Quick and easy ways to buy bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with cash.
If you have a leather wallet full of cash and want to turn it into a digital wallet full of bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency, you have a few different options.
Disclaimer:
This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of cryptocurrency or any specific provider,
service or offering. It is not a recommendation to trade. 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.
How to buy cryptocurrency with cash
| How it works | Platforms to use | What to consider | |
| Peer-to-peer | Meet a seller near you in person, and buy bitcoin with cash in hand, or any other payment option you agreed on. | Both the buyer and seller can be nervous about this kind of transaction. Make sure you only meet in a public place, and try to only deal with sellers that have a good reputation on the site. | |
| Bitcoin ATM | Deposit cash into a machine which will then deposit bitcoin into your wallet. | See if there’s a bitcoin ATM near you. | If there’s a bitcoin ATM near you, then this might be a quick and convenient way of getting bitcoin deposited to your wallet.However, it might involve significant fees. |
| Pay cash at a money transfer service | Go into a Western Union or Moneygram branch (or equivalent), and pay the cash for transfer to the specified recipient. |
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A wide range of providers accept this payment method, and it might be one of the only ways of making cash deposits on exchanges, rather than simply as a way of paying cryptocurrency sellers. As long as there’s a branch near you, this is a very easy way to pay cash for the service of your choice. The downsides are that you lose some anonymity and you might get caught by fees. |
What are the pros and cons of buying cryptocurrency with cash?
Like most things, paying with cash has both benefits and downsides. Depending on your preferred method above, you might experience the following.
Pros
- Quick
- Convenient
- Anonymous
Cons
- Typically not the most cost-effective option
- You will generally be limited in the amount you can buy
- Your platform options will be more limited
What are the fees relative to other payment methods?
Your fees will vary depending on your exact cash payment method. You’ll also find different standard commissions and fees depending on your method.
- Peer-to-peer cash in hand. Zero fees other than what’s included in the transaction cost.
- Bitcoin ATM. The fees and costs will vary between ATMs, but you can probably expect them to be relatively high compared to the most affordable options.
- Money transfer service. The fees will depend on which service you use, and whether there are also currency exchange fees involved. Try comparing the varying fees for Western Union and Moneygram.
Storing cryptocoins
Before buying you’ll need to set up a place to put your cryptocurrency, which means getting a cryptocurrency wallet.
You don’t need to have it on your computer either. By paying for bitcoin with cash and using a hardware wallet, you can buy bitcoin almost entirely offline.