How to Purchase on Coinbase: A Detailed Guide
How to Purchase on Coinbase: A Detailed Guide
Are you looking to buy cryptocurrencies on Coinbase? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Coinbase is one of the most popular and trusted platforms for purchasing digital currencies. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process, from setting up your account to making your first purchase. Let’s get started.
Creating a Coinbase Account
Before you can start purchasing cryptocurrencies, you need to create a Coinbase account. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the Coinbase website and click on “Sign Up” or “Create Account”.
- Enter your email address and choose a password. Make sure to use a strong password that includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Check your email for a confirmation message from Coinbase. Click on the link in the email to verify your email address.
- Return to the Coinbase website and enter the verification code sent to your email.
- Fill out the required personal information, including your full name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number (or equivalent ID for non-US users).
- Verify your phone number by entering the code sent to your phone via SMS.
- Complete the identity verification process by uploading a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.
Once your account is verified, you can proceed to the next step.
Linking a Bank Account or Credit/Debit Card
Before you can purchase cryptocurrencies, you need to link a funding source to your Coinbase account. Here’s how to do it:
- Click on the “Accounts” tab in the top menu.
- Under the “Funding” section, click on “Add Account” next to “Bank Account” or “Credit/Debit Card” (depending on your preference).
- Follow the instructions to link your bank account or credit/debit card. You may need to enter your account number, routing number, and card details.
- For bank accounts, Coinbase will make two small deposits to your account. Once you receive these deposits, log in to your bank account and note the amounts. Return to Coinbase and enter these amounts to verify your bank account.
- For credit/debit cards, you may need to enter additional information, such as the card’s CVV code and billing address.
Once your funding source is linked, you can proceed to the next step.
Buying Cryptocurrencies
Now that your account is set up and your funding source is linked, you can start purchasing cryptocurrencies. Here’s how to do it:
- Click on the “Buy/Sell” tab in the top menu.
- Select the cryptocurrency you want to buy (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.).
- Choose your preferred payment method (e.g., bank account, credit/debit card, etc.).
- Enter the amount of cryptocurrency you want to buy or the amount of money you want to spend.
- Review the transaction details and click “Buy” to complete the purchase.
Once your purchase is complete, the purchased cryptocurrency will be added to your Coinbase account. You can then choose to store it in your Coinbase wallet or transfer it to an external wallet for added security.
Understanding Fees and Limits
It’s important to understand the fees and limits associated with purchasing cryptocurrencies on Coinbase:
Transaction Type | Fee |
---|---|
Bank Account Transfer | Free |
Credit/Debit Card Purchase | 3.99% of the transaction amount |
Wire Transfer | $10 |
Additionally, Coinbase has limits on the amount of cryptocurrency you can purchase. These limits vary depending on your account type and verification level. You can view your current limits by clicking on the “Accounts” tab and selecting “Limits” from the dropdown menu.