How to Buy Bitcoin & Crypto with Mercury

If you use Mercury for managing your money, you can also use it to access crypto on CEX.IO. The process relies on your Mercury-issued debit card, which works like any standard card for online payments.

In this guide, we show how to buy Bitcoin with Mercury step by step, explain how card payments work on our platform, and outline fees, limits, and available alternatives based on your region.

What is Mercury?

Mercury is a U.S.-based financial technology platform designed primarily for startups and online businesses. It provides digital accounts, debit cards, and tools for managing payments, team access, and cash flow through a web and mobile interface. 

However, users should keep in mind that Mercury is not a bank. It partners with FDIC-insured institutions, such as Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., to hold customer funds.

Users can create multiple accounts, issue virtual or physical debit cards, and send or receive payments through ACH or wire transfers. The platform focuses on automation, integrations, and streamlined account management rather than traditional in-branch banking services.

How does the Mercury work?

Mercury works as a digital platform where you can open and manage business accounts online. To get started, you need to apply through their website, provide company details, and complete identity verification. Approval depends on factors such as your business activity, location, and compliance checks.

Once approved, you can create checking and savings accounts, issue virtual or physical debit cards, and manage payments from a single dashboard. You can send and receive ACH transfers, wires, and card payments, as well as track balances and control team access. Mercury is mainly used for managing business transactions, expenses, and day-to-day operations through a fully online interface.

How to Buy Bitcoin with Mercury?

You can buy Bitcoin with Mercury on CEX.IO in two ways, depending on whether you use it for business or personal use.

If you run a business, you can connect your Mercury account with CEX.IO Prime, our institutional ecosystem built for companies and professional participants. Prime gives you access to deep liquidity, tight spreads, and a price-matching engine that routes orders across multiple venues to find the best available price. 

You also get secure custody with insurance, API access for automation, and a dedicated account manager. This setup suits businesses that handle larger volumes and need more control over execution and operations.

If you use Mercury as an individual, you can open a personal account and buy Bitcoin with your Mercury-issued debit card on CEX.IO. Enter your card details during checkout and confirm the transaction. Once approved, your Bitcoin appears in your CEX.IO Wallet. 

We outline detailed steps below. 

How to Buy Bitcoin at CEX.IO: a Step-by-Step Guide

You can use your Mercury-issued debit card to buy Bitcoin on CEX.IO just like any other card. The process runs through Instant Buy, which lets you complete a purchase quickly without using trading interfaces.

Step 1 – Register and Verify

Start by creating your CEX.IO account. Enter your email address, set a strong password, and confirm your registration. After that, complete identity verification to unlock card payments and wallet access.

Provide your personal details, upload a valid government-issued ID, and follow the on-screen instructions. In some cases, you may need to complete additional checks. Verification helps protect your account and ensures full access to CEX.IO services.

Step 2 – Navigate to Instant Buy

Log in to your account and go to the Buy Cryptocurrency section. From there:

1. Choose your preferred fiat currency (e.g., USD or EUR)
2. Enter the amount you want to spend
3. Select BTC or another supported asset
4. Review the quoted price and fees

Click Buy Crypto Instantly to proceed to the payment stage.

Step 3 – Add Your Current Card and confirm the Payment

Once you reach the Add Funds page:

1. Go to Select Payment Method
2. Choose credit/debit card
3. Enter your Mercury card details (card number, expiry date, CVV)
4. Review the transaction summary

Confirm the payment and complete any authentication steps required by your card issuer.

Step 4 – Receive Bitcoin in your CEX.IO Wallet

After you authorize the transaction, your Bitcoin appears in your CEX.IO Wallet, usually within minutes. We provide this crypto wallet for free so that you can manage your holdings in one place.

You can use it to buy, convert, store, or sell crypto, depending on your needs.

What payment methods can I use besides Mercury?

While you can use your Mercury card to buy crypto on CEX.IO, you may prefer other payment methods depending on your location, limits, or how you want to complete the transaction. Below are some alternatives that offer different speeds, fees, and levels of convenience.

Buy BTC with Google Pay and Apple Pay

You can buy crypto with Google Pay or Apple Pay by linking your debit or credit card to your wallet. These methods simplify checkout since you don’t need to enter card details manually.

You can use them on desktop or mobile. If you start on the desktop, follow the same steps as for cards, and choose Buy Crypto with Apple Pay/Google Pay under the Select Payment Method tab. Once you complete the link, scan the QR code and confirm the payment on your phone. This method suits users who want a faster and more streamlined way to complete purchases.

Buy Bitcoin with PayPal (for U.S.-based residents only)

U.S.-based users can buy crypto with PayPal directly on CEX.IO. Unlike Mercury, PayPal integrates with our platform, so you can complete transactions without entering card details.

You can choose your amount, confirm the payment, and receive crypto in your wallet within minutes. This method often appeals to users who already keep funds in their PayPal balance.

Fund Your CEX.IO Account with ACH

If you prefer lower fees, you can buy crypto with a bank account via ACH. This method does not support direct crypto purchases. Instead, you first fund your CEX.IO account with USD and then use that balance to acquire crypto.

Once your funds arrive, you can buy Bitcoin or other supported assets in two ways. You can use Spot Trading to trade USD against available crypto pairs, or choose CEX.IO Convert for a more straightforward experience that lets you exchange fiat for crypto near-instantly at current market rates.

ACH supports higher limits and predictable fees, but processing takes longer than card payments. It suits users who plan larger transactions or want to reduce costs.

Buy BTC with Cash

You can buy crypto with cash through supported services like MoneyGram. This method allows you to deposit funds at participating locations without using a card or bank account.

After completing the deposit, funds appear in your CEX.IO Wallet, where you can convert them into Bitcoin or other supported assets. This route may appeal to users who prefer not to share financial details online.

Mercury transfer fees and limits

For most users, card payments offer the fastest route. Visa cards allow deposits starting from $20 with no maximum, and withdrawals can reach up to $50,000 per day. Mastercard follows the same minimum deposit, but withdrawals are capped at $2,500 per day. In both cases, fees typically range from 0.49% to 4.99% plus a service charge, depending on the transaction details.

If you prefer mobile wallets, Google Pay and Apple Pay provide a similar experience, but with lower limits, usually between $20 and $1,000 per transaction. Fees remain in the same 0.49% to 4.99% range, since these wallets rely on your linked card.

For U.S.-based users, PayPal offers a more integrated route. You can deposit between $20 and $1,000 and withdraw up to $10,000, with fees of 3.99% + $5.

If speed is less important, ACH transfers give you a lower-cost alternative. You can deposit and withdraw from $20 with no upper limit, while paying a flat $5 fee per transaction. This method requires you to fund your account first before buying crypto.

Before you proceed, check your Mercury account for any spending limits or restrictions, as they can affect whether your transaction goes through.