How to Buy Cryptocurrency via P2P: A Complete Guide for Beginners

If you’ve decided how to buy cryptocurrency for the first time, P2P trading can be a great option. This method allows direct interaction with other traders, often providing flexibility in payment methods and competitive prices. In this guide, we will go through step-by-step how to buy cryptocurrency on P2P platforms.

Account Preparation and Verification

Before starting trading on a P2P platform, you need to properly prepare your account. The most important point is that your name on your bank account must match the verified name on the platform. Mismatched information can lead to account suspension or the seller refusing to complete the transaction with you.

Make sure funds are on the payment (funding) account, not on the trading account. On P2P platforms, all transactions are processed through the payment account. It is also important to understand the fee structure: fees are charged to both parties (sellers and buyers) depending on the fiat currency and ad type. Additionally, your payment provider may charge a fee for transferring funds.

The platform’s security system reviews each transaction for risks. If a deal is deemed suspicious, restrictions on withdrawing funds may be imposed on your account for 24 hours. This is a normal security practice.

Finding and Choosing a Seller’s Offer

On the purchase page, you can filter offers by several parameters: cryptocurrency type, amount, fiat currency, payment method, and other criteria. This helps find the best offer for your specific situation.

When viewing the list of sellers, pay attention to several key indicators:

• Number of orders — shows how many successful deals were completed in the last 30 days
• Completion percentage — reflects the seller’s reliability and the percentage of trouble-free transactions
• Reference price — the price offered by the seller, which may differ from the market rate
• Available balance and limits — the minimum and maximum amount you can buy from this seller
• Supported payment methods — bank transfer, e-wallets, mobile payments, etc.

When choosing a seller, it’s recommended to prefer those with a high completion percentage and a large number of successful deals. This reduces the risk of problems.

Payment Process and Receiving Coins

After selecting an offer, specify the amount of fiat currency you need or the amount of cryptocurrency you want to receive. In the next step, you may need to provide confirmation of your bank account information, especially when working with certain currencies or under specific verification conditions.

If you have enabled two-factor authentication (Passkey), confirming the order will require verification via one of the methods:

• Email address
• SMS code
• Financial password
• Google Authenticator code
• Fingerprint or face recognition (if Passkey is active)

After the seller approves the order, you will see a countdown timer for transferring funds. Make the payment in fiat currency via your chosen payment method. It is critically important to:

• Transfer the correct amount to the correct account using the correct method
• Do not write confidential information in the comment field (e.g., “buying BTC” or “USDT”) — this may block the payment
• Ensure the payment method supports real-time transfers, or wait until the system processes the payment

Once you have made the payment, click the confirmation button to notify the seller. If the payment does not arrive on time, contact your bank or payment provider — the issue may be on their side.

Completing the Deal and Receiving Cryptocurrency

After confirming the payment, you may be required to send a payment receipt or enter the exact transfer amount. Agree to the terms and confirm the completion of the payment.

Once the seller releases the cryptocurrency, you can check it in your order history and on your payment account. If you are subscribed to an automatic investment service, coins may be transferred there automatically.

If the seller does not send the cryptocurrency for more than 10 minutes, you can file an appeal. The platform’s support team will assist you via the order chat. During the waiting period for reimbursement, do not cancel the order yourself.

Security and Important Points When Buying via P2P

Here are some critical points to remember when buying cryptocurrency through P2P:

Automatic order cancellation:

• If you do not transfer funds within the set time, the order will be automatically canceled
• If there are insufficient funds on your account, the order will also be canceled

Cancellation limits:

• There is a daily limit on the number of cancellations, so plan your actions accordingly
• Canceling a payment or rejecting proof does not affect your completion percentage

Additional verification requirements:

• Verified sellers (VA and BA statuses) may require additional confirmation before starting a deal
• This could include a photo of your ID, bank statement, video verification, or payment method check

Insufficient funds:

• If you lack fiat currency on your payment account but have enough on your trading account, use the top-up option directly from the order page

If you encounter problems you cannot resolve through the help center, contact support with your UID, P2P order number, and relevant screenshots. This will speed up the resolution process and restore your confidence in safely buying cryptocurrency via a P2P platform.