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How to buy crypto instantly with your debit/credit card
How to buy crypto instantly with your debit/credit card
Diana Paul avatar
Written by Diana Paul
Updated over a week ago

At CEX.IO, verified users in eligible jurisdictions can buy crypto as easily as they shop online.

We’ve built and maintained relationships with legacy payment providers to offer our community a variety of convenient pathways. Whether you’re looking to start your crypto journey, or continue seizing opportunities in the digital economy, our debit/credit card payment rails are available across our product ecosystem.

Follow along to learn how to buy crypto with a debit/credit card in this step-by-step guide.

1. Create an account and get verified

The first step toward utilizing our award-winning ecosystem of crypto products and services is to create an account and get verified. If you already have an account, jump ahead to the next step.

Create an account

Click the Register button in the upper right-hand corner.

Enter your email address and create a password. Remember: A strong password is the first line of security defense for your account. Consider protecting it with:

  • 10 or more characters

  • One lowercase Latin letter

  • One uppercase Latin letter

  • A number

  • A special symbol like @, #, $, &

Next, select your country of residence. CEX.IO works closely with regulators to ensure the availability of our products aligns with current jurisdictional requirements. This step is necessary to verify that we can legally provide services in your area.

Then, confirm you’re at least 18 years old, and accept our Terms of Use. If you want to stay tuned to the latest news and CEX.IO promo campaigns, agree to receive occasional emails by checking the box.

Once you’re satisfied, click Create your account.

At this point, we’ll send an email to the address associated with your new CEX.IO account. To complete the registration process, open the email from any device and click on the confirmation button inside.

Verify your account

In order to comply with KYC/AML requirements and ensure the health and security of our product ecosystem, we require all customers to complete the identity verification process.

We’ve designed an intuitive flow and interface, and partnered with clever solutions to expedite procedures. Reviewing the instructions ahead of time can help get you verified in five (5) minutes or less.

If your jurisdiction allows, the verification process may also be completed in the Exchange App. For some users, taking and sharing the necessary photos is more convenient with a smartphone.

Once the verification process is complete, you’ll unlock the ability to pair a credit or debit card with your account. While you can absolutely start by browsing digital assets, taking the time to link a preferred payment method can help avoid future urgency should an opportunity present itself. Let’s outline how to pair a credit or debit card, using a web browser and our mobile app.

2. Link your credit/debit card

Fun fact: Did you know that in 2014 CEX.IO became the first crypto company to empower its users with the ability to purchase Bitcoin (BTC) instantly with a credit card? This was a groundbreaking move for the industry, and one we maintain proudly to this day.

Visa and Mastercard customers can seamlessly integrate their credit/debit accounts for instant crypto purchases. However, please note that only personal cards (not corporate-issued) are permitted for integration with your CEX.IO account. With that in mind, let’s learn how to add your preferred payment card.

How to pair a card using a web browser

Go to CEX.IO, Login to your account, and click Add Funds in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

Navigate left, and click Select payment method.

On the pop-up, select Credit/Debit Card at the bottom.

Enter the card information and click Add Card.

When you return to the main Add Funds menu, you may now select your preferred credit/debit card to complete crypto purchases. To enable or pair additional payment methods, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal, revisit and complete this process to expand your choices across our ecosystem. This will help ensure greater value mobility, and allow for quicker reaction times to advantageous price movements.

Now, let’s buy some crypto.

3. Buy crypto instantly with a credit/debit card

The Instant Buy page is located in the Products menu, located at the top of the second column labeled For Everyone. This is often the first stop for newcomers curious about building their own crypto portfolio. Before making a purchase, consider studying and comparing cryptocurrency prices in real time for all assets available in your jurisdiction.

Our Instant Buy service provides customers with a speedy on-ramp to purchase crypto assets with fiat funds supported in your region. The trick here is to choose the asset you want to buy, and the currency with which you want to pay:

Click on the currency ticker in the You receive field to open the list of available assets, and select the one you wish to buy. BTC is the default choice.

In the same way, you can choose the fiat currency with which to pay.

Alternatively, you may also opt for one of the ready-to-buy packs. For ease of purchase, the calculated purchase amount includes a commission for this service. Otherwise, enter the custom amount of crypto you want to receive, or how much fiat you wish to spend. Please note the minimum amount you can spend is 20 USD/EUR/GBP. In turn, all verified CEX.IO users have a total transaction limit of $3,000.00. To increase this amount, verify your address.

Once you’re satisfied with your selection, click Buy to proceed.

The price is calculated automatically and updated in real time, according to changes on the market.

On the next page, select a linked payment method, or add a new card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, or Skrill account to your profile. To pay with a card, have your CVV code ready to confirm the transaction.

Please note that the availability of assets and payment methods depends on your jurisdiction. For more information, please visit our Limits and Commissions page.

Verify the payment amount and click Proceed to confirm the transaction. A pop-up window will provide the details of your purchase. You’ll also be asked to accept CEX.IO’s Terms of Use, Refund Policy, Payment Conditions, and Cardholder’s Agreement.

When you’re satisfied with your order, click Buy to confirm the purchase.

Once completed and approved by your bank, your purchase will be credited to your CEX.IO account, and appear on your balance in a matter of seconds.

The web content provided by CEX.IO is for educational purposes only. The information and tools provided neither are, nor should be construed as, an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, or a recommendation, to buy, sell or hold any digital asset or to open a particular account or engage in any specific investment strategy. Digital asset markets are highly volatile and can lead to loss of funds.

The availability of the products, features, and services on the CEX.IO platform is subject to jurisdictional limitations. To understand what products and services are available in your country, please see our Licenses and Registrations.

CEX.IO Corp. is not a registered broker-dealer or FINRA member. Crypto is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).

Taxes may be payable on any return and/or on any increase in the value of your digital assets and you should seek independent advice on your tax obligations.

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