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How to Buy Bitcoin (BTC)

Looking to buy Bitcoin or invest in Bitcoin for the first time? The exchanges below are ones our community has personally used and had positive experiences with. After you buy, consider moving your coins to a wallet you control — and don’t miss the free Bitcoin sign-up bonuses many sites offer new users. Once you own some, you can earn interest on your Bitcoin or spend it with a crypto debit card.

Last updated July 2026. Some links on this page are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Tip: sign up at more than one site. Account approval times vary, and having a second exchange ready means you are never stuck waiting to buy.

How to Buy Bitcoin in 5 Steps

1. Pick an exchange. Choose a trusted, regulated exchange or app from the options below — most beginners start with Coinbase or Gemini.
2. Create and verify your account. Sign up with your email, then complete identity verification (KYC) by uploading a photo ID. This is required by law and usually takes just a few minutes.
3. Add a payment method. Link a bank account (ACH), debit card, or wire transfer. Bank transfers are usually the cheapest way to fund your account.
4. Buy your Bitcoin. Enter the dollar amount you want — you can start with as little as $1 and buy a fraction of a Bitcoin. Place a market order and the BTC lands in your account.
5. Move it to a wallet you control. For anything beyond a small amount, transfer your Bitcoin to a wallet you control so you hold the keys, not the exchange.

The Best Places to Buy Bitcoin

Each panel below shows the payment methods the exchange accepts:

🏦 Bank Transfer - Buy Bitcoin via Bank Deposit: ACH, Wire Transfer, SEPA.
💳 Debit Card - Buy Bitcoin via Visa or Mastercard debit card, plus Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal where supported.
⏱ Recurring Buys - Buy Bitcoin via DCA / Dollar Cost Averaging, automated daily/weekly/monthly purchases.

Credit cards — including American Express — are generally not accepted for direct crypto purchases.

How to Buy Bitcoin FAQ

How much money do I need to start buying Bitcoin?

You can start with as little as $1. Bitcoin is divisible into 100 million units (satoshis), so you can buy a small fraction and there is no need to buy a whole coin.

Is it safe to buy Bitcoin?

Buying Bitcoin on a reputable, regulated exchange is generally safe. The biggest risks are using an untrustworthy platform and leaving large amounts on an exchange, so move significant holdings to a wallet you control. Bitcoin is also volatile, so only invest what you can afford to lose.

What is the cheapest way to buy Bitcoin?

Funding with a bank transfer (ACH) is usually the cheapest method, since debit-card and instant-buy purchases often carry higher fees. Compare the fees on each exchange before you buy.

Can I buy Bitcoin with a credit card?

Most major US exchanges do not allow direct crypto purchases with a credit card, including American Express. Debit cards, bank transfers, and services like Apple Pay or PayPal are the common options.