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

Nilooka Dissanayake avatar
Written by   |  
Andrew Boyd avatar
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Updated 30 Nov 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 in Australia — including exchanges that accept Australian 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

Binance Australia

On website

Highlights

  • Sign up on Binance Australia to get a 100 USDT cashback voucher. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • Access the world's biggest platform for buying, selling, and trading crypto.
  • Trade and stake thousands of cryptocurrencies and trading pairs.
  • Deposit funds without worrying about any extra charges.

Pros

  • Low trading fees.
  • Easily deposit funds using credit or debit cards.
  • Practice with demo trading before diving into real investments.
  • Access powerful charting and trading features designed for experienced traders.
  • 24/7 live chat support.
  • AUSTRAC regulated.

Cons

  • The platform's user interface can be complex for beginners, making it harder to navigate initially.
  • Ongoing regulatory challenges in various countries could raise concerns for some users regarding its long-term stability.
Swyftx

On website

Highlights

  • Access over 440 assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, and DeFi tokens like UniCoin.
  • Choose from multiple payment options, including PayID, OSKO, POLi, and bank transfers for deposits and withdrawals.
  • Learn the basics of crypto trading with Swyftx’s demo mode, allowing risk-free mock trading.

Pros

  • Australian-based platform with AUSTRAC regulation.
  • Access to 440+ crypto assets.
  • Quick customer support—live chat replies within 5 minutes.
  • Integrated tax reporting for easy tracking.
  • Supports trading in AUD, USD, and NZD.

Cons

  • Limited access to advanced trading markets.
  • Trading fees start at 0.6% for regular users, higher than some competitors.
eToro Crypto

On website

Crypto assets are unregulated & highly speculative. No consumer protection. Capital at risk.

Highlights

  • Access thousands of assets across multiple categories.
  • Copy trades of popular investors that trade Crypto.
  • Access powerful analysis tools and innovative social features.

Pros

  • The user-friendly website and app make it easy to trade from anywhere.
  • Trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 60+ other crypto assets.
  • With its CopyTrader feature, you can replicate the moves of other investors.
  • Start trading with just $10.

Cons

  • There is a 1% fee that is added to the market price.
  • Other exchanges have more selections of crypto coins and tokens.
Coinbase

On website

Finty may be compensated when you click on the link.

Highlights

  • Trade over 200 cryptocurrencies and track them all in one place.
  • Set up automatic daily, weekly, or monthly crypto purchases.
  • Deposit and withdraw AUD for free using PayID, Osko, card, or bank transfers.
  • Earn up to 15% APY on select crypto holdings.

Pros

  • Access a broad selection of altcoins for diverse trading opportunities.
  • Start trading with as little as $2, making it beginner-friendly.
  • Advanced trading features like Market, Limit, Stop Limit, and Auction Mode orders for greater control.
  • Effortlessly toggle between Simple and Advanced Trade modes to suit your needs.
  • Unlock zero trading fees and earn up to 4.5% USDC rewards with Coinbase One.
  • Coinbase Australia is fully registered with AUSTRAC for added security and compliance.

Cons

  • Trading fees are relatively higher compared to some other exchanges.
  • Customer support can be slow at times, causing delays in resolving issues.
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.

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 licence, 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 decentralised 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.

As seen on

Media - The Sydney Morning Herald
Media - Yahoo Finance
Media - News.com.au
Media - Daily Mail Australia
Media - Australian Fintech
Media - Dynamic Business