How to buy Bitcoin in Europe
You can invest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies through specialized websites or crypto exchanges. Make sure to choose platforms that hold a MiCAR license from a European regulator. This ensures your investments are secure and reduces the risk of scams. Keep in mind, there are still dishonest actors online trying to trick people with fake websites, so always pick a licensed platform!
Buying Bitcoin safely
In most European countries, you can't yet buy Bitcoin directly through traditional banks like BNP Paribas. But don't worry, specialized platforms make it easy to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. These platforms accept a variety of payment methods so you can get started quickly.
Once you've completed the sign-up process and verified your identity, you're ready to buy Bitcoin. Identity verification is necessary to prevent money laundering. The days when you could open an account anonymously are long gone.
How does buying Bitcoin work?
After registering and logging into your chosen platform, select your preferred payment method. You can usually pay via bank transfer, PayPal, credit card or Apple Pay. The funds will appear in your crypto account, and then you can choose which cryptocurrency to buy and how much to invest.
You don't need a large sum to start, even €10 is enough. Once purchased, your Bitcoin appears in your account. You can either leave it there or transfer it to a personal wallet for extra security.
Choosing a crypto platform
When selecting a platform, consider factors like reliability, security, ease of use and trading fees. Choose one that meets your needs. Looking to buy a specific altcoin? Not every platform offers the same coins, so many investors maintain accounts on multiple platforms.
It's generally safer to stick with well-regulated European platforms. This way, your funds are kept separate from the company's money and you benefit from local consumer protection laws if something goes wrong. Remember high-profile failures like FTX or Mt. Gox, where customer funds disappeared. With strict European regulations, such incidents are much less likely today.
Recommended European crypto exchanges
Two user-friendly European platforms are Finst and Bitvavo, both based in the Netherlands and supervised by the AFM.
Bitvavo is the market leader and offers over 400 different cryptocurrencies. It also provides an advanced trading platform for experienced users who want to trade actively or even speculate on price drops.
Finst is a newer platform, founded by former DEGIRO employees, and positions itself as a cost-effective option with low fees. Its intuitive design makes it ideal for newcomers to crypto investing.
0,25% fee on Bitvavo
- Trade +400 digital assets
- ETH staking rewards up to 2,50% APY
- SOL staking rewards up to 5,00% APY
- AFM MiCAR CASP license
0,15% fee on Finst
- Trade +340 digital assets
- ETH staking rewards up to 2,00% APY
- SOL staking rewards up to 4,50% APY
- AFM MiCAR CASP license
Buying Bitcoin through your bank
Investors often ask if they can buy Bitcoin via their regular bank. In most cases, this isn't possible. Some European banks are starting to provide access and neobanks like bunq or Revolut allow crypto trading. However, these services tend to be more expensive than specialized platforms. Fees can range from 0.5% to 2%, whereas Finst charges just 0.15%.
Do I need to buy a whole Bitcoin?
Many people think they need tens of thousands of euros to invest in Bitcoin. That's not true. You don't need to buy a full Bitcoin. Each Bitcoin is divisible into Satoshis (Sats), the smallest unit, named after Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
1 Bitcoin = 100 million Satoshis
1 Satoshi = 0.00000001 BTC
This means that at a Bitcoin price of €25,000, you only need 4,000 Sats to own the equivalent of €1. Buying Sats is a low-risk, affordable way for beginners to learn about Bitcoin and blockchain technology.
How to buy or sell Bitcoin
Here's an example using the Bitvavo platform:
Bitvavo screenshot
Select Bitcoin and open the detailed trading page.
On the left, you'll see a price chart; on the right, a box to buy or sell.
Enter the amount you want to invest (e.g., €10), and the platform shows how much Bitcoin you’ll receive.
Click "Buy" to complete the purchase.
To fund your account, you can deposit via iDEAL, SEPA transfer, or other methods like EPS, Giropay, Sofort, or PayPal.
Other platforms work similarly. Just enter the investment amount and click "Buy" or "Sell". Below is an example of the Finst platform where the user is planning to sell bitcoin.
Finst screenshot
Withdrawing Profits
To sell Bitcoin, click the “Sell” button. The proceeds will appear in your euro balance, which you can transfer to your bank account.
To verify your bank account, simply make a small deposit. Make sure the account name matches the name on your crypto account, usually the same as on your passport.
Why buy Bitcoin?
Bitcoin, often referred to as digital gold, has become an increasingly attractive asset in a well-diversified investment portfolio.
Below are five key reasons why people choose to own Bitcoin.
Decentralization and financial independence
Bitcoin is not managed or controlled by a central authority such as a government or financial institution. This means users can have direct control over their money and transactions, without relying on third parties, provided they store their Bitcoin in self-custody. A self-managed Bitcoin wallet cannot be frozen by a bank or seized by a government. This makes Bitcoin especially appealing to people who value financial independence and personal freedom.
Protection against inflation
Only 21 million Bitcoins will ever exist. This limited supply makes Bitcoin resistant to inflationary pressure, unlike fiat currencies such as the euro or the US dollar, which can be created in unlimited amounts. For this reason, many investors see Bitcoin as a potential safe haven during periods of inflation and economic uncertainty.
Portfolio diversification
Bitcoin can be an interesting asset for investors who want to spread risk. Historically, Bitcoin has shown a relatively low correlation with traditional assets such as stocks and bonds. This means Bitcoin can rise while stocks fall, and vice versa. Adding Bitcoin to a portfolio may therefore help reduce overall risk through diversification.
Ongoing adoption and growth potential
Since its creation, Bitcoin has delivered impressive returns. While the price is volatile and large price swings are normal, long-term investors have historically achieved strong results. Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Still, many believe Bitcoin has further growth potential, as the majority of people do not yet own Bitcoin and more companies and financial institutions may adopt it in the future.
Low barrier to entry
One of Bitcoin’s major advantages is its accessibility. Anyone with an internet connection can buy, store, and use Bitcoin, even people without access to traditional banking services. This makes Bitcoin more inclusive than many other financial assets.
That said, it is essential to do your own research. Educate yourself properly and only invest money you can afford to lose.
No guaranteed profits
Although Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies often make headlines because of spectacular gains, there is no guarantee of profit. Crypto markets are highly volatile. Prices can rise sharply during certain periods, but they can also fall just as quickly. If you invest near a market peak, you risk significant losses. Price drops of 80% to 90% are not unusual in this market.
Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA)
For this reason, many Bitcoin investors use a strategy called Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA). Instead of investing a large amount all at once, you spread your investment over regular intervals.
For example, rather than buying €5,000 worth of Bitcoin in one go—risking entry at the top—you might invest €200 on the first day of every month. This way, you buy Bitcoin at different prices over time.
When prices fall, you automatically buy more Bitcoin at lower prices, which improves your average purchase price. This strategy helps reduce the emotional stress of timing the market and lowers the risk of major losses.
An investor who invested everything at €60,000 per Bitcoin would have faced massive losses when the price dropped to €15,000. Someone who continued buying monthly during the downturn would have achieved a much better average price and could already be profitable again at €25,000 or €30,000.
DCA can be an effective strategy if you believe Bitcoin will be worth more in the long run.
High risk remains
Despite multiple past cycles of rising and falling prices, there is no guarantee that Bitcoin will experience another strong bull market. Investing in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies remains risky. You must be prepared for the possibility of losing your entire investment.
For this reason, it’s generally wise to invest only a limited portion of your overall portfolio in crypto. Investors seeking proper diversification also invest in other assets such as stocks, bonds, or real estate.
Altcoins: a world of opportunities with major risks
Which Bitcoin should you buy?
People sometimes ask which Bitcoin they should buy, but there is only one real Bitcoin. Besides Bitcoin, however, there are thousands of other cryptocurrencies, commonly referred to as altcoins (and sometimes less kindly as “shitcoins”).
These coins offer a wide range of opportunities, but they also come with significantly higher risks than Bitcoin itself.
Massive supply of altcoins
Crypto exchanges are encouraged by customer demand to list as many coins as possible. Altcoins range from well-known names like Ethereum, Ripple and Solana to obscure and newly launched projects. This large selection attracts speculators looking for quick profits. Many altcoins experience hype-driven rallies that can push prices sharply higher.
Extreme volatility
One of the biggest risks of altcoins is their extreme volatility. While Bitcoin itself can fluctuate significantly, price movements in altcoins are often much more dramatic. It's not uncommon for altcoins to rise or fall by tens of percent within a short time. This creates opportunities, but also the risk of heavy losses.
Frequent fraud
Many altcoins have no proven track record and exist mainly on promises. New projects are often launched through Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), where investors buy tokens before the project is fully operational. Unfortunately, history shows many ICOs turned out to be fraudulent or failed to deliver on their promises, resulting in total losses for investors.
Technical risks
Altcoins also carry technical risks. Some projects are vulnerable to hacks or security flaws, which can lead to stolen funds. Thorough research is essential before investing, and trading should only be done on reputable and well-secured exchanges.
Regulation still developing
Altcoins are also sensitive to external factors such as regulation and market sentiment. News about government actions or negative media coverage can trigger panic selling and sharp price declines. Staying informed and understanding market fundamentals is crucial before making investment decisions.
Diversification is key
To manage these risks, diversification is essential. Spread your investments across different asset classes such as stocks, bonds, or real estate. In crypto, only invest money you are prepared to lose. While hype-driven altcoins promising fast gains can be tempting, keeping a cool head is vital. In many cases, speculative investments end in total losses.
Today's winners and losers
The strong price movements in crypto markets are clearly visible in daily lists of top gainers and losers. Some coins rise by tens of percent in a single day, but others crash just as hard. Every day, multiple altcoins suffer major declines.
Understanding these risks is essential before deciding to invest.
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