Credit/debit cards have enabled us to make instant, convenient, and hassle-free payments since the founding of the Diners Club in the 1950s, and today, this possibility has been extended to the purchase of Bitcoin. Buying Bitcoin with a credit card is among the easiest ways to get yourself some crypto.
But where can you buy Bitcoin using a credit card? And is it safe? What about transaction costs? We’ll look at these concerns and more in this article.
How You Can Buy BTC with a Credit Card
When it comes to buying BTC with a credit card, there are two main possibilities.
i) Direct payment – This is the least confusing option. With direct payments, you go to the exchange’s website, make your purchase and use the Visa/MasterCard/AmericanExpress (or just the cards that are available) option. The checkout process will be similar to buying anything else with your credit card.
ii) Through a payment gateway/ payment service provider – For reasons such as cost savings, bonuses, and offers, you might want to pay through a payment gateway or money transfer service provider such as PayPal and Skrill. If you’re new to buying BTC, or if you’re buying just a few coins, this long route might not make much sense. However, if you are a high-stake investor, you might want to take advantage of any slight margins, although with increased inconvenience.
To buy Bitcoin with your credit card through a payment gateway, you’ll need to load your payment gateway’s account with funds first. Then, when checking out from your exchange, you choose to pay with Skrill/PayPal or whichever method you’re using.
Best Places to Buy BTC with a Credit Card
Most likely, you will be buying Bitcoin from a crypto exchange like Coinbase, Kraken, or eToro. There are other methods, such as buying from individuals, but we’ll be focusing on exchanges.
That said, the following are among the best exchanges where you can Bitcoin using your credit card. These exchanges have been selected based on ease of use, buying limit, security, and transaction costs. The exchanges are not ranked in any particular order.
#1. Coinmama
Purchases made with credit cards usually have various limits to mitigate fraud. Coinmana offers among the highest purchase limits. The exchange is also available globally, which makes it a convenient option wherever you are. Additionally, the exchange has a reputation when it comes to reliability and trust among its user community.
When buying BTC on Coinmama, you will need to register/ sign in and create a crypto wallet on the platform. Then, when you get to the step of selecting a payment method, you’ll be required to choose from either Visa or MasterCard. Card payments are instant and attract a 5% processing fee. This cost is a bit high compared to going through a payment provider such as Skrill (Skrill charges 2.5% of the transaction value). Nevertheless, the experience is swift.
#2. Coinbase
Coinbase allows you to buy up to $150 or €150 worth of BTC per week. Debit card payments are accepted in all countries where Coinbase operates. However, you cannot buy BTC with a credit card if you reside in the US, Canada, Australia, and anywhere within Europe.
If you want to buy BTC on Coinbase using your card, you will need to set up your user profile and link your credit/debit card. Later on, when you are actually buying BTC, you will select your already-added card at checkout. Transactions cost 3.99% regardless of the amount, and settlement is instant. The buying experience on Coinbase is also smooth.
#3. Bitpanda
Bitpanda is another reputable exchange where you can buy BTC using your card. First, you will need a Bitpanda account to buy BTC. Once you log in to the account, you can navigate to the ‘Buy’ tab on the menu. Bitpanda allows you to add the payment method during checkout, so you don’t have to link your card in advance.
After selecting ‘Buy,’ you will see large buttons with the names of some of the major cryptos and other buttons for payment methods. You will need to make the appropriate selections to proceed. If you pay by card, both credit and debit cards are supported, but it must be Visa/MasterCard. Once you have selected your card, the rest of the process is easy to complete.
Bitpanda offers one of the most secure card payment options. To make a card payment for crypto purchases on this exchange, your card must have 3-D Secure verification enabled. Note that there’s nothing you can do if your card does not support this protocol (other than look for another exchange).
#4. CEX.io
CEX.io is one of the earliest cryptocurrency exchanges to exist. Even so, it has never moved its operations beyond Europe, some countries in South America, and some states in the US. It is still a great place to buy BTC using your card if you are from any of these regions.
CEX.io boasts of unmatched security and trust. The exchange is registered in the US as a Money Services Business. In the UK, it is incorporated as a private limited company. CEX.io is also PCI-DSS compliant. PCI-DSS is the global security standard for card payment providers. Due to the company’s focus on security and compliance, user experience is adversely affected. For instance, transaction verifications can take up to 30 minutes.
Security/ Safety
The security and safety of your credit/debit card are paramount. Generally, buying crypto using cards is not riskier than using your card for your regular shopping. However, it is important to do the basic checks to ensure that you are dealing with legitimate and reputable exchanges.
When using your credit card to buy Bitcoin, you will inevitably share your details with your exchange. Thus, it is essential to ensure that you’re dealing with a legitimate exchange, and two, the exchange is reputable. If you leave your card details with a shady exchange, how can you be sure that your card details will not be used for fraudulent purchases?
Final Thoughts
Credit/debit cards are a relatively easy and convenient option for paying for your Bitcoin purchases. This payment option is also supported by most major exchanges like Coinbase, Coinmama, and Bitpanda. Additionally, paying for BTC with your card is safe, as long as you’re dealing with reputable exchanges. On the downside, cards have restrictive transaction limits, which may disadvantage large buyers. Also, some exchanges do not accept credit cards from certain countries. Whichever the case, you can always find an option among the many.
