Bitcoin
December 2025
Cheapest Way to Buy Bitcoin in 2025
Don't pay more than you need to. Here's how to maximize your BTC for every dollar spent.
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Cheapest Method
ACH deposit (free) + Binance.US (0.10%) + limit order = 0.10% total. On a $1,000 purchase, you pay just $1 in fees. Compare to Cash App at ~$20.
Total Cost Comparison: $1,000 BTC Purchase
| Method | Deposit Fee | Trading Fee | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binance.US + ACH | $0 | $1 | $1 |
| Kraken + ACH | $0 | $1.60-2.60 | $1.60-2.60 |
| Coinbase Adv. + ACH | $0 | $4-6 | $4-6 |
| Coinbase Simple + ACH | $0 | $15+ | $15+ |
| Cash App | — | ~2% | ~$20 |
| Any + Debit Card | $25-45 | +$1-15 | $26-60 |
The Optimal Strategy
-
1
Deposit via ACH bank transfer — Free on all major exchanges. Takes 3-5 days but many offer instant trading.
-
2
Use Binance.US or Kraken — Lowest trading fees (0.10-0.16% maker).
-
3
Place a limit order — Pays maker fee, saves 30-50% vs market orders.
-
4
Keep on exchange or withdraw via Gemini — If withdrawing, use Gemini's 10 free monthly withdrawals.
What About Convenience?
If speed matters more than fees:
- Same-day purchase: Wire transfer ($10-25) + exchange trade. Total ~$15-30 on $1K.
- Instant purchase: Debit card (2.5-4.5%). Total ~$25-45 on $1K. Only for emergencies.
- Quick & reasonable: Coinbase with instant ACH trading. Free deposit, trade immediately, 0.40-0.60% fee.
Avoid These
- ❌ PayPal/Venmo — High spreads, can't withdraw BTC
- ❌ Bitcoin ATMs — 5-20% fees, absolutely brutal
- ❌ Credit cards — Cash advance fees + exchange fees
- ❌ "Simple buy" interfaces — Convenience tax of 1-2%
The Bottom Line
ACH + Binance.US + limit order = 0.10% fees. If Binance.US isn't in your state, Kraken at 0.16% is the next best. The difference between optimal ($1 per $1K) and lazy ($50+ per $1K) adds up fast over time.
Compare All Exchanges