This is a beginner’s guide to buying Bitcoin. It walks through the process step by step using Coinmotion, a regulated Finnish crypto exchange that offers a clear and beginner-friendly way to get started.
Table of Contents
How to Buy Bitcoin: A Quick Guide
Here’s a simple overview of the process:
- 📝 Registration: Create a Coinmotion account
- 📱 Mobile app: Many users manage their accounts through the mobile app
- 🪪 Identification: Complete the identity verification (KYC) process
- 💳 Deposit: Add funds via bank transfer or card payment
- 💵 Purchase: Choose how much Bitcoin you want to buy
- 🔐 Storage: Keep your Bitcoin in Coinmotion or transfer it to your own wallet
Buying Bitcoin doesn’t require advanced technical skills. If you’re comfortable using online banking, you can learn how the process works. Coinmotion can be used both in a web browser and on mobile devices.
Hundreds of millions of people around the world invest in Bitcoin. Many users start with a locally regulated service such as Coinmotion, which offers a Finnish-language interface. More details about the platform are available in our Coinmotion review.
Investing always involves risks, so it’s important to understand them before making decisions. Bitcoin is still a relatively new asset class, which makes learning the basics especially important. You can find more background information in the What is Bitcoin guide.
How to Buy Bitcoin: A Detailed Guide
Next, you’ll find a more detailed overview of how buying Bitcoin works in practice.
Where to Buy Bitcoin
Before buying Bitcoin, you need to choose a suitable trading platform. These services are often referred to as Bitcoin or cryptocurrency exchanges. Most exchanges today offer dozens or even hundreds of cryptocurrencies in addition to Bitcoin.
When deciding where to buy Bitcoin, think about these questions:
- 🌍 Is English a problem for you?
- 🪙 Do you plan to buy other cryptocurrencies too?
- 🧩 Are you interested in extra features or services?
Many Finnish users prefer Finnish-language services. In that case, a local platform such as Coinmotion can be a natural starting point. Language becomes especially important if you need customer support or encounter account issues. When using international exchanges, you may need to explain trading or transaction-related topics in English.
The selection offered by Finnish platforms has grown a lot in recent years. Coinmotion, for example, now lists hundreds of cryptocurrencies alongside Bitcoin. That said, new assets often appear first on global exchanges, so it’s worth checking the available selection before opening an account if you plan to buy smaller or newer coins.
Large international exchanges also offer additional features that local platforms may not have. For example, Crypto.com has a debit card product, Bybit offers a wide range of staking options, and Binance runs a Launchpad platform for new projects.
If your main goal is simply to buy Bitcoin without using advanced features, local platforms are often a straightforward option.
Register Your Account and Verify Your Identity
Opening an account on a crypto (Bitcoin) exchange is usually straightforward. Registration typically starts by entering your email address or phone number into a sign-up form. Some services may direct new users to register via the mobile app.
After entering your basic details, you’ll go through a KYC (Know Your Customer) process. During this step, exchanges may ask how often you plan to deposit funds, what size transactions you expect, and where your funds come from. Identity verification has become standard across crypto exchanges due to global anti-money-laundering regulations.
The final step is identity verification. Finnish services often allow quick verification using online banking credentials. On many international exchanges, identity is verified by uploading a photo of a valid passport or ID. You may also be asked to provide a utility bill, bank statement, or similar document to confirm your address.
A mobile app is often needed after registration. Most crypto exchanges offer apps for both Android and iOS, and identity verification is frequently completed using the phone’s camera within the app.
Depositing Euros
Before buying Bitcoin, you need to deposit euros into your exchange account. Moving euros is usually straightforward, as most European exchanges support SEPA bank transfers. In the best case, a SEPA transfer arrives within a few hours, although it can sometimes take until the next banking day.
Finnish services such as Coinmotion often support instant bank transfers. With instant payments, funds can appear in your account immediately, which can be useful if you want to make a transfer during evenings or weekends.
Another option is to deposit funds using a debit or credit card. Card deposits are typically more expensive, with fees often ranging around 1–3% (and sometimes higher). For this reason, bank transfers are often the lower-cost option.
How to Buy Bitcoin
Once you’ve deposited euros into your exchange account, you can buy Bitcoin in any amount you want. You don’t need to purchase a full bitcoin! Crypto exchanges allow very small purchases, often starting from around €10–€20 (depending on the exchange). This makes it possible to get started with relatively small amounts.
All platforms provide a purchase form that operates similarly. Below is an example from the Coinmotion mobile app.
In the example above, a €100 Bitcoin purchase is being prepared. The purchase form shows the current price and the fees charged by the service. You can usually switch between euros and bitcoin units — for example, buying €100 worth of Bitcoin or a specific amount such as 0.001 BTC.
Bitcoin typically appears in your account immediately after the purchase. By default, trades are executed at the current market price. More experienced users may also use limit orders, which automatically trigger a purchase when the Bitcoin price reaches a specified level.
Bonus: Follow the News and Market Developments
Following Bitcoin-related news and market movements is an important part of investing after making your first purchase. Bitcoin is a relatively small asset class, as evidenced by strong price volatility, rapid technological development, and ongoing regulatory changes.
In general, regulations affecting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies vary by country and continue to evolve. It’s important to stay informed about local laws, tax rules, and official guidance in your own jurisdiction. Following local news and regulatory updates can help you understand how changes may affect your investments.
We publish regular news updates and market overviews for readers who don’t have time to follow the industry daily. The most important Bitcoin-related developments are summarized in market reports released approximately every one to two weeks.
How to Buy Bitcoin: Summary
Buying Bitcoin has become technically straightforward through regulated exchanges. If you are familiar with online banking, you can also learn how to buy Bitcoin. It’s still worth remembering that making a purchase is only the first step.
Compared with many traditional investments—such as stocks, real estate, or fixed-income products—Bitcoin can be a more challenging asset. It has delivered strong returns during certain periods, but this comes with high volatility and significant risk.
Bitcoin is also a relatively new asset class. The available historical data remain limited compared to traditional markets, making long-term price development harder to evaluate.
After buying Bitcoin, investors should be prepared for several things:
- 📉 Tolerance for volatility: Price movements can be much stronger than in traditional markets.
- 🧠 Understanding new technology: Using and managing Bitcoin requires learning new applications and concepts.
- 🧾 Record-keeping: Transactions need to be tracked for tax reporting.
- ⚠️ Online awareness: Social media platforms are filled with various Bitcoin scams.
At the same time, many ideas familiar from traditional investing still apply. Market cycles, risk management, learning from reliable information sources, and maintaining emotional discipline are all relevant skills.
Bitcoin also has unique characteristics. It represents a new type of technology and asset, which makes understanding the risks and fundamentals especially important before making investment decisions.
If you want to explore the topic further, you can continue with the article How to Invest in Bitcoin.
FAQ: How to buy Bitcoin?
Below, you’ll find some frequently asked questions about buying Bitcoin.
How do beginners buy Bitcoin?
Beginners should buy Bitcoin from a beginner-friendly Bitcoin exchange. In our opinion, the best option is Coinbase. It is safe, regulated, and easy to use for beginners. Read more from our Coinbase review.
Can I invest $100 in Bitcoin?
Yes, you can. You don’t have to buy a whole bitcoin. The minimum purchase amount is typically around $10.
How much does it cost to buy 1 Bitcoin?
You can see the current price of Bitcoin from this page: Bitcoin real-time price. There is also a fee charged for each purchase. The purchase fees usually range from 0.1 % to 2 %.
How do I convert Bitcoin to cash?
You convert Bitcoin to cash the same way you convert cash to Bitcoin. Every Bitcoin exchange has a buy and sell option. You can sell your bitcoins to cash at any time.
How many times can I buy Bitcoin a day?
You can buy Bitcoin as many times a day as you want; there are no limits. The market is also open 24/7.
Should I buy Bitcoin or Ethereum?
This depends on the current market trends and your goal as an investor. Bitcoin and Ethereum have different value propositions and risks. It might also be a good idea to buy both, there is no need to choose one or the other.