How to buy Bitcoin anonymously without ID in 2025

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This page takes you through everything you need to know about making anonymous Bitcoin purchases. From the best platforms to use, to all the factors you need to consider before completing a transaction, we’ve got you covered.

Best platforms to buy Bitcoin now

In general, platforms that don’t require ID verification are not a secure place to buy Bitcoin. Signing up with a regulated broker or exchange is the fastest and safest way to get cryptocurrency. Below is a list of platforms where the verification process is fast and easy to understand, so you can get BTC almost immediately.

4.6

eToro

Min. Deposit $100

Fees 1%

No. assets 3600+

Demo account Yes

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eToro review

Cryptoassets investing and custody are offered by eToro (Europe) Ltd as a digital asset service provider, registered with the AMF. Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. You will never lose more than the amount invested in each position.

4.5

Plus500

Min. Deposit $100

Fees From 2%

No. assets 2800+

Demo account Yes

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Plus500 review

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

4.2

Coinbase

Min. Deposit $10

Fees Up to 0.6%

No. assets 150+

Demo account No

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Coinbase review

Is Bitcoin anonymous?

Bitcoin is more anonymous than fiat currencies (e.g., GBP, USD, and EUR), but it’s not totally anonymized. This is because the location of every Bitcoin (and fraction of a Bitcoin) is recorded on a publicly visible blockchain. Every transaction on the blockchain shows the wallet address the coins came from, and the address to which they were delivered.

The good news is that there’s no definitive way to track a wallet address directly back to the person that owns it – unless they’ve publicly shared that information. In this way, it’s a bit like if you could see a list of bank transactions but only with the account numbers showing: you’d know how much money was moving between accounts, but not necessarily who those accounts belonged to.

Can you buy Bitcoin anonymously?

Yes, there are ways to make anonymous Bitcoin purchases – however, the options are limited. If buying coins this way, you’re generally restricted to peer-to-peer exchange platforms, Bitcoin ATMs, or in-person arrangements. If using a regular crypto exchange or broker then you will need to provide ID documents when registering your account.

You’ll also need to think about the payment method you’re using when completing your purchase. If you buy your Bitcoin anonymously but use a non-anonymised form or payment then it will still be quite easily traceable.

One such form of payment you can use is other cryptocurrencies if you already hold some. Typically, you only need to provide ID on exchanges when depositing or withdrawing fiat currencies, so if you have some Ethereum already you could open an exchange account, buy BTC using ETH, and then transfer your coins to a personal wallet.

Where can I get Bitcoin without ID?

As explained above, the three most common options are to use peer-to-peer (P2P) exchanges, Bitcoin ATMs, or to arrange to buy your coins in person with cash. Here’s a quick run-through of these three options.

P2P exchanges

These platforms are set up to match buyers with sellers and do not commonly require ID documents to be provided when opening an account. This means you can locate someone selling Bitcoin who is willing to transfer to you without learning your full details.

A couple of issues you can run into with these platforms is that they’re very hard to regulate and therefore you have to be careful before parting with your money, and you’re also likely to pay slightly above the market rate for your coins.

The table below helps you compare the top anonymous Bitcoin exchanges so you can make an informed choice. Simply click any of the links to go to your chosen platform, or scroll down to find more information.

Bitcoin ATMs

Whereas regular ATMs allow you to withdraw money from your bank account using a card and a pin number, Bitcoin ATMs allow you to use cash or a card to purchase Bitcoin. Some of these machines will provide a piece of paper with a QR code to a wallet address where your coins are stored – ready to be transferred to your own personal wallet; others will allow you to have coins sent directly to your Bitcoin wallet.

Using cash to complete a purchase through a Bitcoin ATM is one of the most anonymous ways you can buy cryptocurrency, but be aware that there aren’t a huge number of them around and you’re also likely to pay a premium for any Bitcoin you buy through one of these kiosks.

In-person trades

Seeing as the process of purchasing Bitcoin simply involves paying for someone to send coins to your wallet address, there’s no reason you can’t make a payment in person to increase anonymity. You can arrange to meet someone (possibly a seller from a P2P exchange or even just a friend) face-to-face and complete your transaction without transferring any money online. The seller then will transfer your Bitcoin when the payment has been made – this will have to happen online as the blockchain is verified via the internet.

Making a purchase like this makes your transaction more anonymous from an online perspective, but it can come with an increased risk of being scammed if you’re meeting someone you do not know.

Things to look out for

If you’re trying to make an anonymous purchase, there are a few factors you should consider. Here’s a quick summary of some of the most important considerations.

Payment methods

A big part of remaining anonymous is the payment method you select. In general, the most anonymized payment methods will be cash and prepaid cards – so look out for services or individual sellers that accept these forms of payment.

Low fees

It’s common for anonymous ways of buying cryptocurrency to entail paying higher than the market rate, but this doesn’t mean that all platforms charge the same. It’s still a good idea to use our reviews to find an exchange with reasonable fees so you can get more Bitcoin for your money.

Trading limits

Depending on how much Bitcoin you want to buy, you might need to consider the limits of each option. An individual seller will only have so much Bitcoin available to trade, and peer-to-peer exchanges might sometimes apply minimum as well as maximum trading limits. To figure out the best way to buy your coins, a good first step is to consider how much you’re looking to buy.

Security

Buying anonymously doesn’t mean having to take excessive risks. Always make sure an online exchange has a good array of security features and encrypts any payment information, and if meeting someone face-to-face then make sure to meet in a public place and agree on all the details of the transfer ahead of time.

Quick answers to key questions

Is it safe to buy Bitcoin anonymously?

It depends on how you buy your coins. In general Bitcoin ATMs and P2P exchanges are secure, but with the latter of these, it’s good to research the individual sellers before completing any trades. When purchasing coins in this way, you lose the regulatory reassurance of platforms carrying out KYC checks, so you need to keep your wits about you.

Is it legal to buy Bitcoin without ID?

In the vast majority of countries, yes – but always check the law in your country of residence. Generally, if it is legal to buy and own Bitcoin, then it will be legal to do so anonymously. The caveat in this is that any profits you make from selling your coins will usually be subject to some form of tax (typically capital gains tax or income tax), so not declaring any income obtained by selling Bitcoin can get you in legal trouble.

Will I have to pay extra to remain anonymous?

In general, anonymous ways of purchasing Bitcoin do cost more than the market rate. This is because you’re either buying directly from another person on a peer-to-peer exchange where they set a price at which they’re willing to sell, or you’re using a Bitcoin ATM which will have fees and service charges built into the price.

How do I store my coins anonymously?

It is not possible to store Bitcoin completely anonymously, as the blockchain publicly records the wallet addresses where each coin is stored. However, as long as you keep your wallet address secret, there’s nothing that links it directly back to you.

Should I buy Bitcoin with no ID?

This is up to you, really. If you’re a new investor just trying to get into Bitcoin, then generally it’s easier just to use a regular cryptocurrency exchange as you’ll usually get a better price and the process is more user-friendly. If, on the other hand, you’re experienced in trading crypto and privacy is your top concern, then you might want to purchase coins this way.

What should I do now?

If you’re ready to buy now, then simply head to the table at the top of this page and follow a link to one of our trusted partners. For those who want to learn more before investing in Bitcoin, take our free Bitcoin 101 course to get to grips with the basics. You can also find out what’s going on in the Bitcoin market right now through our most recent expert analysis right here.