Where to buy Bitcoin (and other coins)

There are many places to purchase and trade bitcoins. Today we run down a few of the most popular and trusted ways of doing so. So without further ado here are 13 places to buy Bitcoin

Coinbase

Coinbase is probably the fastest and easiest way to buy bitcoins in the USA. You can also purchase alt coins Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash on Coinbase. Coinbase is available in most western countries and the US.

If you need bitcoins fast, then buying with a credit card or debit card is a good option. Coinbase charges 3.99% fees for credit/debit card purchases but you can get your coins instantly.

Another payment option for US customers is using a connected bank account. The fees are less for this method — 1.49% — but your coins are only delivered after five days

Pros
Easy to Use
High Liquidity and buying limits
Instant Buy and support for fiat currencies

Cons
Only available in certain countries
Localbitcoins

LocalBitcoins is an escrow service which also helps to match bitcoin buyers and sellers. The most common method of payment for purchase is cash deposit. However, users may advertise trades for whichever payment method they prefer.

Buying bitcoins via an in-person meeting, secured and facilitated by LocalBitcoins, may be one of the fastest and most private ways to buy bitcoins in any country.

Pros
Private
flexible

Cons
Beware of scams
GDAX

Owned by Coinbase’s exchange, GDAX, is one of the largest Bitcoin exchanges in the United States. Users can fund their accounts via bank transfer, SEPA, or bank wire. GDAX offers good prices and low fees, but the user interface is a bit more complex than coinbase.

Pros
Very Low transaction fees

Cons
Complex user interface
Bitcoin-otc

Bitcoin-OTC is an over-the-counter marketplace for the peer to peer exchanging of bitcoin. It is almost like a Craigslist for Bitcoin. Users must create ads or locate other ads to find sellers of bitcoin. Bitcoin-OTC is somewhat complicated and hard to use, but may be the only option for users in some countries without an exchange.

Pros
Can be a good way to find Bitcoin Sellers if no other options exist

Cons
Beware of scams
Coinmama

Coinmama allows customers in almost every country to buy bitcoin with a credit or debit card. They charge an ~6% fee on each purchase.

If buying less than $150 worth of bitcoins, you won’t need to verify your identity. This convenience makes small purchases quick and easy.

Pros
Works in almost all countries
highest limits for buying bitcoin
reliable and trusted broker

Cons
Very high fees
CEX.io

CEX.io lets you buy bitcoin with a credit card, ACH bank transfer, SEPA transfer, cash, or AstroPay. Purchases made with a credit card give you access to your bitcoin immediately. CEX.io works in the United States, Europe, and certain countries in South America.

Pros
Works in almost all countries
low fees

Cons
Long verification Process
GBP market lacks liquidity
Gemini

Gemini is a New York-based Bitcoin exchange, open to residents of the United States, UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Deposits can be made via wire transfer, SEPA or ACH transfer.

While Gemini is available in most US states, US residents should check Gemini’s areas of operations page.

Pros
Low fees
Instant deposit lets you buy coins quickly (but not withdraw them)

Cons
Not available in all us states
Complex user interface
Poloniex

Probably the best and most trusted way to buy alt coins. Although Poloniex does not list every single altcoin in existence — which is a good thing — they are the premier exchange when it comes to trading alternate cryptocurrencies. Poloniex was also one of the first platforms to support Ethereum classic

Pros
Alt coins
Api

Cons
Long verification process
Bittrex

One of the most popular alt coin platforms

Pros
Supports many alt coins

Cons
Long verification process
Kraken

Founded mid-2013, Kraken is the world’s largest Euro-denominated Bitcoin exchange, based on daily average trading volume. It supports deposits from US, European, Canadian, British, and Japanese customers. Deposits can be made via bank wire, SEPA, SWIFT, and bank deposit (Japan only).

Pros
Low fees
Highly rated for security
Publishes proof of reserve audits

Cons
Complex user interface
bitstamp

BitStamp is one of the world’s largest and most well-known Bitcoin exchanges. Deposits can be made through bank transfer, SEPA transfer, international bank wire, and now even credit cards.

Pros
One of the longest-running bitcoin exchanges
low fees
very liquid
wide range of alt coins

Cons
Has been hacked before
complex user interface
High fees on card purchases
Shapeshift

ShapeShift lets you buy bitcoin with Litecoin, Dogecoin, altcoins and many other digital tokens. ShapeShift works in nearly every country but you will need another cryptocurrency in order to purchase bitcoins. Exchanges happen almost instantly because ShapeShift never actually controls your tokens but just exchanges them.

Pros
Easiest and fastes way to buy bitcoins with altcoins
Reasonable fees

Cons
No support for fiat currencies, cannot use debit card, or banks
BitCoin ATM

You can use our Bitcoin ATM map to buy bitcoins with cash. Bitcoin ATMs can be a quick and easy way to buy bitcoins and they’re also private. That convenience and privacy, however, comes with a price; most ATMs have fees of 5–10%.

Pros
Accept Cash

Cons
high fees