Where & How to Buy Ethereum (ETH) for Beginners in 2025

Trade your favourite markets with our top-rated broker, eToro.

eToro 4.6/5

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

Visit site

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

The safest and easiest way to buy Ethereum is through a cryptocurrency exchange, which functions similarly to a stock trading platform. It takes just a few minutes to buy Ethereum this way. Follow our quick step guide below.

How to buy Ethereum quickly in 3 steps

To get Ethereum, you need a smartphone or a computer and an internet connection. It takes 10-15 minutes the first time, and you should have some photo ID to hand. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1. Sign up to a crypto platform

Copy link to section

Sign up to one of the best crypto platforms to start trading. Alternatively, there are several other options to select from below. Anyway, create an account and supply a copy of your photo ID for verification.

We found 22 crypto platforms for users based in

Sort by

Sort by

Minimum Deposit

Recommended

Safest Platforms

User Rating

4.6

eToro

Min. Deposit $100

Fees 1%

No. assets 3600+

Demo account Yes

Visit site

eToro review

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

4.5

Plus500

Min. Deposit $100

Fees From 2%

No. assets 2800+

Demo account Yes

Visit site

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

Visit site

Coinbase review

Step 2. Make a deposit

Copy link to section

Add funds via a card payment, bank transfer or an alternative payment method. You can start with as little as $100 on most services.

Step 3. Buy Ethereum token

Copy link to section

Locate the search box and type ETH. Once you locate the coin trading page, enter how much money you want to spend and hit ‘trade now’.

Now you own Ethereum tokens! Not a big deal, right?

The easiest way to buy ETH

The overall best platform to buy Ethereum for beginners is eToro .

Here are the top five places to buy Ethereum, ranked according to their simplicity for beginners, fees, customer reviews, and safety ratings.

Read more about how we rate, rank and review platforms.

Best exchanges to buy Ethereum (ETH), reviewed

1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account

Copy link to section

4.5

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

0% commission

Fees

3,600

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love eToro because it’s a trading platform built with beginners and casual traders in mind. The platform combines an interactive, social trading experience with an easy-to-use interface, making it ideal for novice traders.

The far-reaching catalog of more than 5,500 stocks and ETFs includes big names like Apple and Tesla, as well as smaller companies with high growth potential. You can start trading with as little as $10 using fractional shares if you’re on a tight budget.

One feature we particularly appreciate is the ability to interact with eToro’s 35 million users on any asset, market, or portfolio page. If you find traders whose strategies match your risk tolerance, you can copy their portfolios automatically using eToro’s flagship copy trading functionality. This is a great way to learn and potentially benefit from the expertise of more experienced traders.

If you don’t feel comfortable investing your cash straight away, you can use a free demo account, credited with $100,000 virtual dollars. This offers plenty of opportunities to try out a trading strategy that works for you across stocks, crypto, and options trading markets.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	3600+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs, NFTs, Crypto
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	ASIC, FCA, CySEC, FinCEN

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes, on certain assets
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes, on CFDs
Withdrawal fees	Yes
Spreads	Yes, on certain assets
Conversion fees	Yes, for non-USD currencies

Pros & Cons

Great for beginners, simple to set up and get started Competitive, industry-leading commissions Popular ‘Copy Portfolios’ function lets you follow top traders Excellent customer service, with live chat support provided

Comparatively high fees for withdrawals and account inactivity Does not integrate with the MetaTrader platform High spreads on some assets

Read review Visit eToro

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

2. Plus500. Best for international trading*

Copy link to section

4.5

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.08%

Fees

2,800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Plus500 because it is one of the industry’s most transparent and reliable brokers. Its fees are clear and you’ll know exactly what you will be paying before you trade. Its technology driven platform gives access to futures for the two biggest cryptos, Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

Plus500 has something for all types of crypto trader, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements of $20 for Ether and $100 for Bitcoin make it a top choice for day traders. At the same time, its trading academy is packed with educational content, perfect for beginners just starting. 

For accurate instrument availability, visit plus500.com.

The fees: Plus500 charges a commission of $0.49 per Micro contract and $0.89 per Standard contract (per side). There is an Auto-Liquidation fee of $10 per contract. Other exchange fees may be applicable and can be found on the CME group website. 

*Based on a comparison of 60+ leading brokers and trading platforms.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	2800+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, ASIC, FMA, FCA, CySEC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	No
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Free demo account for every user Secure broker, licensed by top-tier regulators Wide variety of CFDs to trade Several good risk management tools

No support on trading information and education Website isn’t brilliantly designed to help users find answers to their questions No MetaTrader trading platform compatibility

Read review Visit Plus500

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.

3. Coinbase. Best secure trading platform for all types of trader

Copy link to section

4

Ratings

$10

Min. deposit

Up to 0.6%

Fees

200

No. assets

No

Demo account

Overview

We love Coinbase because it’s the leading public crypto platform. Coinbase offers more than 170 cryptocurrencies to trade, a secure wallet to store your coins in, and automatic staking rewards on 10+ cryptos through Coinbase Earn.

Coinbase’s user-friendly platform simplifies the buying, selling, and trading processes, making it one of the top crypto exchanges for all levels of trader. But, Coinbase isn’t just an easy to use platform, it’s one of the safest and most secure. 

A public company brings transparency and renown, so you can trust that any money on Coinbase is safe and you’re sharing the platform with over 100 million other users. It stores 98% of customer assets offline in cold storage, minimizing the risk of theft. There is also insurance on all cash balances up to $250,000

The fees: Trading fees start from 0.6% but reduce the higher your trading volume. Bank transfer deposits and withdrawals are free, other payment methods may be charged. There is no fee for wallet-to-wallet crypto transactions but you will have to pay blockchain fees. Coinbase charges a 25% fee for its staking services.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	150+
Min. Deposit	$10
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	No
Supported assets	Crypto, NFTs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, FCA, NFA

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	No
Withdrawal fees	Yes
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Simple and easy to use interface Able to buy cryptocurrencies instantly with a credit or debit card Offers great security on its wallet Can use a variety of payment methods

Quite high fees for credit and debit card instant buys Poor customer support

Read review Visit Coinbase

4. Kraken: Best for simple, global cryptocurrency trading from your phone

Copy link to section

3.5

Ratings

$10

Min. deposit

0.10% – 0.26% (volume dependent)

Fees

90

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Kraken because it’s a beginner-friendly crypto trading platform, one that’s designed to make it quick and convenient to buy and sell crypto on the go. The Kraken mobile app provides access to over 200 cryptocurrencies making it one of the most diverse platforms around. 

With an intuitive interface and many advanced features, the Kraken crypto app is suitable for those just starting, or experienced traders wanting to enhance their trading experience. The Kraken mobile app caters to different trading styles and preferences with spot, margin, and futures all available. 

Kraken’s mobile app also supports up to 5:1 leverage allowing you to amplify your position and potentially increase your returns. With such a wide selection of tokens available and a solid range of features and tools, the Kraken app is one of the top cryptocurrency trading platforms while on the go. 

The fees: Kraken charges a fee of between 0-0.26% on every crypto trade. There are no costs to set up an account and no flat trading fees.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	200+
Min. Deposit	£10
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Crypto, NFTs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, AUSTRAC, FCA, MiFID II, FinCEN, FINTRAC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	No
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Cheap/ free deposits in EUR and cheap deposits for the USA Margin trading and Futures supported Transparency – it was the first exchange to carry out proof of reserves Low fees in comparison to other exchanges

Catered towards professional traders with large trading volumes Slow account verification in comparison to other brokers

Read review Visit Kraken

5. Uphold. Best for building long term wealth

Copy link to section

4

Ratings

$1

Min. deposit

$0.99

Fees

300

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Uphold because it’s a regulated and transparent digital asset platform. Uphold is an excellent platform for discovering important new tokens early, making it ideal for investors looking to get in on the ground floor of emerging cryptocurrencies. 

Uphold offers a broad selection of coins, with over 250 tokens available catering to both seasoned and novice crypto traders. The platform regularly adds new assets allowing users to invest in promising projects before they gain mainstream attention. 

Uphold isn’t just a platform for investing early. One of the main advantages of using Uphold is its transparent and competitive fee structure. The platform does not charge for deposits or withdrawals, and trading fees are clearly stated. You can also trade between different asset classes including fiat currencies. 

The fees: Crypto spreads start from 0.9% and are usually lower than 1.3% for BTC and ETH. Other cryptocurrency spreads are higher. Average spreads on fiat currency are 0.2%. There is a $0.99 fee for transactions under $100 made with the Uphold card.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	250+
Min. Deposit	$1
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Crypto, Commodities,
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, FinCEN

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	No
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Wide range of cryptocurrencies available Zero deposit and withdrawal fees Crypto wallets to store your coins Low minimum deposits and fast account set up

Spreads can be high for some cryptocurrencies Services vary depending on region Customer support is limited

Read review Visit

Terms Apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

How to trade ETH

You can trade Ethereum on a cryptocurrency exchange using simple steps. Here’s a quick example that clearly lays out how ETH crypto trading works:

1. Monitor the price: For simplicity, let’s say the price of ETH/USDT is $1. You read the price charts and decide that now is a good time to start purchasing ETH.
2. Open a trade: You trade one USDT for one ETH ($1 USD for 1 ETH).
3. Continue to monitor the price: The following month, one ETH token is now worth $2, a 100% increase.
4. Close your trade: You trade your ETH token back to USDT for $2.

In this example, you buy and sell Ethereum, doubling your money (trading). While the steps are simple, executing them in a profitable way is not so easy. You need to spend countless hours learning to trade, reading charts and technical patterns, and understanding markets and margin trading, which you can do right here on Invezz.com.

What is the best way to invest in Ethereum (ETH)?

The simplest way to buy Ethereum cryptocurrency is with your bank card. However, there are plenty of other options as well. Here are some of the top ways to pay for ETH.

• Buy Ethereum with a credit card or debit card. Card payments are convenient and instantaneous but you may have to pay a higher fee to make a deposit this way. Binance charges 1.8% for a card deposit and some platforms charge as much as 4%.

• Buy Ethereum with a bank transfer. A bank transfer is usually the cheapest way to buy crypto. Crypto platforms like Crypto.com and Coinbase do not charge for bank transfer deposits, while Binance only charges a $1 fee, and these transactions are more or less instant as they run through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) in the US Faster Payments System (FPS) in the UK, or Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) in Europe.

• Buy Ethereum with PayPal. Some crypto brokers accept deposits via PayPal. Not many exchanges offer this option. However, you can find here the best crypto exchanges that accept PayPal.

• Alternative payment methods. Crypto brokers often let you pay with other providers or money transfer services, like Neteller, Venmo, or Payoneer. The options vary by broker, though, so check what’s accepted before you sign up.

How do I store Ethereum (ETH)?

Most people keep their crypto on the exchange they used to purchase it. If you only plan to hold onto it for a little while, then that’s a perfectly acceptable option. If you want to hold it for years or you own a lot of Ethereum then you should move it to a crypto wallet.

A crypto exchange is similar to a bank account in that it means trusting a company to protect your funds for you. A wallet is like your personal wallet or a safe, where you take responsibility for it yourself. Two of the best Ethereum wallets to use are MetaMask and the Ledger Nano S.

Should I buy Ethereum now?

The answer depends on the current price and your own investment goals. Put simply, purchasing Ethereum, selling Ethereum, and trading ETH are all the exact same process in literal terms. It’s just your personal investing intentions that define whether ‘now’ is a good time to invest or not.

• If you’re a trader: as a cryptocurrency trader, your goal is to make money trading regularly. What do we mean by regularly? Hourly, daily, weekly. Traders buy and sell a coin quickly to secure their profit (or to avoid a loss). They don’t #HODL a coin long-term in the hopes of larger profits. In this sense, any time is a good time to trade Ethereum.

• As a long-term investor: a long-term investor is not concerned if the price is up or down 10% on any given day. Instead, they care that the price of the native token is overall up months or years later, when they’re ready to sell that investment. So if you’re a firm believer in the foundations of ETH, then a good time to purchase Ethereum is on any significant dip.

In our experience, most newcomers to the crypto market sit between the two. You don’t want to wait several years for a return, but buying Ethereum and selling it the next day probably isn’t why you’re here either.

How has Ethereum (ETH) performed this year?

The current Ethereum price today is $1,594.46, which is -67.40% versus its all time high of $4,891.70, which it reached on 16 November 2021. ETH is -48.55% this year, with a 52-week high of $4,106.96 and a 52-week low of $1,386.80. 

Regardless, closely following Ethereum price news & analysis will help you decide when to pull the trigger.

Is Ethereum (ETH) a good investment?

Whether it’s good for you depends on your goals and the fundamentals of the project. Here are some key features of Ethereum and its token to help you decide whether to invest in ETH.

• Ethereum is the second most popular cryptocurrency. Ethereum was created in 2015 following the success of Bitcoin. It now ranks in second place and is one of the most traded coins available. 
• Following the ‘merge’, ETH is now more energy efficient. From its inception, Ethereum was running as a proof-of-work blockchain, which required a large amount of energy to operate. Since 2022, it swapped to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, which is 99.9% more energy efficient. 
• Ethereum is scaleable. Ethereum has a solid track record of being capable of handling high volumes of transactions, and it is continuously working to improve scalability through various measures, including Ethereum 2.0 and Plasma. 
• A wide range of applications can run on Ethereum. Ethereum’s long-term investment prospects look promising. Along with its role at the heart of decentralized finance, the Ethereum network is also the home to a wide range of other crypto applications, such as NFT marketplaces, crypto wallets, and other Web3 apps. 
• Ethereum is a dominant name in the crypto space. While there are other competitors, like Solana, that present an alternative vision for the future, Ethereum is a dominant name in the crypto space. So far it has successfully innovated to keep itself ahead of the chasing pack. 
• ETH’s price moves similarly to Bitcoin. Ethereum closely follows the price movements of Bitcoin. While not exactly in tandem, Bitcoin generally leads the way. Investing in Ethereum is considered a cheaper option than investing in Bitcoin, which is much more expensive. 
• Some cryptocurrencies are dubbed Ethereum ‘killers’. There is a selection of cryptos known as Ethereum ‘Killers.’ These rival blockchains aim to solve some of Ethereum’s flaws, and if any succeed, they could ‘kill’ Ethereum. 

In addition to these features, there are many more reasons why Ethereum is unique and might be worthy of your interest. To learn more about Ethereum and how it works, visit our beginner’s guide to Ethereum.

FAQs