How to Buy, Trade, or Convert Crypto

Sign up for Coinbase or download the Coinbase app and start the sign up process. You will need a valid ID and may be asked for proof of address in order to transact, so be sure to have those ready. Verifying your ID may take longer than a few minutes, depending on where you live.

Tap on the payment method box and connect a payment method. You can use a bank account, debit card or initiate a wire.

On Coinbase.com, select Buy & Sell. On the Coinbase mobile app, tap the ( + ) Buy on the Home tab.

On Coinbase.com, click the Buy panel to search and select your crypto of choice. On the Coinbase mobile app, search for your crypto of choice by typing the asset's name into the search bar. When you see the crypto asset you're looking for appear in the results, tap it to open up the purchase screen.

Use the number pad to input the amount you want to spend in your local currency. The app will automatically convert that into a crypto amount. You can tap the arrow buttons to the right of the amount of money you want to spend to switch the number to the equivalent amount of the crypto you're looking to buy.

Tap “Preview buy” when ready. You'll be shown the details of your purchase. Make sure everything looks good and then confirm your purchase by clicking “Buy now”.

Once the order processes, you'll be taken to the confirmation screen. That's it, you've bought crypto.

Sign up and download the Coinbase app. You will need a valid ID and may be asked for proof of address in order to transact, so be sure to have those ready. Verifying your ID may take longer than a few minutes, depending on where you live.

Navigate to the “Trade” tab. Please note that Trade on DEX is only available on Coinbase app and is subject to location. Coinbase is not responsible for activity or assets traded through a DEX. Before completing a trade, do your research.

Search for a crypto asset by typing the asset name into the search bar. When you see the right crypto asset appear in the results, click 'Trade' button. A pop-up message will appear introducing you to our integrated DEX feature and your newly created web3 wallet which you can use to execute this trade. Select “Continue” and “Let's go” to proceed.

Use the number pad to input the amount of ETH you want to trade for your crypto asset.

Select “Preview DEX trade” when you're ready. You'll be shown the details of your purchase, including payment method, exchange rate, fees charged by the Ethereum network to process your transaction, Coinbase fees, and the total cost of the transaction. Make sure everything looks good and then select “Trade now” to confirm your trade.

If you do not currently have any ETH in your primary Coinbase account, you will be prompted to “buy ETH with cash” or to “receive ETH from another wallet”. If you already have ETH in your wallet, you will simply be asked to transfer ETH from your primary wallet to your newly created web3 wallet. On the 'Transfer Ethereum' page, enter the amount of ETH you wish to transfer to your web3 wallet and then select 'Preview transfer'. Once you've confirmed the details on the transfer preview page, select “Transfer now”.

Once you've completed the transfer, select “Return to DEX” to complete your trade. Once the transfer is complete, the DEX will then ask you to approve spending of ETH in your web3 wallet. After approving your ETH to be spent, you can complete the trade for the crypto asset by selecting “Trade now” on the final order preview page. That's it, you've bought a crypto asset through a DEX.

Coinbase Wallet is available as a mobile app and browser extension. Download Coinbase Wallet.

As part of setting up your Coinbase Wallet, you will need to choose a username. This username lets other Coinbase Wallet users easily send you crypto. You can keep your username private, but you will need one to access the account. If you create a cb.id, you'll be able to easily share your cb.id username and view your profile on profile.coinbase.com.

When you create a new self-custody wallet, you'll be given a recovery phrase that consists of 12 random words. The recovery phrase is the key to your crypto, meaning anyone with your recovery phrase has access to your crypto. Do not share your recovery phrase with anyone. We strongly recommend writing these down on paper and storing them securely, as well as using Coinbase Wallet's cloud backup feature. Remember, do not share your recovery phrase with anyone. Coinbase will never ask you for your recovery phrase. And if you lose your recovery phrase, Coinbase cannot help you access your wallet.

Fees vary based on how busy the network is, how complicated the transaction is, and how fast you'd like the transaction completed. Plan to set aside some money for fees. Learn more about Ethereum fees here.

If you don't have a Coinbase account, you'll need to create one to buy Ethereum (ETH). Learn more about how to create a Coinbase account and buy Ethereum (ETH) here. The way you transfer ETH to your Coinbase Wallet varies depending on whether you're using the mobile app or the Chrome extension. See detailed instructions here.

Once you've added ETH to Coinbase Wallet, you can swap your ETH for your token in the mobile app or browser extension. Tap or click the "Swap" icon in the Assets tab, then select "Choose asset" and pick the token you’re looking to buy. Input the amount of ETH you'd like to exchange for that crypto asset. Remember to leave enough for transaction fees. Confirm your purchase and follow the instructions on the screen to finalize.