STAGE 1 • STEP 1 OF 6

Get Bitcoin Fast

Time Required: 10 minutes

Before You Buy: Critical Warnings

NEVER send money to anyone promising to "double your bitcoin"
NEVER buy bitcoin from social media messages or emails
ONLY use established, regulated exchanges
Start with a small test amount ($20-50) to learn safely

🏃 Fastest Ways to Buy Bitcoin

You need bitcoin NOW. Here are your fastest, safest options ranked by speed:

🎯 Get Your Personalized Recommendation

Not sure which platform is best for YOUR exact situation? Answer 5 quick questions (2 minutes) and get personalized recommendations based on your location, amount, payment method, and privacy preferences.

✨ You'll get:

✓ Top 3 platforms ranked by fees, speed, and availability in your country
✓ Current fees updated December 2025
✓ KYC alternatives if you prefer privacy-first options
✓ Direct links to start buying immediately

Find My Best Option → (2 min)

Works for 100+ countries · Updated quarterly · No signup required

Or browse all options below:

Exchange	Speed	Limits	Best For
Cash App	INSTANT	$5 - $10,000/week	US users, quickest start
Strike	INSTANT	$1,000/day initially	Lowest fees, Lightning ready
Coinbase	5-10 MIN	$25,000/day	Most countries, higher limits
Kraken	10-15 MIN	Unlimited (verified)	Advanced features, low fees

Quick Comparison

Cash App: Already have an account? You can buy bitcoin in 30 seconds.
Strike: Lowest fees (0.3%), built for bitcoin. Best long-term choice.
Coinbase: Most beginner-friendly, available in 100+ countries.
Kraken: For larger amounts or advanced users.

💰 Try It: See Current Bitcoin Price

How much bitcoin can you buy with $20?

Amount in USD:

Bitcoin Amount:

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This shows real-time pricing. Notice how bitcoin is divisible to 8 decimal places (100 million satoshis = 1 BTC).

📱 Your First $20 Bitcoin Purchase

We recommend Cash App for your first purchase (US only). Here's why:

Why Cash App First?

Instant purchases with debit card
You probably already have the app
Simple interface, no confusion
Can withdraw to your own wallet immediately

Non-US? Use Coinbase

If you're outside the US, use Coinbase. The steps are nearly identical.

✅ Complete Your First Purchase (10 min)

Download Cash App (or Coinbase) and create account
Verify your identity (photo ID required - takes 2-5 min)
Link your bank account or debit card
Navigate to "Bitcoin" section in the app
Buy $20 worth of bitcoin (this is your test amount)
Wait for confirmation (usually instant, but can take 5 minutes)
Verify you can see your bitcoin balance in the app

What Happens Next?

Congratulations! You now own bitcoin. But it's still sitting on the exchange (Cash App or Coinbase).

⚠️ Important: You Don't Control It Yet

Right now, the exchange controls your bitcoin
You need to move it to YOUR wallet (covered in Module 2)
Don't panic - your $20 test amount is safe for now
Never leave large amounts on exchanges long-term

🏁 Module 1 Complete!

You successfully bought your first bitcoin
You learned which exchanges are fastest and safest
You understand the difference between owning bitcoin on an exchange vs. in your wallet
Next: You'll learn how to take FULL custody in under 8 minutes

🧮 Practice Tool: Bitcoin Unit Converter

Before you buy, practice converting between USD, BTC, and sats. Understanding units prevents costly mistakes.

Try Unit Converter →