It used to be very hard to buy Bitcoin using your debit card, but that’s not really the case anymore. As exchanges and platforms become more sophisticated and advanced, the ability to buy Bitcoin becomes easier. While it’s not as prevalent as heading to the ATM to get cash, it isn’t nearly as difficult as it was just a few years ago.
Of course, one of the downsides to Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, in general, is how new it all is. Which sites are legitimate and which ones are just out to take your money? Lucky for you, we’re here to help you with that. Check out our list below to learn where you can buy Bitcoin with your debit card this year.
Coinbase
Coinbase is arguably the most popular site to use when purchasing Bitcoin. Users can also purchase popular altcoins like Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple. If you’re new to crypto and want to buy Bitcoin with your debit card, this is a great place to start. The entire process is quick and easy.
Getting started with Coinbase is simple. Head on over to the site and sign up for an account. Once you complete registration and provide the required Know-Your-Customer information, you can set up your payment method.
Just go into the Payment Settings page and select “Add Payment Method.” Now, you can add your debit card information, which will let you purchase Bitcoin. You’ll notice a small transaction amount on your account. This ensures that the card is yours. When that’s done, you’re all set. Now you can start buying Bitcoin on Coinbase with your debit card.
Something to note when using Coinbase is that the site does have higher fees than other cryptocurrency exchanges. Still, a lot of people don’t mind paying a little extra for the ease of use that comes along with the site. Coinbase makes buying Bitcoin and some other altcoins with your debit card quick and painless.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Includes wallet
- Reputable and well-known
Cons
- Fees are a little higher than others
- Not available worldwide
Changelly
Changelly is an exchange that is known for converting one type of currency – whether that’s fiat or crypto – to another. It’s a very easy platform to use and provides users with a wide variety of cryptocurrencies from which they can choose. Additionally, the site provides Bitcoin purchases with Visa or Mastercard debit cards.
You’ll get a trusted, reputable exchange when you use Changelly, and the site has been around for a while now with no reported problems. Changelly doesn’t require a lot of information from you when to get started. Just provide the site with your email address, verify that it’s valid, then you’re ready to get started buying Bitcoin.
You do need an external Bitcoin wallet when you use Changelly, so be sure to find one that you like before you start buying. With Changelly, you won’t get a lot of the fancy features you’ll find on an exchange, but if all you want to do is buy Bitcoin with your debit card, it’s a good starting point.
Pros
- Wide variety of options
- No identification required
- Comprehensive and well-designed platform
Cons
- Fewer security measures
- Higher transaction rates
Coinmama
Like Coinbase, Coinmama is another well-known cryptocurrency exchange that will let you buy Bitcoin with your debit card. You can also purchase altcoins like Litecoin, Cardano, Ripple, and Ethereum on the Coinmama site.
Coinmama will accept payment with either your Mastercard, Visa, or American Express debit card. Unfortunately, Coinmama does not accept payments through a Paypal debit card or Discover. As you can see, there are plenty of options for buying Bitcoin with your debit card on Coinmama.
One drawback to using Coinmama is that you aren’t provided with a wallet for your Bitcoin. If you’re not sure which one to use to store your Bitcoin, you can read a few of the ones we’ve reviewed like Exodus and Jaxx. Otherwise, buying Bitcoin on the exchange is fairly straightforward.
Head on over to the Coinmama site and create your account. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll have a request to confirm your identity through Coinmama’s Know-Your-Customer process. Find the wallet you want to use to store your Bitcoin and copy your wallet address. Give your wallet info to Coinmama, enter your debit card number, and there you have it. You are now the proud owner of Bitcoin.
Pros
- Reputable exchange
- Fast transaction times
- Supports multiple cryptocurrencies
Cons
- Does not support all U.S. states
- Only supports buying Bitcoin
LocalBitcoins
LocalBitcoins doesn’t offer the cache or popularity that both Coinbase and Coinmama have, but it is a good place to buy Bitcoin if you want to do so with your debit card. You can use any payment method on the LocalBitcoins site, however, the most popular way to buy Bitcoin is via cash.
LocalBitcoins differentiates from Coinbase and Coinmama in that it’s not a typical exchange. Instead of going through the site itself, LocalBitcoins is a Peer-to-Peer exchange, which means you deal directly with the seller to purchase Bitcoin. You’ll work with the seller to agree on the terms of the transaction while LocalBitcoins is used as escrow.
To get started with LocalBitcoins, you only need to supply the site with your email address. When you do that, you just verify that you’ve provided a valid address and you’re ready to go. LocalBitcoins doesn’t require the Know-Your-Customer information that other exchanges use. As a result, you’re using a platform that isn’t as secure, so be sure to be cautious when buying Bitcoin.
Since you’re getting additional privacy when using LocalBitcoins, you might pay a little more for your Bitcoin. However, depending on the seller, they might require some more information from you to validate that you’re a real person and not trying to scam them.
Pros
- No selling or buying limits set by the site
- Purchase with various methods including debit card
- Private way to buy Bitcoin
Cons
- Potential scams since it’s a P2P exchange
- Speed of transaction is dependent on seller
BitPanda
BitPanda is a great exchange you can use to buy Bitcoin with your debit card. It supports many various cryptocurrencies and payment methods. BitPanda only offers its services to users in Europe. However, you’ll get great fees and rates when you use this exchange.
Users do get a nice, clean interface when using Bitpanda’s platform, which makes it a great place for beginners to get started purchasing Bitcoin. Additionally, BitPanda does require its users to provide identification through its Know-Your-Customer process, so if you’re concerned with security, you’ll know your information is safe when using BitPanda.
Fees aren’t too bad on BitPanda. They’re pretty comparable to other platforms that allow you to purchase Bitcoin with your debit card. The limitation on how much Bitcoin you can buy depends on how much information you’re willing to provide the site. If you’re based in Europe, BitPanda is a great place to buy Bitcoin.
Pros
- Comparable fees
- Plenty of payment options
- Easy-to-use interface is perfect for those new to crypto
Cons
- Only available in Europe
- Purchase limits are based on verification levels
Bitstamp
Another exchange that’s been around the block a time or two is Bitstamp. Started in 2011, Bitstamp focuses primarily on trading services, however, if you need to buy or sell Bitcoin you can do so with your debit card.
Using Bitstamp requires that you create an account, so that’ll be the first thing you do when you visit the site. When you’ve provided the necessary information to the site, you can start buying Bitcoin, although the process is a little different than it is with other exchanges.
Instead of just buying Bitcoin directly with your debit card, you have to first deposit funds, then you can purchase Bitcoin. Go into the ‘Deposit’ section of the site, enter your debit card information, then deposit the monies you want to use to buy Bitcoin. Once those steps are completed, just click the ‘But BTC’ button and before you know it, you’ll have your own Bitcoin.
One thing to keep in mind when using Bitstamp is that your bank might consider the transaction as a cash advance. As a result, you might incur higher fees on Bitstamp than you might experience with other exchanges that provide the same service.
Pros
- Reliable exchange that’s been around since 2011
- Multiple ways to purchase Bitcoin including via debit card
- Bitstamp is also an exchange if you want to trade altcoins
Cons
- Isn’t as user-friendly as other exchanges
- The verification process may take a while
CEX
Like many exchanges, you’ll find for cryptocurrency CEX.io offers both brokerage and trading services. That means if you want to Buy Bitcoin or trade Bitcoin, you can do both on the CEX platform. However, if you’re just getting started with crypto, remember that brokerages often charge a higher fee than you’ll find with other options.
With CEX, you can just deposit your money with your debit card, then buy your Bitcoin on the exchange, which offers lower fees. To get your Bitcoin, go to CEX.io and select the ‘Finance’ option. Navigate to ‘Deposit’ then choose your currency.
You can use your debit card to provide funds for your account. Then, you have a couple of options. You can either go the brokerage route by going the ‘Buy/Sell’ option. This choice is more expensive, but it easier to use. Or you can go to the ‘Trade’ option, which is cheaper, but more complicated.
Pros
- Reputable exchange
- Buy Bitcoin with a debit card
- High buying limits
Cons
- Using brokerage is simpler but has higher fees
- Not available worldwide