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$300
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How To Buy Bitcoin (BTC) With Prepaid Card on CEX.IO
A prepaid card is a payment card you load with fiat funds in advance. You use it at any merchant that accepts Visa or Mastercard — including CEX.IO. CEX.IO takes prepaid Visa and Mastercard at Instant Buy checkout, so you can buy Bitcoin in minutes without linking a bank account or a credit card.
CEX.IO is a regulated crypto exchange. The US entity is registered with FinCEN (MSB number 31000061475486) and licensed as a money transmitter in 36 US states and Washington, D.C. (NMLS ID 1804170). USD is the default currency for US customers. Over 15 million registered users globally use CEX.IO for Bitcoin purchases.
How to buy Bitcoin (BTC) with a prepaid card
To start buying and selling cryptocurrencies on CEX.IO, you need to register an account first. For this, use your active email address. You’ll need to confirm it with a special code or link sent during the registration. After you create an account, we’ll notify you about your transactions and important actions on your profile (like confirming the password change) via email.
How to register an account in 3 simple steps?
- Open the official CEX.IO website or download the mobile app. Then click Register.
- Then provide your email, create a password
- Give us some information about yourself: your first and last name and country of residence.
Here is a detailed guide on how to create an account using the CEX.IO mobile app.
Why does CEX.IO need your personal information?
CEX.IO is a global crypto exchange licensed in numerous jurisdictions. We serve over 15 million customers in 193 countries. Some governments require us to obtain special licenses for crypto platforms to be able to provide services for their citizens. Due to these requirements, we need to identify our customers and provide maximum possible security for their funds and data.
What’s more, CEX.IO follows international anti-money laundering rules. According to the AML directives, every crypto exchange, a platform that provides storage services for cryptocurrencies or services that allow purchasing crypto for fiat funds, needs to follow the same rules as traditional finance institutions. This includes KYC processes and regular transaction monitoring.
By registering an account with CEX.IO you can be sure that the company you use isn’t involved in any kind of illegal activity and the crypto assets you buy here were never used for terrorism funding or corrupt practices.
How to start using your card for crypto purchases on CEX.IO?
Once registered, you'll need to verify your identity in the CEX.IO App. Then you can link a payment card to make instant fiat deposits and withdrawals and buy crypto with it. We don’t ask for any photos with your card. Later, when you make a card deposit, you’ll need to confirm it with the CVV code and 3DS code from your card issuer.
To make fiat deposits and buy cryptocurrency with credit & debit card instantly, link a payment card to your account. Open the Wallet page or CEX.IO App, navigate to Account manager/Payment methods, and provide your card details.
How to buy crypto instantly with a prepaid card?
First of all, decide what crypto you want to buy. It can be either a popular coin like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), or any other of 200+ crypto supported on CEX.IO.
When you are on the Instant Buy page, you can choose the currency in the Buy dropdown list. You can see four boxes with the most popular amounts of virtual currencies bought by our customers, and a section where you can enter your own amount. The fiat equivalent you should pay is calculated due to the current market rate of the coin or token. You can check and compare cryptocurrency prices in real-time before making a purchase.
Once you’re ready with the amount, click the Buy button. On the next page, you’ll see all the details of your transaction, like the amount, price, how many fiats you’ll pay, and what is the deposit commission. You can choose your prepaid debit card or credit card as a payment method or use the available funds on your CEX.IO balance.
When you confirm the purchase, BTC (or other currency you’ve chosen) will appear on your CEX.IO account.
What card type to choose for buying Bitcoin and other crypto?
When you’re going to buy Bitcoin with a debit card, prepaid, or credit card, make sure your bank is crypto-friendly and will allow this kind of transaction. Some banks avoid or even ban all operations connected with digital assets due to a perceived threat to the traditional banking system.
Here are some tips on working with different card types on CEX.IO.
Buying Bitcoin (BTC) with a Visa card on CEX.IO
Visa is open for cryptocurrencies and recognizes them as innovative technology and an integral part of the financial system. The company allows different transactions connected with the use of virtual currencies. Buying Bitcoin with a prepaid Visa card should not be a problem for you.
Using Mastercard for crypto purchases
Seeing that buying Bitcoins with prepaid Mastercard cards has become mainstream in the modern digital world, Mastercard also joined the band of crypto enthusiasts. In 2021, they announced the support of selected digital currencies within their network. That means you can use Mastercard debit, credit, and prepaid cards on CEX.IO to deposit funds and purchase crypto.
What to know before buying crypto with prepaid cards?
A prepaid debit card is not connected to your bank account. The card is loaded with some funds you can spend for online shopping or for contactless payments in a physical store.
You can also use a prepaid card to deposit USD, EUR, GBP to your CEX.IO account. Then you can buy Ethereum (ETH), Bitcoin (BTC), and other crypto with these funds. However, if you want to sell Bitcoin (BTC) and withdraw money to your card, you need to use another card. Because prepaid cards can not be funded either via online services and payment terminals.
Gift cards: pros and cons
With a gift card, you can make payments in different retail stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc. They are usually issued by a company where you can spend money from this card. It’s convenient if you don’t have cash with you or don’t want to use your credit card. Also, you can use this card as a present for your friends and relatives.
However, they are limited to places where you can pay. Mostly, it’s a single brand of stores or restaurants. And a sum loaded into the gift card should be all spent with one payment.
Currently, CEX.IO doesn’t support gift cards for deposits and withdrawals, as they’re not connected to the banking system.
Which prepaid cards work on CEX.IO
Every prepaid card type you see at the cash register is a Visa or a Mastercard. CEX.IO takes both networks. The table below shows which specific prepaid card products work at checkout.
| Card type | Accepted | Notes |
| Visa debit (standard bank) | Yes | Best fit. No restrictions in 36 US states + DC. |
| Visa credit | Yes | Yes, but the issuer may flag the charge as a cash advance. |
| Visa prepaid (reloadable) | Yes | Preferred prepaid card. Works the same as a debit card at checkout. |
| Mastercard debit (standard bank) | Yes | Best fit. No restrictions. |
| Mastercard credit | Yes | Same issuer cash-advance caveat as Visa credit. |
| Mastercard prepaid (reloadable) | Yes | Full support, same flow as Visa prepaid. |
| Cash App card | Yes | Cash App card is a Visa debit. Works. |
| Netspend prepaid | Yes | The Netspend card must be a Visa or Mastercard branded prepaid card |
| Green Dot prepaid | Yes | The Green Dot card must be a Visa or Mastercard branded prepaid card |
| Virtual Visa / Mastercard (e.g. Privacy.com) | Yes | Virtual prepaid cards work if the issuer allows crypto MCC (6051). |
| American Express (credit or prepaid) | No | AMEX is not broadly accepted. Use Visa or Mastercard. |
| Discover (credit or prepaid) | No | Discover is not broadly accepted. Use Visa or Mastercard. |
Fees, limits, and timing
Card purchases carry a processing fee on top of the Bitcoin price. The numbers below are the current publishable rates — check /limits-commissions for the live figures before you buy.
| Item | Rate / limit | Note |
| Deposit (card → USD) | Free to 2.99% | Depends on card network and issuer. |
| Instant Buy fee (USD → BTC) | ~2.99% | Applied to the order total, transparent at confirm. |
| 3-D Secure surcharge | 0 | CEX.IO does not add a 3-D Secure surcharge. |
| Min single purchase | $20 | For most US accounts. |
| Max single purchase (basic verification) | $1,000 | Raised with full verification. |
| Max daily purchase (full verification) | $10,000 | Raised again for corporate accounts. |
| Credit time after 3-D Secure | Seconds | BTC lands in Wallet the moment the issuer authorises. |
Prepaid card vs other payment methods on CEX.IO
A prepaid card is quick, simple, and works even without a bank account. Larger orders often pay lower all-in fees on a bank transfer. The table below compares every funding method CEX.IO supports for US customers.
| Method | Fee | Speed | Currency | Min / Max |
| Prepaid card (Visa / Mastercard) | 2.99% | Seconds | USD / EUR / GBP | $20 / $10,000 |
| Debit card (Visa / Mastercard) | 2.99% | Seconds | USD / EUR / GBP | $20 / $10,000 |
| Credit card (Visa / Mastercard) | 2.99% + issuer cash-advance fee | Seconds | USD / EUR / GBP | $20 / $10,000 |
| Apple Pay | 2.99% | Seconds | USD / EUR / GBP | $20 / $10,000 |
| Google Pay | 2.99% | Seconds | USD / EUR / GBP | $20 / $10,000 |
| ACH transfer (Plaid) | Free | 1 to 3 business days | USD | $20 / bank cap |
| Domestic Wire (Fedwire) | $25 deposit fee | Same-day | USD | $1,000 / $100k+ |
| PayPal | 2.5% | Seconds | USD | $20 / $10,000 |
| MoneyGram cash deposit | Agent fee + 1.5% | 10 min to 2 hours | USD | $20 / $3,000 |
| SEPA | Free | Same business day | EUR | €20 / bank cap |
Why CEX.IO for buying Bitcoin with a prepaid card
CEX.IO has been running since 2013. The platform carries the regulatory registrations, the trading-book depth, and the product surface that prepaid-card buyers need. Four reasons to use CEX.IO for a prepaid-card Bitcoin purchase:
Licensed and regulated
CEX.IO Corp, the US operating entity, is registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as a Money Services Business (registration 31000061475486). CEX.IO Corp holds state-level money transmitter licences in 36 US states and the District of Columbia (NMLS ID 1804170). CEX.IO Corp reports to state banking regulators every quarter. The full state-by-state licence list lives on /legal-security/us.
Scale and track record
CEX.IO launched in 2013. Over 15 million registered users globally hold accounts across more than 190 countries. The platform has processed cumulative trading volume in the tens of billions of US dollars. The exchange has never lost customer Bitcoin to a security incident.
Security
Every card purchase passes through 3-D Secure. The card issuer confirms the transaction with an SMS code, a banking-app prompt, or biometric approval. CEX.IO holds the majority of customer Bitcoin in cold storage. CEX.IO Corp completed a SOC 2 Type II audit and runs continuous anti-fraud scoring on every deposit and withdrawal.
Product depth
CEX.IO supports four ways to trade Bitcoin after the deposit lands — Instant Buy for single-click purchases, Convert for zero-fee swaps at a slightly wider spread, Spot Trading for limit orders, and Earn for yield on idle BTC. Withdraw your BTC on-chain to any personal wallet whenever you choose.
Other places where you can buy BTC with a prepaid card
There are some other ways to get Bitcoin and crypto with your prepaid card. For instance, you can use a P2P platform, where buyers and sellers meet each other and exchange their money without third parties. If you find a Bitcoin owner accepting prepaid cards, you can contact them, agree with the price and purchase BTC.
One more option is using Bitcoin ATMs. They work like payment terminals, but instead of cash, you’ll get the BTC address with some coins on it. Still, you’ll need to access the wallet with your digital funds via a separate online service. By the way, not all Bitcoin ATMs accept debit and credit cards.
Why CEX.IO is the best place to purchase and store Bitcoin (BTC)?
The CEX.IO crypto exchange is a simple and convenient platform for buying, selling, trading, and earning cryptocurrencies. The company follows the world standards of providing financial services which allow CEX.IO to operate in 99% of countries.
The user-friendly interface allows customers to quickly find the option they need. All services come with a transparent and competitive fee schedule.
The robust relationships with banks and payment providers make it possible to enable multiple payment options for our customers. Everyone can find the method that suits their preferences and is available in their country of residence.
The range of presented services allows you to get the most out of the crypto economy. Buying cryptocurrencies is possible via the Instant Buy service and trading orders. The crypto you bought can be then used in our Earn product, which consists of a crypto staking program and a savings account.
FAQ
How to deposit fiat funds to the CEX.IO account?
You can use your payment card, bank transfer option, or e-wallet like Skrill, or Epay. Deposits and withdrawals via credit cards and debit cards are mostly instant. Bank transfers can take 1-3 business days. If you choose an electronic wallet, then your deposit will be on the CEX.IO balance on the same day. More you can find on the Limits and commissions page.
Is it safe to buy Bitcoin with a prepaid card?
When operating card payments, a company should provide all possible security measures to protect the card data. That’s why PCI DSS certification is a must for every crypto platform that accepts debit and credit cards. CEX.IO passes regular independent audits to prove the security of services and secure processing and storing of payment card credentials. So it’s totally secure to buy Bitcoin with a credit card on our platform.
Can I pay with cryptocurrency for Bitcoin (BTC)?
To perform this kind of transaction, you need to deposit cryptocurrency first. Then, depending on the kind of asset you have, you can use the Trade page and place orders with BTC-to-crypto pairs. Otherwise, you can the Convert service on the Wallet page. This is a simplified method as you don’t need to figure out the trading processes. Just select two currencies to convert, enter the amount, and confirm the transaction. This way you can exchange any digital currency listed on CEX.IO for Bitcoins.
How long can I store crypto on my CEX.IO account?
Once you create an account on CEX.IO, you’ll get the wallets for storing your digital funds. They are free for use and protected with our enhanced security measures, your password, and 2FA code. There is no limit on the sum of time for using your wallet.
How can I earn with Bitcoin?
There are multiple ways you can try to potentially grow your crypto portfolio. For instance, you can study fundamental and technical analysis, practice trading on a regular basis and build up your own trading strategy. Considering the potential for Bitcoin to hit new price records, you can also try the HODL strategy and wait for your crypto portfolio to rise in value. CEX.IO offers you one more way to earn BTC with minimum effort. You can open a savings account and transfer your Bitcoins there to receive rewardst.
Can I use a prepaid card to buy Bitcoin?
Yes. Visa and Mastercard prepaid cards — including reloadable cards and Vanilla Visa gift cards — work on CEX.IO at Instant Buy. Sign up, pass KYC, link the card in Wallet, pick BTC and the USD amount, confirm 3-D Secure. Bitcoin lands in your Wallet in seconds.
Where can I buy Bitcoin with a prepaid debit card?
CEX.IO takes prepaid Visa and Mastercard at Instant Buy — debit, credit, reloadable, virtual, and gift cards all work. CEX.IO is FinCEN-registered and licensed as a money transmitter in 36 US states and DC. Alternatives: BitPay, RockItCoin, and Paxful.
Is it safe to buy Bitcoin with a prepaid card on CEX.IO?
Yes, on a licensed venue. CEX.IO is FinCEN-registered and licensed as a money transmitter in 36 US states and DC (NMLS ID 1804170). Every card purchase passes 3-D Secure. Customer BTC sits in cold storage. The card number never leaves CEX.IO's PCI-DSS acquirer.
What fees apply to a prepaid card Bitcoin purchase?
CEX.IO charges a card processing fee of roughly 2.99 percent on the total purchase. There is no 3-D Secure surcharge. The minimum single purchase is $20. Larger orders pay lower all-in fees on ACH (free) or Domestic Wire ($25 flat). Live numbers live on limits and commissions page.