crypto.com charges 0.40% per slide. This means that you will pay $4 for every $1,000 traded. You can reduce your trading commission at Crypto.com when your monthly volume surpasses certain milestones.
In holding CRO – which is the native token of the Crypto.com platform, you can also lower your commissions. Another feature that we like on the Crypto.com app is that you can earn interest on Bitcoin. The highest APY on offer is 6%, although this is based on a 3-month lockup period and a minimum CRO staking requirement of 40,000 tokens.
As such, if you prefer a crypto interest account without a lock-up period or engaging in staking, then lower APYs will be offered. Nonetheless, interest can be earned on dozens of cryptocurrencies at this exchange. Crypto.com also offers Bitcoin loans with an LTV of up to 50%. Finally, Crypto.com also offers an NFT marketplace and a pre-paid debit card.
| Number of Cryptos | 250+ |
| Credit Card Fee | 2.99% |
| Fee to Buy Bitcoin | Included in credit card fee |
| Minimum Credit Card Deposit | Not stated |
What We Like:
- Over 250+ crypto coins supported
- Accepts debit/credit cards and bank transfers
- Great reputation
- Offers crypto interest accounts and lending services
- Competitive fees
- Crypto.com Visa Card
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.
3. Binance – Buy Bitcoin and 80+ Other Cryptocurrencies With a Credit Card
The main Binance platform attracts the largest amount of daily trading volume in the industry. It is also home to over 1,000 markets. However, if you’re an American, you will need to use the US version of Binance – which offers just 80 cryptocurrencies in total.
Nonetheless, this hugely popular exchange enables you to buy Bitcoin with a credit card. Before you can do this, you will be required to open an account and go through a relatively fast KYC process. When it comes to fees, Binance will charge you 4.5% to use a credit card. Moreover, you will also be charged an instant buy fee of 0.5%.
This means that overall, you will pay a total of 5% to buy Bitcoin with a credit card on this platform. This amounts to a fee of $5 for every $100 that you deposit. On the other hand, Binance supports fee-free deposits via ACH and domestic bank wires. Although its credit card fees are expensive, Binance does offer super-low commissions.
This amounts to just 0.10% per slide – or $1 for every $1,000 traded. Moreover, when you hit certain milestones throughout the month or you hold BNB tokens, you will be offered even lower fees. In addition to Bitcoin, the Binance US website also enables you to buy the likes of Ethereum, Shiba Inu, Dogecoin, Cardano, and Chainlink with a credit card.
Once you have bought Bitcoin with a credit card at Binance, you might then consider transferring the tokens into the Trust Wallet app. This is backed by Binance and it not only allows you to store Bitcoin – but thousands of other digital tokens. Alternatively, you can simply leave your Bitcoin tokens in the Binance web wallet.
In taking this storage option, your funds will be protected by two-factor authentication and a variety of other security tools – such as IP and device whitelisting. Moreover, Binance claims that the vast majority of client tokens are kept offline in cold storage. On the other hand, Binance is not regulated by any financial authorities – so this should be considered before you sign up.
| Number of Cryptos | 80+ |
| Credit Card Fee | 4.5% |
| Fee to Buy Bitcoin | 0.5% instant buy fee |
| Minimum Credit Card Deposit | Not stated |
What We Like:
- Huge selection of markets
- Trading fees of just 0.10% per slide
- Supports credit cards and crypto staking
- Numerous wallet options
- Advanced trading tools
Visit Binance Now
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.
4. Coinbase – Great Place to Buy Bitcoin With Credit Card for Beginners
Coinbase is a trusted crypto exchange that enables you to buy Bitcoin with a credit card – alongside 100+ other digital currencies. The Coinbase website is very simple to use and opening an account rarely takes more than a few minutes. The KYC process is also fast – with documents typically validated instantly.
Once you are set up, Coinbase then enables you to use your credit card to instantly buy Bitcoin. If the size of your investment is above $200, then you will pay a fee of 3.99%. This means that you will pay $39.90 for every $1,000 that you invest. If your investment is less than $200, then a flat fee pricing structure will kick in.
The specific fee will depend on the payment size, albeit, this will cost you more than the aforementioned 3.99%. If you want to save on transaction fees, ACH deposits are executed for free at Coinbase. You will still need to pay the standard trading commission of 1.49%, however, this is still cheaper than using a credit card.
Irrespective of which payment method you decide to use, you can store your Bitcoin tokens in the main Coinbase web wallet. This comes alongside two-factor authentication and other security features. Coinbase also claims to keep 98% of client tokens in cold storage. You can also withdraw your Bitcoin tokens to the Coinbase mobile wallet.
This option is available for both iOS and Android users and there are no fees to download the app. Moreover, the Coinbase wallet app is non-custodial, which means that you are responsible for keeping your private keys safe. Although Coinbase does not offer crypto interest accounts, where you can engage in staking.
This isn’t, however, supported for Bitcoin. Instead, you can only earn staking interest on Ethereum, Cosmos, Tezos, USD Coin, and Dai. Finally, if you’re a complete beginner in the world of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, Coinbase is home to an extensive library of educational materials and courses.
Alongside buying Bitcoin with a credit card, Apple Pay is also supported by Coinbase.
| Number of Cryptos | 50+ |
| Credit Card Fee | 3.99% |
| Fee to Buy Bitcoin | Included in credit card fee |
| Minimum Credit Card Deposit | Not stated |
What We Like:
- Great for beginners
- Support for credit cards and Paypal
- Good selection of altcoins
- Top-rated security features
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.
5. Kraken – Secure and Trusted Bitcoin Exchange That Supports Credit Cards
The final exchange to consider when deciding on where to buy Bitcoin with a credit card is Kraken. This popular exchange was first founded in 2011 – which is just two years after Bitcoin was launched. And as such, Kraken is perhaps one of the most established Bitcoin exchanges in this marketplace.
In terms of buying Bitcoin with a credit card, like all of the exchanges reviewed today, you will first need to register an account and go through a KYC process. After all, you can instantly buy Bitcoin by paying a credit card fee of 3.75%. Once again, in comparison to the likes of eToro, this is expensive.
If you want to reduce this fee, then you will need to consider depositing funds via ACH or online banking – which is charged at 0.5%. Either way, once you have bought Bitcoin at Kraken, you are advised to withdraw your tokens to a private wallet. This is because – as noted by Kraken itself, the platform is an exchange and not a custodial wallet provider.
This could be a deal-breaker if you are a complete beginner, as maintaining a crypto wallet for the purpose of keeping your Bitcoin tokens safe can be a complex task. Nevertheless, we do like Kraken for its low commission policy – which starts at just 0.26% per slide. In trading higher amounts throughout the month, you will benefit from lower commissions.
If you’re looking to diversify, Kraken is home to over 65+ altcoins. This is inclusive of Ethereum, Cardano, Solana, Terra, Ripple, Tether, Shiba Inu, and more. Kraken also offers staking services with very competitive APYs. For example, you can earn up to 12% and 7% when staking Cosmos and Ethereum, respectively. Bitcoin, however, only attracts an APY of 0.25%
Another popular feature at Kraken is its trading app – which is fully optimized for iOS and Android devices. This connects to your main Kraken account, so you can use the app to buy and sell cryptocurrencies with a credit card. Finally, if you have a higher appetite for risk, Kraken also allows you to trade Bitcoin and other digital tokens on margin.
| Number of Cryptos | 65+ |
| Credit Card Fee | 3.75% |
| Fee to Buy Bitcoin | Included in credit card fee |
| Minimum Credit Card Deposit | Not stated |
What We Like:
- Established in 2011
- Supports 65 crypto assets
- Accepts credit card payments
- Margin trading facilities
- Great mobile app
Other Ways to Buy Crypto
Fortunately, you don’t have to buy crypto with a credit card, and if you want to invest there are less costly and less risky ways to fund your exchange account. Generally speaking, the lowest cost option is with a bank transfer, which means you’ll fund your crypto investment with cash you already have.
You can typically buy crypto this way through an ACH transfer or by connecting a debit card to your account. Just keep in mind, these methods may also carry fees fees for funding your account, and you’ll pay transaction fees when you ultimately buy crypto.
These fees vary widely depending on the crypto exchange you use.
Make sure you compare all the best crypto exchanges before you decide to invest. From there, you’ll also want to make sure you settle on a method of crypto storage (like a crypto wallet) that will keep your digital investment safe from hackers and thieves.
Investing in crypto is risky enough without using a credit card, and we don’t recommend it. Mitigate your risk as much as possible by doing your research before you invest, don’t put any money in that you can’t afford to lose, and find the most cost effective — and secure — methods of exchanging your dollars for cryptocurrency.
*To qualify for the $200 bitcoin welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking Account and make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days of your Upgrade Card account opening. The value of the $200 bonus will be based on the value of bitcoin at the time it is purchased (within 1-2 statement periods from the date the bonus is earned) and may change in price by the time you choose to sell it. Refer to Program Terms. Your Upgrade Card must be in good standing to receive a bonus.