According to the latest reports , PayPal is undoubtedly one of the most popular e-wallets among US consumers. In 2025, you can anonymously buy Bitcoin with PayPal directly from the platform’s built-in exchange.
All you have to do is the following:
After the transaction is finalized, the BTC will be stored in your PayPal account. You can keep it there or move it to a personal crypto wallet.
Disclaimer: PayPal is not available for UK and FCA users as a method of payment for purchasing crypto.
Key TakeawaysWhile it may be convenient to buy Bitcoin directly from PayPal, it may not always be a cost-effective option considering the platform’s rigid fee structure, especially when buying small amounts. In such cases, it might be better to buy Bitcoin using PayPal from a crypto exchange that accepts PayPal as a payment method.
Here’s our top list of best crypto exchanges that support PayPal:
Take a moment to review our top choices before deciding which one works best for you.
The US version of eToro launched in 2018 with a customized platform, designed to meet the US’s stringent regulations, and to reliably serve US traders. At start, the platform only offered crypto trading, but has obtained the necessary regulatory approvals and expanded its offerings.
Despite its regulatory compliance, eToro USA is still considerably more limited than its international counterpart, particularly regarding its crypto exchange offerings. The US version supports considerably fewer cryptocurrencies, and offers fewer trading pairs. Additionally, it doesn’t provide staking services.
However, it is just as fiat-friendly as the international platform, and accepts fiat deposits from several payment methods. Additionally, it also charges the same 1% fee for both buying and selling cryptocurrencies.
Founded in 2013, CEX IO is one of the pioneers in the centralized crypto exchange industry. With headquarters in London, and multiple offices around the world, CEX IO is a well-regulated and licensed crypto trading platform, available in hundreds of countries, including the US, with some state-specific exceptions.
On CEX IO, traders can engage in spot trading and margin trading with up to x10 leverage. The exchange supports around 200+ cryptocurrencies, and allows users to directly purchase them with three major fiat currencies: USD, EUR, and GBP. In addition, CEX IO also provides earning and staking opportunities.
CEX IO supports a number of payment methods, including bank transfers, cards, PayPal, and Skrill. The exchange has a tiered fee structure and offers discounted maker and taker fees to users who generate large monthly trading volumes.
Coinbase is a US-based crypto platform established in 2012 in San Francisco, California. It is one of the world’s most popular and largest crypto exchanges by trading volume. It operates in more than 100 regions worldwide and has the necessary licenses and approvals to offer its services to US users from all 50 states.
The Coinbase exchange supports over 240 cryptocurrencies and over 300 trading pairs. Its service offerings include spot trading, margin trading, perpetuals and futures trading with up to x20 leverage, and staking coins for interest.
On Coinbase, users can make fiat deposits using a range of payment methods, including popular options like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. The exchange supports three fiat currencies: USD, EUR, and GBP.
For trading fees, Coinbase uses a tiered structure and offers discounted rates to active traders who generate large trading volumes.
Initially launched as OkCoin in 2013, and then rebranded as OKEx in 2022, OKX is one of the largest crypto platforms in the world. With offices and licenses for operation all across the world, it has a global presence in the industry.
Even though it does not accept US users at the moment, OKX is registered as an MSB with FinCEN and is working on creating a US version of the platform.
OKX supports over 350 cryptocurrencies and over 500 trading pairs, and offers a wide range of services, including spot trading, P2P trading, futures and options, margin trading, earning and staking, bot trading, crypto loans, and much more. It is a one-stop comprehensive crypto platform.
The exchange also supports a long list of fiat currencies and accepts deposits in various payment methods. OKX’s fee structure is tiered and offers discounts for active traders who generate large monthly trading volumes.
LocalCoinSwap is a decentralized P2P crypto trading marketplace, which means it is not registered as a financial platform. Not much is known about its founders, but according to some sources, the platform was founded in 2017. It is available to traders worldwide but it holds no licenses.
On LocalCoinSwap, users can buy, sell, and trade more than 20 cryptocurrencies directly with other traders. Even though the platform does not use a central order book to match buyers and traders, it still provides escrow to ensure the integrity of the trades it facilitates.
The LocalCoinSwap platform supports more than 300 payment methods and nearly all fiat currencies in the world. The platform also charges a 1% fee for every trade it executes.
Disclaimer: Investing in cryptocurrencies carries significant risk. Values are highly volatile. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. This site does not provide financial advice. Act based on your own research and consult with a financial professional before making decisions. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.
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Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Convenience: Easy way to buy BTC, especially for people familiar with the platform. | Geo-restrictions: Buying BTC directly from the platform is not available in all regions. |
Speed: Buying BTC via PayPal is faster than many alternative purchase methods. | Privacy concerns: Purchasing BTC via PayPal eliminates anonymity available with other purchase methods. |
Security: Advanced security measures that minimize the risk of theft or fraud. | Higher fees: Transaction fees may not always be cost-effective, especially for small amounts. |
User-friendly: PayPal’s interface is user-friendly and much easier to navigate than many alternative purchase methods. | No private keys: You don’t own the private keys when you purchase BTC via PayPal, which is why we recommend transferring it to your wallet. |
If you need more detailed instructions, here’s a comprehensive, step-by-step guide that will show you how to Buy BTC with PayPal, directly from the platform’s interface.
The first step of purchasing Bitcoin with PayPal would naturally be logging into your PayPal account. If you don’t have an account, you will need to sign up for one. Don’t worry, it is free, and it doesn’t take more than a few minutes to set it up.
Once you are logged in, you will need to navigate to the “Finances” section of the platform and choose “Crypto” from the list of available options. Please note that this option is geo-restricted so if you are not seeing it, it may be because it is not available in your location.
From the list of available cryptocurrencies, choose Bitcoin and tap or click on the Buy button. A new window will pop up, and in it, you will be able to choose any amount of dollars you want to exchange for BTC. Choose the amount you want and tap or click on next.
In this step, you will be able to choose your preferred method of payment for the purchase of Bitcoin. You can choose to pay with your PayPal balance, the bank accounts you have on file, or even add a new bank account or card to your PayPal account.
This is the final step that will show you the current market rate for Bitcoin and the PayPal crypto fees associated with the transaction. If you are buying a very small amount of BTC, PayPal’s charges may represent a significant percentage of the transaction, so make sure you are comfortable with the cost before you proceed with the purchase.
After completing the payment, the BTC you just bought will be allocated to your PayPal account's cryptocurrency balance. From there, you can decide whether to hold your Bitcoin in your PayPal wallet or send it to your own personal crypto wallet, for better security and enhanced control.
Whether you want to transfer your newly purchased BTC to your wallet, or send BTC to someone else, you can send Bitcoin from your PayPal account in a few easy steps. Just do the following:
As you can see, the process is quite straightforward and shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes.
It is important to note that PayPal can also be used to transfer BTC from a wallet to your PayPal account. If you are on the receiving end of a BTC transaction through PayPal, you just need to follow the guide below:
Again, you only need a few minutes to send BTC to your PayPal account. Needless to say, you must double-check the address you copy-paste is correct, which is why scanning QR codes is much better option.
In conclusion, understanding how to buy Bitcoin using PayPal is just the first step in your cryptocurrency journey. By considering the advantages and limitations, conducting thorough research, securing your transactions, and staying informed, you've laid a solid foundation.
As you move forward, remember to secure your investments, explore diverse strategies, and stay updated with market trends. Your journey into the world of cryptocurrencies is ongoing – stay vigilant, adapt, and enjoy the opportunities that lie ahead.
PayPal is an accepted payment method on many popular centralized crypto exchanges, such as Coinbase, Crypto.com, CEX.IO, and others. It is also commonly accepted at most P2P crypto platforms and some online brokerages like eToro. Finally, you can buy Bitcoin from the PayPal platform itself.
The process of linking your PayPal account to your Bitcoin exchange account varies from one platform to another, but it generally involves logging into your account, navigating to the wallet or payment methods section, and logging in with your PayPal account. Additionally, linking the two accounts will most likely require additional verification steps, including confirmation through text or email and making a small deposit.
In addition to the KYC verification process, most centralized crypto exchanges will require additional verification if you try to add your PayPal account as a payment method on their platform. However, if you buy directly through PayPal, you won’t have to undergo any additional verification steps besides the KYC.
No matter what payment method you use, transaction fees are simply unavoidable when buying Bitcoin. That said, different exchanges have different fee structures and it is important to research well before deciding which exchange to use to pay Bitcoin with PayPal.
While PayPal is available in the USA, users from other countries may not be able to use it due to geolocation restrictions. Additionally, PayPal has a maximum cryptocurrency amount limit for US users. The limits are $100,000 per week for cryptocurrency purchases, and $25,000 per week for cryptocurrency transfers.
Yes, it is. If you want to sell your Bitcoin on an exchange and receive the funds in your PayPal account, the process will involve placing and finalizing a sell order, receiving the funds in your crypto exchange account, and then withdrawing it to your PayPal account. If you sell your BTC directly through PayPal, you will automatically receive the funds to your account.
The time necessary to complete a Bitcoin purchase depends on multiple factors, though buying BTC from a centralized exchange using PayPal as a payment method is typically faster than buying directly from PayPal. On highly liquid platforms, you can buy PayPal in several minutes, while buying directly from PayPal can sometimes take up to several hours or even days.