Buying your first crypto in the UK

General information, not financial advice. Crypto is high risk. You could lose all the money you put in.

Before you start

Only put in money you could afford to lose completely. Crypto losses are not covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or by FSCS compensation.

Exchanges on the FCA register

We only point UK readers to firms on the FCA register. These are the exchanges in our FCA register guide. Listing here is not a recommendation. Each number links to a search on the FCA register; check the firm's page yourself before you use it. Numbers checked on 13 October 2026.

If you choose Coinbase, you can sign up on Coinbase's own site.

What to compare

• Fees. Check the trading fee, the spread (the gap between buy and sell prices), and deposit and withdrawal fees. Each exchange publishes its own fee page.
• Pounds in and out. Not every platform lets you pay in or withdraw pounds the same way.
• Which coins. Some exchanges only list the most popular coins.
• Reliability. Prices move quickly, so orders need to go through when you place them.

Make your first purchase

• Verify your identity. UK-registered exchanges must ask.
• Turn on two-factor authentication straight away (security basics).
• Start with a small amount to learn the process. You can buy a fraction of a coin.
• Before you confirm, check the total cost including fees.
• Research any coin before you buy it: why it exists and how it has behaved. CoinMarketCap lists basic information.

Move it somewhere safe

If you leave crypto on an exchange, the exchange holds the keys. Keep only what you're actively using there and move the rest to a wallet you control. See Storing it safely.

Keep records for tax

Swapping, selling or spending crypto can create a tax bill. Download your exchange statements regularly. See Crypto tax in the UK.

Next: Storing your crypto safely →