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What’s the easiest way to buy Bitcoin?
Crypto has gone mainstream in the last decade, and buying Bitcoin is easier than ever. But you still need to know about your options to make the best purchasing decision. That’s what we’re here to help you with.
Read on to learn more about the best and easiest ways to buy Bitcoin.
These days, buying Bitcoin is easy. But it wasn’t always as seamless as going to your local Bitcoin ATM. Back before Bitcoin was popular, the only way you could get your hands on some coins was to either use an early version on a centralized exchange or do what’s called a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) deal.
Basically, this was the crypto equivalent of a Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist purchase.
You showed up in-person with your cash, and the seller sent the coins right then and there — less than ideal, especially in terms of ease.
Of course, that was then. While some P2P platforms still exist, most people get their Bitcoin from a variety of places:
So, how easy are these methods?
Well, very easy. In most cases, in just a few steps, you can purchase Bitcoin and see it in your wallet in just a matter of minutes (depending on network speed). To answer this question, “What’s the easiest way to buy Bitcoin?” though, we need to dive a bit deeper.
Okay, let’s get to what you came here for: the easiest ways to buy Bitcoin. Below you’ll find a list of the top 5 ways to purchase Bitcoin without the hassle.
Let’s start with a popular option, especially if you’re using cash, Bitcoin ATMs.
One of the easiest ways to buy Bitcoin is through a Bitcoin ATM. These simple-to-use cash-to-coin machines streamline the purchasing process. In most cases, all you need is your cash, a few personal details, and a phone.
The best part? Bitcoin ATMs are everywhere.
Here at Bitcoin Depot, we operate the largest network of over 8,500 Bitcoin ATMs across the U.S., Canada, and Australia. If we’re counting all the Bitcoin ATMs in the world, though, there are around 38,000* (data from statista.com).
They’re convenient, fast, and accessible. Especially if you’re just starting your crypto journey, a Bitcoin ATM is a great choice.
Another way to buy Bitcoin is using BDCheckout™. What is it? BDCheckout™ is Bitcoin Depot’s at-the-register buying experience. Instead of using one of our kiosks, you create a unique barcode for your purchase using the Bitcoin Depot mobile app (available on the Apple App Store* and the Google Play Store*) and scan it at the register.
It’s just like buying your weekly groceries!
You just walk up to the cashier, scan your code, and purchase. Easy, right? You don’t even need to mention Bitcoin at the counter.
BDCheckout™ is only available in select states and retailers.
To find out if you’re in a BDCheckout™ state, use our convenient locator tool.
So, what if you want to buy Bitcoin with a debit or credit card?
Don’t worry; we will make that easy, too. With our buy online service, you can purchase Bitcoin alongside a selection of other popular cryptocurrencies. That includes:
Want to pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay? Just download the Bitcoin Depot mobile app. There, you can use those payment options to purchase Bitcoin. You can even store your coins in-app — talk about convenience.
Another popular option some people explore is using a centralized exchange. While they can offer a layer of accessibility to the process, they're not without their downsides.
First off, they often require lengthy verification processes. It’s also not unheard of for your coins to get locked up during this period, meaning you can’t send them to another wallet. Another thing to consider is wait times for both money transfers to make a purchase and for sending coins.
For instance, your average money transfer can take up to 5 days* (as mentioned on experian.com).
On the other hand, you do gain access to a larger variety of cryptocurrencies. This can be great if you’re a trader or want to explore lesser-known crypto projects.
Last on our list are ETFs. We mentioned ETFs earlier, but basically, these are financial products that allow you to purchase Bitcoin on a stock exchange.
They’re pretty new, only being offered since early 2024. Even so, they’ve gained quite a bit of attention. In fact, Bitcoin ETFs have been a huge success, taking in over $100 billion in inflows* (source: finance.yahoo.com) in the first year alone.
While they’re a great option for those who already trade stocks and want to simplify their portfolio’s management, they come with a big tradeoff.
When you purchase Bitcoin with an ETF, or even through an exchange, you don’t own that Bitcoin. What do we mean by this? Well, when you make a purchase through any of our services, like a Bitcoin ATM, BDCheckout™, or buy online, you own that Bitcoin.
It goes straight to your wallet, which you control.
With ETFs and exchanges, they hold onto that Bitcoin for you. This can simplify some things, but it means you don’t actually have control over your coins.
So there you have it, the easiest ways to buy Bitcoin. From Bitcoin ATMs to exchanges, those are the dead-simple options to get your hands on the world’s most popular cryptocurrency.
Of course, we’re partial to Bitcoin ATMs. But that’s because many people find them to be one of the simplest ways to buy Bitcoin, especially if you only have cash. Not only are there locations across the world, but to make a purchase, you just need to follow a few simple steps.
Ready to experience it yourself?
Find your nearest Bitcoin ATM today.
*The information provided above is for informational purposes only. The inclusion of any particular 3rd party site does not imply an endorsement, sponsorship, or partnership between Bitcoin Depot and the 3rd parties listed above. While Bitcoin Depot endeavors to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information provided, we do not guarantee the reliability of any 3rd party’s information.