How to buy Bitcoin with PayPal

Step-by-step instructions on how to buy crypto in the UK using PayPal.

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Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated in the UK. No consumer protection. Capital gains tax on profits may apply.

Crypto with PayPal allows you to buy, hold and sell four cryptocurrencies in the UK: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash. You can manage your transactions through PayPal’s app or website and get started with as little as £1.

However, if you don’t want to buy cryptocurrency directly through PayPal, there are also exchanges that support PayPal as a deposit method. You can use our comparison table to explore your options.

Crypto is unregulated in the UK; there's no consumer protection; value can rise or fall; tax on profits may apply*.

Can I buy crypto with PayPal UK?

PayPal is one of the most popular online payment services. It provides users with a fast and easy way to send money, accept payments and make payments. So it’s no surprise that as crypto investing continues to grow, users wish to use PayPal to buy and sell crypto.

Crypto with PayPal allows eligible UK users with verified identities to buy, sell and hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash. These cryptocurrencies are available to purchase via the ‘Cryptocurrency tab’. You can get started from as little as £1.

Buying crypto via PayPal’s website

If you already have a PayPal account, then log into your account and click on the Crypto tab.

PayPal Crypto

Here you will see live charts following the price of the four supported cryptocurrencies.

To buy your cryptocurrency of choice, click on the relevant one and select how much you would to purchase. The transaction will be completed using funds from your PayPal account. You can top this up either using a bank account or a debit card of your choice.

On the website, you will also find introductory and educational content for those who are unsure or are new to investing in crypto.

Compare exchanges that allow PayPal deposits

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Name Product Deposit methods Fiat Currencies Cryptocurrencies Offer Disclaimer
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eToro UK Cryptoasset Investing
Bank transfer, Credit card, Debit card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, eToro Money
EUR, GBP, NZD, USD, AUD, CAD, HKD, SGD, CHF, NOK

50
cryptocurrencies

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Coinbase Digital Currency Exchange
Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, PayPal
USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, MXN, HRK, CZK, DKK, CLP, BGN

252
cryptocurrencies

Get £5 free with your first trade. T&Cs apply.
Paxful P2P Cryptocurrency Marketplace
Cash, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, PayPal, Western Union
DZD, XCD, ARS, AMD, AWG, AUD, AZN, BSD, BHD, BDT & 140+ more

4
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Buying crypto via the PayPal app

If you are using the PayPal app, simply click on the crypto tab along the bottom.

PayPal app screenshot

Here you can explore the live prices of the four cryptocurrencies on offer, plus access educational content on getting started with crypto.

To buy Bitcoin with the PayPal app, select the cryptocurrency and enter the amount you would like to spend. Keep in mind that transaction fees will apply. You can also sell your cryptocurrency through the app, and the money will be directly added to your PayPal balance.

Fees for buying Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on PayPal

It’s worth keeping in mind that there are fees attached to purchasing cryptocurrency via PayPal. The transaction fee structure is as follows:

Purchase amountFees
1.00 – 24.99 GBP0.50 GBP
25.00 – 100.00 GBP2.3%
100.01 – 200.00 GBP2%
200.01 – 1000.00 GBP1.8%
1000.01+ GBP1.5%

The exchange rate you see before buying or selling crypto will also include an exchange rate margin. But there are no fees for holding crypto in your PayPal account.

Which crypto platforms accept PayPal?

If you are looking to invest in crypto and want to use your PayPal account to fund your transaction – but don’t want to use Crypto with PayPal – there are a few different options:

  • Peer-to-peer marketplaces. The first option is to buy crypto through a peer-to-peer marketplace, such as LocalBitcoins or Paxful. These exchanges allow buyers and sellers to trade directly with one another, giving the seller the freedom to set their own exchange rate and accepted payment methods. Some sellers accept PayPal, and you can filter your search of available deals on the marketplace by payment method to help find a suitable seller.
  • Cryptocurrency exchange platforms: While most major crypto exchanges do not accept PayPal for transactions, there are a few exceptions. The most prominent example is eToro, a platform that allows you to deposit funds using a virtual wallet such as PayPal.
  • Peer-to-peer lending platforms. xCoins is a peer-to-peer lending platform for Bitcoin lenders and borrowers. It accepts PayPal as a payment method for people wanting to access a “secured loan” of Bitcoin.

How to use crypto platforms to buy Bitcoin with Paypal

Let’s take a closer look at how to buy Bitcoin with PayPal on some popular platforms.

Must read: PayPal fees on crypto platforms

If you’re considering buying crypto on a platform using PayPal, make sure you’re aware of all fees involved:

  • Many trading platforms impose high fees on PayPal transactions. These could be as much as 10% of your transaction amount.
  • If you’re buying through a platform that doesn’t accept GBP, currency conversion fees may also apply. If you’re converting to US or Canadian dollars, PayPal’s fee is 3.5% above the exchange rate. For all other currencies, the fee is 4% above the exchange rate.

Frequently asked questions

*Cryptocurrencies aren't regulated in the UK and there's no protection from the Financial Ombudsman or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Your capital is at risk. Capital gains tax on profits may apply.

Cryptocurrencies are speculative and investing in them involves significant risks - they're highly volatile, vulnerable to hacking and sensitive to secondary activity. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This content shouldn't be interpreted as a recommendation to invest. Before you invest, you should get advice and decide whether the potential return outweighs the risks. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.

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