How to Buy Bitcoin in 2025 – Beginner’s Guide

Bitcoin (BTC) is the oldest and still the most popular cryptocurrency by far, accounting for well over 50% of the total crypto market cap. This guide will teach you how to buy Bitcoin in 2025, so you can join the millions who already own this hugely popular digital asset.

We’ll show you the easiest and safest way to buy Bitcoin, explore alternative purchase options, and teach you how to store your assets safely. We’ll also explore some of the basics of Bitcoin to find out why it remains the go-to choice for most crypto investors.

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How to buy Bitcoin – Step-by-Step Guide

Here is our detailed guide on how to invest in Bitcoin. We explain each step comprehensively for first-time buyers.

Step 1: Create a Non-Custodial Bitcoin Wallet

The first step is to download a Bitcoin wallet that provides non-custodial storage. Wallets serve several functions, such as allowing investors to send, receive, and store Bitcoin without relying on centralized entities. The best crypto wallets also connect with fiat gateways, so users can buy Bitcoin with traditional money.

We researched over 25 wallet providers, and overall, we rate Best Wallet as the top choice for beginners. The free mobile app for iOS and Android supports a wide range of local currencies and payment methods like credit or debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. This dynamic offer lets investors buy and store Bitcoin in one safe place.

The Best Wallet app allows users to buy and store Bitcoin in a non-custodial environment. Source: Best Wallet

Visit the Best Wallet website to download the app. Open the app, input and verify your email address, and choose a security PIN.

The next step is to safely store your seed phrase. This string of words enables you to recover access if you lose your smartphone or forget the login credentials. Write it down on a piece of paper and store it in a safe place. Never store your seed phrase in a digital environment (on your phone or computer), since this could create a potential vulnerability.

For maximum security, we also recommend enabling two-factor authentication and biometrics, which you can activate via the “Settings” tab.

Step 2: Select a Payment Method

Tap “Bitcoin” and “Buy”, then choose the preferred fiat currency. The Best Wallet app supports dozens of currencies, including USD, AUD, EUR, GBP, and NZD.

The app displays available payment methods for the selected currency.

Best Wallet allows users to buy Bitcoin with popular payment methods. Source: Best Wallet

Most Best Wallet users buy Bitcoin with a debit or credit card. Popular e-wallets like PayPal, Google/Apple Pay, and Neteller are also available. Best Wallet processes these payment methods instantly, and fees average between 2–3%.

The cheapest deposit option is bank transfers. The app supports local bank transactions in select countries and international payments via SWIFT.

Note that Best Wallet includes fees in the final quote. It uses third-party gateways like Banxa, Sardine, and Topper. To maximize your investment, choose a gateway based on the quote exchange rate. For more options, see our step-by-step guide on how to buy Bitcoin with a credit card.

Step 3: Decide How Much to Invest

Minimum investment requirements vary by the fiat gateway. Some providers allow users to buy Bitcoin from just $10 or the currency equivalent.

The purchase amount must align with your risk appetite. Remember that Bitcoin experiences wild volatility swings, so never invest money you cannot afford to lose.

A Best Wallet user buys $300 worth of Bitcoin with a credit card. Source: Best Wallet

One risk management strategy is dollar-cost averaging, where you commit to a consistent investment schedule. For example, an investor may purchase $150 worth of Bitcoin at the end of each month. Whether Bitcoin rises or falls, each investment averages the cost basis.

Once you have decided on the investment size, enter it into the Best Wallet app.

Step 4: Complete the Payment to Buy Bitcoin

The Best Wallet app will now redirect you to the fiat gateway’s website. The provider collects basic personal information and payment details.

Banxa is a reputable payment gateway that processes Bitcoin purchases securely. Source: Best Wallet

Once confirmed, the gateway processes the payment instantly. Bank transfers are an exception, taking up to five business days.

Step 5: Store Your Bitcoin Safely

One of the key advantages of buying Bitcoin on Best Wallet is seamless, secure storage. Investors don’t need to transfer coins from a third-party exchange, as the wallet adds assets to your balance automatically.

Return to the main menu in Best Wallet and tap “Bitcoin” to view your balance. Best Wallet’s non-custodial framework and robust security features ensure a safe storage experience. Even so, it is advisable you follow security best practices to mitigate cybersecurity risks.

Best Wallet protects user-owned Bitcoin through robust security measures. Source: Best Wallet

Never share the 12-word seed phrase, as it provides access to the wallet balance remotely. Carefully review links before clicking them, avoid scanning unknown QR codes with your mobile device, and never connect to untrustworthy applications. Always accept app updates when available, as this enhances security.

What Is Bitcoin & How Does It Work?

Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency and a decentralized network for financial transactions. Launched in 2008 by a pseudonymous creator known only as Satoshi Nakamoto, it is the first truly successful digital currency. No single person or entity controls the Bitcoin network, which enables users to send and receive funds on a peer-to-peer basis.

Transactions take about 10 minutes; typical fees are under a dollar, regardless of the transfer value. As users send Bitcoin to wallet addresses, both transacting parties remain pseudonymous. The underlying technology, known as the blockchain, records all Bitcoin transactions via a public ledger. Blockchain technology allows anyone to view transfers and balances tied to specific wallets.

To secure the network and ensure decentralization, the blockchain uses the proof-of-work consensus mechanism. Miners connect advanced hardware devices to verify blocks, and every 10 minutes, one successful miner earns a reward in newly minted coins, currently 3.125 BTC. The original Bitcoin mining reward was 50 BTC, but it decreases by 50% every four years.

Bitcoin’s immutable technology ensures a predictable and fixed asset supply. While the supply increases every 10 minutes, once it reaches 21 million (expected in the year 2140), the network cannot create additional coins. The finite supply drives the Bitcoin price over time, similar to other stores of value like gold and fine art.

Why Do People Buy Bitcoin?

While most people buy Bitcoin for asset appreciation, other motivations exist. Bitcoin enables seamless cross-border payments, non-custodial ownership, and a hedge against uncontrolled inflation.

Learn more about why hundreds of millions of people own Bitcoin in 2025.

Financial Gains

Bitcoin has produced unprecedented price gains since its inception. While the digital asset lacks a credible price history during its initial few years, the infamous “Bitcoin Pizza” transaction in 2010 valued BTC at approximately $0.0041. Laszlo Hanyecz’s purchase of two Domino’s pizzas for 10,000 BTC, worth about $41 at the time, has since become part of Bitcoin’s cultural heritage.

The earliest Bitcoin price on CoinMarketCap is $0.06, recorded in July 2020. Since then, Bitcoin has experienced rapid price increases, with multiple major pullbacks.

• During the 2013 bull run, Bitcoin skyrocketed from $13 to over $1,000 (+7,600%).
• In 2017, it climbed from $1,000 to nearly $20,000 (+1,900%).
• In 2020/2021, BTC rose from $8,000 to over $64,000 (+700%).

The 2020 bull market, for instance, saw Bitcoin rise from $1,000 to $20,000.

Best Wallet store Bitcoin

Bitcoin’s current all-time high is $126,000, which reflects 209 million percent gains based on CoinMarketCap’s initial price from 2010. As such, a $10 investment in 2010 would have been worth over $20 million at the market peak.

Compared with traditional investments, Bitcoin remains one of the best-performing assets. Gold and the S&P 500 index, for instance, rose by 115% and 94% in the past five years, respectively. The Bitcoin price has risen by over 720% in the same timeframe. Read our expert Bitcoin price prediction for insights on where the digital gold could be headed next

Cross-Border Payments

Bitcoin was originally created as a digital medium of exchange. Despite its speculative nature and relatively slow and expensive transactions compared to newer cryptocurrencies, some people still use Bitcoin for cross-border payments.

Regardless of the sender’s and receiver’s location, Bitcoin transfers take about 10 minutes. In contrast, international bank payments via SWIFT often take up to five business days.

The network applies a dynamic fee structure based on network demand, although our research shows it rarely exceeds $1. Traditional remittance companies like Western Union and MoneyGram typically charge percentage fees, which increase costs as transfer values rise.

Non-Custodial Ownership

When exploring how to buy Bitcoin, non-custodial ownership appeals to many investors. Non-custodial wallets generate encrypted private keys, which only the Bitcoin holder controls. As third parties cannot access those keys, investors secure real asset ownership without relying on custodians.

The same concept applies to transfers of Bitcoin from one wallet to another. Users send and receive coins via the Bitcoin blockchain without seeking approval from a third party, such as the wallet’s creator or an exchange that operates it.

Investors store traditional assets, like stocks and cash, with centralized institutions. These firms pose various counterparty risks, such as blocked account access, solvency problems, and cybersecurity threats.

Bitcoin investors eliminate these risks when they store coins with a non-custodial provider.

Hedge Against Inflation

Bitcoin helps people hedge inflationary risks, particularly in emerging countries with poor economic policies.

Consider the Turkish lira (TRY), which in 2024 alone experienced peak inflation of over 75%. On a 10-year basis, the lira has declined by over 90% relative to the US dollar. To mitigate these inflationary pressures, several million Turkish residents have rotated into Bitcoin.

The BTC/TRY trading pair price rose by over 4,200% in the past five years, almost six times more than BTC/USD’s growth.

Different Ways to Buy Bitcoin

As a trillion-dollar asset, a wide range of BTC investment methods exist. Consider the following platform types when choosing where to buy Bitcoin.

Crypto Wallets

In our view, crypto wallets provide the best way to buy Bitcoin. Wallets partner with fiat gateways, which allow users to purchase coins without leaving the wallet interface. From Visa and MasterCard to Google/Apple Pay and PayPal, gateways offer a hassle-free way of investing in digital assets.

Best Wallet is a good option for investors who prefer a mobile experience. In addition to instant Bitcoin purchases, the app’s secure non-custodial framework ensures full asset autonomy.

Those who prioritize safety over convenience favor cold storage solutions. Ledger, the popular hardware wallet, stores encrypted private keys offline, eliminating cybersecurity threats. The Ledger Live app and desktop software connect with gateways like MoonPay and Ramp for fiat payments.

Centralized Exchanges

Centralized exchanges (CEXs) attract billions of dollars in daily trading volume, with most platform users buying and selling Bitcoin. These platforms function like traditional brokerages, as users open accounts, deposit fiat money, and place limit and market orders.

Our research shows that MEXC is one of the best crypto exchanges for asset diversification. Besides Bitcoin, the exchange lists over 4,000 cryptocurrencies, including major altcoins and high-growth meme coins.

MEXC is a centralized cryptocurrency exchange that lists Bitcoin and over 4,000 altcoins. Source: MEXC

Binance is the world’s largest exchange for liquidity, volume, and active traders. It lets users trade Bitcoin at commissions of just 0.1%. The exchange offers lower fees when users hold its native coin, BNB (BNB). Binance offers world-class trading tools with full chart customization.

Decentralized Exchanges

Some investors explore how to buy Bitcoin on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), as these platforms eliminate centralized risks and KYC requirements. However, unlike Ethereum, Solana, and other Layer-1 blockchains, Bitcoin lacks decentralized application (dApp) support. This drawback means Bitcoin cannot host DEX platforms.

One workaround is THORChain. The DEX allows traders to swap its proprietary token, THORChain (RUNE), for BTC. The protocol employs liquidity pools and automated market makers (AMMs) to ensure complete decentralization.

Another solution is Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC). Real BTC backs each WBTC token, which operates on the Ethereum blockchain. Users exchange any ERC-20 token for WBTC on Ethereum-based DEXs like Uniswap and SushiSwap.

Bitcoin Mining

The mining framework keeps the Bitcoin network secure and decentralized. However, large-scale companies control the Bitcoin mining industry in 2025. They have significant resources, which generate the required hash rate to consistently win mining rewards.

The main workaround for individuals is cloud mining. Users purchase contracts, which provide a share of the broader mining pool. When the pool successfully mines a Bitcoin block, users earn a proportionate share of the rewards.

Other Methods

Here are some other ways to buy Bitcoin in 2025

• Bitcoin ETFs: Fidelity, iShares, VanEck, and other financial institutions offer spot Bitcoin ETFs. Each fund buys and holds Bitcoin on behalf of investors, so shareholders gain exposure to BTC without directly holding coins. As Bitcoin ETFs trade on stock exchanges, investors buy shares on traditional brokerages.
• Bitcoin ATMs: Physical ATM kiosks sell Bitcoin in exchange for currency notes. The process suits investors who prefer to use real cash. Fees are often extortionate, and most ATM providers require KYC verification. According to CoinATMRadar, almost 40,000 Bitcoin ATMs operate in over 60 countries.
• P2P Exchanges: Peer-to-Peer crypto exchanges connect buyers and sellers directly, often from the same country. Investors use local currency and payment types, transferring money only when the seller funds the P2P escrow wallet. Binance, OKX, and other CEXs offer the biggest P2P exchanges for liquidity.

Key Considerations to Make Before Buying Bitcoin

Here are some key factors to consider when learning how to buy Bitcoin:

• Choose regulated platforms: Regulated brokers and exchanges are the safest way to invest in Bitcoin. Licensing bodies enforce strict rules, particularly regarding consumer protections, segregated funds, and anti-money laundering controls.
• Consider the investment budget: Never invest more than you can afford to lose. Bitcoin remains a volatile asset, so setting an investment budget is essential.
• Understand buying Bitcoin vs derivatives: When you buy Bitcoin in the traditional sense, you own the underlying coins outright. Derivatives merely mirror global spot prices, so they provide no ownership rights.
• Hold coins in a secure wallet: After you complete the Bitcoin purchase, store your coins in a secure wallet. Ensure the wallet provides non-custodial storage for true BTC ownership.
• Learn about price movements and volatility: Bitcoin has delivered huge gains since its 2009 inception, yet the digital asset often experiences sharp price swings. Always do your own research and be prepared for short-term volatility to reduce emotional risks.
• Understand investment fees: Cryptocurrency wallets, CEXs, DEXs, and other platform types charge trading fees. These eat into your potential BTC profits, so evaluate commission structures when choosing a provider.
• Beware of scams: Cybercriminals steal billions of dollars worth of cryptocurrencies annually. Common scams involve phishing, deception, and remote hacking attacks through malware and viruses. Learn more about the risks of crypto scams to protect your investments.

Is Bitcoin Taxed?

Our research confirms that most countries tax Bitcoin profits the same as other tradable products like stocks, ETFs, and commodities.

As authorities typically tax realized capital gains, the liability triggers only when investors cash out. If an investor buys 1 BTC at $40,000 and sells at $120,000, they make an $80,000 capital gain.

Tax rules and concessions vary across jurisdictions. For example, the U.S. has short and long-term tax structures, where investors qualify for lower tax rates when they hold cryptocurrencies for at least 12 months. Australian investors are also incentivized to hold long-term. They receive a 50% discount when holding for at least one year.

Investors who deposit their BTC coins into a centralized finance (CeFi) service also incur income tax liabilities. Most tax authorities use the daily spot price as the cost basis, based on when investors receive their yields.

How to Sell Bitcoin

To sell Bitcoin for fiat money, investors need an account with a trading platform that supports fiat withdrawal methods, such as withdrawing to a bank account. If you hold BTC in a non-custodial wallet, transfer those coins to the platform and place a sell order.

Follow these steps to sell Bitcoin:

• Open an account with a crypto exchange that accepts your preferred currency. Popular options include MEXC, Binance, Bybit, Coinbase, and Kraken.
• In the exchange account, copy your unique BTC deposit address. Then transfer BTC from your private wallet to the exchange.
• Sell Bitcoin for fiat money on the exchange. Then request a withdrawal to a supported method, such as bank transfers or e-wallets.

If you’ve used Best Wallet to buy Bitcoin, you can use the Swap function to exchange your Bitcoin for a number of other cryptocurrencies or stablecoins like USDT or USDC. You can also transfer your Bitcoin to an exchange to sell it directly for USD.

Remember to review fees and withdrawal timeframes before you sell Bitcoin for cash.

How to Buy Bitcoin: Why Best Wallet Is the Top Method

Overall, we found that Best Wallet is an excellent tool for buying Bitcoin in 2025. The free iOS and Android app connects with secure fiat gateways, so users can purchase BTC instantly with e-wallets and debit/credit cards.

As a non-custodial wallet, Best Wallet provides decentralized storage. Users retain exclusive access to their private keys, which unlocks full autonomy over their Bitcoin investments. The wallet also supports thousands of other altcoins on over 60 blockchain standards.

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Ibrahim Ajibade

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Ibrahim Ajibade is a seasoned research analyst with a background in supporting various Web3 startups and financial organizations. He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and is currently studying for a Master’s in Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies at the University of Malta.