VISA/MasterCard accepted: Where to Buy Bitcoin with a Credit Card

Buying Bitcoin is much easier than it used to be. Just a few years ago, getting your hands on cryptocurrency was difficult, expensive, time-consuming and sometimes dangerous. Now you can even buy Bitcoin with credit card. However, buying Bitcoin or any cryptocurrency should always be done with care, including cases of using a Credit Card. The world of cryptocurrency is still largely unregulated, so your best safety net is buying from a reputable brand. Here are some great places you can get your Bitcoins quickly, safely and at a good price.

CEX.IO

CEX.IO is a tried and tested Bitcoin exchange. It’s been around since 2013 and provides Bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchange services to 99% of countries from its headquarters in London.

Some of the main features of CEX.IO are:

• Instant buy option;
• Price freezes for 120 seconds while you make a decision;
• You can start buying with a low verification level;
• US Dollar, Euro and British Pound deposits are available;
• 24/7 customer support;
• High limits when you increase your verification level;
• Withdrawal of your funds to a payment card.

CEX.IO has three verification levels: Basic, Verified, Verified Plus, and Corporate. Basic lets you buy $500 per day and $2,000 per month. Verified bumps that up to $10,000 daily and $100,000 monthly, while Verified Plus and Corporate are unlimited. To increase your verification level, you’ll need an official government-issued ID and some other personal information. Once you’ve verified identity and linked your card, you’re done.

There is a 7% fee to buy instantly with a credit card, but this drops to 0-0.25% when using the more sophisticated trading platform. Mind that you will also be charged a deposit-withdrawal fee. One of the main problems with CEX.IO is that, like many cryptocurrency exchanges, it isn’t available in all states in the US.

Coinbase

Coinbase is a giant in the world of crypto, with over $50 Billion worth of cryptocurrency exchanged on the platform. It’s available in the United States, Singapore, Canada, United Kingdom, and many other European countries.

Some of the main features of Coinbase are:

• Very high liquidity with millions of users;
• Multiple payment options including Credit Card and bank transfer;
• High buying limits once you’re verified ($50,000 for fully verified US customers).

The fee for buying with a Credit Card/Debit Card is 3.99%, a good rate for instant buy. This can drop to 1.49% using other payment methods such as a bank transfer. Coinbase does have some verification hoops to jump through to use their platform. You’ll need to fully verify your identity and send photos of your IDs.

Coinmama

Coinmama has been around for 5 years, an eternity in Bitcoin time. It services 188 different countries around the world, including some states in the US.

Some of the main features of Coinmama are:

• Buy with any Credit or Debit Card (Mastercard or Visa);
• Encrypted data;
• Coinmama doesn’t keep your funds;
• Extremely fast 1-hour verification.  

Without verifying your ID, the buy limit is $150. After verification, the limit goes up to $5,000 per day and up to a total of $10,000 worth of Bitcoin. Verification has similar steps to other exchanges, requiring an official government ID and some additional personal info.

Coinmama’s fee for buying Bitcoins is 5.5%, but their payment processor also charges an extra 5% for Credit Card transactions. Currently, you can’t sell your Bitcoins on Coinmama.

Bitpanda

Based in Austria, BitPanda claims to be Europe’s most popular platform for trading cryptocurrencies. It’s a solid, trusted platform for buying Bitcoin easily, especially for European customers.

Some of the main features of Bitpanda are:

• An impressive selection of payment options, including Credit Card, SOFORT Transfer, SEPA Transfer, and NETELLER;
• Free deposits if you reach a minimum amount (~0.05 BTC);
• 4 Levels of verification: Starter, Bronze, Silver, and Gold.

A verified email and phone number are all you need to get started on Bitpanda, but you’ll be restricted to 600 Euros per month and won’t be able to use a Credit Card. Deposits can be free, but there are fees on withdrawals and minimum withdrawal amounts.

Coinhouse

Coinhouse is another European exchange, this time operating out of Paris, France. Their motto is “Fast, Solid and Safe”. Coinhouse has a great reputation and is an acceptable option for European customers.

Some of the main features of Coinhouse are:

• Accepts all European Credit Cards and Neosurf prepaid cards;
• Immediate payout after payment is confirmed;
• Bitcoin and Ether are both available;
• High buying limits of €2,000 per day or €10,000 per month once you’re verified;
• Withdrawals are available through SEPA bank transfer.

The major downside to Coinhouse is the high fees of 6-10% depending on the amount you buy for Credit Card transactions. Coinhouse is available in all European countries. However, if you’re from somewhere else, you might want to try another exchange.

Bitstamp

Bitstamp was established in 2011 and is the oldest exchange on this list. The company has offices in the UK, US, and Luxembourg, and provides cryptocurrency exchange services around the world. In 2017, Bitstamp announced it would extend Credit/Debit Card as a payment option beyond just EU countries.

Some of the main features of Bitstamp are:

• A high buying limit of 5,000 USD/Euros per day and 20,000 per month with verification;
• Instant transactions once verified.

There is a flat 5% fee for purchasing any amount with a Credit Card.

Conclusion

Using a Credit Card is a simple way to start buying Bitcoin, especially for beginners. The exchanges listed here are the best options currently available, but there are plenty more that aren’t mentioned here. However, you do want to be careful. Many less reputable providers have hidden fees, poor customer service, or slack security. Make sure you always check the Bitcoin price with other providers before buying to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

Cryptocurrency is a new and special kind of asset that can’t be tracked or refunded easily if something goes wrong. It’s best to go with a proven, trusted Bitcoin exchange provider until you really know what you’re doing.