The first Bitcoin was famously bought with a pizza. Now, you can get your hands on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency using all kinds of methods.

Most cryptocurrency exchanges will take deposits in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and stablecoins such as Tether or PAX. But, if you don’t have any cryptocurrency at all yet, then you’ll need a way to pay for that cryptocurrency in the first place. The most popular payment option is a bank transfer. The most convenient is with a credit card or a debit card. While some exchanges (as you’ll see below) even allow you to pay with cash.

Often, it’s useful to choose a cryptocurrency exchange that offers a wide array of payment options. Here are 5 of the best available on the market today.

1. CEX.IO

CEX.IO is a renowned cryptocurrency exchange based in the United Kingdom. It offers a wide array of payment options, from simply using your credit card or a bank transfer.

The great thing about CEX.IO is that it’s suitable for all kinds of cryptocurrency traders. Once you get through the streamlined ID verification process, you can buy your first Bitcoin quickly with the buy/sell option. Once you are up for trading, there are plenty of trader-friendly features like margin trading to amplify your gains. Be careful though, this can also amplify your losses!

CEX.IO exchange has one of the best reputations in the business, and it is one of the few that haven’t lost any user funds to hacks and thefts. They also offer 24-hour customer support.

2. Coinbase

Coinbase is another solid cryptocurrency exchange with lots of available payment options. These options vary depending on which country you’re located in, so make sure you check.

Coinbase has built a reputation as one of the go-to exchanges for Bitcoin newbies. They’ve carefully designed their whole customer experience to be easy to follow. And, like CEX.IO, they have a 24/7 customer service line available if you need help with anything.

When you want to start trading cryptocurrencies more seriously, Coinbase Pro offers more flexibility and features for traders.

The downside to Coinbase is that this level of service does come at a cost. Coinbase does tend to be an expensive option when it comes to buying and selling cryptocurrency, as well as when trading.

3. Coinmama

Coinmama is another exchange with convenient payment options. On the platform, you can buy Bitcoin, Litecoin, Cardano, Ethereum, QTUM, Ethereum Classic, Bitcoin Cash and XRP all with a credit card. It’s available in almost 190 countries and has been running for over 6 years. That’s a big bragging point when it comes to cryptocurrency exchanges.

The amount of cryptocurrency you can buy is limited depending on your verification level. There’s a daily limit and a monthly limit, especially if you’re paying with a card.

Coinmama is slightly smaller and therefore, doesn’t have the same level of service as CEX.IO or Coinbase. Customer support is via email, and Coinmama won’t buy back your cryptocurrency when you want to sell it. This is an important point to note for the future.

4. Luno

Luno is an exchange that offers a wide array of payment options, but it is targeted more at emerging markets than the others on this list. Luno is focused on servicing countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia. Learn more about Luno’s available payment options, countries, and fees.

Luno tries to make buying and storing cryptocurrencies easy and fun for its users. The website is well-designed and offers a great experience for new users. They also host a learning center on their website to help you get the most out of cryptocurrency and their platform.

Luno doesn’t have the reputation or number of users as the larger Bitcoin exchanges, but it’s a great option for those in some emerging markets around the world.

5. LocalBitcoins

LocalBitcoins is a slightly different type of exchange to the others on this list. Rather than being centralized, it allows users to trade Bitcoins with each other. You simply search for buyers or sellers in your local area and contact them to trade.

The plus side to LocalBitcoin is there are many different payment options, from local bank transfers to cash. You can literally find someone in your city who will meet you in person to exchange Bitcoin for physical currency.

Unfortunately, this also comes with its dangers. You need to be very careful about which sellers and buyers you choose on the platform. Look through their history on the platform and check whether they consistently delivered to other customers in the past.

There are other similar sites to this one that connect you with local traders. For example, Local.Bitcoin is a similar service for the Bitcoin Cash cryptocurrency.

Make Sure It Works For You

When picking a cryptocurrency exchange, it’s vital to ensure that the payment and withdrawal options work for your bank and your location. It’s very disappointing to go through a lengthy verification process only to find out that your bank deposit can’t be accepted. It’s even worse to find out after a few months of successful trading that you can’t withdraw your funds to your account. Always check the fine print and ensure that all of your payments and withdrawals will work before signing up.

There are some great cryptocurrency exchanges with an array of payment options available now. So, get out there and start trading!