Buying your first crypto
A step-by-step guide to choosing a platform, buying a small amount and checking the fees.
The essentials
Before you start: three questions to ask yourself
Before comparing platforms, take five minutes to answer three questions. They prevent most bad first-purchase decisions.
- How much? Set an amount you could lose without it changing your daily life. Crypto can drop by more than half in a few months; your budget has to be able to take that.
- Why? Learning how it works, saving over several years or using a specific app: the goal changes the platform, the amount and where you'll keep your assets.
- What? For a first purchase, start with an asset you understand, such as bitcoin or ether, rather than the token everyone is talking about this week. The guide Investing without confusing conviction and risk explains this approach.
Step 1: choose the platform
Check the site's address, the legal entity, the countries served, the deposit and withdrawal methods, the fees and the support. If you live in France, check the AMF white list and the information on the provider's status. Being on a list doesn't remove market or bankruptcy risk. If you live elsewhere, check the applicable local rules and registers. Identity requirements may depend on the provider and your country.
Since July 1, 2026, any platform serving customers in the European Union must hold a European MiCA license. A simple national registration (such as France's PSAN) is no longer enough. The guide Choosing an exchange in Europe explains how to check this in the AMF and ESMA registers.
Above all, compare the real cost: execution price, spread, trading fees, deposit fees, minimum purchase and withdrawal fees. A "zero commission" screen can still offer a worse exchange rate than another service.
| Type of service | For whom | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange with an order book | People who want to pay as little as possible in fees | More technical interface at first |
| "One-click buy" app | First purchase, small amounts | The spread built into the price can cost more than the displayed commission |
| Bank or neobank offering crypto | People who want everything in one place | Limited choice of assets, withdrawals to a wallet sometimes impossible |
| Decentralized exchange (DEX) | Users who already have a wallet and crypto | Not suited to a very first purchase in euros |
Our exchange comparison covers these criteria platform by platform.
Step 2: open the account and verify your identity
A licensed platform must verify your identity: this is KYC. Expect to provide an ID document, a selfie or a short video, sometimes proof of address, and to answer a few questions about where your funds come from and what you know. These requests come from anti-money-laundering rules; they're not a sign of a scam when they happen inside the official app.
On the other hand, be wary of an email or text asking you to "complete your verification" through a link. Always start the process from the app or from the site opened via your bookmark. The guide KYC: why you're asked for your ID details the data collected and the most common fake messages.
Step 3: protect the account before depositing
Use a unique password generated by a password manager, turn on two-factor authentication suited to your situation and keep your backup codes offline. Be wary of emails from fake support. Access the service through a bookmark you created after checking the URL, not through an ad or a DM.
Prefer an authenticator app or a security key over SMS codes, which are more exposed to number hijacking (SIM swap). If the platform offers it, also turn on the anti-phishing code, which appears in the platform's genuine emails, and the withdrawal address whitelist, which blocks withdrawals to unregistered addresses. The guide 2FA, SIM swap and account security compares the methods.
Step 4: deposit euros
Three methods come up on most platforms:
- Standard SEPA transfer: often the cheapest, but it can take one or two business days.
- Instant SEPA transfer: funds arrive within seconds if your bank and the platform support it.
- Bank card: convenient and immediate, but usually more expensive. Check the percentage charged before confirming.
The bank account must be in your name: a transfer from a relative's account is often refused or sent back. Some banks limit or question transfers to crypto platforms; start with a small amount. Everything is covered in Depositing and withdrawing euros.
Step 5: buy small and read the confirmation screen
Deposit with an authorized method in your name and test with a small amount. When you buy, check the exact asset, the quantity received, the price, all fees and the total paid. "Market" orders execute at the best available prices, which can move; a "limit" order sets a maximum buy price or minimum sell price, but may never be filled.
Many platforms offer two screens: a simplified purchase and a "spot" trading page. The simplified purchase often includes a wider price gap. The spot page, with a limit order, usually costs less once you're comfortable. The guide Market, limit and stop orders and fees explains the difference.
Example
You want to buy €50 worth. The screen shows how much BTC you'll receive and the total cost. Compare that amount with another option offered in the same interface. If the result differs, look for the spread, the fees and the order type. Only buy when you understand what you're confirming.
Step 6: decide where to keep your assets
You can leave a small amount on the platform while you learn, then consider a personal wallet. Withdrawing adds a technical step: selecting the right network and possibly paying fees. Don't withdraw in a rush. Keep a record of your deposits, purchases, withdrawals and conversions so you can track your activity and any obligations.
Before your first withdrawal, read Wallet, private key and recovery phrase and then Sending crypto on the right network. For an amount that starts to matter to you, Hot wallet vs cold wallet helps you choose between a platform, an app and a dedicated device.
Next: buy everything at once or little by little?
Nobody knows whether the price will be higher or lower next month. A common method is to invest the same amount at regular intervals, for example every month: this is DCA. It doesn't guarantee any gain, but it avoids betting everything on a single moment and reduces the temptation to follow the news day by day. Just check that fees stay reasonable on small, repeated purchases. See DCA: investing a fixed amount regularly.
The most common first-purchase mistakes
- Opening an account from an ad or a link received in a private message, instead of typing the site's address yourself.
- Paying a large amount by card without looking at the fee percentage.
- Buying an unknown token because it's "pumping" on social media.
- Keeping SMS authentication when an app or a security key is available.
- Withdrawing to a wallet on the wrong network.
- Investing your whole budget at once, under pressure.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to buy Bitcoin in France?
Yes. Buying, holding and selling crypto is legal in France and across the European Union. Preferably use a platform authorized to serve residents of your country: in France, its status can be checked on the AMF website. A license regulates the provider, but doesn't protect you against falling prices.
How much money should I start with?
A small amount you can afford to lose: a few tens of euros is enough to learn the process. Check the minimum purchase and the fees, because on a very small amount, fixed fees can be a large share of the total.
Which platform should I choose for a first purchase?
A platform licensed in your country that accepts a deposit in your name (SEPA transfer or card), clearly shows the total cost and offers two-factor authentication. Compare the price you actually pay rather than the "zero commission" pitch: our exchange comparison and the guide Choosing an exchange in Europe detail these criteria.