In the space of just over 12 years – Bitcoin has gone from a developer’s pipedream to a global marketplace that is now worth over $2.3 trillion. As such, you can now invest in thousands of different cryptocurrencies from the comfort of your home.
If you’re thinking about how to invest in cryptocurrency today – this guide will explain how to buy crypto in the UK in under five minutes.
How to Buy Cryptocurrency UK — Quick Guide
To get the ball rolling, the quickfire walkthrough below will show you the basics of how to buy crypto in the UK with a crypto broker.
- Step 1 – Sign Up – Create an account.
- Step 2 – Verification – Verify your Trading Account by uploading proof of identity and address.
- Step 3 – Deposit Funds – Choose a payment option and make a minimum deposit.
- Step 4 – Find your Preferred Cryptos – Hit the Discover tab and find the crypto you would like to buy.
- Step 5 – Buy Crypto in the UK – The next and final step requires you to click on the ‘invest’ button, enter the amount you’d like to buy and confirm the transaction.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
Should I Buy Cryptocurrency?
Many first-time cryptocurrency investors will jump straight into this industry without having a firm understanding of the basics. This is a high-risk approach to take – not least because even the best cryptocurrencies to invest in are both speculative and volatile.
As such, in the sections below, we explain some of the fundamental points you need to be aware of when learning how to buy crypto now in the UK.
In terms of the benefits, many investors in the UK look to buy cryptocurrencies for the following reasons:
Potential to Make Huge ROIs
As we’ve seen with the recent examples of 1INCH and Pepe coin, cryptos have the potential to yield huge profits in a relatively short amount of time.
Data from Coindesk.com revealed that Pepe coin gathered $800M in trading volumes making it the biggest meme token gainer jumping 70% in a week. That’s a better track record than popular and established meme cryptos like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu and Floki.
1INCH, on the other hand, has jumped by over 25% within the past month which is 33.67% above its ATL of $0.2535.
According to the blockchain intelligence company Arkham, an anonymous investor who bought Pepe coin early has turned an initial investment of $260 into around $8M.
It’s important to keep in mind that as quickly as cryptos can appreciate in value they can also collapse, as was seen with the collapse of FTX and the sudden sharp decline of Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) which has fallen by more than 20% in the last 24 hours.
What about crypto presales?
Many investors turn to cryptocurrencies as they promise higher returns on investment than traditional stocks and assets.
However, the market has struggled, enduring a bear market that has seen a huge number of coins operate in the red in the last 12 months.
One way that smart investors have managed to consistently return profits is to find the best crypto presales and invest early.
That is because they tend to offer a much lower entry point and higher potential for growth than more established projects.
Presales can be riskier than older projects, but the best presale projects take steps to increase investor confidence – such as having a developed and unique protocol, a clear idea of the next stages of planning and development, and a public-facing team rather than anonymous founders.
Through our research, we have found four projects that are worth a closer look.
Cryptocurrency Growth vs UK Stock Markets
The overarching objective of investing your hard-earned money is to make a profit. Plenty of options exist in this respect, albeit, many investors in the UK will turn to the traditional stock markets.
However, in comparison to cryptocurrencies, growth in the UK stock market has been virtually non-existent in recent years.
For instance, the FTSE 100 – which is the UK’s primary index that covers the largest 100 domestic companies, has grown by less than 3% over the prior five years. This is potentially less than what you would have made by keeping your money in a conventional savings account.
However, over the same period, Bitcoin has increased in value by more than 4,000%. Other cryptocurrencies have grown by an even more impressive rate – with the likes of Shiba Inu and Safemoon up in the millions of percentage points since they were launched.
Although cryptocurrencies are undoubtedly much riskier than the UK stock market or a savings account – there is no denying that this asset class offers huge upside potential.
Asset Diversity
When you invest in the stock markets – you have thousands of companies of all shapes and sizes to choose from. This ultimately allows you to create a diversified portfolio. This sentiment is also true in the cryptocurrency industry – with more than 16,000 digital tokens now available to buy, sell, and trade online.
This means that you can attempt to reduce your exposure by investing in a wide range of cryptocurrencies – as opposed to only buying one or two.
Decentralization
Not all cryptocurrencies are decentralized – but many are. For those unaware, this simply means that the cryptocurrency project is not and cannot be controlled by any single person or entity.
This also means that no central bank or government can influence the supply of a decentralized cryptocurrency. Bitcoin is a perfect example of a decentralized project – not least because its total supply will be capped to 21 million tokens by the year 2140. And much like gold – this finite supply of Bitcoin gives the cryptocurrency intrinsic value.
This is why many people invest in Bitcoin and other leading cryptocurrencies as a store of value.
Cryptocurrency is Still in its Infancy
Both cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology are still defined as emerging phenomena that are still in their infancy. As such, you still have the opportunity to invest in the cryptocurrency landscape early.
In theory, this gives you the best chance possible of entering the market at a favorable price. In many ways, this is no different from buying shares in Apple or Tesla when they were first starting out.
Can Cash Out
Often, inexperienced investors who are just learning how to buy cryptocurrency in the UK are hesitant because they are worried about being able to cash out in the future. After all, this is the primary goal of investing in digital assets—as, at some point, you will hope to withdraw your profits.
This sentiment is, however, a misconception. Cryptocurrencies can be sold for cash 24/7. And, as cryptocurrencies now operate in a trillion-dollar industry, you will never need to worry about finding a buyer.
Cryptoassets are highly volatile and past performance isn’t an indicator of future success. Invest at your own risk.
When to Buy Cryptocurrency
Experienced cryptocurrency investors often look to ‘time to market’ to maximize their returns. In simple terms, this follows the age-old thesis of buying a cryptocurrency during a market dip.
For example, during the pandemic in early 2020, Bitcoin went from highs of $10,000 to lows of $5,000 in the space of a couple of weeks.
Had you purchased Bitcoin at this level, and held on until April 2021, you could have cashed out at a market price of over $63,000. After hitting highs of $63,000, Bitcoin then hit lows of $31,000 in July 2021.
Again, had you invested at this level, you would have been able to sell at almost $69,000 in November 2021. However, unless you are a seasoned investor with a solid understanding of technical and fundamental analysis – timing the market in this manner is no easy feat.
With this in mind, the best strategy that you can take when learning how to buy cryptocurrency in the UK is to dollar-cost-average your investments.
Buy Cryptocurrency via a Dollar-Cost Average Strategy
Dollar-cost averaging isn’t unique to just cryptocurrencies – it’s a strategy that has been used in the traditional stock markets for many decades.
In its most basic form, the process involves buying cryptocurrency at set intervals, at fixed investment stakes. As a basic example, you might decide to invest $100 into cryptocurrencies at the end of every month.
On each purchase, you will invariably be buying digital assets at a different cost price. That is to say, when the markets are going well, you will be investing at a higher price and vice versa.
With time, this will allow you to forget about short-term market volatility – as you will be averaging your investments out across many different cycles. Ultimately, as long as cryptocurrencies continue to increase in value on a long-term basis – dollar-cost averaging is potentially the best strategy to take.
Where to Buy Cryptocurrency in the UK – Exchanges
With so many UK crypto exchanges out there, choosing the right one for your needs can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Some of the key metrics to consider before making a decision include, payment methods, fees, supported cryptocurrencies, and customer service.
If you need pointing in the right direction – below you will find a list of pre-vetted brokers and exchanges that allow you to buy cryptocurrency in the UK.
Note: Brokers allow you to buy cryptocurrency in the UK directly from the provider, while exchanges offer a platform for you to trade with other market participants.
1. Huobi – Popular Crypto Exchange with User-Friendly Interface and High-Level Security Mechanisms
Another cryptocurrency exchange to consider is Huobi – which is home to hundreds of tradable markets. This platform is arguably more suited to MasterCard holders – as Huobi does not support Visa.
You can, however, also deposit funds with digital currency. Either way, once your Huobi account is funded and ready to go – you can trade cryptocurrencies from just 0.20% per slide. For large-scale traders, this commission is reduced once you surpass certain 30-day volume thresholds.
At Huobi, you can also deposit your crypto assets into a savings account – which allows you to earn interest.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
2. Margex – Leading Platform Offering High Liquudity Crypto Crosses
Margex is another of our recommended cryptocurrency brokers, offering a wide selection of derivatives markets to trade on. Featuring an order book depth of $40 million and over 12 liquidity providers, Margex prides itself on executing trades faster than anyone else – averaging only eight milliseconds per order. In addition, Margex provides up to 100x leverage on the platform’s six trading pairs, significantly increasing the potential profits that investors can attain.
In terms of security, Margex ensures users’ holdings are as safe as possible by storing 100% of customer assets in multi-signature cold wallets. The platform also employs two-factor authentication and SLL encryption to greatly reduce the chance of cyberattacks occurring. Aside from the platform’s high security, Margex will also appeal to users who wish to trade anonymously, as there is no need to complete KYC checks when setting up a trading account.
Although Margex currently only offers six trading pairs, including BTC/USD, ETH/USD, and XRP/USD, the platform’s fees are very low. Margex employs a maker/taker model, which will cost 0.06% in maker fees and 0.019% in taker fees. Finally, the trading experience at Margex is incredibly user-friendly, with the web-based platform featuring real-time price charts from TradingView and in-depth order book information.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
3. Crypto.com – Trusted Platform to Buy Cryptocurrency on Mobile, Allowing Users to Earn Interest on Crypto Assets
If you’re looking to buy cryptocurrency on your smartphone, then Crypto.com is an appealing option. Crypto.com is one of the fastest-growing crypto exchanges globally, boasting over 10 million registered users. Much of the platform’s appeal is due to its user-friendly nature, as Crypto.com allows traders to invest on the browser-based platform or the mobile app.
The latter features a sleek design, complete with price charts, real-time data, and price alerts. Users can invest in cryptocurrencies from only 0.4% per position, which can be reduced by 10% if these trading fees are paid in CRO – Crypto.com’s native token. Alternatively, Crypto.com also allows users to buy cryptocurrencies using a credit or debit card. This removes the need to deposit and is completely free for the first 30 days of using the platform.
Crypto.com users can add to their trading balance easily via crypto or FIAT – with both options accruing no fees whatsoever. Notably, UK-based traders can fund their accounts in GBP instantly using Faster Payments. In terms of features, Crypto.com offers a free DeFi wallet app and a dedicated ‘University’ section, complete with educational materials for beginners.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
4. Binance – Largest Exchange to Trade Cryptocurrency in the UK, with High Liquidity and Offers Staking and Rewards
With more than 100 million using this popular cryptocurrency exchange, Binance is a market leader in this industry. The platform offers huge levels of liquidity too – not least because it facilitates trading volumes in the billions of dollars – each day.
Furthermore, UK residents can buy and sell cryptocurrency here at a commission of just 0.10%. Another benefit of using Binance is that you will have access to over 1,000 digital currency markets. However – there are also drawbacks with Binance.
At the forefront of this is the FCA’s ongoing investigation into the exchange – which has resulted in Binance being unable to directly accept UK debit/credit cards or bank transfers. Instead, you need to go through a third-party processor – which can result in fees of up to 10%.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
5. Mode – Buy Bitcoin in the UK via a Bank Transfer Supporting BitcoinCashback and InstantPayments
Mode is a UK-based broker that offers a safe and relatively simple way to invest in cryptocurrency. However, we should note that Mode only supports one digital asset – Bitcoin.
As such, this won’t be a good option if you are looking to diversify across several different coins. Nevertheless, if you do want to buy Bitcoin via Mode – the broker allows you to deposit funds fee-free via a bank transfer.
In most cases, the payment will arrive in your Mode account in less than a minute. In terms of fees, Mode claims that it charges 0.99% per Bitcoin trade. However, you also need to keep an eye on the spread – which Mode doesn’t advertise.
6. Coinbase – Popular Place for Beginners to Buy Cryptocurrency in the UK with Transparent Fees
Coinbase is a popular place for beginners to buy cryptocurrency in the UK. The Coinbase website is simple and free of complex jargon – and you can typically open an account in less than 15 minutes.
However, many UK users have reported that the verification process can be challenging – as Coinbase will often state that it cannot validate uploaded documents. Nevertheless, once your account is verified, you can proceed to buy cryptocurrency in the UK with your Visa or MasterCard.
The transaction will be processed instantly at a rather high fee of 3.99%. UK bank transfers are an alternative option – as this deposit method is fee-free. But, once the money arrives, you will still need to cover the 1.49% standard commission.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
What are the Best Cryptocurrencies to Buy?
Away from the top crypto presales, there are thousands of digital tokens to choose from and it can be difficult to know which crypto to buy today.
This can, of course, make it very difficult to know what cryptocurrency to buy for your portfolio. To fast-track the process for you, below we discuss five more cryptocurrency projects that you might want to consider in 2022.
Always do your own research, however, before parting with any money.
Bitcoin – Top Crypto to Invest In Now with Long-Established Support
If you’re a complete newbie in the world of digital currencies and want to keep things as simple as possible – it might be worth just sticking with Bitcoin.
In doing so, you will be investing in the original and still de-factor crypto asset of choice – with Bitcoin since surpassing a market capitalization of over a trillion dollars.
This digital asset is not only held by millions of people around the world – but even hedge funds and companies like Tesla. It’s also one of the most common cryptos to use when gambling with the best Bitcoin casinos in the UK.
Those that invested in Bitcoin when it was first launched would have paid less than $0.01 per token. Since then, the digital currency has grown to highs of nearly $69,000. This translates into growth of almost 700 million percent.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
Ethereum – Best Crypto to Buy for the Future
In addition to Bitcoin, Ethereum could also be one of the best crypto to buy now if you are a complete beginner in this industry. Ethereum was launched in 2015 – six years after Bitcoin.
Since then, this digital currency has grown in value by over 25,000% and it has solidified its status as the world’s second-largest crypto asset in terms of market capitalization.
Ethereum is, however, different from Bitcoin in terms of what the underlying blockchain can do.
For instance, while Bitcoin focuses on decentralized payments, Ethereum can facilitate smart contract technology and allow other projects to build on it – making it the top protocol for decentralized apps (dApps).
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
Binance Coin – Native Token of World’s Largest Crypto Exchange
Another digital asset to think about purchasing when learning how to buy cryptocurrency in the UK is Binance Coin. As the name implies, this is the native cryptocurrency of the previously reviewed exchange Binance.
Initially, Binance created its digital token as an incentive to its users to save money on trading commissions. Although this commission structure is still in place, Binance Coin has since opened to new markets.
In particular, users that buy and sell digital tokens on the Binance Smart Chain have to pay their transaction fees in Binance Coin.
As such, this increases the use case by a considerable amount – especially when you consider that the Binance Smart Chain hosts billions of dollars worth of trading activity on a day-to-day basis.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
Shiba Inu – Leading Meme Coin to Invest In
All digital tokens carry a significant amount of risk – not least because pricing trends are often based on hype and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
This sentiment is especially the case with Shiba Inu – which was one of the best-performing cryptocurrencies of 2021.
In fact, this digital currency went from a price of $0.0000000001 in January 2021 to $0.00008 by November of the same year. This means that in just 11 months of trading, Shiba Inu grew in value by almost 80 million percent.
The token retraced heavily during the 2022 bear market, but could breakout again later in 2024.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
XRP – Cross-Border Payments System with Institutional Support
XRP is the native digital currency of Ripple – a cross-border payments system launched in 2012. Since then, Ripple has partnered with over 200+ financial institutions which are now trialing or using the Ripple network to send funds overseas.
The overarching selling point of the Ripple framework is that cross-border and cross-currency transactions take just 4-5 seconds to process.
Moreover, fees amount to less than $0.01 per transfer – which is significantly cheaper than any other network in the market.
It has been locked in a two-year court battle with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), that many expect to be resolved in 2023 – a court win would see the price explode.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
Ways of Buying Cryptocurrency
This beginner’s guide has so far discussed where to buy cryptocurrency in the UK, alongside a discussion on the best digital tokens in the market right now.
Next, we can talk about the many different ways to buy cryptocurrency in the UK – based on your preferred choice of payment method.
Buy Cryptocurrency With Bank Transfer
Many brokers in the UK also allow you to buy cryptocurrency via a traditional bank transfer. If your chosen provider supports the Faster Payments network – the funds should arrive relatively quickly.
How to Buy Cryptocurrency Safely
Over the past decade, billions of dollars have been stolen from cryptocurrency exchanges. Moreover, during the same period, significant amounts of money have been extorted via scams and malware attacks, with Bitcoin seemingly the preferred currency of choice for cybercriminals.
You then have the threat of cryptocurrency wallets – which are vulnerable to hackers when sub-par security practices are undertaken. To ensure you understand the risks – below we explain how you can buy cryptocurrency in the UK safely.
Unregulated Brokers and Exchanges
As you now know – the best way to buy cryptocurrency in the UK is to use an online broker or exchange. However, although there are hundreds of platforms active in this industry – the vast majority operate without a regulatory license. And as such, you can never be 100% sure that your money is in safe hands.
Without a doubt, the most effective safeguard here is to only use an online broker that is authorized and regulated by the FCA.
Cryptocurrency Regulation UK
Although the first cryptocurrency – Bitcoin, was launched back in 2009, the UK is yet to enact any cryptocurrency-specific legislation.
With that said, online brokers and exchanges that are regulated by the FCA must still follow anti-money laundering regulations. This is why you are required to upload a copy of your passport or driver’s license when you sign up.
Furthermore, FCA-regulated platforms are also required to make the risks of investing clear and restrict access to cryptocurrency derivatives – such as CFDs or futures.
How we Ranked the Best Places to Buy Crypto in the UK
With so many brokers, DEXs and CEXs to contend with, finding the right place to buy crypto in the UK can be time consuming and difficult. As such we’ve compiled a list of insights and key metrics to show you how we ranked the best places to buy cryptocurrency in the UK today.
Regulatory Compliance and Security Measures:
UK Regulations: When choosing a platform to buy cryptocurrencies in the UK, it is important to verify that the platform conforms with the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) regulatory standards. The FCA oversees and supervises cryptocurrency exchanges, ensuring that anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements are followed.
Choosing a regulated platform adds an extra layer of security and consumer protection because it indicates the exchange is operating inside the legal framework.
Security Measures: Security is of paramount importance when dealing with cryptocurrencies. Look for platforms that prioritize robust security measures to safeguard your funds. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification, typically through a mobile app or SMS.
Cold storage refers to storing funds offline, away from internet-connected devices, reducing the risk of hacks or unauthorized access, on some of the best crypto cold wallets. Encryption protocols protect your personal information and transaction data. A platform that implements these security measures demonstrates a commitment to protecting your assets.
Fees and Deposit Methods:
Trading Fees: Charges and rates for trading cryptocurrencies vary between platforms. Some exchanges charge a flat fee per trade, while others charge a percentage of the transaction volume. It is key to examine trading costs offered by various platforms and consider how they match your trading volume and preferences.
If you intend to trade frequently or in large quantities, choosing a platform with reduced trading fees might have a substantial impact on your overall trading costs and profit margins.
Non-Trading Fees: Consider other potential platform fees in addition to trading fees. These may include deposit and withdrawal fees, account maintenance fees, and inactivity costs. Depositing and withdrawing funds may involve fees, thus it is important to review the price structure for these activities.
Some platforms may charge you a fee if your account is dormant for an extended period of time. Understanding and comparing these non-trade fees is critical for avoiding unexpected costs and optimizing your trading experience.
Deposit Methods: The availability of convenient and safe deposit methods is an essential metric. Look for platforms that accept a wide range of deposit methods, including bank transfers, debit cards, credit cards, and popular e-wallets.
Having numerous deposit methods helps you to fund your account more easily and choose the best choice for your needs. To guarantee a smooth and cost-effective deposit process, consider the processing timeframes and any associated fees for each deposit option.
For example, Coinbase supports 3D Secure Cards for instant crypto purchases, bank transfers for adding GBP to users’ accounts, PayPal for cashing out, and SEPA transfers.
Additional Features and Supported Assets:
Crypto Staking: Consider whether the platform allows crypto staking if you want to earn a passive income from your crypto holdings. Staking involves the process of locking up your coin to support the functioning of a blockchain network in exchange for rewards. Staking options for some cryptocurrencies are available on some platforms, allowing you to participate in the network and perhaps earn more tokens or fees. This feature may be appealing to people who want to maximize the possible rewards on their cryptocurrency investments.
Did you know that Revolut recently launched crypto staking in the UK and EEA? Please keep in mind that this is a soft launch, implying that Revolut aims to make crypto staking available to a larger user base in the future.
Currently, users in the United Kingdom and the European Economic Area can earn money from their crypto assets by leasing them for a fixed period of time and contributing to the security and functionality of the blockchain network. Revolut’s staking features apply to DOT, XTZ, ADA, and ETH, with yields ranging from 11.65% to 2.99%.
Supported Assets: Another essential factor to consider when ranking the best places to buy crypto in the UK is the diversity of digital assets available for trading and investing. Check that the platform you chose gives you access to the cryptocurrencies you want to trade or invest in. A wide range of supported assets enables you to diversify your portfolio and capitalize on various investment opportunities in the cryptocurrency market.
What About Social Trading? Several platforms offer social trading, which allows users to engage with other traders, follow their methods, and even automatically copy how they trade. This tool is especially useful for new traders who want to learn from experienced traders or tap into the collective experience of the wider trading community. You can obtain insights and enhance your trading performance by watching and imitating the moves of successful traders. If you’re interested in social trading, look for platforms that offer social trading tools and features.
By taking these criteria into account, novice crypto traders and investors can make more informed choices while looking for a reputable place to buy cryptocurrency in the UK. Remember that you should perform extensive research, read user reviews, and compare different platforms before deciding on the one that best fits your trading needs and goals.
Risks of Buying Crypto in the UK
Cryptocurrencies are famously volatile at the best of times. A crypto’s value can fluctuate dramatically in a short amount of time. While this volatility can generate huge profits for some investors, it can similarly lead to significant losses. Market sentiment, governmental measures, technical advancements, and macroeconomic conditions can all have an impact on the crypto market prices.
Pepe coin has continued to make headlines in recent weeks following a robust 400% price rally after it hit an ATH of $0.000004354 in May. Furthermore, in comparison to its all-time low of $0.00000002764 in April it has since soared by 5,339.66% to a current market value of $0.000001506. According to Binance Feed data, crypto whales that bulk bought the viral meme coin are now facing eye-watering losses while other investors made 5,000,000% profits. What’s the most volatile crypto on the market?
Popular Scams: Rug Pulls and Pump and Dump Schemes:
The crypto market has become a target for scams and market manipulation. Two of the most common scams include rug pulls and pump and dump schemes. But what are these scams and how do they work?
Rug pulls in the crypto space occur when the development team of a crypto project jumps ship and liquidates the assets leaving investors and token holders with huge losses.
This type of scam is most commonly associated with DeFi projects that offer liquidity to DEXs. DeFi coins originating from new projects aren’t typically listed on Centralized Exchanges which means that DEXs can sometimes be the only source of liquidity.
When hype levels reach their peaks, and the project’s team has access to the liquidity the scammers sell their coins at an inflated price and eliminate all the liquidity. Some rug pullers have been known to access back doors within blockchain smart contracts to steal funds.
With a lack of liquidity investors either cannot sell their tokens or have no choice but to sell at a discounted price. This is down to the AMM (Automated Market Maker) pricing mode which chooses prices based on the ratio of crypto crosses in a liquidity pool.
Moving onto pump and dump schemes:
Pump and dump schemes are an investment scam in which scammers set up a cheap crypto or purchase a token, market it as a great crypto with huge potential, wait for investors to flock in and then they sell or dump their holdings once the price has increased. The rapid price jump isn’t correlated with the underlying value of the coin meaning that once the pump and dump is completed the market value nosedives shortly after.
Crypto whales are also an important trigger for this type of scam. Rather than advertising the token and creating immeasurable hype, some scammers will buy significant amounts of the crypto to boost trading volumes as well as the price to entice unsuspecting investors into the trap.
When investing, keep an eye out for unusual price surges. Anything above 80% within 24 hours is typically regarded as too good to be true, so the most experienced crypto traders use caution when purchasing cryptocurrencies with small market caps. If your investigation into the cryptocurrency turns up no compelling evidence for the price increase, it’s likely because there isn’t one. Remember to only invest money you can afford to lose. How to avoid pump and dump schemes
Is it Legal to Buy Crypto in the UK?
Yes, it is legal to purchase cryptocurrency in the United Kingdom. You can purchase Bitcoin or other altcoins through a cryptocurrency exchange that adheres to UK cryptocurrency legislation. After that, you can send and store your digital assets in a crypto hot or cold wallet.
However, the sale of crypto derivatives to retail users in the United Kingdom has been banned by the country’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as of October 2020. The UK government has recently announced measures to regulate cryptoasset transactions, by making crypto trading platforms responsible for outlining the content requirements for admission and disclosure. This will ensure that cryptocurrency exchanges have transparent and strict standards.
Despite having the word ‘currency’ within the term cryptocurrency, the UK’s HMRC considers them to be digital assets or crypto assets. This means that they’re subject to income tax or capital gains tax.
As we’ve mentioned cryptocurrencies are classified as assets by the UK’s HMRC meaning that every time you buy or sell a cryptocurrency you’ll have to pay either income tax or capital gains tax on the profit. Any profits made from crypto as an income will be subject to income tax which is between 0% and 45% based on your tax band in the UK except for Scotland which is between 19% and 21%. Typically, users who buy, HODL, and sell crypto assets are considered by UK authorities to be making investments which means they have to pay capital gains tax. Are cryptos taxed in the UK?
How to Buy Cryptocurrency UK – Detailed Walkthrough
In this section we’ll show you how to buy cryptocurrency in the UK.
Step 1: Choose a Crypto Broker
The first step is to pick a cryptocurrency exchange of your choice. One of the top crypto exchanges to choose from is Coinbase – used by millions across the world.
Step 2: Create an Account
Head over to the Coinbase website/mobile app, and start creating your account. Enter your personal information and register an account.
Step 3: Verify Your Identity
Coinbase will require investors to provide documents such as their driver’s license/passport copy to verify their identity. Upload the required documents to complete the verification process.
Step 4: Deposit your Funds
Choose one of the supported payment methods, and make a deposit on Coinbase.
Step 5: Search and Buy Cryptos
Type the name of the crypto you wish to trade on the search bar. Enter the transaction amount in the order box, and complete the purchase.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
Conclusion
If you’re looking at how to buy and sell cryptocurrency in the UK – you first need to ensure that you have considered the risks. You also need to do some research in terms of choosing the best cryptocurrencies for your financial goals and risk tolerance.
Coinbase is a popular cryptocurrency exchange – used by more than 70 million people. In just a few minutes, investors can start trading over hundreds of cryptos with this safe and secure crypto platform.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.