How to buy Bitcoin (BTC) with a debit card from Canada

By   |   Verified by Andrew Boyd   |   Updated 21 Oct 2022

Using a debit card to buy Bitcoin is fast and widely supported at many crypto exchanges.

Below you’ll find a complete guide to buying Bitcoin with a debit card — including exchanges that accept Canadian debit cards — and a step-by-step guide for new investors.

Unsure about what exchange to use?

Where to buy Bitcoin with a debit card

Coinbase

On website

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Coinbase

Highlights

  • Buy and sell popular digital currencies, keep track of them in the one place.
  • Invest in cryptocurrency slowly over time by scheduling buys daily, weekly, or monthly.
  • Crypto stored on Coinbase servers is covered by its insurance policy.

Pros

  • Get access to a wide variety of altcoins.
  • Start trading with as little as $2.
  • Offers Coinbase card which allows you to spend crypto anywhere.

Cons

  • Fees are higher compared to other exchanges.
Coinmama

On website

Coinmama

Highlights

  • Buy Bitcoin and Ethereum with a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or bank transfer.
  • Place your order and get your coins instantly.
  • Fast-track verification with excellent customer service.

Pros

  • Start with as little as $50.
  • Accepts multiple types of payment options.
  • High spending limits.

Cons

  • Fees are higher compared to other providers.
  • Limited cryptocurrency selection.

First time buying?

How to buy Bitcoin with a debit card

Step 1: Select a crypto exchange

To buy Bitcoin with a debit card, sign up with an exchange that supports deposits made with a debit card (most do).

You can compare different crypto exchanges here on Finty. All the exchanges listed on this page accept deposits made with debit cards.

When comparing crypto exchanges, important factors to consider include what the exchange’s commission is to buy Bitcoin, if there are any fees when depositing and withdrawing funds, and what tokens are available apart from Bitcoin.

You may be interested to compare other features like the ability to stake crypto with the exchange and yield a reward, get access to your account balance with a card, etc.

Step 2: Confirm your identity

After your account has been set up, verify your identity by providing your driver’s license, passport, or another form of government-issued ID. Some crypto exchanges also require an image of yourself holding the photo ID so they can verify it’s really you setting up the account.

Step 3: Decide how much to invest

Given that Bitcoin’s price is highly volatile, be careful about how much you invest in it. The general rule of thumb is that you should only invest what you can afford to lose.

Step 4: Deposit funds in your exchange account

Next, you can deposit funds in your exchange account. Using a debit card is typically the fastest way to deposit funds.

  • Not all banks allow their cards to be used to buy Bitcoin due to government regulations.
  • There are alternative funding options if your bank blocks transactions at crypto exchanges, but you still want to buy Bitcoin. For example, you could transfer funds to your PayPal account and use it to deposit funds at the exchange.

Step 5: Place an order

There are generally three different types of orders: market, trigger, or recurring.

Market orders execute immediately at the next available price and require practically no configuration whatsoever. By configuring a trigger order, you can set a target price at which you watch the order to be executed. You may be able to set up recurring orders to buy a certain amount of Bitcoin periodically, e.g. buy $100 of Bitcoin every month (if there are enough funds in your trading account at the exchange).

Step 6: Buy Bitcoin

Once the order of your choice has been configured, you can execute the transaction.

Still not sure?

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fast and convenient. Buying Bitcoin with a debit card is faster than using a bank transfer.
  • Limits speculation. You can only buy as much as you have available to use in your bank account, limiting the risk of investing too much in a speculative and volatile asset.

Cons

  • Limited bank support. Not every bank permits their customers to use their own debit card to buy Bitcoin.
  • Less fraud protection compared to a credit card. Although debit cards are more widely accepted compared to credit cards, there is less consumer protection.
  • Transaction fees. Exchanges may charge a fee to process deposits made with a debit card.

Extra help

FAQs

How long does it take for funds to transfer using a debit card?

Funds deposited into your exchange account using a debit card are typically available to use immediately.

Can I buy Bitcoin with a debit card anonymously?

You can purchase bitcoins with a debit card anonymously on decentralized peer-to-peer exchanges.

Can I buy other cryptocurrencies with a debit card?

Yes, you can buy other cryptocurrencies with a debit card. Once you have funded your trading account at the exchange, select the cryptocurrency you want to buy, fill out the order form, and complete the purchase.