8 Best Websites/Ways To Buy Bitcoins In the UK – FCA Approved

In order for any crypto company to offer buying/selling of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies in the UK, they need to be successfully registered with the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority as a crypto service provider.

This move has made some of the crypto exchanges like Binance, Bybit, and a few others shut their shop in the UK. However, we have made a list of FCA’s approved websites that you can use to buy Bitcoin or other crypto in the UK.

Crypto Companies That Have FCA Licence in the UK:

Exchange NameDate Approved
PayPalNovember 2023
BitstampJune 2023
RevolutSeptember 2022
Crypto.com (Foris Dax UK Ltd)August 2022
UpholdAugust 2022
eToroJanuary 2022
ZumoDecember 2021
Kraken (Payward Ltd)November 2021
CoinJarSeptember 2021
CoinpassAugust 2021
SolidiJuly 2021
ZigluSeptember 2020
GeminiAugust 2020
Note: This list was last updated in November 2023, if you want to suggest any changes, feel free to email hello(at)CoinSutra.com

The internet revolutionized the world but with the advent of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the world has become a global civilization.

If you reside in the UK and are looking to buy Bitcoins in an easy manner despite exchanges not accepting new customers, you are at the right place.

In this write-up, I am going to share with you some methods and services through which you can buy your first Bitcoin.

How To Purchase Bitcoin In the UK 🇬🇧

Kindly use the table above to explore the FCA’s approved crypto websites in the UK. We will be updating the below content in the coming days. Some of the below listed websites are no more offering services to UK citizens to comply with local law and regulations.

1. CEX.io

CEX

CEX.io is a UK based service operating since 2013. It has gained a lot of respect in the crypto community by pioneering the way and setting up a Bitcoin marketplace.

Today it supports several cryptos including Bitcoin, which can be bought via fiat deposits or a credit/debit card (see the video below).

The supported fiat currencies in which one can buy BTC are EUR, USD, GBP, and RUB.

However, before buying/selling on CEX, one needs to go through a thorough KYC check. Here is our guide on the same to help you in that regard: CEX.io Review.

You can also deposit and withdraw funds directly from the mobile app of CEX. The app is very user-friendly and allows one to trade Bitcoins on the go!

2. Coinmama

Coinmama is a fast, secure, and safe service that provides the option of buying cryptocurrencies like BTC by using credit cards in the UK. (Note: It is a buy-only service)

However, unlike other services, they do not have their own inbuilt wallet for Bitcoin. Hence, before using Coinmama you need to make a Bitcoin wallet. (If you don’t have a safe Bitcoin wallet, pick one from our list of Bitcoin wallets.)

Coinmama charges 5% fee on each transaction if you use a credit/debit card and after purchase deposits the BTC in you given wallet.

However, before using this service, one needs to go through a proper KYC check which can take a few days for completion, so the early you start the better it is.

3. Coinbase

Coinbase is a very popular cryptocurrency exchange in the crypto community. It is precisely because it has the largest customer base in the world.

Using Coinbase to buy BTC in the UK is the easiest way to get hold of your first Bitcoin.

A UK resident can buy BTC via two ways using Coinbase :

  • Credit/debit cards – Visa/MasterCard supported
  • Fiat deposits – Supported EUR and GBP

For buying BTC using fiat deposits, one needs to complete the KYC and deposit fiat money through supported wire transfer methods in the UK to Coinbase account.

And for buying BTC using credit/debit cards too, one needs to do the KYC and follow the additional steps such as:

  1. Register at Coinbase.
  2. Complete photo ID verification.
  3. Go to the payment methods page.
  4. Click on +Add Payment Method on the right-hand side.
  5. Choose Card and add the credit/debit card.
  6. Accept and allow Coinbase to make two small transactions.
  7. Coinbase will make two very small test transactions between 1.01 and 1.99 in your local currency. Log in to your card statement account and note the amount of those transactions.
  8. Enter the amounts transacted in the Coinbase app.

You should now see a window that says “Credit/Debit Card Added” and a Buy Digital Currency button.

Coinbase-Add-Card

Now that you have successfully added and verified your card, follow these steps to buy your Bitcoin (BTC):

  1. Go to Dashboard.
  2. Select Bitcoin.
  3. Go to the Buy/Sell tab.
  4. Enter the amount.
  5. Select a Card from the payment method’s drop-down menu.
  6. Confirm the order is correct and click Complete Buy.

That’s it! Bitcoin (BTC) will be delivered to you within a few minutes!

Coinbase fee: Coinbase charges a standard fee of 3.99% on all credit/debit card purchases. If you have more queries regarding payment methods and fees, visit here and here. And also check out: How To Buy Bitcoin Using Coinbase [Complete Guide].

4. CoinJar

Established in 2013, CoinJar is the easiest way to buy, sell, store and spend digital currency. CoinJar’s iOS and Android apps allow users to trade cryptocurrencies on the go, while CoinJar Exchange and CoinJar OTC Trading Desk cater for professional traders, as well as individuals and institutions looking to make larger transactions.

Pros:
– iOS & Android apps that let you trade
– Fast bank transfers
– Fees 1% (as low as 0.1% for high trading volumes)
– Established in 2013
– Great customer support- Buy multiple cryptocurrency in one transaction with CoinJar Bundles

Cons:
– Once off ID verification required to deposit or withdraw

5. LocalBitcoins

LocalBitcoin is my favorite method to buy Bitcoins with other exchanges shutting down new registrations.

It is a peer-to-peer Bitcoin-only exchange that escrows your bitcoins and is spread across 245 countries around the world including the UK.

Using LocalBitcoins (LBC) one can meet sellers online and decide when and where to meet offline to complete the trade. The fiat money transaction can be done by using cash, wire transfer, PayPal, SEPA or direct bank deposit (all depending on the terms of trade).

However, LBC requires you to register using your email ID, and some sellers require you to do a basic KYC check. Everything is set by the sellers and LocalBitcoins acts as an escrow manager.

Caution: Be sure to check the reputation of the seller; a higher reputation means a more trustable seller.

Also, consider reading our step by step guide: on purchasing bitcoins with cash.

6. Wirex

Wirex mixes the best of both worlds to provide its users a hybrid personal banking solution.

Wirex started off as e-coins that used to provide Bitcoin debit cards. However, today they have become more than that and provide options to buy/store/exchange and spend Bitcoin through its ecosystem.

Using Wirex one can also buy Bitcoin in the UK very easily.

You just need to create an account on Wirex, verify your identity and add fiat funds to your account to get bitcoins in your Wirex Bitcoin wallet at competitive rates.

Moreover, to fund your fiat Wirex wallet use trusted methods like local bank transfers, Paypal, Alipay, and more than two dozen other ways on Wirex.

If you are someone looking for a complete banking solution, Wirex is the way to go as they have their physical cards too available for the UK. Here is the deal from CoinSutra: Wirex Deal: Free Virtual and Physical Bitcoin Debit Card.

Note: Wirex’s Visa powered debit cards also unique in nature where you get 0.5 % cash back in crypto for every in-store purchase plus you can get your first card absolutely for free (including free shipping.) Wirex service is available only for Europe and UK users.

7. Changelly (Buy BTC instantly using GBP)

Changelly is another popular and very interesting service that helps you swap one cryptocurrency for another almost instantly. So if you have any other supported crypto, you can always exchange it for Bitcoin using Changelly. If you don’t have supported crypto, there is another easy way out.

If you have a VISA/MasterCard debit or credit card, you can instantly sign up for Changelly and buy Bitcoin (BTC) in the UK.

It accepts any currency of any country (EUR/GBP/USD/INR/etc.) and then calculates it in USD equivalent. You can find USD to BTC exchange rates here.

Note: Changelly also has purchase restrictions while using credit/debit cards.

8. Bitcoin ATMs in UK

Bitcoin ATMs is another very simple and effective way to buy Bitcoin in the UK.

The challenge, however, is to find a Bitcoin ATM near you. That is why we have formed this detailed guide for you: How To Find A Bitcoin ATM Near You.

Use Bitcoin ATM Radar service to find BTC ATM near you:

Bitcoin ATMs are also preferred because most of them don’t ask for an ID and you can simply feed fiat papers to it to get Bitcoin in return.

Usually, a Bitcoin ATM asks you to scan your public address and transfers BTCs to that address in the equivalent fiat you deposited in it. In some cases, if you don’t have a public address, just select the option of “don’t have an address” and the ATM will generate a paper wallet for you (if it supports that feature).

Also read: How To Use A Bitcoin ATM – A Beginner’s Guide

Conclusion: How To Buy Bitcoin In UK

Exchange NameRating Based On Ease Of Use & Fee
CEX.io9.2/10
Coinmama9.1/10
Coinbase8.5/10
Coinjar9/10
LocalBitcoins (LBC)8.3/10
Wirex8/10
Changelly8.3/10
Bitcoin ATMs7/10

Buying Bitcoins in today’s time is not as difficult, especially in developed countries like the UK.

There are a plethora of options in the UK to buy Bitcoin, most of which I have listed above. But one thing that I want you to make note of is that these services are only good for buying Bitcoins and not for storing them.

Never store your Bitcoin on these service platforms and always find a self-hosted good Bitcoin wallet to store your Bitcoins. Some of the wallets that I would suggest are:

Few more articles that you should read next:

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CoinSutra provides general cryptocurrency and blockchain information for educational purposes only. Content on CoinSutra’s website and social media is not financial, investment, trading, or professional advice. Readers should conduct independent research and consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.

CoinSutra does not recommend or endorse specific cryptocurrencies, projects, platforms, products, exchanges, wallets, or other offerings. Opinions shared by CoinSutra writers are their personal views only and should not be relied upon for financial choices.

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