Cryptocurrency investors have a variety of payment options to fund their purchases or cash out their holdings. Here are some of the most widely supported and adopted payment systems for buying and selling major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Credit and Debit Cards
Credit and debit card purchases are one of the most beginner-friendly payment methods to enter the crypto space. Nearly all mainstream exchanges and services enable crypto buying with Visa, Mastercard, American Express and other major card issuers.
Cards provide instant purchasing power and seamless integration. However, convenience comes at a cost with higher fees around 4% on average. Daily/monthly purchase limits may also apply. Cards remain a top fiat onramp for casual and entry-level investors.
Bank Transfers
Linking your bank account provides an efficient way to move funds to and from crypto exchanges. Bank transfers are facilitated through ACH, wire transfers, and SEPA transfers for European accounts.
Fiat purchases are completed by debiting your linked bank account and crediting your exchange balance. Sell orders deposit cash back to your account. Bank transfers have low fees but take 1-5 days for transfers to process.
eWallets
Intermediary eWallet services like Skrill, Neteller and PayPal also facilitate crypto purchasing on many major exchanges. These provide another fiat gateway and integration layer for payments.
However, explicit crypto support is still limited on PayPal. eWallet transfers are generally fast with moderate fees. Users must first load funds into the eWallet from other sources like a bank account before transacting.
P2P Trading
Peer-to-peer crypto marketplaces allow buyers and sellers to trade directly with each other using various payment methods. This opens up crypto buying/selling to many localized payment options preferred in specific countries.
P2P platforms provide escrow services to protect both parties. Common payment methods include bank deposit, cash, gift cards, online wallets or even crossing currencies. P2P provides convenience but carries higher fraud risks.
Crypto Debit Cards
Hybrid crypto debit cards linked to a cryptocurrency account or wallet provide a way to indirectly spend crypto balances for purchases or ATM cash withdrawals. The crypto is converted to fiat seamlessly on the back-end when transacting.
Most crypto cards convert to stablecoins first to isolate users from volatility. Fees are usually 2-3% but regular debit card acceptance enables real world spending of crypto holdings.
Cryptocurrency ATMs
Bitcoin ATMs and kiosks allow convenient crypto purchasing with cash and sending to any wallet. Growing networks of crypto ATMs in major cities provide 24/7 access and immediate delivery upon depositing cash.
However, ATM transaction fees tend to be higher, averaging 7-10%. Daily limits also apply, so ATMs work best for small, privacy-centric purchases.
Conclusion
From traditional credit card payments to innovative P2P trading, consumers enjoy expanding options to transfer value in and out of cryptocurrencies. Each comes with unique costs, benefits, and availability depending on user preferences. But overall, buying and selling crypto grows ever more accessible worldwide.