Cryptocurrency becomes more popular every day, and new types of cryptocurrency have emerged since Bitcoin’s big debut. It really went mainstream when PayPal launched its own cryptocurrency wallet, allowing you to buy in through its app. Tap or click here for an even deeper dive into Bitcoin. If you want to invest in cryptocurrency, it can be complicated to know where to begin. Here’s the down-low on how and where to buy cryptocurrency. Let’s start with a few basics to keep you safe. Then we’ll dive deep into the how-to.
5 tactics to buy crypto the safe way
1. Don’t dump all your money in the latest hot coin
One of the biggest reasons analysts and economists have urged people to stay away from investing in cryptocurrency is its constant volatility. While Bitcoin has risen dramatically since its inception, there have been cryptocurrency bubbles in which people lost their entire life savings. Because a government or other standard doesn’t back crypto, the price can fluctuate wildly. Don’t use those swings to put all your eggs in one basket. We saw this volatility very recently with Dogecoin. Its value rose and fell simply because Elon Musk decided to chat about it on SNL. The same happens when he tweets about the coin.
2. Don’t trust someone who reaches out to you and promises a good return
Nobody — and we do mean nobody — can predict how cryptocurrency will rise and fall. Even in the stock market, these types of predictions are exactly that: predictions. There isn’t a person out there that can actually promise you a great ROI, so if they do, beware. Some professionals can assist you in investing wisely in cryptocurrency, but truly experienced professionals will be upfront and honest about the risks. These pros will never come to you. If someone seeks you out for an investment opportunity, hang up the phone or delete the email.
3. Never give away your password or seed phrase
Where success goes, criminals follow. Hackers are present everywhere, in every industry, and you should expect them to be lurking in the crypto world, waiting for the perfect opportunity to steal your personal information. Security on virtual coins is pretty amazing, including two-factor authentication, strong passwords and seed phrases. (More on that later.) But none of those things matter if you give your information away to a hacker. There is never a good reason to give your seed phrase or password, ever.
4. Only use a trusted, reputable exchange
When virtual currency first came out, exchanging real money presented a bit of a security risk. Online exchanges could be hacked. Nowadays, there are several reputable exchanges to invest in cryptocurrency, including PayPal. So there’s no reason to go with a lesser-known unreliable option. Opt for well-known exchanges like Coinbase or PayPal to give you a secure option and lessen your risk of attack. For some of the most trusted common exchanges out there, keep reading.
5. Consider a physical wallet
Once you purchase cryptocurrency from an exchange, you need to move it into a wallet for storage. This is where things get a bit more complicated. There are multiple types of wallets, each a little bit different. They are split into two main categories: hot and cold wallets. A hot wallet is, by definition, connected to the internet. This allows you to move your virtual coin and spend it wherever Bitcoin is accepted. These do come with certain risks, though. The most secure way to store your cryptocurrency is with a cold wallet — one that isn’t connected online. Physical wallets come in different types but are usually specially designed USB drives that store your cryptocurrency for later use. Physical wallets are convenient and provide you the most protection from hackers in the long run.
How do I buy cryptocurrency and what are exchanges?
To buy cryptocurrency, you need to exchange one money for another. There are two types of exchanges, fiat to crypto and crypto to crypto. Fiat money is defined as government-issued currency, so for us, that means the U.S. dollar. For the sake of this beginner’s guide, we will only discuss fiat to crypto exchanges. An exchange is a service that allows you to exchange your hard-earned money for crypto or exchange crypto for hard-earned money. There are many on the market. The most established being Coinbase. Using an exchange is just the first step in the process, and it is pretty simple:
Pick an exchange and open up an account.Verify your identity. Deposit USD into the exchange.
Here are some popular exchanges to buy cryptocurrency. Coinbase
The most popular exchange on the market.Buy and sell more than 30 cryptocurrencies.Higher fees than other exchanges, 0.5% to 4.5%.Insured, in case hackers get to your money.
eToro
Buy and sell 15 types of cryptocurrencies.High account minimum, $50 to start. Low fees, 0.75% to 2.9%. Not available in every state.
Robinhood
Buy and sell seven cryptocurrencies.A popular investing app that many people are already comfortable with.No fees and no account minimum!
SoFi Active Investing
Currently allows you to buy and sell three types of cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin.No fees and no account minimums.Special promotions for new investors. Newer in the crypto market.
Webull
Buy and sell the four most popular cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum and Litecoin. No fees and no account minimums.Get two free stocks when you open an account.Limited assistance.
What about PayPal?
You might be reading this and thinking, but hey, what about PayPal? PayPal shocked the masses when it announced its new service allowing PayPal users to buy and sell cryptocurrency directly on its established payment platform in 2020. Its move into the digital currency market brought Bitcoin mainstream and gave its reputation quite a boost. You can now buy four types of cryptocurrency with your PayPal account, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin and Ethereum. It comes with the same security features you already had, just expanded to include your digital currency. A word of caution, however, crypto bought on PayPal stays in PayPal. Tap or click here for more information on PayPal’s move into digital currency.
App wallets
Nowadays, more and more places accept crypto as payment. There are dozens of different types of wallets, including apps, paper wallets, and hardware, but let’s keep it simple. Here are a few app wallets you can download on your phone to hold your crypto. Bitcoin Wallet
Storage only for Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin.Available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store.Includes InstantPay for an easy way to pay with Bitcoin.Provides a free live price chart for Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin as the price fluctuates. Allows for easy swap between Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash.
GreenAddress
Available on Apple’s App Store, Google Play Store and Windows.Great security features.Easy pay feature.Only allows storage of Bitcoin.
Mycelium
Allows for storage of Bitcoin and Ethereum.No maximum daily or monthly limits.Limited assistance when you have issues. Mycelium is just a relay and never physically touches your money.High-end security.
The importance of your password
With crypto and any online trading, security is a huge factor and also a huge problem. Hackers are smart, and as crypto becomes more valuable, they target it more and more. Exchanges and wallets have established two-factor authentication (2FA), key phrases, seed phrases, and various other technologies to keep your money and information safe. Still, they all come with one giant caveat. Lose your password, and you’ll likely lose your money. Sometimes you can recover your money if the wallet has a backup. But if you lose the backup, that’s all, folks. So be sure to write down your information somewhere or use something you know you won’t forget.
Keeping track of the market
There is a reason that most economists and investors warn against putting money into digital currency. It’s unstable at best. While sometimes cryptocurrency climbs to staggering rates, other times it takes a huge jump off the high-dive and people have lost their life savings. If you do invest, it is smart to keep track of the fluctuations in the market. CoinMarketCap is a great resource to keep up with prices and changes.
Some final thoughts on cryptocurrency
Digital currency has been around for a while, and though it may not be a sure investment, neither are stocks. Crypto should be considered just another option in a long list of ways to diversify your portfolio, if and only if you have money to invest. Remember this golden rule: Don’t invest any money in crypto that you can’t afford to lose. Note: This is not intended as financial advice, and we’re not endorsing any method, app or particular cryptocurrency. Any investments you make are made at your own risk.
