How to Buy Bitcoin with PayPal?

Written by Mike Druttman

Reviewed by Nadav Zelver

One way to buy Bitcoin with PayPal is through an online platform like eToro. Just sign up, link your PayPal account, and fund your eToro account. Once the funds land, head to the Bitcoin page and place your order.

Buying Bitcoin Directly with PayPal (U.S. only)

If you're in the U.S. (or another supported region), PayPal now lets you buy Bitcoin straight from its app or website. Here's how to do it:

1. Log in to your PayPal account.
2. Head to Finances (on web) or Crypto (in the app).
3. Tap Buy, then pick Bitcoin.
4. Enter how much you want to spend, starting from just $1.
5. Choose your payment method: PayPal balance, linked bank, or debit card. (No credit cards allowed.)
6. Check the exchange rate and fees. You’ll usually see a flat $0.49 fee on small buys, or around 1.8% for bigger ones.
7. Hit Confirm and the Bitcoin goes into your PayPal crypto wallet. You can hold it, sell it, or use it with select merchants that accept crypto.

Quick heads-up: Bitcoin bought this way stays inside PayPal’s system. Most U.S. users can now send it to external wallets, but if your account doesn’t support that yet, you’re locked in. And yes, withdrawal fees apply.

Buying Bitcoin with a Platform that Accepts PayPal (eToro)

Not every platform offering cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, plays nice with PayPal. Some do. Most don’t. eToro is one of the big ones that does and it’s beginner-friendly, regulated, and supports PayPal in multiple countries.

1. Set Up Your eToro Account

Head to eToro and hit the sign-up button. You’ll need to:

• Upload a valid ID
• Confirm your email
• Add your phone number

This protects your account and makes PayPal deposits smoother down the line.

2. Link Your PayPal

Once inside your account:

• Go to Deposit Funds
• Select PayPal
• Log in and authorize the link

Once done, PayPal will show up as a deposit option with near-instant funding available.

3. Add Money

Go to Deposit Funds again, pick PayPal, enter how much you want to add, and hit confirm. That’s it.

4. Buy Bitcoin

Use the search bar on the eToro platform or app to type Bitcoin or BTC. Tap Trade or Buy, choose your investment amount, and review the order details. Check for any fees before finalizing.

Once you confirm, the Bitcoin lands in your eToro portfolio. Want to move it off-platform? You’ll need the eToro Money crypto wallet, but that’s optional.

I’m the kind of trader who wants to buy Bitcoin with PayPal and still have full control over where it goes. That’s why I use eToro. It accepts PayPal deposits (check if your country supports this), keeps the fees straightforward, and lets me transfer BTC to my own wallet without a headache.