Global payment solutions for Web3

Customers who currently hold Bitcoin in their Circle account can still hold it insured – or sell it for other currencies via the Circle app – but not back to Bitcoin. Launched in 2013, Circle is a consumer finance company originally built with the goal of using the Bitcoin blockchain as a payments platform. Part of that was achieved by offering customers the ability to buy and sell Bitcoin on the platform. Since then, the company has raised over $70M and slowly but surely turned in the direction of social payments. More than everyday usage, it is important to keep your savings safe, which you don’t intend to use for everyday spending.

To be sure, all of the places on the above list will let you buy Bitcoin. But if you want to invest in other cryptocurrencies or begin crypto trading, you’ll want to look for a platform that has a good selection. If you’d like to invest in Bitcoin and stocks in the same place, you’ll need a platform that offers that. Each of the exchanges, apps, and brokerages on this list can be considered safe. But there isn’t one that is necessarily safer than the other. And it’s important to note that many don’t provide any protection against unauthorized account access, so be sure to keep your passwords and other authentication methods secure.

The Ascent is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters. The cost to buy Bitcoin depends on the platform you’re using. This should certainly be a major consideration for you when deciding where is the best place to buy Bitcoin.

One of the largest selections in the U.S. with a deep bench of available cryptocurrencies. Coinbase isn’t the cheapest place to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, but it is one of the most versatile and a clear standout. To receive bitcoin, simply provide the sender with your Bitcoin address, which you can find in your Bitcoin wallet.

Easy Steps

Get access to streamlined checkout flows, fraud prevention, issuer-level optimizations, and more so that you can focus on building the next big thing. We only work with US-based custodians and exchanges that follow stringent US security protocols. Don’t risk your investments with overseas companies with unpredictable local laws. Apple Pay is available to “eligible businesses” and Circle claims enabling it is “a simple process. Using Circle, customers can pay online and in apps using their iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and other compatible devices. We’ve found one company that’s positioned itself perfectly as a long-term picks-and-shovels solution for the broader crypto market — Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and all the others.

• Experience the convenience of Circle K with a digital gift card, perfect for fuel, fresh food, organic coffee, car rental, car wash, and more.
• Various government-issued currencies’ value nosedived against the U.S. dollar due to rampant inflation worldwide and aggressive tightening of monetary policy.
• Understand the different wallet types and their respective pros & cons.

Don’t keep too much in any exchange, even though it might be convenient and be cost-effective. This is as opposed to the other option available for US residents, CampBX, where you have to physically mail a money-order and it can take up to a week for your money to be deposited into your account. This is going down in popularity by the day, as better options become available. CampBX was one of the first companies in this space in the US though, but is definitely not recommended at this stage of Bitcoin’s evolution. Finally, there are other sites that are specially made for trading Bitcoin instead of buying Bitcoin for individuals. These could also be a good way to buy or sell Bitcoin, but typically require more hassle.

Investing & Savings

If you want strict privacy, then your options get limited, with mostly only peer-to-peer transactions possible. The hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger is the brand we recommend as for years their products have had a solid reputation for security and ease of use. Ledger wallets support the storage and sending of Merit Circle as well as many other cryptocurrencies- you can see a full list here. Your digital assets are stored with BitGo Trust which is powered by BitGo Inc.’s technology. BitGo Inc. is the world’s largest processor of on-chain Bitcoin transactions, processing 20% of all global Bitcoin transactions and holding over
$2 billion in assets in wallet. As we discussed, the cost of buying and selling Bitcoin can vary dramatically from one crypto exchange platform to another.

In fact, you’ve probably used this company’s technology in the past few days, even if you’ve never had an account or even heard of the company before. Offers a nice range of cryptocurrencies and a simple-to-use app experience. The Gemini Earn feature is also a standout perk and pays interest on idle cryptocurrencies at high rates.

In some cases, you may not be able to withdraw for days or weeks, and the withdrawal fee could be much higher than a Bitcoin transaction fee would normally be. Fees for buying bitcoin depend on the payment method and platform/venue used. For example, if you’re buying directly from a friend and settling in cash, you’ll only need to consider the ‘network fee’ for sending the bitcoin from your friend’s digital wallet to yours. In a little over a decade, Bitcoin (BTC) has evolved from an obscure digital token used by a small group of people into a payment method and store of value that millions believe is the currency of the future. If you’re interested in buying Bitcoin, you’ll first need to open an exchange or platform that allows Bitcoin trading. Below we cover our top picks for the best place to buy Bitcoin, along with why we’re fans.

Buy with a credit card or existing funds, then seamlessly swap coins at competitive rates without leaving the app. The question is now will customers use Circle’s payment-based messaging platform over more established alternatives like Messenger and WeChat, both of which support payments. Programmatically send fast payouts to your users, sellers, and creators around the world in their local fiat currencies and crypto, starting with USDC.

Buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have never been easier. Investors can roll over their existing IRAs and 401ks into a Bitcoin IRA. Our platform allows investors to self-trade within their accounts 24/7. We enable investing in other assets and cryptocurrencies as well, including Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Stellar Lumens, Zcash, and physical gold. Plus, our industry-leading security powered by BitGo means you can trust that your assets are secure. First off, there is absolutely zero app support, it takes like a month to get an email back from support, and then days to actually get an answer to your question, let alone an actual resolution.

of your investments are stored offline

This route is recommended only if you’re looking to buy Bitcoin in large quantities. Even then, some specialized buyer websites might be the best idea. MyEtherWallet is a web service that offers the ability to create an Ethereum wallet (Ethereum is the blockchain that Merit Circle exists on). There will now be a new Merit Circle wallet on the home screen.

• Our platform allows users to easily self-trade 24/7 with our secure website application.
• Once you’ve received the email click here to go to the Bitcoin/Merit Circle exchange on Binance.
• For example, if you’re buying directly from a friend and settling in cash, you’ll only need to consider the ‘network fee’ for sending the bitcoin from your friend’s digital wallet to yours.
• Hardware wallets are like secure USB sticks with one job- to be a firewall between your Merit Circle and the outside world.

You can just connect your bank account, and depending on the levels of verification, can even buy Bitcoin instantly. There’s a new competitor to Coinbase, Circle, which promises no fee. It is a little more expensive to buy Bitcoin at Circle though since the price seems to be higher than defi vs cefi Coinbase. However, if you want to sell Bitcoin, I would suggest using Circle over Coinbase as you’re very likely to get a better price at Circle. Coinbase recently opened an exchange as well, so that’s helpful, and they operate in multiple countries now, which is an added advantage.

Once the review process has passed you will be asked to add your credit card or debit card details to Binance. Now that your account is secure and identity verified, on the top menu click ‘buy crypto’ and ‘credit/debit card’. Stay up to date on the latest cryptocurrency and investing news with a collection of educational resources. Whether it’s our email newsletter, articles, or videos, our resources can help users learn more about the cryptocurrency landscape and investing opportunities.

There are many Bitcoin wallets for everyday use, such as Armory (high on security, low ease of use) or Electrum for desktops and Breadwallet for iOS. Various government-issued currencies’ value nosedived against the U.S. dollar due to rampant inflation worldwide and aggressive tightening of monetary policy. Experience the convenience of Circle K with a digital gift card, perfect for fuel, fresh food, organic coffee, car rental, car wash, and more. Pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Binance Pay, USDT, USDC, and many more cryptos. Shop at Circle K with a digital gift card, perfect for fuel, fresh food, organic coffee, car rental, car wash, and more. Our payments platform is designed to increase conversion and reduce fraud at every step of the payment flow.

Sending bitcoin is as easy as choosing the amount to send and deciding where it goes. For example, you could give cash to your friend in exchange for receiving an agreed amount of bitcoin. BRD wallet is free but you’ll need a mobile phone to use it on- go to either the Apple store or the Google Play store to download and install it. Hardware wallets are like secure USB sticks with one job- to be a firewall between your Merit Circle and the outside world. Unfortunately Binance has barred US citizens from using their international exchange. Instead Binance has built a US based exchange- but it does not allow the purchase of Merit Circle.

For example, a few popular platforms add 0.5% to their quoted price for buying transactions and subtract 0.5% for selling transactions to create a spread. Some stock brokers that allow users to buy stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investment vehicles also allow investors to buy and sell certain cryptocurrencies. Robinhood is a good example of a brokerage with cryptocurrency offerings. Cryptocurrency exchanges are in the business of facilitating the purchase, sale, and storage of cryptocurrencies only. Coinbase and Gemini are examples of some of the best cryptocurrency exchanges.

Here’s the typical flow for buying bitcoin from an exchange. Use multi-factor wallets to split payment authorization across up to 12 devices or trusted copayers for enhanced security. To do this Circle is launching a protocol called Spark, which lets digital wallets exchange value using blockchains. It seems that the company is hedging its bets on Bitcoin by building protocols that could still exist in case Bitcoin’s popularity decreases to the point where using its Blockchain becomes unsustainable. There have been lots and lots of scams and hacks in the altcoin trading space.

While it shouldn’t be the only thing you look at, it’s important to know what you’ll pay on each platform you’re considering. We think investors should approach these assets like any other technological investment — with a long-term mindset and the expectation of ups and downs. We do actively recommend select cryptocurrencies to our community. But we encourage everyone to be well versed prior to investing to understand the potential risks and rewards. You can buy bitcoin from the Bitcoin.com website using your credit/debit card or other payment method (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.).

Having gone through the basics of buying bitcoin, let’s look in more detail at the methods and processes. Learn about sending bitcoin, including information of network fees and more. If you don’t have a bitcoin wallet yet, check the Bitcoin.com Wallet – easy-to-use, self-custody Bitcoin wallet trusted by millions.