Basic Attention Token (BAT): How to buy | finder.com.au
finder.com.au

How to buy, sell and trade Basic Attention Token (BAT)

Learn about Basic Attention Token and find out where and how to exchange it.

Promoted

Coinbase Digital Currency Exchange

Coinbase Digital Currency Exchange logo
  • Buy and trade BAT and 40+ cryptocurrencies
  • Beginner friendly platform with a range of features
  • 24/7 customer support & helpline
Go to site
Andrew Munro
Andrew Munro
Updated
Fact checked

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!

The Basic Attention Token (BAT) is a cryptocurrency designed specifically for use with the Brave web browser. It aims to reshape the current landscape of the Internet with a focus on eliminating malware, the unsustainable arms race between ad blockers and ads, and the expensive middlemen like Facebook and Google that capture so much of the market.

How Basic Attention Token works

BAT and the Brave browser work hand in hand. This browser lets users opt into ads and blocks ads for anyone who didn't opt in. Users who opt in will be rewarded with BAT tokens for doing so, then shown content that specifically matches their interests.

The goal is to persuade people to willingly accept advertising, with the understanding that it's high quality, potentially useful and they're getting paid for it. In turn, advertisers are able to get better results from higher-quality products more closely tailored to individual users.

Meanwhile, publishers can successfully monetize sites without needing to give up the lion's share of profits to middlemen like Google AdSense. If it all works as planned, the end result is a win-win-win for users, advertisers and publishers, with an incentive for all to participate.

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.

Promoted

Quick guide: How to buy BAT

  1. Register for an account with a cryptocurrency exchange like CoinSpot.
  2. Enable 2-factor authentication.
  3. Verify your account.
  4. Click “Deposit AUD”.
  5. Transfer funds into your account.
  6. Click “Buy/Sell” at the top of the screen.
  7. Search for the cryptocurrency you want and click “Buy”.
  8. Enter the amount you want to buy, or the amount of AUD you want to spend.
  9. Review the transaction details.
  10. Click “Buy”.
Go to CoinSpot's site

This is our quick guide to just one way to buy BAT. Compare some other options in the table below.

Where to buy, sell and trade BAT

BAT cannot be bought directly with AUD, instead you'll need to trade other cryptocurrencies for it through an exchange.

Step-by-step guide to buying BAT:

  1. Buy bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH) after comparing exchanges.
  2. Trade BTC or ETH for BAT
  3. After the exchange, your BAT will either be deposited to your account on the exchange or sent directly to the wallet address specified.

You can also download the Brave wallet to directly deposit ETH or BTC and have it directly converted to BAT on deposit.

Name Product Deposit methods Fiat Currencies Cryptocurrencies
CoinSpot Cryptocurrency Exchange
CoinSpot Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bank transfer, BPAY, Cash, Cryptocurrency, POLi, PayID
AUD

276
cryptocurrencies

CoinSpot is an Australian exchange that lets you easily buy, sell and trade more than 250 cryptos.
Go to site
View details
Swyftx Cryptocurrency Exchange
Swyftx Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Osko, PayID
AUD

255
cryptocurrencies

Buy and sell a wide range of cryptocurrencies at competitive rates on this Australian exchange.
Go to site
View details
Digital Surge Cryptocurrency Exchange
Digital Surge Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bank transfer, Cryptocurrency, POLi, Osko, PayID
AUD

250
cryptocurrencies

Finder Exclusive: New members get $10 bonus after verification. T&Cs apply.
An Australian based exchange with a focus on simplicity that allows users to purchase a range of cryptocurrencies with AUD.
Go to site
View details
Binance Cryptocurrency Exchange Australia
Binance Cryptocurrency Exchange Australia
Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Osko, PayID
USD, AUD, GBP, CAD, EUR, CNY, RUB, TRY, NGN, UAH & 40+ more

261
cryptocurrencies

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
Cointree Cryptocurrency Exchange
Cointree Cryptocurrency Exchange
Cash, Cryptocurrency, POLi, PayID, Online banking
AUD

132
cryptocurrencies

Finder Exclusive: New members get $10 bonus after verification. T&Cs apply.
Buy 130+ cryptocurrencies with fast-growth portfolio insights, and the ability to swap any coin to any other instantly.
Go to site
View details
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

Wallets that hold BAT

You can use the Brave wallet, which can also directly convert Ethereum or bitcoin to BAT to fund your wallet.

You can also purchase it on exchanges and use wallets such as the multi-currency Jaxx or MyEtherWallet.

How BAT tokens are distributed

There’s a total limit of 1.5 billion BAT tokens, of which 1 billion are in circulation. There is no inflation.

BAT will be circulated and divided among the winners:

  • Users: Users are the viewers that opt-in to advertising on the Brave platform. They receive a small portion of the Basic Attention Tokens distributed for their attention. They can use BAT to sell, tip publishers, purchase premium Brave services or anything else they want.
  • Advertisers: Advertisers pay BAT to capture a user’s attention.
  • Publishers: Publishers are the YouTube content creators, website operators and similar. They earn the majority of BAT involved in a transaction.

One of the main differences between BAT and fiat currency advertising models is that the Brave browser is specifically designed to facilitate higher quality advertising. This means more compelling ad content for users that they’re more likely to watch.

For advertisers, it means better returns on investment through higher audience retention, more accurate tailoring of content to a reader's interest and more effective tracking of audience engagement. These measurements are facilitated through the following:

  • Machine learning algorithms that track user interests and show matching ads.
  • An “Attention Value” for each ad, calculated by duration and pixels in view in proportion to relevant content, prior to any direct engagement with the ad. In other words, an ad is more valuable the longer someone sits and watches it before committing to a click.

How to sell or trade BAT

  1. Visit the exchange platform that you have BAT on. If you have BAT in a digital wallet, you can choose a platform to use to complete this transaction from the list above.
  2. Using the platform, transfer your BAT to ETH or BTC.
  3. Continue to follow the instructions on the platform to sell or trade your ETH or BTC.

Before you buy: Things to consider

BAT wasn't designed to be bought and sold. Its creators specifically say as much and haven't gone to any particular effort to get it listed on exchanges. This hasn't prevented it from being listed on a wide range of popular exchanges, though. Because of this, BAT has specific details you should keep in mind:

  • The browser market is hotly contested - Brave is among the dozens of browsers with a market share of a fraction of a percent. Because BAT is designed for use on the Brave browser, you will need to decide if this will affect the widespread use of BAT.
  • Persuading people to change browsers isn't easy - Just look at Microsoft's concerted efforts to push people to the Edge browser, then consider the fact that the older Microsoft Internet Explorer still has around three times the market share of Edge.
  • Success depends partially on advertisers - Advertisers will need to consider whether Brave will be able to attract a diverse user base and whether people will actually opt into ads.
  • Brave isn't the first of its kind - The actual functions of Brave and BAT (ad blocking, machine learning algorithms to determine user interests, various measurements of user engagement) also exist in various forms already, and despite the disruption that blockchain brings, Google will probably fight to keep its share of the ad market.
  • Traders impact the market - Traders will also need to consider the possibility of users "mining" BAT through the deliberate viewing of ads on multiple devices, manipulating the algorithm to trigger larger rewards. If BAT ever becomes valuable, you will need to give these issues serious consideration.

Take a look at the current value, the coin supply and the future of the market to consider whether it might still be undervalued despite all the problems.

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.

More guides on Finder

Latest crypto guides

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Go to site