The purchase process generally involves choosing a cryptocurrency, entering the amount you want to spend, selecting a payment method, completing any required verification, and confirming the transaction. The exact options available can vary by payment method, provider, and user eligibility.
This guide explains how to buy cryptocurrency in the US, including common payment methods, potential fees, basic purchase steps, and what to check before completing a transaction.
The basic process for buying crypto is similar across many purchase methods:
Once the payment is successfully processed, the purchased cryptocurrency is credited according to the applicable purchase flow.
The payment methods available depend on the purchase flow and payment provider.
Depending on the available options, users may be able to purchase crypto using:
Card purchases are often instant, but deposits made this way usually cost more than ACH. Bank account funding and ACH deposits are commonly used because they are usually lower-cost than card purchases.
Not every method is available for every user or transaction. Check the payment options displayed during checkout before placing an order. Some providers also support PayPal or a PayPal account, but availability depends on the provider and local regulations. PayPal has supported crypto purchases since 2020, and some services may also offer PayPal USD (PYUSD), a stablecoin pegged to the US Dollar. Some buyers also use a Bitcoin ATM to buy Bitcoin with cash, though fees can run around 5% to 10%. Supported methods and countries vary by provider, and some providers such as MoonPay operate in over 150 countries around the world.
The cost of buying cryptocurrency depends on several factors, including the amount purchased, the quoted crypto price, payment method, and any applicable service fees. On an exchange, a simple buy flow may cost more than using the platform’s advanced trading interface.
Some providers advertise low fees, zero fees, or zero trading fees on specific plans, but you should always verify the full fee schedule. Some payment providers may charge additional fees depending on the payment method you select. Trading fees can differ from payment-processing fees. The final amount of crypto you receive can therefore differ from the simple USD-to-crypto market price calculation.
Before confirming your order, review:
Security and compliance features such as Kraken’s offline asset storage and MoonPay’s PCI-DSS compliance and ISO 27001 certification can matter when comparing providers, even if they do not make the process more secure or remove fees.
KYC and other identity verification requirements may apply when purchasing cryptocurrency. The specific requirements depend on the service and transaction.
Completing the required verification helps prepare your account to access supported crypto services. Make sure the information you provide is accurate and consistent with your verification documents.
Different cryptocurrencies serve different purposes. Bitcoin and Ethereum are examples of market-priced crypto assets, while stablecoins such as USDT and USDC are designed to maintain values close to the US dollar. Some platforms are a Bitcoin-only crypto exchange, while others list many other cryptocurrencies. For example, River is a Bitcoin-only exchange based in the USA, while Coinbase, Kraken, and Gemini offer broader selections.
Your choice may depend on what you want to use the cryptocurrency for, the supported services, and the level of price volatility you are comfortable with. If you want to buy bitcoin, that may be enough, but some users also compare assets such as bitcoin cash before choosing.
If you’re specifically looking to purchase USDT with USD, see our guide on how to buy USDT with USD.
For USDC, you can read How to Buy USDC with USD: A Beginner’s Guide. Available assets can differ widely, with Coinbase supporting over 100 cryptocurrencies for purchase and trading, Kraken offering over 190 for trading, and Gemini offering trading for over 95.
Before completing a cryptocurrency purchase, review the transaction carefully.
Make sure the selected payment method is supported and that the payment information is correct. Some methods, such as paypal, a linked bank account, or a debit card, may only appear for eligible users and supported providers.
Check whether the transaction includes payment-provider or other applicable fees. Depending on the purchase flow, costs may also include payment-processing charges as well as trading fees.
Confirm how much USD you are spending and how much cryptocurrency you are expected to receive.
Some purchase methods may have minimum or maximum transaction amounts. Check the limits shown for your transaction.
Make sure your account has completed any required verification before attempting to purchase crypto. After purchase, some users transfer assets to a personal wallet or crypto wallet for maximum security.
After the payment is successfully completed, the purchased cryptocurrency is credited according to the applicable Gate US purchase flow.
You can then check your crypto balance through your account, and depending on the service, hold the asset there or move it to a crypto wallet by entering a wallet address for an external wallet.
The specific options for holding, transferring, using, or choosing when to sell crypto depend on the asset and services available to your account. A personal wallet can offer more direct control, while some custodial providers emphasize account protections and audits.
If supported, you may also transfer, sell, or convert holdings to cash later. Gemini is one example of a provider that advertises FDIC insurance for U.S. customers’ cash accounts, crypto insurance in certain cases, and notes that it completed SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 exams and holds SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications.
Buying cryptocurrency in the US generally involves comparing the exchange or platform, payment method, fees, supported assets, and compliance before selecting an available crypto asset, reviewing the transaction details, and completing the payment. Payment methods, fees, limits, and verification requirements can vary, so check the details shown for your transaction before confirming.
Do your own research and check local regulations before using any crypto exchange in the US.
Eligible users can buy supported cryptocurrencies through an available fiat-to-crypto purchase flow. Depending on the service, that flow may happen on an exchange or another supported platform, and some interfaces let users buy and sell or use a buy sell function in the same place.
Card payments may be available depending on the purchase flow and payment provider. Check the payment methods shown during checkout for your transaction. In many cases, a debit card is faster, while bank-based options may have lower fees.
Bank transfer may be available as a payment method for eligible transactions. The available options depend on the applicable purchase flow and provider. Linking a bank account may also be used for ACH funding or other deposits, depending on the provider.
Fees may apply depending on the payment method and provider. Some providers separate payment-processing charges from trading fees. Review the final transaction details before confirming your purchase.
KYC or other verification requirements may apply depending on the service and transaction. Check the requirements associated with your Gate US account before purchasing.
The cryptocurrencies available for purchase depend on the current Gate US purchase flow. Available assets are displayed when you create an order, and options may range from services where you can buy bitcoin only to lists that include bitcoin cash and many other cryptocurrencies, depending on the provider.
Yes, where supported by the applicable purchase flow. Some providers may also support paypal usd (PYUSD), depending on the payment flow and availability. You can learn more about buying USDT with USD or buying USDC with USD.
This is not investment advice. This information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any asset. Cryptocurrency trading involves a risk of loss.
Gate US services may be restricted in certain jurisdictions. For more information, please see our legal disclosures: https://www.gate.com/en-us/legal/disclosures
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