Read this in-depth review of the top tools to Buy Bitcoin with PayPal on various platforms along with tool comparison and stepwise directions:
PayPal now allows you to buy cryptocurrencies-including Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum directly from its web and mobile app. If you have a PayPal account, you can start buying crypto for as low as $1 on your PayPal balance. This is with the same protections as when using PayPal in other ways.
However, you cannot use those coins outside the platform apart from purchasing goods and services with them through the merchant checkout service.
This tutorial reviews five platforms where you can buy Bitcoin with PayPal without much hustle. We will also outline detailed steps on how to buy Bitcoin with PayPal.
What You Will Learn:
How To Buy Bitcoin With PayPal
Suggested Reading =>> Best cryptocurrency exchange service
Steps To Follow To Buy Bitcoin
The below steps explain how to buy Bitcoin with PayPal and then withdraw the coins to other platforms for other purposes like staking, investing, buying ICOs, and sending to friends.
#1) Sign up: Create a free user account with Coinbase, eToro, LocalBitcoins, XCoins, and LocalCryptos platforms. Make sure to also have a PayPal account – it is easy, quick, and free.
#2) Load the PayPal account: Loading the PayPal account with money or credit means depositing money there. This can be done by connecting a Visa or MasterCard credit and debit card. You can then deposit from the bank via the card to PayPal.
PayPal also allows you to deposit money into the account directly via a bank account as long as the two are connected. Credit card transactions are immediate. Another alternative is to have a friend send you a PayPal balance to your account. It is also instant. The balance will reflect immediately on your PayPal account.
#3) Buying from Coinbase and eToro: For each of the platforms, we explained a detailed procedure below in this tutorial. Basically, you will need to log in to Coinbase or eToro and then choose PayPal as the payment method.
You connect the PayPal account to Coinbase through an API in the process and then deposit the desired amount from PayPal to eToro or Coinbase. You then return to the buy feature and the purchase amount is charged or deducted from your eToro or Coinbase account.
Buying from LocalBitcoins and LocalCryptos: On these platforms, you will need to check peers who are accepting PayPal payments for their orders. Simply select PayPal when selecting search terms on the platform or scroll through the listed orders to find which ones have PayPal as a method of payment.
The seller will need to release crypto to the escrow service before you can transact. This is important so you do not lose money to scammers.
Further Read => Buy Bitcoin with Cash
#4) Receiving crypto in your wallet: This is the final step towards buying Bitcoin with PayPal. On a peer-to-peer platform like LocalBitcoins or LocalCryptos, you will already have a wallet address when you sign up with the platforms. Hence, after the seller releases the cryptocurrency, it reflects as a balance on your account. You can then spend it as you wish.
On Coinbase or eToro, the crypto is also sent to your wallet and reflects on the balance after the transaction completes.
List of Tools to Buy Bitcoin With PayPal
Here is the list of popular tools to buy bitcoin:
- CoinSmart
- Crypto.com
- Coinmama
- Coinbase
- LocalCryptos
- LocalBitcoins
- xCoins
Comparison Table of Top Tools to Buy Bitcoin
Tool name | Top Features | Fees | Our Rating |
---|---|---|---|
CoinSmart | Same-day fiat cash out to banks. Instant crypto-crypto conversions. | Up to 6% credit card. | 4.5/5 |
Crypto.com | Crypto.com Visa card – 4 tiers. | 2.99% via credit card. Free ACH and wire transfers. | 4.5/5 |
Coinmama | Buy crypto with fiat via credit card and electronic payments and cash out Bitcoin via bank account. | 0% for SEPA, 0% SWIFT for orders above $1000 (otherwise 20 GBP), 0% for Faster Payments in UK only, and $4.99% credit/debit card. | 4.5/5 |
Coinbase | Regulated exchange for large purchases and institutional products. | 3.99% to buy; 2.5% to deposit USD. | 5/5 |
LocalCryptos | Peer to peer trading for manageable order amounts. It supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dash. | 0.25% fee for the maker or the person who placed the offer listing and 0.75% for the taker or the person responding to the offer. | 4.7/5 |
LocalBitcoins | Peer to peer trading for manageable order amounts. Supports only Bitcoins. | 1% fee on every transaction is paid by sellers. For buyers, premiums can be as high as 20% above the Bitcoin market rate | 4.7/5 |
xCoins | Lending Bitcoins with profits. No integrated trading. | Buyers pay between 15%-30% of the total loan amount. | 4/5 |
Review of the tools:
#1) CoinSmart
CoinSmart also does not support buying Bitcoin directly with PayPal unless if you were connecting a credit or debit card to PayPal. You can then transfer PayPal funds to the debit or credit card and pay for Bitcoin using a credit card. This would be a time-consuming and tedious process.
It would be advisable to, instead, look for a platform that supports direct Bitcoin buying with PayPal.
Features:
- Instant purchases via debit card and credit card.
- You can use Interac e-Transfer, bank wire, and bank draft.
Steps to buy Bitcoins with PayPal on CoinSmart
#1) Follow normal procedure to add credit card to PayPal account.
#2) Follow normal procedure to transfer PayPal funds to credit card or send to a bank account: Simply go to Transfer Money on your PayPal account, Go to the Instant section to see if the added card is listed, and transfer the money to its bank account instantly. If not, select Transfer to the bank and wait for up to 5 days.
#3) Use funds to buy Bitcoin on CoinSmart: Go to the SmartTrade section, select Buy Crypto with Credit Card, choose Crypto to buy, enter the amount, and then enter card details.
Fees: Interac e-Transfer – 1.5% Fee on $100 – $1999, 0% Fee on $2000+; Bank Wire and Bank Draft — 0%; Debit/credit card — Up to 6% Fee.
#2) Crypto.com
Crypto.com does not allow direct PayPal purchases or withdrawals. You can, however, buy with PayPal by loading money from PayPal to your Crypto.com Visa Card. You first need to set up for these top-ups on the Card tab page. This allows you to connect the card with your PayPal account. The other alternative is to buy using bank accounts and instantly with credit or debit cards.
Features:
- Supports over 90 countries and 250+ cryptos.
- Trade on leverage if you do not want to cash out.
- Buy instantly with credit card.
Steps to buy Bitcoin with PayPal on Crypto.com
#1) Register an account: You will also need to verify with a passport or ID copy.
#2) Set up for PayPal Crypto.com card top-ups: On the Card tab page, tap Top Up, then Connect with PayPal, input PayPal account details to log in, select and confirm card. Input top-up amount and confirm the transaction.
Go to Buy tab, select crypto, input amount, confirm payment method as PayPal, and proceed to buy.
The transaction limits are up to $1,000 daily and $5,000 for Midnight Blue Crypto.Com Visa Card and $5,000 daily to $15,000 monthly for other card tiers.
Fees: 2.1%.
#3) Coinmama
Coinmama, unfortunately, does not accept PayPal but only bank transfers, VISA, SEPA, MasterCard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Skrill. Those are the methods with which you can buy Bitcoin and other cryptos.
You can’t even use credit cards added to PayPal via the PayPal account. The same applies to American Express and Discover. It is also not possible to cash out to PayPal on Coinmama.
If you want to use PayPal funds to buy Bitcoin on Coinmama, first add a credit card or debit card to your PayPal account. Transfer the funds to the credit card. Then use the card to buy Bitcoins instantly on Coinmama.
This is a tedious and costly process. Instead of doing this, you would rather look for an exchange than natively supports buying with PayPal.
Features:
- Instant Bitcoin and crypto purchases via credit cards. Other methods take time.
- Cash out crypto in fiat through the bank.
Steps to buy Bitcoins with PayPal on Coinmama
- The method is not supported for buying crypto on the platform.
- The only way would be to first add a credit or debit card and transfer the funds from PayPal to the card.
#1) Add credit or debit card on PayPal account: If one exists go to step two.
#2) Transfer funds from PayPal account to debit or credit card: Only eligible cards support this feature. Check money Transfer Money and investigate whether the card is shown on the Instant section. If yes, proceed to transfer. Click Transfer to your bank and select card under the Instant section.
If the card is not supported on the Instant page, you still can click on Transfer Money, then Transfer to your bank, select bank, and proceed as per the prompts. It takes up to 3 days.
#3) Use card to buy Bitcoin: Go back to Coinmama Buy page, enter amount and select credit card or debit card as per the card added in step 2 above. Proceed to buy instantly.
Fees: 3.90%, 3.41%, or 2.93% depending on account loyalty. XBX + 2% Coinmama rate may apply.
#4) Coinbase
Starting this year, Coinbase cryptocurrency exchange allows you to buy crypto, including Bitcoin with debit cards and bank accounts linked to PayPal. Problem is that it works in U.S. only. It frees you from adding bank accounts or card numbers on Coinbase if you already have them added on PayPal. You can also pay with PayPal balance directly without the cards linked.
Also read =>> Best Exchanges to buy Bitcoin in Germany
Prepaid cards, business cards, and credit cards linked to your PayPal account are not currently supported for buying Bitcoins with PayPal.
Coinbase operates in a legitimate environment as a trading broker. Besides, the platform allows people to deposit crypto and invest in other products like staking to earn returns, even on institutional crypto holdings.
Steps to buying Bitcoin on Coinbase with PayPal (works in U.S. only):
#1) Sign up for an account on both PayPal and Coinbase: This is done freely, quickly, and easily by simply submitting your details on each platform.
#2) Add PayPal as a payment method: Log in to Coinbase. Go to the market and select the crypto you want to buy. Tap on the payment method and click “Add a payment method” and select PayPal. Log in to your PayPal account on the next screen.
To complete the purchase, ensure the PayPal email address must be the same as the one used on Coinbase. Otherwise, you will need to complete a 2-factor authentication for security purposes. After this, you can add a debit card or bank account linked to the PayPal account.
#3) Proceed to pay for crypto: If you had followed the procedure above, all you need is to proceed by clicking “Pay” after adding the cards and accounts linked to PayPal. The amount is charged from the cards and the crypto deposited in your wallet.
Features:
- Highly liquid: This feature shields customers from serious price slippages, which is helpful given the already volatile crypto market.
- A cap of $25,000 a day, or 0.46 Bitcoin is imposed on all purchases via PayPal.
- Ability to withdraw cash to PayPal from Coinbase, for customers in the US, Canada, EU, and the UK. Up to $30,000 per day.
- Link one PayPal account to one Coinbase account at a time.
- High fees compared to most other cryptocurrency exchanges. You can reduce fees by using Coinbase Pro.
- It is custodial, meaning users do not control private keys to their crypto. You can, however, withdraw the Bitcoin and crypto to other platforms for other uses, as normally happens.
Fees: 3.99% to buy; 2.5% to deposit USD.
Recommended Reading => Cheapest Ways to Buy Bitcoin in the UK
Website: Coinbase
#5) LocalCryptos
Unlike LocalBitcoins which supports only Bitcoins, LocalCryptos is a multi-crypto peer-to-peer platform currently allowing users to buy and sell Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Dash with local national and international fiat currencies. It allows users to exchange crypto with fiat immediately using locally and internationally available payment methods like PayPal.
Sellers post their orders including a range of amounts they want to sell, the payment method they accept, and other seller terms. Buyers can discover these listings and select one with the most appropriate terms and buy.
The seller must send the cryptocurrency to escrow first before the buyer can pay since the payment is made directly to the seller without middlemen. This prevents fraud and scamming since the seller cannot reverse the crypto and the buyer must pay for it to receive.
Steps to buy Bitcoins with PayPal on LocalCryptos:
#1) Register an account with PayPal and LocalCryptos: Both are free and easy. When registering on LocalCryptos, be sure to write and save your recovery passphrase on paper when creating the wallet. Keep it safely offline.
You can also download the wallet backup from the profile and store it offline on a separate device. Be sure not to forget the password as there will be no recovery to it unless if you have the recovery passphrase.
Once you create an account, the wallet is created automatically. From your profile, you can view the wallet addresses in which your Bitcoins or other supported crypto get saved.
#2) Load PayPal: You can connect a credit or debit card or bank account to your PayPal and load from your bank. Alternatively, ask a friend or someone to send money to your PayPal.
#3) Browse orders: Return to LocalCryptos and, while logged in to your account, select “Browse” to access the list or orders from sellers. You can also click “view the marketplace” when not logged in and the list will appear.
From the left-hand side of the “Payment method” drop-down menu, select PayPal. The seller list should now reflect a list of those people selling crypto and accepting PayPal as a payment method.
The most appropriate temptation is to select the seller with the best percentage rate or selling price. It clearly showed the price offered by each seller against their sell orders on the right.
#4) Buy Bitcoins with PayPal: Select the desired sell order by clicking the “buy” button on the extreme right against the chosen order. Fill in the amount you want to buy or the amount of fiat money you want to spend on buying the crypto. This will include the fee.
The order will be placed, and the seller will be notified on their mobile phones.
You can also view the seller’s PayPal information from their terms before and after placing an order with them. After contacting them and agreeing to buy with their terms, they will send the crypto to escrow. Ensure this is so to avoid being scammed.
Log in to your PayPal and send money required to their PayPal email address using the PayPal “send money” feature.
#5) Receive crypto to your wallet: You can contact the seller after sending money to them with PayPal. The seller should confirm having received the money and then release the crypto from escrow to your wallet address.
If they don’t, raise a claim with the support of payment evidence. You can also launch a claim with PayPal with screenshot evidence of discussion and agreements and failed transaction details.
When the seller clicks a button to release crypto to your wallet, it will appear as a balance to your wallet. Click “Wallet” from your profile and check if this is so. You can then spend the crypto as wished, send it to other external wallets or to people directly.
Features:
- Direct chat messaging on the platform and phone contact tools, hence buyers and sellers can discuss and modify terms as they wish. You can contact the seller using mobile or email shown on their list of terms.
- Direct free send and receive to peers in addition to buying and selling.
- Secure wallets with 2-factor authentication and pin. Users can also back up their wallets by the file and using recovery passphrase. Users keep and control their private keys.
- More than 40 payment methods, including PayPal, bank wire, Western Union, etc.
- Instant notifications to seller’s mobile numbers when you choose to buy from them or send them a message on the platform. You also get notifications on your mobile phone when they respond to your message or order.
Fees: 0.25% fee for the maker or the person who places the offer listing, and 0.75% for the taker or the person responding to the offer.
Website: LocalCryptos
#6) LocalBitcoins
LocalBitcoins is a peer-to-peer crypto exchange that is popular for trading with nearly any local fiat currency, from the dollar to the Pesos to Venezuela Bolivars. Being a peer-to-peer platform means traders who want to be paid with PayPal, cash, and other methods place their trades for direct acceptance by buyers.
LocalBitcoins acts as a service that matches buyers with sellers willing to trade their crypto on their own terms, including amounts, time, verification, payment methods, etc.
For decentralized order books, there are no middlemen. They use smart contracts and automated market makers (liquidity providers) to let customers buy, sell, and swap crypto for another immediately and at a very low fee.
Although some can have a centralized settlement, some allow users to trade directly. The latter creates p2p markets directly on the blockchain to allow customers to trade digital currencies.
Steps to buy Bitcoins with PayPal on LocalBitcoins.com:
#1) Start by creating a crypto wallet and account: Simply click signup and submit details to create an account and wallet if you have none. Do the same for PayPal.
#2) Scout for traders accepting PayPal as a payment method: Click on “Quick Buy” and select the currency and from the “All Online Offers” drop-down menu, select PayPal. Once you do this, all offers that accept PayPal as a payment method will appear.
You can also select the desired country from which to buy Bitcoins with PayPal in the list of countries drop-down menu. From the list of PayPal offers that appear after selecting PayPal from the “All Online Offers,” check the one with the most appropriate price and purchase limits.
Different traders allow you to trade in different terms, such as after verification by uploading identification, or other terms. Check that you agree to those terms.
#3) Proceed to input the amount you wish to trade with chosen seller: The seller will be notified once an order is placed so they can send the Bitcoins to escrow. You can contact the seller via message or other contact info that they indicate on the order terms.
#4) Pay with PayPal: If the seller agrees to receive PayPal, you can ask them for their PayPal account info and then log in to PayPal and send the funds. Do not pay before the Bitcoin is released to escrow unless you trust the seller. Otherwise, they may not send the crypto once you pay if they are scammers.
The platform will inform you once the seller releases Bitcoin to escrow.
#5) Receive crypto: On sending the money to the seller via PayPal, they ought to confirm receiving the funds and activating to release the Bitcoins to your account.’ If done, it will reflect on the account. If not, contact support.
If anything wrong happens, you can also launch a claim with PayPal for reversal of funds.
Features:
- Instant to buy Bitcoin with PayPal on this platform.
- No possibility of the seller reversing money after you pay since the cryptocurrency you buy has to be first sent to escrow before you pay.
- Escrow protection is such that a trader can securely trade crypto without losing money to scammers because the seller needs to send to escrow where they can’t reverse the crypto by themselves after receiving funds on their PayPal.
- Available in over 100 countries. Access to a global marketplace and the ability to buy from whoever you choose.
Fees: High fees for PayPal transactions — 1% fee on every transaction paid by sellers. For buyers, premiums can be as high as 20% above the Bitcoin market rate.
Website: LocalBitcoins
#7) xCoins
xCoins.io is a peer-to-peer exchange that uses the lending model to connect lenders to people who need crypto loans. A lender funds their account with Bitcoin and chooses an interest rate, while a buyer can choose from the array of loans that have the terms they like.
Buyers can also be auto-matched with a loan. Buyers then pay with PayPal. The buyer will receive the amount given as collateral after paying the Bitcoin and interest.
As such, it allows those with Bitcoins to sell to those who need to pay via different payment methods, including PayPal. These sellers broadcast their intention to trade Bitcoins for PayPal and be paid via PayPal, credit card, and debit card. All a seller needs to do is to check those peers who want to sell their crypto for PayPal balance.
The problem is that most accounts are frozen for 180 days because of potential fraudulent activity. This is especially so when doing a high volume of loans to other users.
Steps to buy Bitcoins with PayPal on xCoins:
#1) Open an account at xCoins and PayPal. Verify the account by submitting an ID.
#2) Specify how much you want to buy. Scout for loans listed by lenders and find one with your suitable interest and other terms.
#3) Send the amount of money required by the lender to them via PayPal.
#4) Receive the Bitcoin in your wallet.
For lenders, set up accounts at PayPal and xCoins, then deposit the amount of Bitcoins in your xCoins wallet (minimum is $20 worth of Bitcoin). Then create a listing with your terms like interest rate desired.
When a buyer chooses your loan listing, you receive money in your PayPal account.
Features:
- Bitcoins become available instantly to your wallet once you pay.
- Though not an excellent service, it gets the job done.
- Accounts are frozen regularly for a high volume of transactions.
- You can sell Bitcoins for PayPal, directly and immediately, and with high profits. It is one reason many people love it.
Fees: Buyers pay between 15%-30% of the total loan amount.
Website: xCoins.io
Conclusion
We explained how to buy Bitcoin with PayPal in this guide. If you want to buy Bitcoins with PayPal only to purchase goods and services, you can now do it directly on your PayPal account, although it only supports US accounts. Again, not all merchants will support PayPal.
Also read => Bitcoin Vs Bitcoin Cash – A Comparison
We suggest checking Coinbase and eToro if you are paranoid about the security of your crypto. Both allow you to buy Bitcoins with PayPal instantly and they provide wallets in which you can hold the purchased coins. However, Coinbase and eToro PayPal purchase features are not available in all countries.
Here, we suggest LocalBitcoins.com if your interest is buying Bitcoins only or LocalCryptos which supports Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dash, and Ethereum. Both allow you to pay in your national fiat currencies and using local payment methods, including cash purchases.
Suggested read =>> How to buy Bitcoin without ID verification
Review Process:
Time taken to research and write this article: 7 Hours
Total tools researched online: 8
Top tools shortlisted for review: 5