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What is cryptocurrency?

Crypto Finder's™ comprehensive guide to getting started with crypto

Curious about the crypto markets? Today's top coins by market cap
Ready to buy some crypto? Learn how in 5 easy steps
Updated . What changed?
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We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!

You might have heard about Bitcoin, but there's so much more to cryptocurrency than that. Our guides make learning about cryptocurrency easy – allowing you to buy, trade, hold and earn crypto in less time than it takes to set up a new bank account.

Start investing today with our picks for the best crypto exchanges in Australia or learn more about individual coins and where to buy them. Don't forget to check out our best crypto wallets guide to learn how to keep your crypto safe.

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of cryptocurrency or any specific provider, service or offering. It is not a recommendation to trade.

What is cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that have a value, just like a $10 note is a physical token with 10 dollars of value assigned to it.

The difference is that digital currencies are electronic – they only live on the Internet. In order for a cryptocurrency to have value, its coin needs to be unique, verifiable and unreplicable. The Bitcoin blockchain was the innovation that made this possible.

Crucial to crypto is the principle of decentralisation. There is no single authority or business (such as a bank or government) that controls cryptocurrencies. This idea of sovereignty over your assets and removing reliance on any sort of intermediary is something you'll hear about a lot.

Decentralisation also makes crypto a powerful medium of exchange because it minimises the costs and processing times of transactions.

Thanks to these innovations, legacy companies like Visa, PayPal and the big four Australian banks have also begun adopting cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies.

Learn how to get started with crypto

Crypto quick start

Skip ahead to one of our guides

How does cryptocurrency work?

Cryptocurrency uses cryptographic technology to secure individual assets on a database called a "blockchain". A blockchain records transactions on a network in a way that cannot be altered.

You can think of a blockchain as hundreds of connected computers sharing information with one another. This builds a ledger of data that can be used to validate that each crypto transaction is legitimate and secure.

Some blockchains use a variation of proof-of-work or proof-of-stake consensus algorithms to execute transactions. Proof of work is where the term "Bitcoin miners" comes from. Miners operate powerful computers that solve complex mathematical problems, which helps secure the blockchain.

Proof of stake is a bit different. This algorithm uses staking – the process of locking up cryptocurrency on a specified blockchain wallet in exchange for a reward. Staking protocols use "nodes" – small copies of the blockchain being run on thousands of different computers.

Understanding how a crypto's algorithm works in detail isn't essential – or easy – but it can help explain movements in price.

What are the most traded cryptocurrencies?

You might be surprised to learn that Bitcoin (BTC) is not the most traded cryptocurrency, although it usually sits in the top 3. Instead, it's the dominant crypto by market capitalisation – a metric that shows the circulating supply of a coin, multiplied by its value.

Take a look at today's top 10 cryptos by market cap in the chart below.

How to buy cryptocurrency

  1. Compare cryptocurrency exchanges

    2. The easiest way to purchase cryptocurrency is through an online exchange. Features to look out for are low fees, supported coins and deposit methods. Registering an account with an Australian exchange will require you to provide a form of government identification.

  2. Deposit funds

    3. To deposit Australian dollars to your exchange account, first, you'll need to verify your identity in a process known as KYC. Most exchanges accept instant transfers from an Australian bank account, while others also support credit card purchases and sometimes even cash.

  3. Choose a cryptocurrency

    4. There are thousands of cryptos to choose from. Thoroughly research any you're interested in, check what's trending, and keep on top of the latest crypto news before investing any money.

  4. Build your crypto portfolio

    5. Most exchanges allow you to instantly buy cryptocurrency with the funds deposited to your account. Some platforms also have advanced market options and trading pairs which may be useful for more experienced traders.

  5. Store your crypto

    6. You can choose to leave your assets in your exchange wallet, but this does come with some added risks. It's generally recommended that you transfer your crypto to a non-custodial or hardware wallet for increased security.

Where to buy, sell and store crypto in Australia

Australians can now choose from a number of established and feature-rich crypto exchanges. If you're just starting out, look for AUSTRAC-registered exchanges that offer Australian dollar deposits with your preferred payment method. More experienced investors can browse our comparison of advanced crypto trading platforms.

Click the Go to Site button when you're ready to create an account with any of the providers.

1 - 5 of 37
Name Product Deposit methods Fiat Currencies Cryptocurrencies
Digital Surge Cryptocurrency Exchange
4.7★★★★★(124)
Finder Award
Digital Surge Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bank transfer, Cryptocurrency, POLi, Osko, PayID
AUD

303
cryptocurrencies

Finder Exclusive: Receive $10 BTC on sign-up and verification.
An Australia-based exchange with a focus on simplicity that allows users to purchase a range of cryptocurrencies with AUD.
Go to site
View details
CoinSpot Cryptocurrency Exchange
4.3★★★★★(297)
CoinSpot Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bank transfer, BPAY, Cash, Cryptocurrency, POLi, PayID
AUD

368
cryptocurrencies

CoinSpot lets you buy, sell and swap 100s of cryptos from its simple-to-use desktop or app trading accounts.
Go to site
View details
Swyftx Cryptocurrency Exchange
4.2★★★★★(187)
Swyftx Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Osko, PayID
AUD, NZD

313
cryptocurrencies

Finder Exclusive: Receive $20 BTC on sign-up and verification.
Buy and sell a wide range of cryptocurrencies at competitive rates on this Australian exchange.
Go to site
View details
FTX Cryptocurrency Exchange
FTX Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bank transfer, Cryptocurrency, Wire transfer, PayID, Credit or Debit Card
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, HKD, SGD, TRY, ZAR, CAD, CHF, BRL

276
cryptocurrencies

Sign up through Finder for a 5% discount on all trading fees. T&Cs apply.
FTX is an exchange built by traders for traders, with a range of derivatives markets such as options and futures with deep leverage, in addition to standard spot markets. Note: Not available for US customers.
Go to site
View details
Binance Cryptocurrency Exchange
4.8★★★★★(1987)
Finder Award
Binance Cryptocurrency Exchange
Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Osko, PayID
USD, AUD, GBP, CAD, EUR, CNY, RUB, TRY, NGN, UAH & 40+ more

371
cryptocurrencies

Earn up to USD100 in rewards by completing welcome offer tasks within 7 days of sign up. T&Cs apply.
Binance is the world’s largest exchange by trading volume. Get started with instant zero fee AUD deposits and withdrawals in Australia, and enjoy low trading fees, a wide selection of cryptocurrencies and 24/7 local customer support.
Go to site
View details
Disclaimer: Star ratings are only displayed for products with 10 or more reviews.
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1 - 3 of 3
Name Product Payment Methods Supported Fiat Currencies Cryptocurrencies Minimum Deposit
Vantage
Vantage
Credit/debit card, Bank Transfer, BPAY, PayID, POLi, Cryptocurrency
GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, JPY
ADA,BCH,BTC,DOGE,DOT,EOS,ETH,LNK,LTC,MATIC1,SOL,UNI,XLM,XRP,BAT,MIOTA,TRX,ZEC,ALGO,FIL,MKR,LUNA1,SHIB,AVAX,NEO
$200
Go long or short on over 30 cryptocurrency CFDs which can be traded against USD, EUR, gold and crypto.
Go to site
Plus500 Cryptocurrency CFDs
Plus500 Cryptocurrency CFDs
Credit/debit card, Bank transfer, PayPal, Skrill
AUD, USD, GBP, EUR
BTC,ETH,ADA,LTC,XLM,EOS,NEO,IOTA,ETHBTC,Crypto10,BAB
$100
CFD Service. Your capital is at risk.
Trade CFDs on top cryptos as well as Australian and international shares, indices, commodities and more.
Go to site
More Info
TradeDirect365 Trading Platform
TradeDirect365 Trading Platform
Credit card, Debit card, POLi, BPAY, Bank transfer
AUD, GBP, USD, JPY, EUR, CAD, CHF
BTC, ETH, XRP
None
Disclaimer: Volatile investment product. Most clients lose money trading with this provider.
A trading platform which offers cryptocurrency CFDs where traders speculate on the price movement of cryptocurrencies such as BTC, ETH and XRP.
More Info
Disclaimer: Star ratings are only displayed for products with 10 or more reviews.
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1 - 5 of 66
Name Product Wallet Type Supported Cryptocurrencies Price (USD) Disclaimer
Ledger Nano X Wallet
Ledger Nano X Wallet
Hardware wallet
BTC, ETH, XRP, BCH, ADA, LTC, BNB, EOS, XTZ, XLM & 1,350+ more
$149
The Ledger Nano X comes with added Bluetooth functionality, more memory and a higher quality screen than its big brother, the Nano S.
Go to site
More Info
Exodus Wallet
Exodus Wallet
Mobile wallet,Desktop wallet
BTC, BCH, BTG, LTC, ETH, DASH, ETC, FUN, DCR, OMG & 140+ more
Free download
Founded in July 2016, this free desktop wallet offers support for multiple cryptocurrencies including live chart tracking features.
Go to site
More Info
TREZOR Model T Wallet
TREZOR Model T Wallet
Hardware wallet
BTC, ETH, XRP, USDT, BCH, LTC, EOS, XTZ, LINK, XLM & 1380+ more
$280
The next generation of hardware wallet from TREZOR, the Model T includes a host of new features including a touchscreen and improved processing.
Go to site
More Info
ZenGo Cryptocurrency App
ZenGo Cryptocurrency App
Mobile wallet
BTC, ETH, BNB, DOGE, USDT, MATIC, LINK, CHZ, XTZ & 60+ more
Free download
Take advantage of ZenGo’s unique biometrics setup to buy, sell and spend and earn 70+ cryptocurrencies in your own wallet.
Go to site
More Info
Ledger Nano S Wallet
Ledger Nano S Wallet
Hardware wallet
BTC, XRP, ETH, BCH, EOS, XLM, LTC, TRX, ADA, MIOTA & 1,330+ more
$59
Securely store some of the world's leading cryptocurrencies on the Ledger Nano S hardware wallet.
Go to site
More Info
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Is cryptocurrency safe?

There are a number of risks associated with buying, storing and using digital currencies. Before jumping in, do plenty of research and make sure you understand how to keep your crypto safe. Some key risks to be aware of include:

  • Poor regulation. Cryptocurrency is still a largely unregulated market, which means you may not be protected if your funds are lost or stolen. Look for platforms that are registered with AUSTRAC and provide an insurance fund.
  • Volatile prices. Crypto is much more unpredictable than traditional markets and massive price fluctuations within a short window are not uncommon. Because of this, your investment can quickly lose its value.
  • Vulnerable to hacking. Several million dollars have been lost to successful hacks of crypto exchanges, wallets and blockchains. It's important to understand that without appropriate security measures like using a hardware wallet, securing your private key and enabling 2-factor authentication, your funds could be stolen.
  • Steep technical learning curve. Grasping the complex technical foundations of potential crypto investments can quickly become confusing. You'll also need to fully understand concepts like gas fees and wallet addresses before interacting with a blockchain, or else risk total loss of funds.
  • Scams. As crypto has become popular, so too have crypto scams. Be extremely wary of deals that seem too good to be true, thoroughly research all platforms or projects before putting your money in, and never disclose your private key.

Read the Australian government's crypto investment warning for more guidance on keeping your money safe.

FAQs

Get started with crypto

If you're just starting out in the world of crypto, it can feel overwhelming. Use our simple guides to research and compare different coins or take a look at our curated list of the best crypto exchanges and wallets to buy and secure your chosen assets.

Learn how to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptos

There are now well over 10,000 cryptocurrencies and tokens, with new coins launching all the time. We've cut through the noise and written guides on how to buy some of the most traded cryptos, like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as hundreds of others.

Compare crypto exchanges in Australia

Compare dozens of major Australian and global exchanges on features, fees, selection of cryptos and more in our comprehensive platform reviews.

Find the best crypto wallets to store your cryptos

Hardware, mobile, hot, cold… it's tricky knowing where to start with crypto storage. Our guides explain what's in a wallet to help you find your best options for convenience and security.

Get familiar with crypto trading

For more advanced investors, crypto could be a way to diversify your portfolio. Read our range of trading guides to get your bearings first.

Learn how to earn crypto returns

Crypto earning products are still in their infancy right now. Make sure you've got everything you need to make an informed decision.

Dive deeper into DeFi

From staking to smart contracts, our guides demystify DeFi and help you get your head around the new frontier of finance.

Cryptocurrency stats and predictions

Get expert insights and analysis across the crypto sector or use our forecasting tools to help predict where a coin's price might move.

  1. Data by CoinGecko
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.

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