How to Buy Bitcoin in the UK – 2024 Beginner’s Guide
Find out the best methods for buying Bitcoin in the UK as well as the top platforms to do so. Bitcoin hit an all-time high of over £50,000 in Nov 2021, before a dip to just under £13,000 in Nov 2022. Many analysts predict the long term bull market is not over and BTC will continue to outperform other assets in the financial markets in the years to come.
Over the last decade there has been an increasing demand for cryptocurrencies and a proportionate boost in the number of platforms where you can buy Bitcoin in the UK and worldwide.
Many UK cryptocurrency brokers and exchanges facilitate buying, selling, holding and trading Bitcoin. They play a pivotal role in ensuring the circulation and distribution of the asset using fast and secure protocols. But, choosing the best platform to buy Bitcoin UK wise can be confusing for beginners. This guide explains the ins and outs of what Bitcoin is, how the network works and the best places to buy BTC in the United Kingdom.
Best UK Bitcoin Exchange in September 2024
Below is a top three list of best places to buy Bitcoin in the UK, these brokers and exchanges are well-established, regulated and accept UK customers:
Bybit – Buy and Sell Bitcoin Through Fiat and Crypto
We’ll review those UK Bitcoin exchanges and more Bitcoin trading platforms in full in this guide.
How to Buy Bitcoin in the UK with eToro
Bitcoin has remained the centre-piece for the larger crypto ecosystem. Given its growing use case and institutional adoption, several investors are looking for the best platforms to buy Bitcoin.
If you are on the lookout for such a platform, we recommend using eToro. In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step on how to buy Bitcoin on eToro which the Economic Times recently rated the top UK crypto platform to buy Bitcoin.
Step 1: Create an account on eToro
To get started, you will need to register on eToro. To do this, visit eToro.com and click any of the sign-up links. Input your full name, email address, mobile number, username, and password. You can also sidestep this process by signing up with your Google or Facebook account.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
eToro requires you to complete the know-your-customer (KYC) process. This process can be completed online; upload a copy of your driver’s license or a government-issued ID card. You will also need to submit a snapshot of your recent utility bill or bank statement to verify your proof of address.
Step 3: Deposit
The next step is to make a deposit. You can complete this process by clicking on the action tab and the ‘Deposit Funds’ button.
Select through a slew of payment methods between bank wire transfer, debit card, or various e-wallets and digital wallets to fund your account. eToro has a minimum deposit bar of $50 (about 37.34 GBP) to buy any crypto assets.
Step 4: Buy Bitcoin
Once the deposit is complete, you can now buy Bitcoin. To do this, type ‘BTC’ into the search bar and click ‘Trade’ on the first result that pops up. You will be taken to the order page, where you can insert the number of Bitcoins you want to buy, then click on ‘Open Trade’ to complete the process.
How to Choose the Best Broker to Buy Bitcoin in the UK
Compared to three years ago, cryptocurrencies, most especially Bitcoin, have come a long way. With price surges regularly, more investors and platforms now offer exposure to the volatile asset class. However, choosing the best platform to buy Bitcoin can be hectic due to several exchanges and brokers available. To address this, we have highlighted some of the features you should look out for before selecting a broker to use:
Regulation
Though the crypto market is largely unregulated, endeavour to use only regulated brokers to avoid being scammed by fraudulent platforms.
Fees
Trading fees are another crucial factor you should consider when selecting a Bitcoin broker. While a platform may be user-friendly and easy to use, it may charge high fees. We recommend finding out all related fees you will need to pay beforehand to erode your initial investment. For instance, top US crypto exchange Coinbase charges a 4% standard debit card fee for crypto purchases, while you can complete this same transaction on eToro for 0.5% on any of your preferred payment methods.
Security
Aside from the regulatory oversight, you also need to research a platform’s user safety history. If a crypto exchange or broker has a history of getting breached by malicious actors or users losing money, you should avoid them.
Customer Support
Cryptocurrencies are new to several investors, and this means there will be instances where you may find it challenging to initiate a transaction. Using a platform with poor customer support means you may find it difficult to buy, sell, or hold your Bitcoin. Crypto brokers like eToro are known for their top-notch customer support services to provide you with prompt assistance.
Best Brokers to Buy Bitcoin UK Traders Can Use – Full Reviews
This review of our best brokers for buying Bitcoin in the UK was carefully selected by our panel of in-house researchers. We considered exchanges based on their ease of use, security, fees and the services offered.
1. eToro – Overall Best Broker to Buy Bitcoin in the UK
eToro is a private investment management and brokerage firm founded in 2007 by Yoni Assia, Ronen Assia and David Ring, with its first office being in the United Kingdom. Its head office is based in Canary Wharf, London.
The online broker offers financial investment services, online investments and Bitcoin exchange. Due to its advancement in CopyTrade and CopyPortfolio, it has garnered over 20 million users worldwide.
eToro’s CopyTrader technology enables users to imitate the trade moves of an experienced investor and automatically trade as the investor does. The technology also controls drawdowns to avoid excessive profit losses.
eToro charges transparent fees and allows users to trade Bitcoin UK with low spreads. In addition to buying Bitcoin, eToro supports other cryptocurrencies including Ethereum, Tron, Shiba Inu, Dogecoin and XRP.
It is also considered the best because it has a wide range of payment methods, enabling more users to have access to its features in almost every part of the world.
eToro supports instant payment methods with debit cards, bank transfer and other online banking and wallet options with limited currencies such as USD, GBP, AUD and EUR, and other European currencies.
The social trading platform currently has a trading volume of $1.5trillion and is valued at $10billion.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
2. OKX – A Flexible Way to Buy Bitcoin
OKX is the sixth biggest cryptocurrency exchange, as per the latest information available on CoinMarketCap. It is one of the most flexible cryptocurrency exchanges to buy Bitcoin from because, unlike other exchanges that only have a single mode – OKX features OKX CEX and OKX DEX.
OKX CEX is the centralized exchange, which has all the perks of a standard cryptocurrency exchange – and more. Users can buy and sell crypto via spot trading, margin trading, and derivatives trading. Directly buying cryptocurrencies using a debit or credit card is also possible. Along with trading Bitcoin, users can also use the OKX CEX to induct into the Earn program and earn passive income through staking and saving.
The centralized variant of the exchange also gives developers access to the OKB chain and the OKT Chain. Institutional users can use OKX CEX to get access to Liquidity Marketplace, VIP loans, and other facilities.
However, OKX CEX is only available in certain regions and not in the US. US traders can interact with the platform through OKX DEX to buy and sell Bitcoin by swapping their assets.
3. Bybit – Buy and Sell Bitcoin Through Fiat and Crypto
Bybit is an inclusive cryptocurrency exchange that has earned renown recently for supporting altcoins with major potential. We consider this platform one of the best places to buy Bitcoin because of the sheer number of positive facilities it has.
For one, it supports both spot and margin trading – which is fit for veteran traders. Furthermore, the fee structure that Bybit has implemented is divided into tiers for VIP and non-VIP traders. And in addition to buying and selling Bitcoin and over 100 other altcoins, Bybit also offers access to a market overview. The market overview consists of articles and graphical studies of the current conditions of the market.
Among the tools available on Bybit is Copy Trading. Trading bot, and more. And for those looking for more than just trading crypto, Bybit also offers an Earn program as well as crypto loans. Bybit card is also offered here, which allows users to spend Bitcoin and other cryptos on 90 million merchants across the globe.
Bybit possesses audited proof of reserves that users can verify whenever they want. Fiat payments and crypto payments are supported on Bybit.
4. Crypto.com – UK Bitcoin Exchange & Crypto Debit Card
Crypto.com is a relatively new cryptocurrency exchange and mobile app with a metal VISA prepaid card, that users can store Bitcoin on and make everyday purchases with Bitcoin and earn up to 8% cashback.
Users can also earn up to 14.5% interest on their stablecoin crypto holdings – for holding Bitcoin the Crypto.com interest rate is up to 8.5%.
Currently USA investors can access the app, VISA card and wallet but not the website exchange platform, although they may be accepted in the future.
Crypto.com has listed over 250 cryptocurrencies and also supports DeFi farming, staking and Bitcoin loans. It has its own attached non-fungible token marketplace where you can create, showcase, sell and buy NFTs, some cheap NFTs on the site start from just $10 or in auctions from $1.
Founded in 2016, Crypto.com is relatively new to the crypto markets and sponsors the UFC, several sports teams, F1 and has Matt Damon in its commercials. Its slogan is ‘fortune favours the brave’. Over 10 million users are on the platform.
5. BitDD – UK Crypto Exchange with Excellent User Experience
You will be surprised to learn that over 80% of trading platforms operate without a certification. However, not many users are aware of the risks of investing in an unregulated crypto exchange. The next platform we recommend for buying Bitcoin in the UK isBitDD, a crypto exchange known for its high security and compliance standards.
BitDD has a Money Service Business – Money Service Provider (MSB) financial license by the United States Treasury Department, making it one of the fastest-growing crypto exchanges in the world. BitDD is home to over 500,000 users now. The project has introduced some compelling features and reward programs to surpass 2M users globally by 2023.
BitDD offers advanced currency and derivatives transaction services for cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, and USDT. However, the key highlight of the platform is exclusive “Fast Trades,” which provides a set of analytic tools that helps you step up your crypto investment strategy and improve your profitability.
You can start trading and earning on BitDD as soon as you’ve signed up on the platform and made deposits. And you can earn interest up to 14.5% p.a on your crypto deposits with BitDD. New users also stand a chance to win up to 500 USDT on crypto deposits. The more you deposit, the more you earn.
Since BitDD offers free trading for the first 90 days, new users have the time and flexibility to find out whether the platform works for them. BitDD has also launched awelcome reward program worth 8888 USDT as part of expanding its user base.
BitDD’s is led by a team with an excellent track record in financial investments and blockchain technology. Furthermore, the project is actively joining forces with traditional regulators and bank partners to strengthen its credibility.
Margex is mainly a derivatives exchange that you can use to trade Bitcoin on 100x leverage or lower, to increase your Bitcoin holdings. For example, if you want to long Bitcoin or short Bitcoin on 5x leverage, a one percent move in the Bitcoin price would result in 5% profit rather than 1%.
Margex combines the liquidity of 12 exchanges onto one platform to reduce the chance of wicks and slippage that affect other low liquidity platforms in the crypto trading industry.
It is also possible to buy Bitcoin on Margex as it is integrated with Changelly, although you might prefer to buy Bitcoin on a platform like eToro and then transfer the amount you want to allocate to a trading portfolio, over to Margex. Most pro traders split their funds up into an investment portfolio that they hold for the long-term, and a trading portfolio they use for swing trades to grow their Bitcoin.
Visit the Margex site to use a free leverage calculator to calculate how you could increase your ROI by day trading Bitcoin and watch a video tutorial. Margin trading is more recommended for experienced traders who have shown a profit paper trading first, to avoid the risk of liquidation. It provides a demo account for you to practice.
Pros
$50 bonus for free trading – fee discount
An additional bonus for deposits of 0.004 BTC or more
7. Uphold – Simple Broker to Buy Bitcoin in the UK
Uphold is a financial and technology company founded by Halsey Minor in 2013. It is a multi-asset digital platform that trades directly between asset classes such as fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies with embedded payments with 1.7million users globally and $6billion in transactions to date.
Uphold is regulated by the United States Treasury Department regulator, FinCEN, and is also an Electronic Money Directive (EMD) agent of Optimus Cards UK Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to issue e-money.
Uphold allows for the buying and selling of 60 cryptocurrencies, including the ability to sell and buy bitcoin.
Uphold is considered the cheapest way to buy Bitcoin because, unlike other platforms, prices of assets are locked in pre-trade, and as such, the price before trade is typically the same price after trade. While processing transactions, no hidden charges are added between the Preview and Transact phases of a transaction.
Transactions are ultimately free when buying funds via an external Bitcoin wallet, a bank transfer, and another uphold account. Deposit, withdrawals and profits on trades are at 0% as well.
Uphold wallet addresses, and payment methods include bank transfers, debit cards. The Bitcoin exchange is also noted to be quite secure as it adheres to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), one of the most stringent security standards in the industry.
Pros
An inclusive pricing plan devoid of hidden charges
8. Coinbase – Buy Bitcoin UK, US, and Internationally
Coinbase is a secure crypto broker platform that provides holding, buying, and crypto selling services. Brian Armstrong founded it in 2012, and it has since accrued a total of 43million verified users and with a net revenue of $1.14 billion as of 2020.
Coinbase’ E-Money Services are regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The platform supports over 50 different cryptocurrencies, including bank transfers, apple pay, and debit cards as payment methods.
Coinbase is considered the best for beginners due to its extremely simple user interface that is easily accessible. Coinbase is perhaps one of the easiest on-ramps to crypto investing as it makes signing up and buying cryptocurrencies possible within a matter of minutes.
The platform aims to familiarise beginners with the crypto space by providing a learning program that pays users cryptocurrency to learn more about how cryptocurrency works and how to generate pounds with bitcoin.
Coinbase offers 2-factor authentication, biometric fingerprint authentication and insurance in case of a security breach ( not due to negligence on the user’s part).
Binance exchange is the largest crypto exchange by trade volume and one of the fastest in the world. The platform was founded by Changpeng Zhao in 2017.
The cryptocurrency exchange provides security for its users by guarding their portfolio through address whitelisting, device management and the ability to restrict user device access.
Binance is considered the most diverse in terms of crypto-assets as it offers a wide range of crypto pairs for trading and diverse means to buy Bitcoin UK wise as well as internationally. There’s also a USA client, Binance US although fewer altcoins are available on that site – Bitcoin is still available.
Several crypto profit generation options are available on Binance, such as DeFi, staking, arbitrage and exchanges. The availability of these protocols on the platform makes it possible to trade cryptocurrencies with low liquidity pools.
Binance offers access to the buying and selling of over 50 cryptocurrencies and supports bank deposits, debit cards, peer-to-peer trading by bank transfer and other alternative options and third party payment by Banxa and Simplex as payment methods.
10. Revolut – Buy Bitcoin in the UK with GBP In-Wallet
Revolut is a financial technology company that offers peer-to-peer payments and currency exchange services to its users. It was founded by Nikolay Storonsky and Vladyslav Yatsenko in 2015.
Revolut is an authorised representative of Resolution Compliance Ltd and is licensed and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.
The online broker is the most inclusive platform for assets as it allows its users to manage all their physical and virtual assets. Virtual cards are made available for users who need them for easy physical transactions.
Revolut does not support any crypto holding wallets; however, it is in partnership with the Paxos Trist Company LLC who legally owns any cryptocurrency bought on the Revolut app.
Users who buy Bitcoin UK on the Revolut app have their assets pooled and stored in a virtual currency account called cold storage. The platform is seen as a digital bank that has been optimised for foreign exchange of fiat and virtual currencies.
To buy Bitcoin UK on Revolut App, users only need a debit card as a standard means of payment. However, the company pledged to include more payment methods soon.
Revolut secures users’ assets by activating fingerprint identification and making use of disposable virtual cards.
Bitcoin (BTC) is a decentralised digital currency that allows secure transactions from peer-peer on the internet. A person or group of people created Bitcoin under the name Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. Their idea was to have a digital currency free from the stringent regulations accompanying fiat currencies. Thus, BTC uses peer-peer technology in its operation, with no central controlling authority or bank.
It is the first cryptocurrency and remains the prime digital cryptocurrency today, with over 40% dominance in the crypto market. The value of Bitcoin has continued to soar over the years, resulting in massive profits for those who have kept faith in BTC.
The asset rose from being valued at just 10 cents in October 2009 to a new all-time high (ATH) of $69,044.77 in November 2021.
Thus, a $100 investment in Bitcoin back in 2009 would be worth about $69 million with this new ATH, provided the holder did not sell.
Because of its propensity to continue to rise in price value, many organisations have begun to accept it as a form of payment or legal tender.
How Does Bitcoin Work?
Bitcoin makes use of Blockchain, a decentralised technology to power its operations. This serves as a digital record, where you can find the details and addresses of every transaction that has ever taken place on the network.
The information is so detailed that it includes the date, time, total value, and a unique code known as keys to identify every exchange. These entries are put together in such an orderly manner, forming a block.
Every block added to the blockchain can be accessed by anyone and at any time. The network does not have any central controlling agency, making it easily accessible by anyone.
New Bitcoin is added to the blockchain through a process called mining. It is a process of confirming transactions before they are added to the network ledger.
Miners compete against each other, and the fastest gets rewarded for solving complex mathematical puzzles on the network. Mining is a process that consumes much power and requires high-capacity computers, and that is why many who want to mine Bitcoin invest heavily in computer hardware.
Users can store Bitcoin in hardware wallets that have both private and public keys. Both keys allow the owner to initiate and authorise transactions, thus serving as a form of digital signature. Other types of wallets that can be used in storing Bitcoin are cold wallets, hot wallets, and paper wallets.
How Is Bitcoin Value Determined?
Bitcoin has value because it is a digital currency and just like any form of paper money (fiat), its worth is dependent on the supply and demand for it.
Whenever there is an increase in the acceptance and demand for BTC, its value will continue to rise. As many people continue to embrace it as a medium of exchange, the value will keep on rising. This is because investors will have confidence and thus invest more in it.
However, when the reverse now becomes the case, its prices will fall just like it happened when China placed a ban on cryptocurrencies, and its values fell well below $32,000 in June 2021.
Another factor that gives BTC its value is its scarcity. The total amount of Bitcoin that will ever be mined is limited, and it is capped at 21 million. Like in basic economics, the more scarce a commodity is, the more price it will command in the market.
Moreover, the use case of Bitcoin is another thing that gives it its value. It is the number one cryptocurrency, and it is useful as a store of value, and it is even accepted by a lot of people and also in many regions as a means of payment.
The cost incurred in the process of mining also contributes to how BTC is valued. Miners only add new blocks to the blockchain because they are adequately compensated for the activity.
The price of other alternative currencies also affects the value of BTC because whenever investors move their money into altcoins, the value of BTC drops.
Is Bitcoin Legal In The UK?
As of November 2021, there is no known ruling or regulation against Bitcoin trading in the United Kingdom (UK).
In a document released by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the agency stressed that it doesn’t regulate the operation of Bitcoin or Ethereum but regulates crypto-asset derivatives such as futures contracts and other crypto-assets that it considers as securities.
The UK allows the operation of crypto exchanges; however, they must be registered, and they have to abide by the law that mandates them to put anti-money laundering measures in place.
But in June 2021, the FCA banned Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, from carrying out any form of operations in the UK. A statement from the market regulatory body warned citizens to be wary of adverts on social media of digital assets and crypto-related products that promise high returns.
This warning is most likely due to the high volatility associated with cryptocurrencies whose values are subject to fluctuations depending on prevailing market forces. Although there has been a series of clampdowns of Bitcoin trading in some parts of the world, with China leading the line, residents of the UK continue to trade cryptocurrencies without any form of fear or harassment.
Users of the digital payment platform PayPal in Britain can buy, sell, or hold BTC directly using the platform. If you happen to be in the UK, you have absolutely no problem with trading Bitcoin.
Demographics of Bitcoin Trading in the UK
Cryptocurrencies have become popular in the UK. In 2018, only 1.5 million people in the UK owned cryptocurrencies, with Bitcoin taking a large share of the pool. Fast-track three years later, and this figure has surged to 9.8 million people.
The unprecedented change lies in the fact that cryptocurrencies have now filtered into mainstream media houses. Many crypto converts admit that they first heard about digital currencies from online news.
A Gemini Crypto Status Report further breaks this down to 41.6% women and 56.5% showing a strong crypto penetration in the UK. Bitcoin Trading has also picked up with over £850 billion worth of Bitcoin in circulation in the UK. Coupled with Bitcoin IRAs now picking steam, this figure is expected to inflate even further by the end of the year.
How to Make Money with Bitcoin
If you are looking at the possible ways you can make money and earn free Bitcoins, then this section should come in handy. Here are a few ways to make money with BTC.
Buy and wait for Bitcoin’s value to increase and then sell for a profit.
You can earn Bitcoins by mining them, but this is an expensive endeavour for most small-time investors.
You can also grow your Bitcoin holdings by accepting Bitcoin as a payment method for goods and services.
You can also make money using crypto savings accounts to earn interest in the form of more BTC.
Trading Bitcoin is also another popular choice for many. However, this will require some technical expertise to make a profit.
You can also get tipped in Bitcoin. Twitter now offers this feature, and it is rapidly gaining steam among content creators.
Completing mini-surveys and playing Bitcoin-centered games will also net your free money.
Buying Bitcoin vs Trading
The two most popular options investors are familiar with is either buying for the long term or actively trading the price differences in Bitcoin.
These two options largely depend on the investor’s preference and technical expertise. We recommend buying and holding for the long-term if you are just starting. For this, we will show the major differences between short-term and long-term investments in Bitcoin.
Bitcoin price chart mid 2017 – 2023
Short Term Investments
Short term investments primarily fall within a year and do not necessarily exceed six months. This means you are only buying Bitcoin to make quick gains.
Although this has been known to pay off, especially in this bullish year for crypto, it may see you miss out on a large chunk of gains if you sell too quickly. Also, short term investments are much more heavily taxed than long-term investments.
Long Term Investments
This investment preference usually exceeds a year and is one we highly recommend if you intend to ride the Bitcoin waves in the nearest future. For one, Bitcoin has been known to grow more than 9,000,000% since launching in 2009 at a base price of $0.08.
This means if you invested £100 in 2009, you would be worth more than £70 million today.
This goes to show the power of compound interests. We highly recommend this investment style primarily because Bitcoin is seeing growing adoption across national borders, financial terrains, and even in individual circles. With more adoption, Bitcoin will only become more valuable with time.
Bitcoin ETFs
Bitcoin ETFs Exchange-traded funds or ETFs were normally considered outside of the scope of cryptocurrencies. However, in the past two years, interests from institutional investors have led to calls for a Bitcoin ETF.
An ETF operates like a basket of securities that tracks an underlying index, sector, commodity, or asset. This way, an investor can diversify their investment and not own the underlying asset. This is a win-win situation for many institutional investors as an ETF mimics the performance of the digital asset.
Bitcoin ETFs are becoming popular, with a few recently launched in the US and Canada recently. It provides a much simpler alternative than going through the rigours of learning what cryptocurrencies are and how to store them.
Although Bitcoin ETFs are still in their infant stages, the phenomenon has been a huge success so far. An instance is Proshares Bitcoin ETF which hit $1 billion in assets under management (AUM) in one week. If you do not want to own Bitcoin directly, you can explore the idea of going through an ETF.
Buying Bitcoin as a CFD Product
Aside from investing for the long-term or actively trading Bitcoin, you can also buy Bitcoin as a CFD product. CFD stands for contract for difference which is essentially an agreement to exchange the difference between the price of an asset at the moment of purchase and when the contract expires.
Hugely popular in mainstream financial trading, CFD is a derivatives product that allows investors to speculate on an asset’s price without directly owning the asset. That way, a trader only estimates the price of an underlying asset without worrying about storage or how to trade cryptocurrencies.
Minimising Risk on Bitcoin Investment
While Bitcoin is a profit-yielding digital asset, it also comes with a few risks. In this section, we point out the dos and don’ts when investing in Bitcoin.
1. Always Do Your Research
Success in the crypto market depends on your research prowess. If you are interested in any virtual currency like Bitcoin, we recommend doing due diligence to ensure you have all the details to assume the right strategy. To help with this, social media channels targeted on Bitcoin, review websites like Inside Bitcoins, analyst reviews will go a long way in pointing the right direction for you.
2. Don’t FOMO
When a bullish run is ongoing in the crypto market, it is not ideal to buy Bitcoin. Savvy investors wait for a downtrend before entering the market. If you suffer from fear of missing out (FOMO), we recommend setting up a plan and sticking to it to help you curtail your emotions.
Taxation on Bitcoin UK Earnings
While cryptocurrencies have not been properly defined in several regions, tax obligations still exist for them. This is true for the UK, which taxes crypto earnings as capital gains and as income tax.
These are the instances when you will pay Capital Gains Tax on your crypto earnings:
Sales of digital tokens
Exchanging your token for another crypto asset
Settling transactions or paying for services with crypto
Giving away your to another person except it is a gift to your partner
Crypto received from mining unless it is below £1,000
If you get your paycheck in crypto
On the Capital Gains Tax, you can still use losses to save on your gains. Also, you can sidestep your Capital Gains Tax if you earn less than £12,300 from your crypto dealings (individuals) and £6,150 for trusts. This is called the Capital Gains tax-free allowance.
Payment Options for Buying BTC
While digital currencies may still be a new idea for many, several simple payment solutions are already offering a window to access this new ecosystem. We examine some of the most popular payment solutions available to buy cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin below:
How to Buy Bitcoin in the UK with PayPal
PayPal is a well-known payment processing company that has embraced cryptocurrencies. Recently, users can now buy Bitcoin with PayPal and Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash.
How to Buy Bitcoin with a UK Debit Card
Investors in the UK can buy Bitcoin with debit cards. They are popular and are often one of the most favoured payment methods available online.
To buy Bitcoin with a debit card, you would have to select it as a deposit option. Most Bitcoin brokers UK offer this option, so you should not have a problem with it. Link your debit card and insert the amount you want to be deducted.
How to Buy Bitcoin with a UK Bank Account
Another popular choice is using your normal bank account to buy Bitcoin. To do this, select it as a payment option and input your account details. Follow the on-screen prompts and complete the transaction. However, this process often takes time, with some crypto brokers using up to seven days to clear your deposit.
How to Buy Bitcoin in the UK with a Western Union Transfer
Western Union is a remittance services company that enables users to send money online or in-store and receive cash through pick-ups, bank account, or mobile wallet. It boasts over 150 million customers, making it one of the largest transfer companies in the world.
Alongside enabling fiat transfers, you can use Western Union to buy Bitcoin. To do this, you will need to create an account with an exchange that supports Western Union transactions, locate the offers page and input how much Bitcoin you want to buy and the currency you wish to pay with. Click on the ‘find offers’ and choose the one that suits your needs.
Responsible Investment in Bitcoin
Trading Bitcoin can be profitable, but there are risks involved. Before taking the plunge, we recommend keeping the following tips at the back of your mind.
1. Study crypto assets before making investment decisions
Cryptocurrencies are relatively new, and there are aspects of the crypto market you may not understand unless you take your time to study and learn how they work. Even though they promise great wealth, they come with a lot of loopholes.
For instance, interfacing directly with cryptocurrencies can lead to loss of funds, especially if you do not understand how P2P transactions work, private keys, wallet addresses and backup phrases.
Update yourself with the requisite knowledge before committing funds. Several people have lost fortunes because they did not properly store their backup phrases.
2. Allocate only 1 to 10% of your Investment to Crypto
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are high-risk investments, and any financial investment planner will advise you to be careful around them.
However, the nascent space has outperformed the general market for a few years now, but this still does not make it a safe investment for you.
We recommend allocating between 1 to 10% of your investment portfolio to cryptocurrencies if you are so keen. This way, you are not over-exposed and can easily cut your losses if they hit a major snag.
3. Stay Updated
Just like you listen for the quarterly performances of tech companies like Apple, Alphabet, and Tesla, you will also need to channel the same energy into crypto. But you will need to do it often because cryptocurrencies are fast-paced and volatile.
To stay in the loop on all market happenings, we recommend subscribing to review websites like Inside Bitcoins for the latest news on the crypto market. Inside Bitcoins has dedicated market research experts who are always on the market to get the latest technical and fundamental action. This will help you assess your portfolio composition properly and know whether to cut down on a particular asset or buy more of it.
Bitcoin vs Other Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin is the crypto leader, but it only controls about 45% of the entire market. In this section, we compare Bitcoin with other digital assets.
1. Bitcoin vs Ethereum
Ethereum is a top crypto dog and is the foremost altcoin in the crypto ecosystem. Also, it offers what Bitcoin lacks, s a robust network that facilitates the use of self-executing codes called smart contracts. Controlling about 97% of the decentralised finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystems, Ethereum is a top destination for any blockchain-based services. It is also planning to move to a proof-of-stake (PoS) protocol from PoW, and this is expected to shoot the value of ETH higher further.
2. Bitcoin vs Binance Coin
Binance Coin (or BNB) is the utility token for the Binance crypto exchange. It primarily works as a discount token for traders who want to execute transactions on the platform. Aside from this, BNB has other uses in the Binance Smart Chain (BSC), Binance Chain, and Binance DEX aside from more mundane use cases.
BNB’s strong fundamentals of limited coins and use cases have largely put it in the world’s top three most valuable crypto assets.
3. Bitcoin vs Cardano
Cardano is a peer-reviewed PoS protocol that describes itself as a third-generation blockchain network. The protocol aims to tap into all the existing strengths of the older blockchains (Bitcoin and Ethereum) without any of their weaknesses. Cardano is still under development but is seen as a blockchain for innovators, given its penchant for scientific research.
The Cardano network also interfaces with DeFi and NFTs and aims to offer speed, interoperability without sacrificing security.
4. Bitcoin vs Solana
Solana is a high-speed hybrid blockchain protocol that has largely taken the world by storm. Looking to move the frontiers of DeFi and NFT further, Solana offers one of the fastest, cheapest, eco-friendly solutions in the market.
The protocol has become a major competitor to Ethereum and has shot up the crypto ranks to the number five spot. Many view it as a strong competitor in the DeFi race.
Is Bitcoin Halal?
Bitcoin is a controversial topic in the Islamic community due to the general concept surrounding the currency. The real issue is that Bitcoin does not easily fall into the two categories of money recognised by the Islamic faith. It cannot be said to be natural ‘money’ like gold and silver, neither can it be viewed as ‘customary money’ like fiat.
This makes it difficult for Muslims to step into the crypto space easily. Some Muslim scholars have openly come against the idea of the Islamic community stepping into the crypto arena.
However, there is a growing awareness among the Islamic faithful as some scholars have openly termed cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin ‘halal.’ A notable instance is in 2018 when the Shacklewell Lane Mosque in Hackney solicited donations in crypto primarily through Bitcoin and Ethereum.
According to the Independent report, the initiative was geared towards giving back to the community – a social responsibility Islam holds sacrosanct. A subsequent report by former Shariah Advisor to Blossom Finance Mufit Muhammad Abu-Bakar showed that all currencies were speculative as they are driven by the market forces of demand and supply. This makes Bitcoin a ‘halal’ and permissible for Muslims.
A strong push for Bitcoin adoption could convert the Muslim community, potentially tapping into 1.6 billion Muslims globally.
Conclusion
Bitcoin has come a long way since 2008, and there is so much potential for the foremost digital currency to break through into mainstream use in 2024. With its hard-cap limit of only 21 million and more institutional investors using it as a hedge against recurrent inflation and monetary volatility, Bitcoin is here to make a sizable impact.
Also, the changing tide in finance is a good sign of things to come. The current financial landscape is deemed outdated, and as more solutions come to the fore, a decentralised economy is viewed as the future way of doing business. Read thirty quotes from ten billionaires buying Bitcoin here – including Elon Musk, Mark Cuban and George Soros.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
FAQs on Buying Bitcoin in the UK
How do you invest in Bitcoin?
There are many ways in which you can buy Bitcoin in UK, albeit, the safest and most convenient is to use an online broker.
Should I Buy Bitcoin?
Whether or not you should buy Bitcoin is your decision. On the one hand, Bitcoin is super volatile and can experience rapid price shifts on a day-to-day basis. But, Bitcoin is one of the best performing asset classes in recent years. With that in mind, if you do have an interest in Bitcoin but have a low tolerance for risk - just make sure you keep your stakes conservative.
What is the Best Way to Buy Bitcoin?
If you're wondering where to buy Bitcoin - the best option is to use a regulated online broker
How does Bitcoin Work?
Bitcoin is a digital currency that is not backed by a central bank or government. The network is decentralized - so no single entity has control over Bitcoin. In terms of what governs Bitcoin's price, it's a bit similar to the traditional stocks. The value of Bitcoin rises and falls based on market sentiment. If you sell Bitcoin for a higher price than you originally paid - you will make money. Don't forget to consider where to buy Bitcoin - as commissions and fees can vary wildly.
Is it Safe to Buy Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a relatively safe investment in 2021. Of course, all investments carry risk - including Bitcoin. However, for someone who has done enough research and is confident, Bitcoin is very safe.
How Do I Make Money with Bitcoin?
Usually, you make money with Bitcoin by trading or investing it in the long term. However, you can also mine Bitcoin if you have enough resources.
What are the Benefits of Buying Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a good investment for those who know their research. It also provides a want to hedge your health against inflation, and its sizable returns provide the opportunity to maximize your earnings.
What are the Best Payment Methods to Buy Bitcoin with?
The best payment method to use is your debit card. However, if you have funds in your PayPal or Square account, you could also use them, as long as your chosen broker enables it.
What are the Best Bitcoin Brokers?
Several qualified and registered brokers allow their customers to buy Bitcoin.
How Can I Buy Bitcoin Instantly?
If you would like to make an instant purchase, you will need to have an account with a registered broker. Once you register and verify your account, you will be able to make quick Bitcoin purchases whenever and wherever you like.
How can I Buy Bitcoin with USD?
The best way to buy Bitcoin with USD is through an exchange or a brokerage service like Binance.
What are the Taxes on Trading Bitcoin?
There are different tax rates on Bitcoin trading. However, it primarily depends on your region and the applicable tax laws there.
How Much is Bitcoin Worth?
Bitcoin's value changes often. At the time of writing this guide on May 18th, 2021, Bitcoin is trading at $45,000. Just a few weeks earlier, the digital currency was worth over $62,000.
How Do You Mine Bitcoin?
The days of being able to mine Bitcoin from the comfort of your home are long gone. Instead, this industry is dominated by large-scale mining farms that have vast technological resources. The only way to mine Bitcoin as an Average Joe is to join a cloud mining farm. However, there are many scam artists in this space, so do tread with caution.
What is Bitcoin Cash?
Much like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash is a cryptocurrency that can be bought and sold with ease. The Bitcoin Cash blockchain was actually copied from the original Bitcoin code in 2017. If you're wondering where to buy Bitcoin Cash, the digital currency is supported by Binance.
Can I still buy Bitcoin in the UK?
Yes, interest in Bitcoin among United Kingdom investors remains at a high level and many exchanges such as Binance were unaffected by the 'crypto winter' of 2022. While some US facing platforms like FTX and Gemini faced issues, UK regulated platforms we reviewed above are still operating and it is still possible to buy Bitcoin in the UK.
Kane holds academic qualifications in the finance and financial investigation fields. With a passion for all-things finance, he currently writes for a number of publications in the online space.
Crypto promotions on this site do not comply with the UK Financial Promotions Regime and is not intended for UK consumers. Note that the content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing your capital is at risk. This site is not intended for use in jurisdictions in which the trading or investments described are prohibited and should only be used by such persons and in such ways as are legally permitted. Your investment may not qualify for investor protection in your country or state of residence, so please conduct your own due diligence. This website is free for you to use but we may receive commission from the companies we feature on this site.
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We consider this platform one of the best places to buy Bitcoin because of the sheer number of positive facilities it has.
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