3 easy steps to buy bitcoin with cash
A crucial first step for any new bitcoiner is figuring out how to actually buy bitcoin. The good news is that today there are so many easy-to-use options for buying bitcoin that you should be able to find something that works for you.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to buy bitcoin using Coinme and how to set up a Coinme wallet to send, receive, and store bitcoin.
How to buy bitcoin with Coinme
Coinme is the simplest way to convert dollars into bitcoin. All you need to do is find a Coinme-powered location, which is easier than ever through our partnerships with Coinstar and MoneyGram. So far there are over 20,000 bitcoin enabled locations nationwide. Most of them are located in places you probably go to already anyway, like the grocery store or pharmacy.
For a more detailed, step-by-step guide on how to buy bitcoin with Coinme, check out this page with helpful videos. In the guide there is also a “buy bitcoin near me” tool which will help you locate the nearest bitcoin location.
Once you locate a Coinme location, you will be able to buy bitcoin with cash in three easy steps.
For Coinstar locations:
- Find the Coinme-powered kiosk and insert cash. In most states, you can convert up to $2,900 into bitcoin a day with a verified account!
- Get your printed receipt, and keep it in a safe place. (Protip: don’t share images of your voucher on social media!)
- Setup a Coinme digital wallet and then use your voucher information to access your bitcoin. Once you complete this setup process, you will be able to easily repeat steps one and two while you build up your stack of bitcoin. You can also use your Coinme bitcoin wallet to send and receive bitcoin to and from other bitcoin wallets.
For MoneyGram locations:
- Find a participating MoneyGram location in the Coinme mobile app! You can download the app in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
- Stage your transaction in the Coinme app, then visit the nearest participating MoneyGram location. Remember to bring your smartphone, state-issued ID, and your cash.
- Once the transaction is completed with the MoneyGram agent, you’ll find it reflected in the Coinme app just moments later!
Do Bitcoin ATMs take cash?
At most bitcoin ATMs, you can buy bitcoin with cash and direct it to a bitcoin wallet. In some cases, cash is the only accepted payment method. Certain ATMs also allow you to sell bitcoin to other crypto users.
It’s important to be aware of the bitcoin ATM operator. Coinme is a licensed company, partnering with trusted brands like Coinstar and MoneyGram, which makes buying bitcoin both an easy and trusted process.
Best practices when buying bitcoin
While buying bitcoin at a Coinme-powered location is simple and straightforward, there are still some very basic best practices to follow.
- Bitcoin is volatile: Bitcoin’s underlying market dynamics, and the overall size of the market, make it extremely volatile. When the price of bitcoin starts to move, the movements are often dramatic — sometimes gaining or losing thousands of dollars in the span of hours or days. So whatever price you buy bitcoin at, be prepared for it to change. This volatility can be exciting when the price is rapidly rising, but it can also be painful when the price plummets. Be prepared for both and expect the unexpected at all times.
- Average in/out: One tactic used by stock market investors is to dollar cost average into the market. This means buying little chunks of the asset over time, instead of entering into a position all at once. The reason for averaging? It will help establish a cost-basis that reflects the market’s movements over time. In other words, it will help protect you from buying too low or too high, because you would buy consistently over time — creating an average. This is a great tactic for long term bitcoin buying.
- Are you investing or speculating: Many people are buying bitcoin to hold for the future. If that’s the case for you it’s a good idea to think about your goals. Investing is a long term play that requires decision making and planning. Speculating is kind of like gambling where you make a big bet looking for a payday. It’s a good idea to think about strategies and tactics before big market movements and then execute the plan.
- Storage and security: Before you buy bitcoin, it’s a good idea to review some of the basic bitcoin storage and security best practices. Bitcoin is different than the traditional money and banking system (which is good), but it does require a few extra steps to make sure your assets are secure and stored properly.
Key takeaways
The key takeaway is that buying bitcoin is becoming easier and easier all the time. That’s the good news. The bad news is that as new products and platforms emerge for buying bitcoin, it becomes increasingly important to do your own research. Pay particular attention to the security elements of new bitcoin products.
Another key takeaway is that setting up a Coinme wallet is one of the easiest ways to convert cash to bitcoin. And once the bitcoin is in your Coinme wallet, you can send, store, and receive bitcoin anytime, and anywhere.
