SideBySideCrypto
Funding December 18, 2025

Crypto Exchange Deposit Methods Compared

ACH, wire, debit card, PayPal—every way to fund your crypto account, with fees and speed compared across exchanges.

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Quick Verdict

ACH bank transfer is the best option for most people—free on nearly all exchanges. Debit cards cost 2-4% but are instant. Wire transfers are best for large amounts ($10K+). Avoid credit cards entirely—most exchanges block them, and cash advance fees are brutal.

Deposit Methods Overview

Method Typical Fee Speed Best For
ACH (Bank Transfer) Free 3-5 business days Most deposits
Wire Transfer $0-$35 Same/Next day Large amounts
Debit Card 2-4% Instant Urgent purchases
PayPal 2-3% Instant Convenience
Crypto Transfer Free (+ network fee) 10 min - 1 hour Cross-exchange moves

Deposit Methods by Exchange

Exchange ACH Wire Debit Card PayPal
Coinbase Free $10 2.49% ✅ Yes
Kraken Free $5 3.75% ❌ No
Gemini Free Free 3.49% ❌ No
Binance.US Free $15 4.5% ❌ No
Crypto.com Free $25 2.99% ❌ No

Method Deep Dive

Best Value

ACH Bank Transfer

The standard option for US users. Link your bank account once, then transfer funds for free. The downside: it takes 3-5 business days for funds to fully settle (though some exchanges let you trade immediately with holds on withdrawals).

Pros:

Free, high limits, secure

Cons:

Slow (3-5 days), withdrawal holds

Large Amounts

Wire Transfer

Best for deposits over $10,000. Same-day or next-day settlement with no withdrawal holds. Exchange fees vary ($0-$35), but your bank may also charge $25-50 for outgoing wires.

Pros:

Fast, high/no limits, no holds

Cons:

Fees from exchange + bank, minimum amounts

Instant

Debit Card

Need to buy crypto right now? Debit cards are instant but expensive—2.5% to 4.5% fees depending on the exchange. Only use this for urgent purchases when timing matters more than cost.

Pros:

Instant, convenient, no bank linking

Cons:

High fees (2-4.5%), lower limits

Limited

PayPal

Only Coinbase supports PayPal deposits among major US exchanges. Convenient if you keep a PayPal balance, but fees are similar to debit cards. You can also buy crypto directly within PayPal, though you can't withdraw it.

Pros:

Familiar interface, buyer protection

Cons:

Limited exchange support, fees

Deposit Limits Comparison

Exchange ACH Daily Debit Daily Wire Min/Max
Coinbase $25,000 $7,500 No min / No max
Kraken $5,000 $7,500 $2,000 min / No max
Gemini $500,000 $1,000 No min / No max
Binance.US $50,000 $5,000 $10,000 min / No max

Which Method Should You Use?

$0-$10K
Use ACH

Free and secure. If you need to trade immediately, most exchanges let you buy before funds settle (with withdrawal restrictions).

$10K+
Use Wire Transfer

Same-day settlement, no withdrawal holds. The $5-$35 fee is negligible on large amounts.

Urgent
Use Debit Card

Only when timing is critical. That 3% fee on $1,000 is $30 you'll never get back.

⛔ Avoid Credit Cards

Most exchanges don't accept credit cards. Even if they did, your card issuer will likely treat it as a cash advance—triggering immediate interest (no grace period) plus a 3-5% cash advance fee. It's a terrible deal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do ACH deposits take so long? +
ACH uses the Federal Reserve's batch processing system, which only runs on business days. The 3-5 day timeline allows banks to verify funds and process potential reversals. Some exchanges offer "instant ACH" that lets you trade immediately while settlement completes in the background.
Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay? +
Some exchanges support mobile payments through their apps. Coinbase supports Apple Pay. Google Pay availability varies. Fees are typically similar to debit card rates (2-3%). Check your specific exchange for current support.
What's the fastest way to deposit? +
Debit card is instant but expensive (2-4%). Wire transfer is fast (same/next day) and better for larger amounts. Crypto transfer from another wallet is also fast if you already have crypto elsewhere.
Why does Gemini offer free wire transfers? +
Gemini absorbs wire transfer fees to attract larger depositors. It's a competitive advantage that makes them especially attractive for high-net-worth individuals and institutional traders who prefer wire transfers.

The Bottom Line

ACH bank transfer is the best choice for most deposits—free on all major exchanges. Use wire transfer for amounts over $10K when you need fast settlement. Debit cards are only worth it for urgent, time-sensitive purchases. Plan ahead and you'll save hundreds in unnecessary fees over time.

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