Buy Bitcoin
$300
~ 0 BTC
$500
~ 0 BTC
$1,000
~ 0 BTC
How to Buy Bitcoin & Crypto with Citizens Bank
Interested to learn how to buy Bitcoin with Citizens Bank? You can easily use your Citizens Bank debit or credit card on CEX.IO to purchase digital assets instantly, without waiting for ACH transfers and wire payments to clear.
As one of the most established and regulated exchanges in the U.S., CEX.IO provides a secure way for Citizens customers to access crypto with transparent fees, fast processing, and full compliance.
In the following guide, you’ll learn how to set up your account, link your card, and complete your first crypto purchase in just a few minutes.
What is Citizens Bank?
Citizens Bank, part of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., is among the largest and longest-established banks in the United States. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, it holds over $220 billion in assets and operates nearly 1,000 branches and 3,100 ATMs across 14 states and the District of Columbia.
The bank provides a wide range of retail and commercial banking services, including personal and business accounts, lending, and financial management. Customers can make everyday payments with a Citizens Bank Debit Card or transfer funds through ACH transfers and wire payments for domestic or international purposes.
However, CEX.IO does not process ACH transfers or wire payments for U.S.-based participants. Instead, Citizens Bank customers can use their credit or debit cards through our platform to buy crypto instantly. This method provides faster processing, transparent fees, and immediate access to purchased digital assets.
How to buy crypto with Citizens Bank on CEX.IO?
If you want to buy crypto with Citizens Bank, CEX.IO makes the process simple, fast, and fully secure.
By linking your Citizens Bank debit or credit card to your verified account, you can purchase Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies instantly through our Instant Buy feature, without waiting for bank transfers to clear. Here’s how to get started step by step.
1. Create CEX.IO Account
To buy Bitcoin with Citizens Bank, you’ll first need a verified CEX.IO account. Registration only takes a few minutes.
- Visit CEX.IO.com or download the CEX.IO App.
- Select Create your Account and enter your email address, password, and country of residence.
- Confirm your email using the verification link sent to your inbox.
- Complete identity verification by uploading a government-issued ID and a quick selfie.
Once verified, you’ll unlock instant access to crypto purchases, trading tools, and wallet services under the same secure account.
2. Access Instant Buy
Once your account is verified, log in to begin your first purchase. Head to Buy Cryptocurrency from the main menu and navigate to the Buy Cryptocurrency section.
Here’s how to buy Bitcoin with Citizens Bank instantly on CEX.IO:
- Select USD as your fiat currency.
- Enter the amount you’d like to spend.
- Choose Bitcoin (or another asset from the list) or type it in the search bar.
- Click Buy Crypto Instantly to move to the Add Funds page.
The system will display current prices and applicable fees, so you can confirm every detail before finalizing the payment.
3. Add a Payment Method
On the Add Funds page, you can double-check your purchase amount or adjust it by typing in a new value or selecting one of the preset denominations.
Next, open the Select Payment Method tab and choose Credit/Debit Card. Enter your Citizens Bank credit card information:
- Card number
- Expiration date
- CVV security code
Click Add Card to save your details for faster future purchases or withdrawals. Once everything looks correct, review the order summary and confirm your purchase securely.
4. Receive BTC in Your Wallet
Once the payment is processed, your Bitcoin will appear in your CEX.IO Wallet almost instantly.
To check your new balance, open the Wallet section and find BTC listed under Cryptocurrencies.
From there, you can decide whether to hold it long term, trade it for another coin, or convert it to a different asset, all within the same secure interface.
What are Citizens Fees?
When using Citizens Bank cards to buy crypto on CEX.IO, costs are based on your payment method and transaction limits. For Visa and Mastercard, deposits start at $20, while withdrawals begin at $20 and go up to $50,000 for Visa or $2,500 for Mastercard.
Typical Citizens Bank fees for card transactions range from 0.49% to 4.99%, plus a small service charge, depending on your card type and amount. These are applied by CEX.IO for deposit and withdrawal processing.
However, Citizens Bank may apply an additional 1% to 3% international transaction fee if payments are made from abroad, so it’s best to confirm with your bank before purchasing.
Using Visa or Mastercard on CEX.IO provides a simple, compliant way to explore the Citizens Bank crypto market while maintaining clear visibility of all associated fees.
Why Use CEX.IO with Citizens Bank?
When looking to buy crypto with Citizens Bank, CEX.IO stands out as one of the most trusted and established exchanges in the United States. With over a decade of experience in the digital asset industry, we’re a regulated, licensed platform fully compliant with U.S. financial standards.
CEX.IO was among the first exchanges to support credit and debit card purchases, making it simple for Citizens Bank customers to buy crypto instantly without waiting for slow transfers. Beyond buying and selling, our ecosystem continues to expand with innovative services designed to meet every user’s needs.
With CEX.IO Pay, users can send and receive crypto instantly and at no cost. Our Spot Trading platform offers an intuitive, beginner-friendly interface for those ready to explore live markets. Meanwhile, CEX.IO Earn allows eligible participants to potentially receive crypto rewards through flexible Staking and Savings programs.
By combining security, transparency, and ease of use, our exchange provides Citizens Bank customers with a complete, regulated environment to buy, trade, and grow their crypto holdings confidently.
FAQ
Is Citizens crypto-friendly?
Yes. Citizens Bank is widely regarded as one of the most crypto-friendly banks in the United States. It supports customers who want to buy Bitcoins and other digital assets through regulated exchanges. The bank has also partnered with financial technology firm FIS (Worldpay) to process Card-to-Crypto® transactions.
This partnership enables customers of major crypto exchanges, wallets, and brokers (who are Worldpay clients) to seamlessly use their Citizens Visa or Mastercard debit and credit cards to purchase cryptocurrency and other digital assets. This makes Citizens Bank a reliable choice for users who want secure and compliant access to crypto.
Is buying crypto with Citizens Bank safe?
Yes. It’s safe to buy crypto with Citizens Bank when using regulated exchanges like CEX.IO. The bank uses trusted payment networks (Visa and Mastercard) with encryption and fraud protection, while CEX.IO follows strict KYC and AML standards to ensure secure, compliant transactions for every customer.
Where can I buy crypto with Citizens Bank?
You can complete a crypto purchase with Citizens Bank on any exchange that supports credit and debit card payments. However, users should always exercise caution and choose reputable, licensed, and regulated exchanges such as CEX.IO. Platforms like CEX.IO offer transparent fees, bank-grade encryption, and full regulatory compliance, ensuring every transaction is processed safely and your funds remain protected.
Can I use my Citizens debit or credit card on CEX.IO?
Yes. You can use your Citizens Bank debit or credit card on CEX.IO through our Instant Buy feature. This allows you to purchase Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies directly in just a few minutes, with secure processing, transparent fees, and instant delivery to your CEX.IO Wallet.
How long does a bank transfer from Citizens take?
The time required for a bank transfer from Citizens Bank depends on the transfer type and method. Internal transfers between Citizens accounts are often immediate or processed the same business day, while Zelle® payments typically complete within minutes. Domestic wire transfers usually settle the same day or by the next business day if sent before the daily cutoff, and ACH transfers take around one to three business days. International wire transfers can take 2 to 5 business days or longer, depending on the recipient’s country and the intermediary banks.
At CEX.IO, we only support credit and debit card purchases for U.S.-based customers, providing a faster, more convenient experience. Card transactions are processed instantly, so your crypto appears in your CEX.IO Wallet within minutes with no waiting for ACH or wire confirmations.
Can I buy crypto directly from my bank account?
No, you can’t buy crypto with Citizens Bank online directly from your bank account on CEX.IO. Our platform supports only credit and debit card payments for U.S.-based users, which makes the process much faster and more convenient. When you use your Citizens Bank card, your purchase is processed instantly, and the crypto is credited to your wallet within minutes.
Other exchanges may accept traditional bank transfers, but these often take several business days to clear. With CEX.IO, card payments offer a secure and seamless way to access the crypto market without waiting for ACH or wire confirmations.
What should I do if my payment is declined?
If your card payment is declined, first check that you have enough funds in your Citizens Bank account to cover both the crypto purchase and any related fees. Make sure your card details, including number, expiration date, and CVV, are entered correctly, and confirm that your card is authorized for international or online transactions.
Retry the transaction and carefully follow any approval prompts or verification requests from your bank, such as one-time passwords or 3D Secure codes. Sometimes, banks temporarily block unfamiliar transactions for security reasons, so approving the charge may resolve the issue.
If your payment still doesn’t go through, review CEX.IO’s Payment Card Verification Guide for troubleshooting steps, or reach out to our dedicated support team at support@cex.io. We’ll help identify the problem and guide you through completing your crypto purchase successfully.
Can I withdraw funds back to my Citizens account?
Yes, you can transfer your fiat funds from CEX.IO back to your Citizens Bank account. While Citizens Bank doesn’t allow direct crypto deposits to debit or credit cards, you can easily turn your digital assets into cash before withdrawing. Simply sell crypto for USD using CEX.IO Convert (best for beginners) or trade Bitcoin & other crypto on Spot Trading. Once the sale is complete, withdraw the funds to your linked Citizens debit or credit card. The withdrawal is processed securely and usually reaches your bank within standard card settlement timeframes, providing a simple, compliant way to return funds to your Citizens account.