Internet Computer (ICP) is the native cryptocurrency of the Internet Computer network, a decentralized blockchain platform designed to host smart contracts, websites and applications directly on the blockchain. The token is used to pay network fees, participate in network governance and stake to earn rewards.
ICP’s value depends on factors such as network adoption, investor demand, market sentiment and broader cryptocurrency market conditions, making it a speculative asset.
You can buy ICP through a cryptocurrency exchange or a compatible wallet. The process is generally straightforward, but the best option depends on your location, trading fees, payment methods and whether you want to withdraw your tokens to a personal wallet.
Disclaimer: This page is not financial advice or an endorsement of digital assets, providers or services. Digital assets are volatile and risky, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Potential regulations or policies can affect their availability and services provided. Talk with a financial professional before making a decision. Finder or the author may own cryptocurrency discussed on this page.
There’s no single way to buy ICP — the right one depends on how much control, convenience or exposure you’re after. Find the row that sounds like you and start there.
| If you want to … | Consider … | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Buy actual ICP with simplicity | Crypto exchange | Best crypto exchanges |
| Use an existing investment account | Brokerage or trading app that supports crypto | Kraken; Uphold; Changelly |
| Hold your ICP yourself | Hardware wallet | Best hardware wallets |
| Gain exposure to the crypto industry as a whole | Crypto stocks | Best crypto stocks |
The most straightforward way for most people to buy ICP is through a crypto exchange, and some exchanges even offer bonuses to jumpstart your investment. Signing up is pretty simple, and the steps are similar to opening a bank or brokerage account.
Not all crypto platforms offer the same fees, features or level of protection. Before choosing one, consider:
Use the table to choose a platform that meets your needs and select the Go to site button to get started.
If you already have an investment account, buying ICP through a traditional brokerage can be more convenient than opening a separate crypto account. The exact process varies by broker, and some don’t offer crypto investments at all.
No exchange? No problem. ICP has quietly woven itself into apps and machines you might already use — here’s where else to find it.
The cost of buying ICP depends on where you buy it and how you pay. The advertised trading fee is only part of the picture. Depending on the platform, you may also pay a spread, payment-method fee or withdrawal fee.
ICP transactions use a network fee to process transactions on the blockchain. You may pay this fee when you transfer ICP from a central exchange to your own private wallet, although some exchanges bundle the network cost into their own flat withdrawal fees.
| Cost | What it means |
|---|---|
| Trading fee | The platform’s fee for executing your ICP purchase. |
| Spread | The difference between ICP’s market price and the price you pay. |
| Payment-method fee | A fee for using certain deposit methods, such as a debit card. |
| Network fee | A fee charged by the Internet Computer network to process a transaction. |
| Withdrawal fee | A fee for moving ICP off the platform to another wallet. |
Suppose you deposit $100 into a crypto exchange using a debit card. The exchange charges a 3% payment-method fee, a 2% trading fee and a 1% spread.
Moving to a self-custody wallet
If you choose to move your newly purchased ICP off the exchange and into your own private wallet, you may incur a network transfer or withdrawal fee.
Ultimately, your $100 bought about $94 of ICP, before accounting for any exchange-specific withdrawal fees. Before choosing a platform and placing an order, always check the complete fee schedule — not just the advertised trading fee.
You don’t need to buy a whole coin. ICP is divisible into very small units, allowing you to purchase a fraction of an ICP based on exactly how much you want to invest.
The minimum amount you can buy depends on the platform you use. Some exchanges allow purchases of just a few dollars, while others set a higher minimum order size. Always check your chosen exchange’s minimum requirements before buying.
For example, if ICP were priced at $0.25:
| Amount you spend | Approximate ICP |
|---|---|
| $10 | 40 ICP |
| $100 | 400 ICP |
| $500 | 2,000 ICP |
| $1,000 | 4,000 ICP |
These examples don’t account for platform fees, and the exact amount of ICP you receive will shift as its market price changes.
There is no mandatory amount of ICP to own — only the minimum purchase your platform requires. You can increase your holdings gradually over time through additional fractional purchases.
How are investors feeling about ICP right now? Use the scale below to gauge whether the market is optimistic or pessimistic about ICP’s price.
This index is calculated using a number of data sources, including trading volume, social media sentiment and Google Trends.
TRUMP Fear & Greed Index
What's driving the score
The index scores a coin's market mood from 0 (extreme fear) to 100 (extreme greed). It averages four equally weighted signals drawn from the last 150 days of daily price and volume data: how far the price sits from its 30-day average, its 14-day relative strength index (RSI), whether recent price swings are bigger than usual (bigger swings push the score toward fear) and whether this week's price move is backed by rising trading volume.
Scores of 0–24 read as extreme fear, 25–44 as fear, 45–55 as neutral, 56–75 as greed and 76–100 as extreme greed. The index reflects past price behavior only and doesn't predict where prices go next.
Price data from CoinGecko. This tool is for information only and isn't financial advice.
After buying ICP, you need to decide where to keep it. The main options are exchange custody, hot wallets and cold wallets.
For beginners, exchange custody is the simplest, while a cold wallet generally offers greater control and security for long-term holdings as you grow your investment.
Yes, you can stake ICP through the Internet Computer’s Network Nervous System (NNS) governance app. Staking ICP involves locking your tokens in a neuron to participate in network governance and earn voting rewards. Rewards depend on factors such as your voting power, voting participation and dissolve delay, which determines how long it takes to unlock your tokens.
To stake ICP through the NNS, the process generally looks like this:
Staking rewards aren’t guaranteed, and your ICP won’t be immediately available to withdraw. You must start the dissolving process and wait for the neuron’s dissolve delay to expire before withdrawing your tokens.
Buying ICP is relatively simple, but protecting your account and assets requires some extra care.
In the US, the IRS generally treats ICP as property for federal tax purposes, not currency. Buying ICP with US dollars generally isn’t a taxable event, but selling it, exchanging it for another digital asset or spending it can create a taxable capital gain or loss.
Your tax treatment depends on how you acquired and used your ICP, as well as your cost basis and holding period. The IRS says digital assets held as investments are generally subject to the tax rules for capital assets.(1)
Do your future self a favor and line up the right crypto tax software before tax season lines up for you. Keeping clean records of your transaction history, acquisition dates and cost basis can save you headaches later.
Before purchasing ICP, compare a range of crypto exchanges and brokerages. Consider their features, fees, security and overall reputation to decide which platform best suits your needs.
Remember that owning and using ICP is not without its risks. Consider investing in ICP as part of a broader investment strategy, and consult a financial advisor if you have any questions about cryptocurrency investing.
Owning TRUMP isn’t reserved for tech bros with cold wallets. Compare exchanges, brokers and apps — then buy your first TRUMP in minutes.
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