How to Buy Bitcoin (BTC): A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

When purchasing Bitcoin, there are several factors to consider, including selecting an exchange to purchase it from and the transaction method. Fortunately, we've compiled a list of reputable exchanges in the UK to assist you with the process.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose an Exchange
Research and select a cryptocurrency exchange that operates in the United Kingdom and supports Bitcoin trading. Consider factors such as fees, security, and user reviews.
Platform Coin Price
Nexo Bitcoin (BTC) 91,070.67
PrimeXBT Bitcoin (BTC) 91,087.3
EarnPark Bitcoin (BTC) 90,639.62
YouHodler Bitcoin (BTC) 91,142.79
Binance Bitcoin (BTC) 91,142.79
BTSE Bitcoin (BTC) 91,076
View all 80 prices
2. Create an Account
Register on the exchange's website or mobile app, providing personal information and identity verification documents.
Platform Coin Price
Nexo Bitcoin (BTC) 91,070.67
PrimeXBT Bitcoin (BTC) 91,087.3
EarnPark Bitcoin (BTC) 90,639.62
YouHodler Bitcoin (BTC) 91,142.79
Binance Bitcoin (BTC) 91,142.79
BTSE Bitcoin (BTC) 91,076
View all 80 prices
3. Fund Your Account
Transfer funds to your exchange account using supported payment methods such as bank transfer, credit card, or debit card.
4. Navigate to the Bitcoin Market
Once your account is funded, search for Bitcoin (BTC) in the exchange's marketplace.
5. Choose a Transaction Amount
Enter the desired amount of Bitcoin you wish to purchase.
6. Confirm Purchase
Preview the Transaction Details and Confirm Your Purchase by clicking the "Purchase BTC" or equivalent button.
7. Complete Purchase
Your Bitcoin purchase will be processed and deposited into your exchange wallet within minutes.
8. Transfer to a Hardware Wallet
It's always best to keep your cryptocurrency in a hardware wallet for security reasons. We always recommend Wirex or Trezor.

What to Be Aware Of

When purchasing Bitcoin, it's important to choose a reputable exchange that is user-friendly and has reasonable fees. Once you've done this, always transfer your cryptocurrency to a hardware wallet. That way, no matter what happens to that exchange, your cryptocurrency is safe.

Latest Movements in the UK

Bitcoin (BTC) is currently priced at US$85,136.55 with a 24-hour trading volume of US$1,281.91. In the last 24 hours, Bitcoin has experienced a decrease of -2.11%. The market cap of Bitcoin stands at US$1.06M, with 2.46M BTC in circulation. For those looking to buy or trade Bitcoin, Nexo offers avenues to do so securely and efficiently

Market capitalisation: US$1.06M
24-hour volume: US$1,281.91
Circulating supply: 2.46M BTC

See the latest information

Frequently Asked Questions About Purchasing Bitcoin (BTC)

What exactly is Bitcoin and how does it work at a high level?: Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that operates on a public blockchain. It enables peer-to-peer money transfers without banks or intermediaries. Transactions are verified by miners who solve cryptographic puzzles (Proof of Work) and recorded on a public ledger. The system has a hard cap of 21 million coins, with new coins issued as block rewards about every 10 minutes. This design creates scarce digital assets and censorship-resistant transfers. Users interact with Bitcoin through wallets that hold private keys; signing a transaction with your key proves ownership and authorizes the transfer.
What is Bitcoin’s supply dynamics and why is the cap important?: Bitcoin has a fixed supply cap of 21 million coins. New bitcoins are minted as rewards to miners for adding blocks to the chain, with the reward halving roughly every four years. This halving reduces new supply over time, contributing to potential long-term scarcity. Once all 21 million coins are mined, no new bitcoins will be created. The capped supply is a core aspect of Bitcoin’s value proposition, often described as “digital gold,” as it aims to protect against inflation by limiting the total quantity available.
How can I safely buy, store, and use Bitcoin for transactions?: To buy Bitcoin, use a regulated exchange or broker, complete identity verification, and transfer BTC to a personal wallet. For storage, choose a secure wallet type: hardware wallets (offline storage) offer strong security for larger balances, while software wallets (mobile/desktop) are convenient for daily use. Always back up your seed phrase and enable two-factor authentication on exchange accounts. To transact, you’ll need the recipient’s Bitcoin address, confirm fee preferences (speed vs. cost), and broadcast the signed transaction to the network. Be mindful of security best practices to avoid phishing and loss of private keys.
What are the main risks and considerations when investing in Bitcoin today?: Bitcoin investments carry market risk, including price volatility driven by macro events, regulation, and market sentiment. As a decentralized asset with no intrinsic cash flows or credit risk, value depends on demand and adoption. Regulatory changes could impact exchanges and custody services, while technological shifts (like improvements to scaling or competing networks) may influence demand. Diversification, position sizing, and understanding custody risk are essential. Always use reputable platforms, secure wallets, and keep private keys offline when possible to reduce loss risk.
What are notable developments and use-cases surrounding Bitcoin beyond payments?: Beyond a peer-to-peer currency, Bitcoin has become a store of value and treasury asset for some institutions. Innovations like Ordinals enable NFT-like features directly on Bitcoin, while experimental token standards (e.g., BRC-20) explore fungible tokens on the Bitcoin network. Companies and investors also use Bitcoin as a hedge against currency debasement, treating it as a long-term reserve asset. Ongoing ecosystem growth includes infrastructure for custody, security, and potential integration with traditional financial vehicles through regulated products like spot ETFs and futures markets.

Bitcoin BTC News in the UK

January 23, 2026FBI arrests ex-Olympian drug 'kingpin' who allegedly used crypto to move proceeds

The U.S. caught a top-ten most-wanted fugitive when they arrested Ryan Wedding, a former top snowboarder who's said to have used digital assets in his crimes.

January 23, 2026Why Kevin O'Leary Sold 27 Crypto Positions, What He's Investing In Now

"Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary is pivoting his crypto strategy from tokens to energy infrastructure, declaring that power generation is now the real prize.

January 23, 2026CZ says bitcoin will ‘break’ 4-year cycle as global crypto support grows

In Davos, CZ told CNBC he believes BTC will hit new highs this year as crypto gains global political acceptance.

Top Pairs for Bitcoin in the UK

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose an Exchange

Research and select a cryptocurrency exchange that operates in the United Kingdom and supports Bitcoin trading. Consider factors such as fees, security, and user reviews.

Platform	Coin	Price
Nexo	Bitcoin (BTC)	91,070.67
PrimeXBT	Bitcoin (BTC)	91,087.3
EarnPark	Bitcoin (BTC)	90,639.62
YouHodler	Bitcoin (BTC)	91,142.79
Binance	Bitcoin (BTC)	91,142.79
BTSE	Bitcoin (BTC)	91,076

View all 80 prices

2. Create an Account

Platform	Coin	Price
Nexo	Bitcoin (BTC)	91,070.67
PrimeXBT	Bitcoin (BTC)	91,087.3
EarnPark	Bitcoin (BTC)	90,639.62
YouHodler	Bitcoin (BTC)	91,142.79
Binance	Bitcoin (BTC)	91,142.79
BTSE	Bitcoin (BTC)	91,076

View all 80 prices

3. Fund Your Account

Transfer funds to your exchange account using supported payment methods such as bank transfer, credit card, or debit card.

4. Navigate to the Bitcoin Market

Once your account is funded, search for Bitcoin (BTC) in the exchange's marketplace.

5. Choose a Transaction Amount

Enter the desired amount of Bitcoin you wish to purchase.

6. Confirm Purchase

Preview the Transaction Details and Confirm Your Purchase by clicking the "Purchase BTC" or equivalent button.

7. Complete Purchase

Your Bitcoin purchase will be processed and deposited into your exchange wallet within minutes.

8. Transfer to a Hardware Wallet

It's always best to keep your cryptocurrency in a hardware wallet for security reasons. We always recommend Wirex or Trezor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Purchasing Bitcoin (BTC)

What exactly is Bitcoin and how does it work at a high level?

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that operates on a public blockchain. It enables peer-to-peer money transfers without banks or intermediaries. Transactions are verified by miners who solve cryptographic puzzles (Proof of Work) and recorded on a public ledger. The system has a hard cap of 21 million coins, with new coins issued as block rewards about every 10 minutes. This design creates scarce digital assets and censorship-resistant transfers. Users interact with Bitcoin through wallets that hold private keys; signing a transaction with your key proves ownership and authorizes the transfer.

What is Bitcoin’s supply dynamics and why is the cap important?

Bitcoin has a fixed supply cap of 21 million coins. New bitcoins are minted as rewards to miners for adding blocks to the chain, with the reward halving roughly every four years. This halving reduces new supply over time, contributing to potential long-term scarcity. Once all 21 million coins are mined, no new bitcoins will be created. The capped supply is a core aspect of Bitcoin’s value proposition, often described as “digital gold,” as it aims to protect against inflation by limiting the total quantity available.

How can I safely buy, store, and use Bitcoin for transactions?

To buy Bitcoin, use a regulated exchange or broker, complete identity verification, and transfer BTC to a personal wallet. For storage, choose a secure wallet type: hardware wallets (offline storage) offer strong security for larger balances, while software wallets (mobile/desktop) are convenient for daily use. Always back up your seed phrase and enable two-factor authentication on exchange accounts. To transact, you’ll need the recipient’s Bitcoin address, confirm fee preferences (speed vs. cost), and broadcast the signed transaction to the network. Be mindful of security best practices to avoid phishing and loss of private keys.

What are the main risks and considerations when investing in Bitcoin today?

Bitcoin investments carry market risk, including price volatility driven by macro events, regulation, and market sentiment. As a decentralized asset with no intrinsic cash flows or credit risk, value depends on demand and adoption. Regulatory changes could impact exchanges and custody services, while technological shifts (like improvements to scaling or competing networks) may influence demand. Diversification, position sizing, and understanding custody risk are essential. Always use reputable platforms, secure wallets, and keep private keys offline when possible to reduce loss risk.

What are notable developments and use-cases surrounding Bitcoin beyond payments?

Beyond a peer-to-peer currency, Bitcoin has become a store of value and treasury asset for some institutions. Innovations like Ordinals enable NFT-like features directly on Bitcoin, while experimental token standards (e.g., BRC-20) explore fungible tokens on the Bitcoin network. Companies and investors also use Bitcoin as a hedge against currency debasement, treating it as a long-term reserve asset. Ongoing ecosystem growth includes infrastructure for custody, security, and potential integration with traditional financial vehicles through regulated products like spot ETFs and futures markets.

How to Purchase Bitcoin (BTC)

What you will learn

How to Purchase Bitcoin (BTC)

Statistics about Bitcoin purchases

Other coins you can purchase

Introduction

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose an Exchange

2. Create an Account

3. Fund Your Account

4. Navigate to the Bitcoin Market

5. Choose a Transaction Amount

6. Confirm Purchase

7. Complete Purchase

8. Transfer to a Hardware Wallet

What to Be Aware Of

Latest Movements in the UK

Frequently Asked Questions About Purchasing Bitcoin (BTC)

Bitcoin BTC News in the UK

Top Pairs for Bitcoin in the UK

Important Notice

Similar Coins to Purchase

Supported Exchanges in the UK

Introduction

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose an Exchange

2. Create an Account

3. Fund Your Account

4. Navigate to the Bitcoin Market

5. Choose a Transaction Amount

6. Confirm Purchase

7. Complete Purchase

8. Transfer to a Hardware Wallet

What to Be Aware Of

Newly Added Coins to Purchase

Frequently Asked Questions About Purchasing Bitcoin (BTC)