This page lists companies that will let you buy bitcoins with a bank account or bank transfer. Some countries offer specific transfer types, like SEPA transfer or ACH transfer (USA).
We may receive advertising compensation when you click certain products. Before jumping into this page, an important disclosure.
Coinbase Popular Buy Bitcoin Read Review
Coinbase is the world's largest bitcoin broker. In the United States you can buy bitcoin with a connected bank account via ACH bank transfer. In Europe you can buy with your bank account via SEPA transfer. Purchases made with ACH take 5 days for the coins to be delivered, while SEPA purchases take less than two days. Coinbase charges a flat 1.49% fee on all transactions. Americans may add a Visa or Mastercard credit card to as a backup to unlock instant payments via bank transfer.
We may receive compensation when you use Coinbase. Please visit Coinbase for its exact pricing terms.
- High liquidity and buying limits
- Easy way for newcomers to get bitcoins
- "Instant Buy" option available with debit card
- Purchases made with bank transfer can take up to 5 days to complete
- Coinbase may track how and where you spend your bitcoins
Bittylicious Buy Bitcoin
UK residents can purchase bitcoins within 15 minutes via online bank transfer.
We may receive compensation when you use Bittylicious. Please visit Bittylicious for its exact pricing terms.
- One of the fastest ways to buy bitcoins in the UK
- Refund guarantee in the event of delayed payment
- ID required for card purchases
- RBS/Natwest PYC payment method unavailable
Coinmama Popular Buy Bitcoin Read Review
Coinmama supports buying in Europe via SEPA transfer. All other countries can send money to Coinmama using International Bank Transfers (SWIFT). There are no fees on purchases of 1000 EUR or more, while purchases under 1000 EUR cost 20 EUR in fees.
We may receive compensation when you use Coinmama. Please visit Coinmama for its exact pricing terms.
- Works in almost all countries
- Highest limits for buying bitcoins with a credit card
- Reliable and trusted broker
- Some of the highest fees among credit/debit card bitcoin brokers
Bitpanda Popular Buy Bitcoin Read Review
Bitpanda accepts bank account payments via SEPA, SOFORT, and Online Bank Transfer.
We may receive compensation when you use Bitpanda. Please visit Bitpanda for its exact pricing terms.
- Some of the lowest fees for buying bitcoins with credit/debit card
- Reliable and trusted broker
- Fees aren't shown openly on the site but instead included in the buying price
Coinbase Pro Popular Buy Bitcoin Read Review
US customers can fund their Coinbase Exchange trading accounts via ACH or bank wire. Residents of Europe and the UK can fund with SEPA transfer.
We may receive compensation when you use Coinbase Pro. Please visit Coinbase Pro for its exact pricing terms.
- Some of the lowest fees available for US and EU customers
- Possible to buy bitcoins for 0% fees
- User interface is confusing for first time buyers
CEX.io Buy Bitcoin Read Review
CEX.io allows for purchases of bitcoins using ACH in the USA or via SEPA transfer for EU countries.
We may receive compensation when you use CEX.io. Please visit CEX.io for its exact pricing terms.
- Support for many countries and regions
- Low 0.2% trading fee
- Established and trusted exchange
- Verification process is extensive, requiring much personal information (including a photo) and incurring a long delay
- GBP market lacks liquidity
Gemini Buy Bitcoin
US customers can purchase bitcoins on Gemini by funding their account with ACH transfer.
- Trustworthy and regulated exchange
- Instant deposit lets you buy coins quickly (but not withdraw them)
- Some of the lowest fees in the US and Canada
- Somewhat confusing to use for new buyers
- Not yet available in all US states
Coinfinity Buy Bitcoin
Residents in Austria can buy bitcoins with a bank account online using SOFORT transfer.
- Trusted and established exchange
- Limited payment methods available
- ID verification is required for their exchange, so not private
Paymium Buy Bitcoin
Paymium is a Bitcoin exchange based in France; anyone in the country can get bitcoins with a bank transfer using Paymium.
- Established and trusted exchange
- Mobile app available
- ID verification required for amounts over €2,500, so not private
Bity Buy Bitcoin
Bity is a Bitcoin broker that makes it possible for all Europeans to purchase bitcoins with SEPA. At first, only verification using a phone number is required.
- Easy to start buying bitcoins after mobile phone verification
- Payment limit of up to €100,000 annually after intensive verification
- ID verification is required for most purchases, so not a private way to buy
- Low annual limit of only €4,000 without intensive verification
Safello Buy Bitcoin
- Available from 32 countries
- Offers a wide variety of payment methods
- Deep liquidity ensures prices near the fair market rate
- Support staff available every day from 8 AM to 10 PM
- Not a private way to buy since ID verification is required
- Support staff available during weekdays only, from 9 AM to 5 PM (UTC)
- Only Swish payments will confirm over weekends
- Fees aren't clearly stated but included in your buying price
Bitstamp Buy Bitcoin
Bitstamp is one of the world's largest Bitcoin exchanges. It makes it easy for Europeans to purchase large amounts of bitcoins fast with SEPA bank transfer. Almost anyone in the world can use their bank account to send a wire transfer to Bitstamp, although fees may apply.
- One of the longest-running Bitcoin exchanges
- Very low 0.25% fee, falling to 0.1% with sufficient trading volume
- Good range of deposit and withdrawal options
- Deep liquidity promotes a price close to fair market rate
- Offers wide range of altcoins
- Has been hacked before, users should not store funds on the exchange for any period of time
- High 8% fee on small credit card purchases, falling to 5% with sufficient trading volume
- Geared towards traders; slightly confusing for first time buyers
Kraken Popular Buy Bitcoin
Kraken is the world's largest euro-denominated Bitcoin exchange based on daily average trading volume. It supports bank transfer deposits from US, European, Canadian, British, and Japanese customers. Deposits can be made via international bank transfer, SEPA transfer, and Interac.
- Well-financed and trusted exchange
- Very low 0.25% taker fee, falling to 0.1% with sufficient trading volume
- Very low maker fee, falling to 0% with sufficient trading volume
- Deep liquidity for large volume buyers in European markets ensures a price close to fair market rate
- Highly-rated for security
- Publishes proof of reserve audits
- User-interface makes it difficult for first time buyers
- Requires ID verification, so not private
Athena Investor Services Buy Bitcoin
Athena Investor Services offers a unique way to purchase Bitcoin. It's aimed at large volume buyers who are looking to buy between $10,000 and $500,000 worth of bitcoins. The fees are 4% per buy. The fees are high because Athena will work with you and walk you through the buying process with them and offers personalized help. You can only pay via bank wire at this time.
- Easy way to purchase bitcoins for new buyers
- High limits for first time buyers
- Higher fees compared to other ways to buy bitcoins with bank transfer in the USA
CoinCorner Buy Bitcoin
CoinCorner is a Bitcoin exchange based in the Isle of Man. Users in the UK and Europe can purchase bitcoins with SEPA, credit/debit card, or GBP bank transfer.
We may receive compensation when you use CoinCorner. Please visit CoinCorner for its exact pricing terms.
- Trusted and regulated company in the UK
- Wide range of payment options
- Good customer support
- Instant credit card purchases
- Supports a very wide range of countries
- Video tutorials covering the basics of Bitcoin and buying and selling
- Multi-sig security features
- 1% trading fee slightly high by European standards
- Offers a mobile wallet but this is not ideal for bitcoin storage
- Requires ID verification, so not private
- Does not provide exchange prices for comparison without sign-up
Bitfinex Buy Bitcoin
Bitfinex allows customers to deposit large amounts of funds using SWIFT.
- Very low fees even for low volume buyers; 0.1% for market makers and 0.2% for market takers
- One of the best ways to buy large amounts of bitcoins
- Allows lending of fiat or bitcoin to margin traders at interest (but this is risky in light of the hack)
- Very deep liquidity promotes a price close to fair market rate
- Supports several altcoins
- Was recently hacked and has yet to fully compensate all users for their loss
- Geared towards traders; possibly quite confusing for first time buyers
- Single payment option
HappyCoins Buy Bitcoin
HappyCoins offers many bank-related instant payment methods such as iDEAL, GiroPay, myBank, Sofort, and SEPA.
- Long-running and trusted exchange
- Wide range of payment options offered
- Occasional "HappyHour" 0% fee periods
- Quite private; only email and bank account number and name required
- Fees are not displayed publically; only included in price at checkout
What are the pros of buying with a bank account?
The benefits to using a bank account are fees. Bank account is usually the cheapest deposit method for buying coins. Limits are also usually higher when using a bank account, assuming you have verified your account.
What are the cons of buying with a bank account?
The cons are speed. Bank transfers are slow in many countries, so bank transfer is often the slowest way to buy bitcoins.
What about bank vs credit card?
Credit card will be faster, but has higher fees. Bank account is slower but has lower fees.
