How to buy Bitcoin with PayPal

Step-by-step instructions on how to buy Bitcoin and other cryptos using PayPal.

OFFER

Independent Reserve

Independent Reserve logo
  • Buy, sell and trade 29 cryptos.
  • Instant buy with AUD & advanced trading options.
  • Get $10 of Bitcoin when you verify your account. T&Cs apply.
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In 2020 PayPal announced that US residents would be able to purchase Bitcoin (BTC) through the PayPal app. Australian residents, however, are not currently eligible.

So while you can't use the PayPal app to buy Bitcoin directly, you can still use it as a payment method to buy Bitcoin on a few crypto trading platforms in Australia.

Where to buy Bitcoin with PayPal in Australia

Here's a list of some of the platforms that let you buy Bitcoin with PayPal in Australia.

All of the trading platforms in our list support free PayPal deposits, have been vetted by Finder and are registered with AUSTRAC or ASIC.

  • eToro – Good range of coins and excellent social trading features
  • Kraken - Global exchange with instant buy option
  • Independent Reserve – A dedicated crypto exchange with a spot market
  • Revolut – An easy way to get into crypto investing

1. eToro: Good range of coins and excellent social trading features.

eToro Crypto

★★★★★
Finder score
107
Supported cryptos
27
Fiat currencies

ASIC-registered
Get a US$50 bonus when you buy at least US$500 in crypto. T&Cs apply.
eToro is an all-in-one trading platform that lets you deposit funds using PayPal with zero deposit fees.

You can then use these funds to instantly buy Bitcoin, a range of other cryptocurrencies or other investments like stocks, commodities and ETFs.

eToro charges a 1% fee for Bitcoin purchases.

Keep in mind that eToro requires you to convert your AUD to USD before you can spend it on the platform. Foreign exchange fees apply.

The minimum deposit amount is $10; the maximum is $10,000 per transaction. You can deposit by PayPal as many times as you like.

eToro charges a fixed $5 fee for AUD withdrawals and the minimum amount is $30.

eToro is popular for its social trading features. You can copy the moves of other traders and stay up-to-date with what other traders are doing via a social network and news feed. eToro Crypto markets interface

Pros
  • Zero fees for depositing funds using PayPal
  • Purchase BTC and 75+ cryptocurrencies
  • Social trading features like Copy Trading
Cons
  • Foreign exchange fees for AUD deposits
  • Must convert AUD to USD to trade
  • $5 withdrawal fee
Deposit Methods Bank transfer,Credit card,Debit card,PayPal,eToro Money
Deposit Fees Fees vary (up to a 3% currency conversion fee for AUD)
Withdrawal Fees AU$5 (min. of US$30)
Up to a 3% currency conversion fee for AUD
Trading Fees 1%

2. Kraken

Kraken

★★★★★
Finder score
295
Supported cryptos
7
Fiat currencies

AUSTRAC-registered
Kraken is one of the biggest and most recognised crypto exchanges in the world and lets you deposit AUD via PayPal with near-instant processing times.

There is a weekly deposit limit of $7,000 via PayPal and a minimum deposit of $1, with a deposit fee of 1%.

It also has fairly competitive spot trading fees with maker fees of 0.25% and taker fees of 0.40%, with variable instant purchase fees. Kraken markets interface

Pros
  • Advanced trading platform
  • Instant buy options
Cons
  • 1% deposit fee
  • 72-hour withdrawal freeze
Deposit Methods Credit card,Cryptocurrency,Debit card,PayPal,PayID
Deposit Fees Bank transfer, PayID or OSKO: None
Cryptocurrency: Fees vary
Credit and debit card: Fees vary
Withdrawal Fees Bank transfer/OSKO: None ($5 minimum withdrawal)
SWIFT: $55 ($150 minimum withdrawal)
Cryptocurrency: Network fees apply
Trading Fees Maker: 0.20 – 0.25%
Taker: 0.35 – 0.40%

3. Independent Reserve: A dedicated crypto exchange with a spot market

Independent Reserve

30
Supported cryptos
4
Fiat currencies

AUSTRAC-registered
Get $10 of Bitcoin when you verify your account. T&Cs apply.
Independent Reserve is a cryptocurrency exchange that lets you deposit AUD using PayPal with zero deposit fees.

You can then use these funds to purchase Bitcoin. Regular trading fees apply and start at 0.5%.

If you deposit funds to buy Bitcoin or crypto using PayPal, you will not be able to withdraw your crypto or fiat funds for 7 days.

If you decide to sell your Bitcoin, you can withdraw AUD back into your bank account.

Independent Reserve says they are looking to add AUD withdrawals to PayPal accounts in the future. Independent Reserve markets interface

Pros
  • Zero fees for PayPal deposits
  • Buy Bitcoin instantly using PayPal
  • Buy 28 cryptocurrencies using PayPal
Cons
  • Must wait 7 days to withdraw crypto or fiat
Deposit Methods Bank transfer,Credit card,Cryptocurrency,Debit card,PayID
Deposit Fees Cryptocurrency: Free
Bank transfer: None for deposits over AU$100 and above $0.99 for deposits under AU$100
Assisted transfer fee: $20
Debit or credit card: 1%
PayPal: 1%
Withdrawal Fees EFT bank withdrawals: Free
AUD PayID/NPP instant withdrawals: $1.50
Cryptocurrency: Fees vary
Assisted transfer fee: $20
Trading Fees 0.02 — 0.50%

4. Revolut – An easy way to get into crypto investing

Revolut Cryptocurrency App

98
Supported cryptos
18
Fiat currencies
Revolut is better known as a digital banking app, but it also lets you invest in cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin.

You can deposit funds from your PayPal to your Revolut account and then use these to purchase Bitcoin from within the app. There are zero fees for PayPal deposits.

Revolut charges the following fees for cryptocurrency purchases.

  • $1.99 for purchases up to AUD $133.56
  • 1.49% for purchases over AUD $133.56

Revolut Cryptocurrency App markets interface

Pros
  • Free PayPal deposits
  • All-in-one currency and digital banking app
  • Buy 30+ cryptocurrencies
Cons
  • Fees are higher than other options
  • Limited range of cryptocurrencies
  • No advanced trading features
Deposit Methods Bank transfer,Debit card,Apple Pay,Google Pay
Deposit Fees None
Withdrawal Fees Fees vary
Trading Fees 0.99% (Premium or Metal plans) or 1.49% (Standard or Plus plans) plus spread

Buy Bitcoin with PayPal using a P2P exchange

The following cryptocurrency exchanges let you purchase Bitcoin with PayPal through their P2P trading service.

This means that you are buying Bitcoin directly from another user, a bit like buying something off Ebay or Gumtree. This is less convenient than buying it on the open market because you can only purchase the exact amount the other person is willing to sell, and they set the price.

1 - 3 of 3
Name Product GXFCY Deposit methods Fiat currencies Cryptocurrencies Offer Disclaimer Go to site
OFFER
Binance Australia
Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, P2P

114

387

Get up to US$100 in trading vouchers when you verify your account, deposit funds and make a trade. T&Cs apply.
Go to site

Capital at risk

View details
KuCoin
Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, P2P

5

793

Sign up and claim 100 USDT + 200 USDT trading coupon. T&Cs apply.
Go to site

Capital at risk

View details
Bybit
Cryptocurrency, Moonpay, P2P, Banxa, Mercuryo

21

472

Disclaimer: Highly volatile investment product. Your capital is at risk.
Go to site

Capital at risk

View details
Disclaimer: Star ratings are only displayed for products with 10 or more reviews.
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Beware that P2P platforms have their own unique set of risks.

  • P2P communication. Some P2P platforms allow interaction between traders. If you’re communicating directly with another trader, never share personal information – phishing and other scams are common in crypto.
  • Incorrectly approved transactions. If you’re selling on a P2P platform, you must release your assets once payment has been received. If you release your funds before receiving payment, they may be irreversibly lost.
  • Price volatility. When buying and selling on a P2P trading platform, it is your responsibility to check prices before completing transactions. If the market has moved and you haven’t adjusted your order, your buy or sell order may be filled at an unfavorable price.

Why don’t more exchanges offer PayPal?

This is mainly due to one simple fact: PayPal supports chargebacks, which is a problem when purchasing cryptocurrencies.

This is because Bitcoin and other crypto transactions are irreversible.

As a result, someone could theoretically buy Bitcoin with PayPal, complain that they never received the BTC they purchased and ask for a chargeback. That way scammers can keep their money and essentially get Bitcoin for free.

Because of this heightened risk of fraud, there are only a handful of crypto trading platforms and exchanges that accept PayPal deposits.

Is there any risk buying Bitcoin with PayPal?

There are always risks involved with buying and selling Bitcoin, but none specific to using PayPal as a deposit method.

Once you've purchased your Bitcoin, consider moving it off the platform you bought it on and into a non-custodial wallet to reduce counter-party risks.

Pros and cons of buying crypto with PayPal

Pros

  • If you already have a PayPal account, payment is quick and convenient
  • Safe and secure payment method
  • Allows you to buy crypto with Australian dollars (AUD)

Cons

  • Only supported by a small number of platforms
  • May not be able to withdraw your funds back to your PayPal account
  • Foreign exchange fees apply on some platforms

Bottom line

You can use your PayPal account to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on a small number of trading platforms in Australia. The fees on these platforms are a bit higher than some other exchanges out there, but they by no means break the bank.

You can also use PayPal on a P2P market via an exchange like KuCoin, but these are much more inconvenient than buying Bitcoin from a trading platform normally.

As PayPal looks to explore cryptocurrency further, you may not have to wait long until you can buy Bitcoin from within the PayPal app in Australia.

FAQs

Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information. You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators' websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.
James Edwards's headshot
Written by

Cryptocurrency editor

James Edwards was the cryptocurrency editor at Finder. He led the editorial strategy and reported on the latest industry news to further Finder's mission of helping people make better financial decisions. A relatively early adopter, James has been using Bitcoin since 2013 and began working in the industry in 2017. He takes pride in his ability to boil down complex topics into language his parents can understand. His expertise has seen him called on to report at events such as TechCrunch Disrupt, CoinDesk Consensus and IBM Think, and he has coordinated a vast number of high-profile interviews with the industry's brightest minds. He is a regular contributor to Nasdaq and is frequently called upon for market commentary in Australia and abroad. See full bio

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