How do I top up a Bitcoin wallet?

Investing in Bitcoin can seem complicated, but it is much easier when you break it down into steps. Buying Bitcoin is getting easier by the day and the legitimacy of the exchanges and wallets is growing as well.

To exchange Bitcoin, visit: bitcoin to Paypal

Before You Begin

There are several things that every aspiring Bitcoin investor needs. A cryptocurrency exchange account, personal identification documents if you are using a Know Your Customer (KYC) platform, a secure connection to the Internet, and a method of payment. It is also recommended that you have your own personal wallet outside of the exchange account. Valid methods of payment using this path include bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards. It is also possible to get Bitcoin at specialized ATMs and via P2P exchanges. However, be aware that Bitcoin ATMs were increasingly requiring government-issued IDs as of early 2020.

Privacy and security are important issues for Bitcoin investors. Even though there are no physical Bitcoins, it is usually a bad idea to brag about large holdings. Anyone who gains the private key to a public address on the Bitcoin blockchain can authorize transactions. While it is obvious that the private key should be kept secret, criminals may attempt to steal private keys if they learn of large holdings. Be aware that anyone can see the balance of a public address that you use. That makes it a good idea to keep significant investments at public addresses that are not directly connected to ones that are used for transactions.

Step One: Choose an Exchange

Signing up for a cryptocurrency exchange will allow you to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrency. It is generally best practice to use an exchange that allows its users to also withdrawal their crypto to their own personal wallet for safer keeping. There are many exchanges and brokerage platforms that do not allow this. For those looking to consistently trade Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, this feature may not matter.

There are many types of cryptocurrency exchanges that exist. With the ethos of Bitcoin being decentralization and individual sovereignty, some exchanges allow users to remain anonymous and do not require users to enter personal information. Exchanges that allow this operate autonomously and are typically decentralized which means there is no central point of control. In other words, there is no CEO and no person or group for any regulatory body to pursue should it have concerns over illegal activity taking place.

Step Two: Connect Your Exchange to a Payment Option

Once you have chosen an exchange, you now need to gather your personal documents. Depending on the exchange, these may include pictures of a driver's license, social security number, as well as information about your employer and source of funds. The information you may need can depend on the region you live in and the laws within it. The process is largely the same as setting up a typical brokerage account.

After the exchange has ensured your identity and legitimacy you may now connect a payment option. With the exchanges listed above, you can connect your bank account directly or you can connect a debit or credit card. While you can use a credit card to purchase cryptocurrency, it is generally something that should be avoided due to the volatility that cryptocurrencies can experience.

Step Three: Place an Order

Once you have chosen an exchange and connected a payment option you can now buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Over recent years cryptocurrency and their exchanges have slowly become more mainstream. Exchanges have grown significantly in terms of liquidity and their breadth of features. What was once thought of as a scam or questionable has developed into something that could be considered trustworthy and legitimate.

Now, cryptocurrency exchanges have gotten to a point where they have nearly the same level of features as their stock brokerage counterparts. Once you have found an exchange and connected a payment method you are ready to go.

Step Four: Safe Storage

Bitcoin and cryptocurrency wallets are a place to store digital assets more securely. Having your crypto outside of the exchange and in your personal wallet ensures that only you have control over the private key to your funds. It also gives you the ability to store funds away from an exchange and avoid the risk of your exchange getting hacked and losing your funds.

Some wallets have more features than others. Some are Bitcoin only and some offer the ability to store numerous types of altcoins. Some wallets also offer the ability to swap one token for another.