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Smallest Amount of Bitcoin You Can Buy

Last Updated on February 26, 2024

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Quick Answer:

Bitcoin’s popularity is growing, with more individuals and companies including it in their financial activities. Created by Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that operates on a blockchain. Users can mine Bitcoin, receive it as payment, or buy it on cryptocurrency exchanges.

Exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, or Kraken allow users to convert fiat currencies to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The minimum amount of Bitcoin one can buy varies by exchange policy, but it can be as little as a few dollars’ worth. Bitcoin is divisible into satoshis, with one Bitcoin equalling 100 million satoshis.

Before buying Bitcoin, one must choose a secure exchange, connect a payment method, and select a cryptocurrency wallet for storage. Bitcoin can be bought through exchanges, ATMs, or peer-to-peer platforms. Starting with a small amount is recommended to ensure all systems are functioning correctly.

Regarding frequently asked questions, one doesn’t need to buy a full Bitcoin; fractions are purchasable. Bitcoins can be bought with cash through platforms like localbitcoins.com. Bitcoin mining involves solving mathematical problems to earn Bitcoin. The smallest Bitcoin unit is the satoshi, which is one hundred millionth of a Bitcoin.

Understanding how to buy Bitcoin is increasingly important in the finance world, and this guide provides basic steps for purchasing Bitcoin securely.

The popularity of Bitcoin (BTC), the first cryptocurrency in the world, is constantly growing. More and more companies are including BTC in their financial portfolios, conducting services, transfers, and payments using the Bitcoin decentralized blockchain network first launched by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009.

Since the appearance of Bitcoin and its revolutionary blockchain technology, apart from mining the digital currency with computational power, getting rewarded small amounts of BTC on faucets, or receiving their salary for freelance online work in BTC, people also have the option to simply buy the digital asset.

There are dozens of popular websites called cryptocurrency exchange platforms that are specialized in exchanging fiat currencies like USD or EUR for Bitcoins and vice versa. Also, since the crypto market has rapidly evolved from 2009, people can now buy, exchange and use thousands of various cryptocurrencies using these platforms, not only BTC.

There are loads of popular altcoins like Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), and others that can also be used for numerous purposes, just like Bitcoin. If you plan to start investing in Bitcoin, you must be wondering what’s the smallest amount of bitcoin I can buy? The minimum amount of bitcoin you can buy depends on the exchange platform’s policies you are using.

Keep reading, and we’ll take a look at how the Bitcoin buying process works and more on buying small amounts of Bitcoin.

Rain of golden bitcoin coins on a dark background

What is Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a digital currency which was invented in 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto. The main purpose of bitcoin is to provide a secure peer-to-peer payment system for transactions between two parties.

Bitcoins are stored in a public ledger called blockchain, which records all Bitcoin transactions ever made.

What is the Minimum Amount of Bitcoin You Can Buy?

Buying Bitcoin is a really simple process, whichever method you choose. For a beginner, it may seem complicated, but when you decide on the method you want to use, everything will be smooth and fast.

The financial appetites and possibilities can vary. There are users who want to buy a small amount of BTC and use it as payment for digital services; beginner crypto exchange enthusiasts that are trying to multiply their investment in different coins; all the way to corporations like Tesla that want to use BTC as a tool to gain massive profits.

One of the lucrative aspects of the currency is the volatility of the price of Bitcoin, which can pay off handsomely if you already have some BTC and the value continues to rise. In that case, when you sell Bitcoin you can make some serious profits.

Whichever group you fit in, you first have to buy some BTC in order to use it for further financial endeavours.

Where to Buy Bitcoin: Crypto Exchange

Essentially, you need to set up a couple of things so you can start buying BTC. You need to select a secure and trusted crypto exchange platform. It’s best to go with some of the most popular ones that have been around for some time, provide users with top quality services, and are secure and simple to use (like Coinbase, Binance or Kraken).

Make sure to choose a platform that allows users to directly withdraw their crypto assets to their digital wallets, because some platforms don’t offer this option.

When you select an exchange platform, you just have to follow the relatively simple registration process so you can start using your account.

Connect a Payment Method to the Exchange Platform Account

Now that you have chosen an exchange platform, you need to connect a payment method to your account so you can invest fiat money that will allow you to buy some BTC. Exchange platforms generally require you to provide ID documents such as a government ID, social security number, or driver’s license in order to confirm that you are a legitimate client.

Some platforms may even require information about your current job and the source of your invested funds.

These steps are a necessary precaution for preventing money laundering and the abuse of crypto exchange sites. Once you finish the verification or the KYC process, you can connect a payment method to your account. The payment options are usually directly connecting your bank account to the crypto exchange, or you connecting it to your credit card or debit card. Some platforms also allow you to connect to a payment service such as PayPal.

To make it easier, make sure to choose a platform that supports your local currency.

Choose a Cryptocurrency Storage Option

Before you start buying BTC, you need to have a Bitcoin wallet in order to safely store your bitcoins. You can of course, choose to store your assets directly on the exchange platform website itself, but it’s much more secure to have the funds moved to your own, personalized crypto wallet that only you have access to.

In the event of a security breach of the exchange platform, your funds will be perfectly safe if you have them stored in your own wallet.

Start Buying BTC

After these three steps, you are all ready to start buying BTC, depending on your financial abilities and plans. Using an exchange platform is the most popular way of buying BTC, but you can also use Bitcoin ATMs or peer-to-peer exchanges to buy crypto assets.

Keep in mind different methods incur different amounts of transaction fees. In any case, what you have to decide is the amount you want to purchase. In some cases, it’s good to buy a very small amount of Bitcoin for your first transaction, to make sure your payment method, exchange account, and wallet are working together properly.

cash with crypto graph background

What is the Smallest Amount of Bitcoin I Can Buy

If you want to buy the smallest possible amount of BTC for your first-time purchase, it’s important to know that theoretically, this amount is 0.00000001 BTC, denominated in satoshis, the smallest unit of Bitcoin.

Each BTC has 100.000.000 satoshis, and the smallest amount of satoshis you can buy on an exchange platform is generally defined by the platform’s policy itself.

For instance, Coinbase requires you to buy at least 2 US dollars or EUR worth of Bitcoin as the minimum amount to place a purchase order using fiat money. 

It is clear that you can buy a really low amount of BTC if you like, but it’s worth noting that such an investment can hardly pay out. However, it is a good way of checking if you crypto buying set up works, so that you can invest more funds in the future.

You should definitely pay attention to the volatility of Bitcoin and decide on what is the minimum amount that you can invest in the currency without feeling bad if you lose the money.

So the minimum amount is an individual category that depends largely on what you want to achieve, your risk tolerance, and how much you are willing to invest, but it is always good to start out with smaller units of BTC and gradually build up your crypto asset portfolio.

Golden bitcoin coin with man's hand

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to buy a whole bitcoin?

No, you don’t need to buy a whole Bitcoin. If you want to invest in cryptocurrency, then you should consider buying a fraction of a Bitcoin first. This way, as you get more comfortable, you can gradually increase your investment amount.

How to buy bitcoins with cash?

Buying Bitcoins with Cash is easy. All you need is a Bitcoin wallet address and some cash. The easiest way to do this is through Coinbase, which allows you to purchase Bitcoins directly from your bank account. If you want to use another method, then you can also go to localbitcoins.com and find someone who wants to sell their Bitcoins for cash.

What is Bitcoin mining?

Bitcoin Mining is when computers solve complex mathematical equations for rewards. The reward is paid out in bitcoins which are then used to purchase goods and services from other users. This process is called “mining” since miners use computing power to compete against each other to be the first one to find the solution. This process is called Proof of Work.

What is the smallest denomination of bitcoin?

The smallest unit of Bitcoin is called Satoshi, which equals 0.00000001 BTC. This means that 1 Satoshi is equal to one hundred millionth of a single Bitcoin.

A Few Words Before You Go…

The number of individuals and companies that want to be a part of the Bitcoin ecosystem is constantly rising, and buying BTC is a skill that’s becoming increasingly important in the modern world of finance. This article covers some of the basic steps for buying your first BTC safely.

About The Author

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Tanmay Patange, an expert in emerging tech with a focus on blockchain, AI, and machine learning, brings a wealth of knowledge to his articles.

His transition from television journalism to crypto reporting and his work with Blockbold underscore his deep commitment to advancing mainstream understanding and adoption of Web3 technologies.

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