Buy Ethereum (ETH) Online with Credit & Debit Card 

When it comes to acquiring Ethereum (ETH), CEX.IO has plenty to offer. Once registered, you receive a free CEX.IO Wallet, which allows you to seamlessly buy and sell Ethereum, as well as other supported assets on our platform. In this guide, we explore how to buy ETH with a credit or debit card on CEX.IO. 

How to Buy ETH on CEX.IO: Step-by-step Guide?

There are a couple of ways to secure your ETH tokens. You can top-up your account with fiat through our Wallet functionality and convert those funds to ETH. Also, you can trade fiat for ETH through Spot Trading and potentially take advantage of its price swings. 

However, if you’re new to crypto and know little to nothing about trading, Instant Buy is your safe route. Using this feature, you can obtain ETH with a credit or debit card, as well as other supported methods in your region, at the current market price conveniently and swiftly. 

Below, we present you with a step-by-step guide on how to obtain ETH at CEX.IO through Instant Buy:

1. Register and Receive a Free CEX.IO Crypto Wallet

To become eligible to buy ETH, you need to create an account first. This is a standard procedure employed by all licensed and regulated exchanges, including CEX.IO, and helps users comply with AML/KYC regulations. 

To begin, you need to visit our official website or download and install the CEX.IO Crypto App from your iOS or Android mobile store. Once in, choose Register and fill in the required fields, such as: 

• Your country of residence
• Email
• Account Password

Accept the terms and conditions and click/tap Create an Account. 

2. Verify Your Account

You’ll receive a verification link in your email from CEX.IO. Once you verify your email address, you’ll be prompted to verify your identity. Here, you need to: 

1. Specify the country you’re currently residing in. 
2. Type in your ZIP code. 
3. Enter your state, city, and street address. 
4. Complete a short questionnaire (if prompted). 
5. Provide your phone number. 
6. Finish the facial recognition verification. 
7. Scan a valid document (ID, passport, or driver’s license).

3. Navigate to Instant Buy

Once you complete all verification steps, you become eligible to access all CEX.IO’s features and services, including Instant Buy. This functionality allows you to buy ETH, as well as other vetted assets you might be interested in, instantly using your preferred payment method. 

You can access Instant Buy from your dashboard or find this feature under the Products tab, located in the navigation bar. 

4. Buy ETH with a Credit or Debit Card

To buy ETH with your bank card, you need to: 

1. Choose ETH as your preferred cryptocurrency. 

   

2. Specify the fiat currency you want to use for your purchase. 
3. Enter the amount of fiat. 

4. Select a credit/debit card as your preferred funding method. 

   

5. Complete the transaction by following the on-page instructions.

In total, the process will only take a few minutes before ETH is transferred immediately to your CEX.IO account. You may elect to use this service to purchase any cryptocurrencies available in your jurisdiction. In the same way, you can buy Bitcoin (BTC), Solana (SOL), or Binance Coin (BNB). If you still need a little help navigating the registration and verification processes on our platform, follow along below for a handy guide.

How to Buy ETH with the CEX.IO App?

As mentioned above, curious participants can download and install our mobile application from Google or App stores. Once registered and verified, customers become eligible to buy ETH and other cryptocurrencies. Here’s how: 

1. Log in using your established credentials. 
2. Tap Buy. 
3. Select ETH as the preferred crypto. 
4. Enter the fiat amount you want to spend for your purchase. 
5. Complete the transaction using the default payment method, or tap Change Payment Method to select a more convenient payment gateway. 
6. Finish the transaction by following the in-app guidance.

Where do I store the Ethereum (ETH) I purchased?

CEX.IO provides registered and verified users with a free Ethereum crypto wallet. This means you can seamlessly buy, sell, trade, and store ETH on our custodial wallet. ETH holders can also transfer their funds to an external, physical wallet. However, you should keep in mind that such a solution may incur extra costs typically associated with cold storage and can add complexity to fund management. 

Using CEX.IO’s custodial wallet, users can manage their funds seamlessly at no cost and access their holdings whenever and wherever, as long as they have a stable internet connection. In addition, our platform is responsible for keeping your private keys safe, providing you with peace of mind when it comes to the security of your ETH funds. Ultimately, the decision rests on individuals and their preferred way of storing funds and risk appetites. 

Available Payment Methods

You can buy ETH at CEX.IO using various payment methods. Besides credit and debit cards, eligible users also use other gateways to secure their ETH tokens, including: 

• Bank Transfers (Swift, SEPA, and Faster Payments)
• PayPal (for U.S. customers only)
• Skrill
• Neteller
• Google Pay
• Apple Pay
• Epay
• MoneyGram

We also support alternative payment methods like Venmo, Revolut, Discover, and Payoneer. While transfers via prepaid cards are available, we generally don’t recommend this method due to reported difficulties with transfer confirmations. 

Disclaimer: CEX.IO supports a range of payment methods. However, their availability may differ between jurisdictions, making certain funding gateways unavailable for users in certain regions. We recommend customers verify the availability of their preferred payment gateway before purchasing ETH at CEX.IO. 

FAQs

What is Ethereum?

Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that allows developers to build applications without intermediaries. Launched by Vitalik Buterin in 2013, it aims to provide a secure and transparent way to create and execute smart contracts — self-executing agreements.

ETH, also referred to as Ether, is the native cryptocurrency of Ethereum. It’s used to pay for transactions, execute smart contracts, and secure the network. Beyond transactions, ETH also plays a role in staking, where users help secure the network in exchange for rewards. 

While CEX.IO also offers a Staking program, ETH is currently not supported. However, eligible users can earn crypto rewards through Savings by allocating their ETH holdings.

What are smart contracts, and how do they work?

Smart contracts are self-executing programs on the blockchain that automatically execute agreements when predefined conditions are met. They eliminate the need for intermediaries, potentially ensuring trust and transaction efficiency.

This led to the development of decentralized applications, or dApps, and additional blockchains built on top of Ethereum’s core infrastructure. In fact, the network’s popular ERC-20 token is the base programming for such cryptos as Cardano (ADA), Polkadot (DOT), and Tether (USDT). 

However, smart contracts can have other real-world utilities beyond crypto, contributing to various industries, including hospitality, finance, clinical trials, retail, digital identity, and supply chain management. 

To put it in a more proper perspective, imagine a coffee supplier shipping beans to a retailer. A smart contract can be programmed to release payment automatically when sensors confirm the shipment has arrived at the destination. If the delivery is late or damaged, the contract could trigger a refund or penalty.

By using blockchain, all parties — farmers, transporters, and retailers — can track shipments in real time, reducing fraud, paperwork, and delays. This creates a more reliable and efficient supply chain system.

Where to buy ETH?

Interested parties can obtain ETH through all major centralized (CEXs) and decentralized exchanges (DEXs), both of which have advantages and disadvantages. We encourage enthusiasts to conduct their due diligence and carefully choose an exchange aligned with their preferences, experience in the crypto field, and financial appetites. 

Why should I buy ETH on CEX.IO?

As a centralized exchange, CEX.IO acts as an intermediary for buying, selling, and storing crypto, including ETH. While our decentralized counterparts may offer more privacy (due to the lack of KYC policies required by licensed and regulated exchanges) and potentially lower fees (no intermediaries), CEX.IO provides customers with higher liquidity, a user-friendly interface, and customer support. Whether you choose one or another should depend on your risk appetite and crypto experience. 

Is it safe to buy crypto with a card?

Yes, buying crypto on reputable and licensed exchanges, such as CEX.IO, is considered safe. Like all other major exchanges, our platform employs robust protection, ensuring user card details are stored securely and within regulatory requirements. In simple terms, unless someone peeks over your shoulder while you complete a transaction, no one will ever know your card details. Interested parties can check our licenses and regulations here. 

Can I use a prepaid card on CEX.IO?

Yes, eligible customers can use a prepaid card to make a purchase on CEX.IO. However, bear in mind that some users have reported difficulties confirming their transactions. Also, prepaid cards may come with higher fees, lower translation limits, and no chargeback protection. Therefore, we always recommend that customers use their bank cards or alternative methods mentioned above whenever possible. 

Where can I check the Ethereum price?

Our cryptocurrency price page is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more about ETH’s current market value. In addition, our page offers an insight into Ethereum’s 24-hour price change, as well as its current market capitalization. Those interested in learning about ETH’s historical price fluctuations can visit Spot Trading.  

Can I purchase other cryptocurrencies with ETH?

Yes, eligible enthusiasts can use their ETH holdings to obtain other cryptocurrencies. You can trade ETH for other assets through Spot Trading or use our Convert feature to exchange ETH for preferred cryptocurrencies. For more information about available services and their associated fees, please visit our Limits and Commissions page for a complete list of amenities.

Can I withdraw fiat currency via CEX.IO?

Yes, CEX.IO allows eligible users to withdraw fiat currencies through our Convert feature. To do that, you need to: 

1. Log in to your account. 
2. Navigate to Wallet. 
3. Select the cryptocurrency you want to convert. 
4. Specify the fiat currency to which you wish to convert your crypto. 
5. Return to the Wallet dashboard and select the fiat currency you wish to withdraw. 
6. Click Withdraw. 
7. Enter the amount. 
8. Choose the withdrawal method. 
9. Complete the transaction by following the on-page instructions. 

Can I buy Ethereum with PayPal?

Yes, eligible customers can buy ETH with PayPal accounts. However, this service is only available to US-based customers. Here’s how to buy Ethereum with PayPal through the CEX.IO app: 

1. Log in to your app. 
2. Tap Wallet. 
3. Tap Buy. 
4. Choose ETH as the asset you want to acquire. 
5. Specify the amount of fiat you wish to spend. 
6. Tap Buy with PayPal or Select Payment Method to choose PayPal as your preferred payment method. 
7. Complete the transaction by following the in-app guidelines.