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How to buy Litecoin (LTC) in 4 steps
Learn how to buy Litecoin (LTC) easily by following a step-by-step guide and compare 10+ crypto exchanges. Get started today.
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.
How to buy Litecoin
Buying Litecoin (LTC) is a relatively simple process to follow. You just need some photo ID to create an account on a platform that sells it, then link a payment method to buy it with, like a bank account or debit card. Credit cards are another common way to buy LTC, and Finder has created a separate guide for buying LTC with a credit card.
Cryptocurrency exchanges are the main way people buy Litecoin and other cryptocurrencies. While blockchain, the technology behind Litecoin, is complex, Finder has all the information you need to buy LTC. The process is the same for buying other cryptocurrencies, so it will be easy to buy crypto assets and tokens and have a diverse portfolio. You are not locked in to buying a lot or a little of Litecoin, the amount you spend is your choice.
Step 1: Choose where to buy
A cryptocurrency exchange is a platform that lets you buy and sell cryptocurrency coins and tokens. They operate like stock exchanges. Cryptocurrency exchanges differ in terms of fees, security, payment methods and features, so use Finder's table to help determine which is right for you. If you're a beginner, you won't need a ton of features, and you can always sign up to other exchanges later.
Some of the most popular exchanges that accept USD are SoFi Invest Crypto, eToro USA LLC Cryptocurrency Trading and KuCoin Cryptocurrency Exchange. All of these exchanges are considered relatively beginner friendly and offer deposit methods in a variety of methods.
To help you pick an exchange for buying Litecoin, consider the following:
- Fees. Fees are charged on each purchase and can add up over time. Paying with a credit card tends to be the most expensive option, so keep an eye out for exchanges with free payment methods like a bank transfer.
- Coins. Obviously, you want some Litecoin, but have you thought about what other cryptocurrencies you might like to purchase later on? If you plan to expand your portfolio at some point, consider picking an exchange with other coins of interest.
- Location. Cryptocurrency exchanges based in the US must comply with local laws and regulations, and you will find some exchanges are unavailable in certain states. Be wary of exchanges located in foreign tax-havens with weak consumer laws.
Step 2: Create an account
Once you have selected an exchange to purchase Litecoin from the table above, you will need to register.
- You can sign up for an account by selecting the "Go to site" button
- This will take you to the account creation page, where you can fill in your details, starting with your name and email address.
- You will then need to verify your identity and address, which is part of a process called know your customer (KYC), which is a legal requirement by exchanges in the US.
- To do this, you will need a photo ID and a copy of a recent bank statement or utility bill that has your address on it.
- KYC is typically approved instantly, although in some cases, you may have to wait a few days before your account is verified.
- Once your account is approved, you will need to choose a payment method to deposit funds into your account before you can make any purchases.
| Exchange | Bank deposit | Card deposit | Crypto deposit | Buy Litecoin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoFi Invest Crypto | Go to site | |||
| eToro USA LLC Cryptocurrency Trading | Go to site | |||
| KuCoin Cryptocurrency Exchange | Go to site |
Step 3: Fund your account
To buy Litecoin, you will first need to deposit funds into your exchange account or link a credit or debit card. Some exchanges allow registration without KYC, but they will require it when users go to fund their account with fiat or buy Litecoin with a card.
There are various ways to deposit money into an exchange account to buy Litecoin, each of which will have a different wait time before funds are deposited.
- Wait times can range from nearly instant to a few business days.
- Each exchange will accept different forms of payment for deposits, and there are often region-specific methods. Some funding methods include:
- Bank transfer
- e-Transfer
- ACH
- SEPA
- Debit card
- Wire transfer
- Credit card
Step 4: Buy Litecoin
Navigate to the markets section on your chosen exchange to find your desired Litecoin pairing. Look for the section on buying LTC, and type in the amount of the paired cryptocurrency you want to spend or the amount of LTC you want to buy.
- Note: Carefully review your transaction details, including the amount of Litecoin you're buying and the total cost of the purchase, before completing the transaction.
Some cryptocurrency exchanges only offer one way to purchase cryptocurrency while others give you a few options. The most popular methods of purchasing Litecoin are instant buy and the spot market.
Instant buy/market orderMost exchanges offer the ability to buy high volume cryptocurrencies like Litecoin instantly, and this is one of the fastest ways to purchase LTC. Simply enter the amount you would like to purchase in USD and the exchange will calculate the equivalent amount of LTC, according to the market rate.
Buying LTC via the instant buy method is generally more expensive than on the spot market as there is usually an extra exchange fee added on top of the market price. This is a simple way to purchase cryptocurrency for beginners but it's important to be aware of the extra costs involved, especially if using this method with a linked credit card due to fees.
Spot marketThe spot market is offered on the majority of exchanges and is the most common way to buy and sell LTC or other assets and tokens. There are a few different ways to buy LTC on a spot market, but market buys and limit orders are the most common.
A market buy is like an instant buy, but without the added fees charged by the exchange for brokering the deal. There is still the trading fee, but the fee is less than instant buy.
A limit order means placing an order for Litecoin at a set price and amount of LTC. The order is filled as other traders sell their assets through a selling limit order or market sale at the price set. Trading fees for a limit order are less than for a market buy and much less than for instant buy.
Litecoin exchanges
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The risks of buying Litecoin
Cryptocurrencies are complicated and volatile assets, and buying any digital asset or token comes with a high level of risk attached. Before buying, make sure you do plenty of research and that you recognise the factors that could potentially drive the price of Litecoin either up or down. Here are a few risks of buying LTC:
- Competition. There are new projects coming to market that create competition and can dilute market values of the other assets in the sector, or overtake them.
- Regulatory changes. Government regulation could affect cryptocurrency prices negatively such as the banning of cryptocurrency in a country.
- Exchange or account hacks. While uncommon, there is the risk of an exchange or your account being hacked, and funds being stolen.
Keeping Litecoin safe in a wallet
While some people choose to store their Litecoin in their exchange account, this is not recommended. Exchanges are regular targets for hackers and thieves. It's a much safer option to move Litecoin or other assets into a wallet which allows you to retain full control of your private keys. There are hardware and software wallets for desktop and web browser available to store cryptocurrencies. Keep Litecoin safe with any of Finder's recommended wallets.
Why is Litecoin so cheap?
Litecoin's price may be cheap for a variety of reasons. See Finder's expert analysis here.
What is the easiest way to buy Litecoin?
The easiest way to buy Litecoin is through a cryptocurrency exchange.
Is buying Litecoin a good investment?
Buying Litecoin may be a good investment. See what Finder's experts think of Litecoin's price here.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly
volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of
future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information.
You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory
requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators' websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may
have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.
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