Bitcoin is, without exaggeration, the best investment tool. This unique cryptocurrency has shown an astonished public how it can soar to the top of the financial Olympus or plunge into the abyss, yet still manage to regain its position and maintain its investment appeal. Today, investing in Bitcoin (BTC) is in demand and attracts the interest of beginners, risk-takers, and determined crypto investors. The first question is: where to start?
Step one: choosing a purchase method
First, you need to decide on a purchase method for Bitcoin, choosing the best one from those designed to transform fiat currencies into digital assets. There are three reliable methods.
First, through electronic exchanges. This is the easiest and fastest way to buy Bitcoin (BTC) with US dollars (USD). There are many such services, so every investor can find the one that suits them based on a combination of advantages. Exchangers have one function: converting various types of currencies, including any cryptocurrency and fiat. This option is ideal for one-time purchases and instant conversions that don’t require registration or personal information.
Secondly, there are centralized crypto exchanges. These online platforms offer more features. They offer both exchange and storage options, although their primary activity is cryptocurrency trading. They offer numerous trading tools (charts, analytics, futures markets, etc.), so crypto exchanges aren’t ideal for beginners planning to invest US dollars (USD) in Bitcoin for long-term storage and profit. The exchange rates are slightly better than those offered by exchangers, but the process is more complex and requires participant verification.
Thirdly, there are P2P platforms. This is a special type of online trading service for direct transactions between people. You can buy or sell Bitcoin for dollars and other currencies, but you often have to wait a long time for a suitable offer. The platform’s guarantees are also questionable.
Step Two: Choosing and Opening a Wallet
The next step is choosing a method for storing Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Specialized cryptocurrency wallets are used for this. The choice depends on your goals.
- There are so-called “cold” wallets, which prioritize security. They connect to the network when a transaction is made, and the keys to these storage locations are stored only on the owner’s device.
- If the user plans to trade, it’s best to choose a “hot” wallet. In this case, funds are stored on centrally managed storage platforms, and the access keys are the responsibility of the crypto exchange. This approach makes it more convenient for traders.
Many exchanges offer their own decentralized wallets, but many also offer mobile services (for example, TrustWallet and BlueWallet). Among hardware wallets, Trezor and KeepKey are well-known.
What to do next?
The next steps depend on the chosen method for purchasing BTC. Choosing a crypto exchange is straightforward. The client must select an exchange service, evaluate the benefits of working with them (rates and fees), select the desired currency type and quantity in the appropriate fields, enter their Bitcoin wallet details, and pay the invoice by transferring dollars to a bank card. It’s best to choose an exchange service on a cryptocurrency monitoring portal. It offers a wide selection of secure and trusted services with ratings based on the best exchange rates they offer.
If you choose a crypto exchange, things are more complicated. You’ll need to register and provide documents for identity verification (since 2025, you can’t buy crypto on exchanges without verification, only sell). Afterwards, you’ll need to study the rules and understand the nuances. Only then can you open an order and wait for a suitable offer to appear.