How to Buy Bitcoin in India?

Whether you’re looking to buy Bitcoin in India or other popular cryptocurrencies like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Official Trump (TRUMP), CEX.IO offers plenty of pathways to make your crypto experience secure and convenient. 

Once you register and verify your identity successfully, our platform provides you with a free Bitcoin wallet, which allows you to buy, sell, store, trade, and convert crypto seamlessly through our web-based exchange or Crypto Mobile App for iOS and Android devices. Moreover, receiving a free wallet gives you access to all CEX.IO services and features available in India, including CEX.IO Crypto Staking, Savings, and Spot Trading. 

Beginners can take advantage of Instant Buy, our user-friendly feature that allows eligible participants from India to buy Bitcoin and other crypto assets at the current market rate with credit/debit cards or other payment methods supported in their country. 

In the sections below, we’ll walk you through the most straightforward way to get your hands on crypto in India. Whether you're completely new to digital assets or just looking for a simple path to ownership, we’ll guide you step by step—from understanding what cryptocurrency is, to making your very first purchase using methods tailored to your needs.

What is a Cryptocurrency?

Before diving into the steps of buying cryptocurrency in India, let’s quickly cover the basics, just to make sure we’re all on the same page. If you’re already familiar with how crypto works, feel free to skip ahead to our step-by-step guide on how to buy Bitcoin in India with CEX.IO.

At its core, cryptocurrency is digital money that “lives” on the internet. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments and banks, crypto is decentralized, meaning no single authority controls it. Instead, it runs on blockchain technology, a transparent and secure digital ledger that records every transaction. Bitcoin was the first and remains the most well-known, but there are now thousands of cryptocurrencies, each with its own features and communities.

With crypto, you can buy, sell, trade, and even receive rewards – all without needing to go through an intermediary. It's fast, borderless, and becoming more mainstream by the day.

What is a Cryptocurrency Exchange?

An Indian crypto exchange is an online platform that allows you to buy, sell, trade, convert, and store digital assets, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Shiba Inu. Think of it as a digital marketplace, similar to a stock exchange, but instead of trading company shares, you’re trading crypto.

Some exchanges, like CEX.IO, are centralized, meaning they’re regulated, user-friendly, and designed to guide you through each step—perfect for beginners. They make it easy for users to buy crypto instantly, trade on the market, receive rewards on held assets, and even grow their holdings through savings-like programs—all under one roof. Others are decentralized and more technical, often suited for advanced users.

In short, a crypto exchange is your gateway to the world of digital currencies, and choosing the right one can make all the difference in your journey.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Buy and Sell Cryptocurrency on CEX.IO

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get down to business and walk through how you can actually buy and sell crypto on CEX.IO. But before you do, you need to register and verify your identity. Here’s how: 

How to Register with CEX.IO? 

Creating an account with CEX.IO takes under one minute to complete. Simply follow these steps: 

1. Visit our official webpage. 
2. Click Register.
3. Click Create an Account or sign up with Google. 
4. Select your country of residence from the dropdown menu. 
5. Enter your email address. 
6. Create a robust password. 
7. Accept the CEX.IO terms and conditions. 
8. Click Create Account. 

Identity Verification

Verifying your identity is a key step in ensuring a secure and trusted environment on CEX.IO. It also helps us stay compliant with global Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations. 

The entire process takes less than six minutes and involves the following steps:

• Select your country of residence and enter your ZIP code.
• Provide your mobile phone number for verification.
• Complete a quick facial recognition scan.
• Upload a valid government-issued ID (passport, national ID, or driver’s license).
• Enter a few details related to your document to finalize the verification.
   

Once verified, you'll unlock full access to CEX.IO’s features and services.

Buy Bitcoin & Crypto in India on CEX.IO

There are a couple of convenient ways to buy Bitcoin in India, along with other vetted digital assets, depending on what suits your style best:

• Instant Buy – Ideal for beginners, this functionality allows users from India to buy crypto at the current market rate using a credit or debit card, or other available payment methods.
  
   
• Wallet – You can fund your CEX.IO wallet with fiat currency and then use those funds to purchase crypto directly.
  
   
• Spot Trading – For those who want more control, our user-friendly trading interface allows you to buy and sell crypto and fiat currencies with precision using various order types.
   

Let’s walk you through each method step by step.

Buy Crypto with Instant Buy

Once you are successfully registered and verified, you can access Instant Buy from your dashboard or under the Products menu, located in the top navigation bar. Here’s how to buy crypto through Instant Buy: 

1. Specify the fiat currency you want to use for your crypto purchase. We currently support USD, GBP, and EUR. 
2. Enter the amount of fiat you’re ready to spend. 
3. Choose your preferred cryptocurrency. You can scroll the dropdown menu or use the search bar to find the specific asset, e.g., type BTC if you want to buy Bitcoin instantly. 
4. Click Buy Crypto Instantly. This will take you to our Add Funds page. 
5. Review all details. 
6. Click Select Payment Method.
7. Choose credit/debit card or any other funding pathways you find convenient. 
8. Enter your payment details. 
9. Complete your crypto purchase by following the on-screen instructions. 

Buy Crypto through Wallet

While purchasing crypto through the CEX.IO wallet requires a bit of a workaround, it also unlocks a few additional payment methods. For example, if you want to buy crypto with a bank account, you’ll need to go through the wallet, since this funding method is not available on Instant Buy. Here’s a quick guide on how to buy crypto in India through our wallet functionality: 

1. Log in to your account. 
2. Go to Wallet from the dashboard or under the Products menu. 
3. Find the Cryptocurrency tab, which is located under the Balance section. 
4. Choose the asses you want to buy from the list, or use the search bar to find the desired cryptocurency. 
5. Click Add Funds next to it. 
6. Click Select Payment Method. 
7. Fill in your financial information and complete the purchase. 

Trade Crypto on CEX.IO

Trading is another way to acquire crypto in India on CEX.IO. This method is available through Spot Trading. Before you utilize Spot Trading, you need to fund your account first. You can top up your account through Instant Buy or Wallet, or use the Add Funds functionality within Spot Trading—whichever method works best for you. 

Here’s how to add balance to your account through Spot Trading: 

1. Log in to your account and visit Spot Trading. 
2. Click Add Funds in the top right corner. 
3. Choose the asset you want to obtain. 
4. Select your preferred payment method. 
5. Complete the transaction by following the on-screen guidance. 

Next, here’s how to trade the acquired asset: 

1. Select the trading pair within the Spot Trading dashboard, such as BTC-USD.  
2. Choose whether you want to buy or sell. 
3. Specify your market order. You can choose from Market, Limit, and Stop-Limit orders. 
4. Determine the amount you want to trade. 
5. Define the maximum slippage. 
6. Execute your trade.

How to Buy Bitcoin & Crypto Using the CEX.IO App?

Thanks to our innovative and user-friendly app, buying crypto in India has never been easier. All you need to do is download our Crypto Mobile App from your App Store or Google Play Store and get Bitcoin or other 200+ vetted assets in just a few taps. 

Here’s how to buy Bitcoin and other crypto through the CEX.IO App: 

1. Go to your mobile store and download the CEX.IO App. 
2. Install the app by following the in-app instructions. 
3. Log in using established credentials. 
4. Tap Buy. 
5. Choose BTC or any other asset you want to obtain. 
6. Specify the amount. 
7. Tap Buy Crypto with Apple Pay/ Google Pay. 
8. *If you don’t have an Apple/Google Pay account or you don’t want to use this funding method, simply tap Change Payment Method and choose the one that suits you the best. 

How do I Sell Crypto on CEX.IO?

Participants can choose between multiple pathways to sell Bitcoin in India or any other asset from their portfolio. Here are the two most straightforward ways to sell your crypto assets: 

1. Exchange Bitcoin in India through Spot Trading

One way to sell your crypto holdings is to trade them on our Spot Trading platform. Designed with beginners in mind, Spot Trading offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes the entire process smooth, even if you’re a first-time user.

All you need to do is follow the simple steps outlined above, choose your preferred trading pair (like BTC/EUR or SHIB/USDT), and enter the amount you wish to sell. The platform guides you through each step, so selling your assets feels natural and hassle-free.

2. Convert Your Assets

Another way to sell crypto in India through CEX.IO is to convert your holdings to another crypto or fiat currency. This feature is ideal for those who want to bypass the trading technicalities and sell their assets at current market rates. You can convert crypto to crypto, crypto to fiat, and fiat to fiat with ease using our straightforward convert feature. 

 To convert your holdings, you need to: 

1. Navigate to Wallet. 
2. Select the asset you want to convert. 
3. Click Convert next to it. 
4. Choose the asset you wish to receive. 
5. Confirm your conversion. 

How do I Withdraw from CEX.IO? 

Enthusiasts from India can transfer their holdings from their CEX.IO wallet to an external wallet address with ease. To do that, you need to: 

1. Go to your wallet. 
2. Find the asset you want to transfer. 
3. Click Withdraw. 
4. Choose Select the Destination. 
5. Click Cryptocurrency Address. 
6. Specify the network address. 
7. Enter the recipient's crypto wallet address. 
8. Confirm the transfer. 

Those who wish to collect their balance can withdraw their fiat holdings to supported cashout methods. That said, if you want to withdraw crypto, you’ll need to convert those funds to fiat and then withdraw from your balance. Here’s how: 

1. Convert your digital assets to any supported fiat currency as instructed above. 
2. Go to Wallet and select the fiat currency with a balance. 
3. Click Withdraw next to it. 
4. Click Select the Destination. 
5. Choose from the supported withdrawal methods. 
6. Enter your financial details. 
7. Confirm the withdrawal as instructed on the page. 

What Should I Know about India’s Crypto Regulations?

As of now, cryptocurrencies are not banned in India. However, they are also not recognized as legal tender, due to a lack of consistent policy within the Indian crypto regulations. This means that while crypto trading is permitted, it is subject to scrutiny and may be subject to future changes.

Historically, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) banned banks and financial institutions from facilitating crypto-related transactions in 2018. This move has impacted the industry, forcing several Indian crypto platforms to shut down or relocate. However, in 2020, the Supreme Court of India overturned the RBI’s ban, allowing crypto exchanges to resume operations.

Despite this legal win for the crypto sector, regulatory ambiguity persists. The Indian government has, at various times, proposed bills that could impose strict regulations or even a ban on private cryptocurrencies. One such draft, the Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, suggested banning private crypto ownership while allowing for a state-issued digital currency.

Tax authorities have also issued notices to crypto traders regarding undeclared income and steep taxes, such as a 30% tax on profits and a 1% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source), which has made crypto trading less attractive to some enthusiasts.

More recently, in response to global shifts in crypto policy, India is reevaluating its stance. The government is reviewing its discussion paper on crypto regulation, and there are signs of a potential multi-regulator framework involving the RBI, SEBI, and other authorities. 

Meanwhile, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has taken steps to enforce compliance by fining unregistered foreign exchanges operating in India.

To sum it up:

• Crypto trading is legal, but it is not regulated.
• Crypto is not backed by legal tender.
• Enthusiasts are advised to look for licensed and regulated exchanges. 
• The RBI remains cautious, citing risks to financial stability.
• Taxation and compliance requirements are strict.
• Future regulation may involve multiple government bodies.
• The RBI may develop a centralized digital currency (CBDC).

Why Should I Choose the CEX.IO Crypto Exchange Platform?

Choosing the best BTC exchange in India is imperative, as it can make or break your trading experience, and CEX.IO stands out for all the right reasons. First and foremost, we offer a user-friendly interface suitable for beginners and pros alike, making buying, selling, and converting crypto smoother. Whether you’re looking to dip your toes into the crypto waters or manage a diverse digital asset portfolio, our exchange scales with your needs.

Security is another feather in CEX.IO’s cap. With a robust compliance framework, regulatory licenses in multiple jurisdictions, and advanced security features such as two-factor authentication and anti-phishing protection, you can trade with confidence.

From instant crypto conversions and staking to margin trading and advanced API access for developers, we offer Indian enthusiasts a one-stop shop for all things crypto. Plus, our responsive customer support and educational resources mean you’re never left in the dark.

If you're after a reliable, secure, and all-encompassing crypto exchange, CEX.IO checks all the right boxes.