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How to Buy Ethereum With Credit Card

Khashayar Abbasi
Khashayar Abbasi
January 5th, 2024
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In this comprehensive guide, we share the top tips for buying Ethereum with a credit card by sharing industry-leading centralized exchanges and brokers. We have picked these Ethereum trading platforms based on important metrics such as fees, user interface, customer review scores, regulation, cryptocurrency availability, and much more. Also, we suggest other alternative payment methods if credit cards aren’t your favorite payment method.

However, if you’re short on time, the best platform for buying Ethereum with a credit card is Binance, while the best ETH CFD platform that accepts credit cards is Plus500.

Top Ethereum Brokers That Accept Credit Cards

Sort by
eToro8.7Visitetoro.com

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.

Plus500 CFD Broker9.8Visitplus500.com

82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Pepperstone9.0Visitpepperstone.com

Between 74-89 % of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Eightcap8.8Visiteightcap.com
Webull8.3Visitwebull.com
Coinbase8.4Visitcoinbase.com
Changelly7.4VisitChangelly.com
Trading 2128.4Visittrading212.com

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Which Issuers Allow Buying Ethereum Using Their Credit Cards

You cannot deposit money at centralized exchanges and brokerage platforms with all credit card companies. Some issuers believe the cryptocurrency industry to be risky and therefore don’t allow the buying of cryptocurrencies. It’s important to find out if your credit card company is compatible with the crypto industry before initiating the deposit.

  • American Express (AMEX): This credit card issuer is not accepted at most Ethereum trading platforms, including notable ones like Binance and Coinbase. However, a handful of P2P platforms allow AMEX, such as Paxful and LocalBitcoins.

  • Bank of America: You cannot buy cryptocurrency using Bank of America, and it might be because they are developing in-house blockchain technology.

  • Barclays: Buying Ethereum with this credit card is not compatible.

  • Chase: This issuer does not support the buying of cryptocurrencies.

  • Discover: You cannot use Discover credit cards to buy cryptocurrencies like Ethereum.

  • Wells Fargo: The Wells Fargo credit card is unavailable for buying cryptocurrencies.

Best Ways to Buy Ethereum With a Credit Card

Now, let’s focus on the top ways of buying and trading Ethereum with a credit card. The options offer something for everyone.

Best Brokers to Buy Ethereum With a Credit Card

Brokers are easy-to-use platforms that allow users to buy a large number of cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum. Brokers take care of the buying/selling process and charge a fee for the service. The table below highlights 3 of the top brokers for buying Ethereum with a credit card.

Provider

Credit Card Fee (USD 1000)

Get Started

🥇 Binance

1.8% + CC fee

Start with Binance now

🥈 Pepperstone

Free

Start with Pepperstone now

🥉 Coinmama

4.5%

Start with Coinmama now

The listed brokers in the table above were selected because the platforms are secure and considered to be among the most reputable in the industry. Also, they offer consistent experiences and many tradeable cryptocurrencies - for example, Binance supports 350+.

Binance - Best choice for low trading fees

Binance9.1Visitbinance.com

Although, like most platforms, you'll need to pay a fee to deposit via credit card, after that the fees are very cheap. Trading fees on Binance are just 0.1% or less, and you can even trade some major ETH trading pairs for free.

You'll get plenty of advanced tools for trading, as well as access to useful features such as trading bots, an NFT marketplace, liquidity mining, educational resources, and Ethereum staking.

Best CFD Brokers to Trade Ethereum With a Credit Card

CFD brokers provide an opportunity to speculate on a coin’s price movement. You’ll create a contract that states you must settle the coin’s price difference at the start and end of the contract. However, the transaction is speculative, so you don’t own Ethereum as an asset, and it cannot be transferred to a crypto wallet. The table below highlights 3 of the best CFD brokers for trading Ethereum with a credit card.

Provider

Credit Card Fee (USD 1000)

Get Started

🥇 Plus500

$0 + CC fee

Start with Plus500 now

82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

🥈 BDSwiss

$0 + CC fee

Start with BDSwiss now

🥉 Eightcap

$0 + CC fee

Start with Eightcap now

We have listed the CFD brokers above because the platforms offer the lowest deposit and trading fees, are regulated by government-appointed regulators, offer many tradable cryptocurrency CFDs, and have intuitive user experiences.

Financial institutions and investors enter into contracts for difference (CFDs). In doing so, investors take a position on the future value of an asset.

Plus500 - Top choice for low fees

Plus500 CFD Broker9.8Visitplus500.com

82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

You will not be charged for depositing, opening/closing trades, receiving live share CFD price quotes, and rolling your position.

The mobile app at Plus500 is among the best, with an overall user review score of 4.3 out of 5 on the App Store and Google Play. Therefore, you can expect a stable experience that is consistent with the features you’ll find on the desktop. Also, both the mobile and desktop platforms provide many deposit options and a responsive customer service team.

The drawbacks of using Plus500 to buy Ethereum include limited educational content and average research tools.

Plus500 is a global multi-asset fintech group operating proprietary technology-based trading platforms through its Plus500 regulated subsidiaries. Plus500 offers customers a range of trading products on three different platforms - the Plus500 CFD platform, which offers 2,800+ CFD instruments; Plus500 Invest platform* which offers 2,700+ Shares; and Plus500 Futures*, where futures can be traded.

Note: the Plus500Invest platform is offered by Plus500CY Ltd and is available only to EU traders, the Plus500 Futures platform is offered by Plus500US and is available only to US traders.

Best Ethereum Exchanges to Buy Ethereum With a Credit Card

Exchanges are one of the easiest platforms for beginners when buying Ethereum with a credit card. These platforms act as intermediaries that allow users to buy and sell many cryptocurrencies. Exchanges allow users to buy crypto using fiat currencies and order books handle the transactions. The table below summarizes 3 of the top centralized exchanges for buying Ethereum with a credit card.

Exchange

Credit Card Fee (USD 1000)

Get Started

🥇 Kraken

Varies + CC fee

Start with Kraken now

🥈 Crypto.com

2.99% + CC fee

Start with Crypto.com now

🥉 KuCoin

Varies + CC fee

Start with KuCoin now

The listed exchanges in the table above were selected because the platforms are heavily regulated or trusted by their user base. Also, the high trading volume means transactions are processed quickly, and you’ll love the speed at which you can find your desired coin. Finally, the customer support teams go the extra mile to ensure users receive adequate help.

How to buy Ethereum with a credit card on an exchange?

You can use an exchange to buy Ethereum with credit cards on platforms such as Binance, Crypto.com, Kraken, CEX.IO, and more. To start buying Ethereum, you’ll need to register an account with an exchange and complete the onboarding process. This typically involves KYC verification, where you must submit documents for proof of address and identity.

However, not every exchange accepts credit cards as a deposit method, and some issuers don't allow you to buy cryptocurrencies. Therefore, you’ll need to research compatible options before registering accounts to successfully buy Ethereum from an exchange. Once you have an account, log in and navigate to the deposit section of the user interface. Choose credit card as the payment method, but there might be limitations regarding deposit size and accepted fiat currencies.

Create an account
Complete KYC
Purchase with credit card

How to find Ethereum on an exchange: start by heading over to the trade section of the UI, and you might find Ethereum toward the top of the list because of the coin’s popularity. However, if you can’t find it by scrolling, then use the search bar.

Altcoins and Ethereum

It’s possible to buy Ethereum using altcoins without using fiat currency or a credit card. Simply find Ethereum as explained above and choose the altcoin you want to trade. Also, you can use Ethereum to buy altcoins, and the ones available depend on the exchange where you’re trading.

Crypto.com - Best Option for Many Cryptocurrencies

Crypto.com8.7Visitcrypto.com

You can access over 250 tradable cryptocurrencies at Crypto.com, which opens up many investment opportunities. Also, the exchange is among the most trusted in the industry, with over 50 million users contributing to a high trading volume.

Also, the competitive fee structure and transparency help new users set the right expectations. However, an unresponsive customer support team is one of the drawbacks of buying Ethereum at Crypto.com.

Can I Use Decentralized Exchanges With Credit Cards?

In 2014, decentralized exchanges (DEXs) were first released so that users could trade cryptocurrencies without intermediary platforms like Coinbase or Binance. The peer-to-peer technology allows users to connect to the platform anonymously.

In fact, there is no need for KYC verification or registering an account. Instead, you connect a compatible DeFi wallet like MetaMask, which allows you to trade cryptocurrencies and broadcast transactions.

Hence, you might have noticed that credit cards cannot interact directly with DEXs. To fund your activity on a DEX, you’ll need to deposit on a CEX and buy cryptocurrencies that can be transferred to the DeFi wallet.

Best Ethereum P2P Platforms to Buy Ethereum With a Credit Card

P2P platforms facilitate the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies like Ethereum via a large selection of payment methods, including credit cards. The platforms allow sellers to create posts that indicate the coin's price, amount of coins available, accepted payment methods, and allocated time to complete payment. Then buyers scan these posts to find one that matches their requirements. Take a look at the table below for 3 of the best P2P platforms for buying Ethereum with a credit card.

Exchange

Credit Card Fee (USD 1000)

Get Started

🥇 KuCoin

Varies + CC fee

Get started with KuCoin now

🥈 Paxful

$0 + CC fee

Get started with Paxful now

🥉 Binance

2% + CC fee

Get started with Binance now

We have listed the P2P platforms in the table above because the platforms have consistently high trading volumes and a UI that makes it easy to find the right offers. You can filter based on metrics such as accepted fiat currencies and payment methods. Also, safe escrow systems are implemented that allow users to trade with peace of mind.

KuCoin - Best choice for a large user base

Kucoin7.8Visitkucoin.com

KuCoin is one of the biggest P2P platforms in the world, with 20+ million users across all regions. The massive popularity is partly due to the good security features, competitive deposit/withdrawal fees, and simple user interface.

The instant messaging functionality allows KuCoin’s users to communicate and resolve any confusion about the deal. It’s ideal for first-time KuCoin users that might be confused about some aspects of the offer. KuCoin’s escrow system is among the safest in the industry, which means you can buy Ethereum without blindly trusting the seller.

However, some of the drawbacks of trading at KuCoin include a lack of educational resources and minor problems during high-traffic periods.

Best Apps to Buy Ethereum With a Credit Card

You can conveniently buy Ethereum with a credit card using crypto mobile apps. Cryptocurrency trading providers deliver mobile apps so that users can continue trading while away from their desktops. You’ll need to download and install mobile apps from the Google Play and App Store platforms. The table below showcases 3 of the best Ethereum-friendly mobile apps.

Provider

OS

Credit Card Fee (USD 1000)

Get Started

🥇 Crypto.com

Android / iOS

2.99% + CC fee

Start with Crypto.com now

🥈 Binance

Android / iOS

1.8% + CC fee

Start with Binance now

🥉KuCoin

Android / iOS

Varies + CC fee

Start with KuCoin now

The mobile app providers listed above were chosen because the platforms have low deposit/trading fees and support many payment methods, including credit and debit cards, bank transfer, prepaid cards, and digital wallets. Also, the apps have excellent user review scores on the Google Play and App Store platforms, which indicates good stability and features work as described.

Binance App - Top Choice for Trading Features

Binance9.1Visitbinance.com

You’ll love the depth of trading features on Binance. Notably, the spot trading interface provides customizable charts, drawing tools, many technical indicators, and various order types. If you're not comfortable with these advanced tools, you can simply make an instant ETH purchase with your credit card through a completely simplified process.

Users in some jurisdictions will be able to access much more than this, such as trading data, margin, futures, and trading robots. Binance is also a popular destination for users who want to stake their ETH.

Should You Buy Ethereum With a Credit Card?

Credit cards are a good option for buying Ethereum if you already have one in your possession that’s compatible with a broker or CEX. Therefore, you won't need to register a new account with a payment processor. Also, credit cards are simple to use since most people have experience with them.

Many reputable Ethereum trading platforms accept credit cards as the deposit method, including Kraken, Binance, and Crypto.com. Finally, credit cards give you access to extra cash, which might be ideal if you want to increase your leverage.

However, the relatively high fees of using credit cards to buy cryptocurrencies need to be considered. It’s one of the biggest drawbacks of the payment method compared with bank transfers or PayPal.

  • Buyer Protection
  • Encryption
  • Convenience
  • Fast Withdrawals
  • Instant deposits

Credit Card Issuer Penalties on Cash Advance

Buying cryptocurrency with a credit card results in a cash advance transaction, which can lead to extra charges. You should fully understand the applicable charges and extra costs to set the right expectations.

  • Cash advance fee: Your credit card company will charge you a flat or percentage-based fee when using the cash advance feature.

  • Higher interest rate: If your credit card issuer views cryptocurrencies as a risky industry, you might face higher interest rates on the cash advance.

  • No grace period: Without a grace period, your cash advance will begin to accrue interest immediately.

  • Lower credit limit: The cash advance limit for buying cryptocurrencies might be lower than usual.

  • No credit card rewards: Many credit card issuers offer rewards such as cashback when shopping. However, cryptocurrency transactions might be excluded from the list of rewards.

Your credit card issuer may allow you to buy cryptocurrency without a cash advance, so you should check the terms and conditions.

Is It Worth Buying Ethereum With a Credit Card?

This section covers our thoughts about the practicalities of buying Ethereum with a credit card. Generally, it’s a good option if you are trading at a crypto platform that accepts credit cards and has no deposit fees. Also, you should have easy access to a credit card that allows depositing funds on a centralized exchange or brokerage platform.

However, credit cards are not worth the hassle if you feel the fees charged by your preferred CEX and CC issuer are too high. Also, if the limits are too low for your desired amount of purchasing power, then you’ll need to use alternative payment methods.

Is using a credit card the fastest way to buy Ethereum?

Credit card processing speeds are typically instant, so it’s among the fastest ways of buying Ethereum. The funds on the brokerage platform or CEX are available immediately to buy your desired coin. Additionally, you can enjoy instant processing speeds with a debit card or PayPal.

Is using a credit card the safest way to buy Ethereum?

Credit cards are generally safe since the issuers provide security features like two-factor authentication. Also, if transactions are executed from questionable locations, the card company may hold the payment until it’s verified.

Is using a credit card the cheapest and easiest way to buy Ethereum?

Credit cards are easy to use since most people have experience shopping online with a card. Also, if you already have a compatible credit card, then there is no need for further registration or an identity verification process to be completed.

However, credit cards are not among the cheapest payment forms. Many CEX charges a fee for depositing on their platform, and you might get charged by your CC for receiving a cash advance. To save money on deposit fees, consider using alternative payment methods like a bank transfer or PayPal.

Receive Crypto as a Credit Card Reward for Buying Ethereum

Some credit cards will reward you with Ethereum for spending money. In the list below, you’ll find some of the best crypto reward credit cards for receiving Ethereum passively as you spend.

  • Brex card: Using the Brex card will reward you with points, and once you acquire 1,000, they can be exchanged for $7 worth of Ethereum or Bitcoin. The amount of cryptocurrency you receive depends on current market conditions.

  • Venmo credit card: You’ll receive cashback when shopping with the Venmo credit card, and you can choose to receive a cryptocurrency of your choice as the reward. Also, you can change the reward coin at any time in your account.

  • Gemini credit card: You’ll receive 3% cash back for shopping with the Gemini credit card, and rewards are available in 60+ cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum.

What Are the Fees When Buying Ethereum With a Credit Card?

The table below summarizes various fee types when buying or trading $1,000 of Ethereum with a credit card at industry-leading platforms.

Platform

Plus500 CFD

Binance Exchange

Deposit Fees

$0 + CC fee

$19

Purchase Fees

Market spread

$1

Holding Fees

$0

$0

Selling Fees

Market spread

$1

Payout Fees

$0

$19

Total Fees

Market spread

$40

Is Buying Ethereum With a Credit Card Anonymous?

You cannot use a credit card to buy Ethereum anonymously, as you’ll learn in the following section. However, you’ll see that they can indirectly be used to fund a DeFi wallet that allows for anonymous Ethereum buying on a DEX.

Can you buy Ethereum with a credit card without verification or KYC?

CEXs and brokerage platforms require you to complete KYC and identity verification during the onboarding process. The number of details you’ll submit varies based on the platform, but proof of address and photo ID are usually required. To buy Ethereum without verification, you’ll need to connect a DeFi wallet to a compatible DEX.

Can you buy Ethereum with a credit card without registration?

You can only use a credit card to buy Ethereum through CEXs and brokers, which require registration. Also, you’ll need to register with your CC issuer and pass a credit check. To buy Ethereum without registration, you’ll need to use a DEX with a compatible DeFi wallet.

Alternative Payment Options to Buy Ethereum With USD

Alternative payment options might be required if you no longer have access to a credit card because of a low credit score or if you aren’t happy with the relatively high deposit fees. This section presents excellent alternative payment methods for buying Ethereum.

Buy Ethereum with PayPal

Buying Ethereum with PayPal is a good option if you want to avoid deposit fees and need instant processing speeds. Also, it’s available on many of the top crypto trading platforms, so you’ll find a suitable CEX for trading Ethereum.

Furthermore, PayPal supports buying Ethereum directly within the app. However, the trading fees are not competitive compared with platforms like Coinbase.

Buy Ethereum with prepaid cards and debit cards

Debit and prepaid cards allow you to buy Ethereum without a cash advance. It’s the right alternative for avoiding the extra fees and interest from using credit cards. Also, they are accepted at a few crypto trading platforms where credit cards aren’t.

PaySafeCard is one of the more popular prepaid cards that promotes anonymity since personal details are not attached to the transaction.

Buy Ethereum with a credit card on digital wallets

Digital wallets are a convenient and widely supported payment method. Examples of the more popular digital wallets include Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, Cash app, and Zelle.

What to Consider When Buying Ethereum With a Credit Card?

Now let’s turn our attention to the noteworthy considerations you must make when buying Ethereum with a Credit Card.

  • Credit cards supported: Ensure that the Ethereum trading platform you choose supports credit card payments.

  • Foreign exchange fee: When depositing funds to the crypto trading platform, a currency conversion might be required. Compare the applicable fees and FX rates to get a good deal.

  • Scams: Be aware of the scams in the cryptocurrency industry to avoid losing your money. Consider choosing one of the platforms in this guide since they are heavily regulated and trusted by the user base.

  • Debt: Credit card transactions are cash advances if the balance is negative. You’ll have to pay back the money later, and if the coin you buy loses value, you’ll be in debt.

  • Credit utilization: The amount of money borrowed across all credit cards divided by the total credit limit among them is the credit utilization score. It’s typically expressed as a percentage, and keeping it under 30% contributes to a good credit score.

  • Fees: Compare the fees of each Ethereum trading platform to find the best deal. Consider various fee types, including deposit, withdrawal, trading, inactivity, and more.

  • Taxes: In the United States, you must share your cryptocurrency gains and losses by submitting the IRS Form 8949 to the Inland Revenue Service. If you’re profiting for the year, you’ll need to pay capital gains tax.

  • Limits: The credit card issuer will limit the amount of money you can deposit and limits might be set by the Ethereum trading platform.

Do All Platforms Accept Credit Cards to Buy Ethereum?

Unfortunately, not every Ethereum trading platform supports credit card payments. The table below summarizes the availability status of the most popular platforms.

Provider

Credit Card Accepted

Review

Robinhood

No

Read Robinhood review

Binance

Yes

Read Binance review

Changelly

Yes

Read Changelly review

Bittrex

Yes

Read Bittrex review

Poloniex

Yes

Read Poloniex review

Coinbase

EU and UK only

Read Coinbase review

Kraken

Yes

Read Kraken review

Gemini

Yes

Read Gemini review

Uphold

Yes

Read Uphold review

Crypto.com

Yes

Read Crypto.com review

Coinmama

Yes

Read Coinmama review

Simplex

Yes

N/A

Trading crypto assets is high risk and speculative

Should I Buy Ethereum With a Credit Card?

To conclude, you should buy Ethereum with a credit card if you need a cash advance to take advantage of extra leverage. Also, you can earn crypto rewards with some cards, which can alleviate the downsides of the high deposit fees. Many top-tier Ethereum trading platforms accept credit cards, so finding one that matches your preferences should be straightforward.

To start buying Ethereum with credit cards, consider industry-leading platforms like Coinbase, Crypto.com, or Kraken.

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Can I Buy Any Other Cryptocurrencies With a Credit Card?

Yes, you can buy hundreds of other cryptocurrencies with a credit card, including Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Litecoin, and XRP.

FAQs

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Contributors

Khashayar Abbasi
Khashayar discovered Bitcoin back in 2014 and has since spent countless hours researching the different use cases of cryptocurrencies. He has a bachelor's degree in International Relations and has been a writer in the financial services industry for nearly half a decade. In his spare time, Khashayar enjoys photography, cycling, and ice skating.