THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

How to Get Started with Bitcoin

Getting Started with Bitcoin Is Easy! Step-By-Step Instructions →

Bitcoin has never been as popular as today. Demand increases as more and more understand the benefits and opportunities with the cryptocurrency. This is a guide to help you get started with Bitcoin.

What is Bitcoin? Why should you use Bitcoin? How to get started with Bitcoin? Where do I buy Bitcoin? We will answer these questions and explain everything you need to know.

This is a brief review of the digital currency to get started quickly. We have simple step by step instructions, and at the end of the guide, we help you to buy Bitcoin instantly.

There are people who say they don’t use Bitcoin because they don’t understand the underlying Blockchain technology. A common excuse for not getting started with new technology.

It’s easy to buy and use Bitcoin, and you don’t need to understand the technology to use it (even though that is good). It was the same at the beginning of the Internet. However, today all use the Internet even though everyone doesn’t understand the technology.

Bitcoin is here to stay, and it’s proven that the technology works and is safe. The only question is how long you will wait before you buy the cryptocurrency. Have you been thinking of buying Bitcoin but hasn’t because of the high price? You’re not alone. However, remember that the price was also expensive at $10, $100 and 1000 dollars.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. But there will never be more than 21 million bitcoins. If you only buy one bitcoin, you always own more than about 99.85% of the world’s population. (You can, of course, buy less than one bitcoin).

What? Why? How? If you can answer these questions, you already have more knowledge about Bitcoin than 99% of the population. Time to stop procrastinate and getting started with Bitcoin!

Top 3 Bitcoin Exchanges - March 2024

Welcome to CryptoRunner! I’m David Andersson, co-founder of this site.

We understand that cryptocurrencies can be confusing and frustrating. That’s why we are here to help you.

Keep reading!

CHAPTER 1

What Is Bitcoin?


Bitcoin was the first decentralized digital currency, also called cryptocurrency. It works like cash or gold that can be transferred on the internet across the globe. You can transfer money as easily as sending an email.

This means that you can send money person-to-person without a middleman or involvement of any third party. In other words, you avoid expensive fees and long waiting times as at the bank.

We can briefly describe Bitcoin as follows: Bitcoin is an independent, global and public ledger used to transfer and store value.

  • It’s independent because no state, bank or institution can control or manipulate Bitcoin.
  • It’s global because everyone can send money fast and cheap 24/7 to anyone on earth.
  • It’s public because all transactions are stored in a common ledger. At the same time, Bitcoin is anonymous because everyone can participate without having to identify themselves.

Bitcoin is secure because it is based on cryptography and mathematics. All users decide together over the Bitcoin network and its rules. There is no central bank that can print more and more money to reduce the value.

Protection against inflation is one of the benefits with the cryptocurrency. Read about more benefits and why everyone should use Bitcoin in the next section.

This is a brief description of Bitcoin. If you want to learn more, we have detailed guide about Bitcoin. There we go through what money is, where bitcoin comes from, why the cryptocurrency has value and much more.

CHAPTER 2

Why Use Bitcoin?


Why should I use Bitcoin instead of my credit/debit card or cash? There are many answers to that question because Bitcoin has many different uses. Below we summarize the main benefits of using Bitcoin.

  • Fast payments globally: With Bitcoin, you can transfer money around the world in just a few seconds. Bitcoin is the first global currency.
  • Extremely low transaction fees: It costs almost nothing to transfer bitcoin. In addition, fees are voluntary in the network.
  • Bitcoin is a secure system: Bitcoin is impossible to counterfeit and is secure with the help of math and cryptography. The current financial system is secured by laws which will always contain loopholes.
  • You don’t need to trust any third party: There is no intermediary that can deny your transaction or demand expensive fees. All payments are made person-to-person without having to rely on any company. You control your own money.
  • Bitcoin is anonymous but also transparent: It’s anonymous because you don’t need to identify yourself in the Bitcoin network. It’s transparent because the ledger of all transactions is public.
  • The Bitcoin network is decentralized: The digital currency is decentralized in the same way as the internet. Bitcoin is more fair because no single group can control or manipulate it.
  • Protect your money against inflation: Perhaps the biggest advantage of Bitcoin is that your money is protected against inflation. Bitcoin has a limited supply to preserve the value of your money.

If you want to learn more about the advantages of using Bitcoin, read this guide. Now it’s time getting started with Bitcoin →

CHAPTER 3

Get Started with Bitcoin (4 Steps)


Good, now you know what Bitcoin is and why you should use it. Then it’s time to get started with the cryptocurrency. If you follow our guide with step-by-step instructions, it only takes a few minutes.

First, we show you how to create or buy a secure Bitcoin wallet. Then we will help you buy your first bitcoin. Thereafter we will explain how to protect and store your bitcoin.

The final step is to send and receive bitcoin, so you learn how to use the cryptocurrency. We will help you all the way to avoid common beginner mistakes.

It’s easier than many think with Bitcoin. But since it’s about your money it can feel safe with guidance. Here are four steps to start using Bitcoin today:

Step 1: Create a Bitcoin Wallet

Step 2: Get Your First Bitcoin

Step 3: Secure Your Bitcoins

Step 4: Send and Receive Bitcoin

As you can see, getting started with Bitcoin is easy! In the following sections, we will go through all the steps in detail. We end with important about safety along with some tips and advice.

NOTE! It is important that you read the security information!

1. Get a Bitcoin Wallet

A Bitcoin wallet is needed to receive and send bitcoins. It’s easy to create a Bitcoin wallet, but there are many different types with various security.

With Bitcoin, you have a private and public key that you keep in a wallet. Simply explained, your public key acts as your email address and your private key as your password.

This means you need to protect your private key and not show it to anyone. That’s why you need a secure Bitcoin wallet.

If you want to buy Bitcoin for a smaller amount, you can use an online wallet. That is automatically created when you open an account at a Bitcoin exchange. We help you choose a secure Bitcoin exchange.

However, we strongly recommend buying a hardware wallet if you want to buy bitcoin on a regular basis or for a larger amount. That is the best type of Bitcoin wallet because it’s both easy to use and very secure.

If you create your own online wallet or software wallet, you should back up your private key and keep it offline. You don’t need to think about that with a hardware wallet because it protects your private keys for you.

Compare and choose the best Bitcoin wallet here →

2. Get Your First Bitcoin

You can get Bitcoin in three different ways. The most common and usually easiest is to buy Bitcoin on a marketplace. But you can also sell a product or service in exchange for Bitcoin.

The third way is to earn Bitcoin through Bitcoin Mining. Then you install software on your computer to verify transactions and get rewarded with Bitcoin. However, it’s hard to make money with mining, and it requires great knowledge and a lot of resources.

We recommend that you buy your first Bitcoin on a trustworthy exchange. There are many places to choose from, but not everyone is safe and reliable.

We will help you choose the best exchange for you. Is it the first time you buy Bitcoin? Do you want to buy Bitcoin instantly with your credit/debit card?

You will get help with all this in our beginner’s guide about Bitcoin exchanges. We have reviewed and compared all the best exchanges. There are simple step-by-step instructions. Do you want to buy Bitcoin instantly? No problem →

eToro is the Best Bitcoin / Cryptocurrency Exchange. You can buy Bitcoin and cryptocurrency easy, instant and secure. Their exchange platform has received our highest rating. Open an account and start trading now!

eToro is the Best Bitcoin / Cryptocurrency Exchange. You can buy Bitcoin and cryptocurrency easy, instant and secure. Their exchange platform has received our highest rating. Open an account and start trading now!

Risk Disclaimer: Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

3. Secure Your Bitcoins

Have you bought Bitcoin? If the answer is no, scroll up! If the answer is yes, congratulations! Welcome to the future financial world where you can be your own bank.

The next step is to secure your Bitcoin by taking control of your private keys. Now you need a secure Bitcoin wallet that we helped you with in the first step.

When you buy Bitcoin on an exchange, the money (private key) is kept in your account at the exchange. This is risky as the company stores and controls your Bitcoin.

The whole purpose of Bitcoin is to control and protect your own money. If you keep your Bitcoin on an exchange, your account may be restricted or blocked. In the worst case, you lose your Bitcoin if the company goes bankrupt.

For your Bitcoin to be secure, you need to transfer them from the exchange to a secure Bitcoin wallet. Once you have bought Bitcoin on a marketplace, we strongly recommend that you transfer them to a secure hardware wallet.

Read our Bitcoin wallets guide to learn more about different types of wallets and safe storage of Bitcoin.

4. Send and Receive Bitcoin

The easiest way to learn about Bitcoin is to use Bitcoin. Therefore, you should make at least one Bitcoin transaction. We recommend that you send Bitcoin between two of your own wallets to learn how to send and receive Bitcoin.

You will learn this if you buy Bitcoin at an exchange and transfer them to your private Bitcoin wallet. To receive Bitcoin, you only need to share your public Bitcoin address. It consists of a code between 27-34 letters and numbers. The address can look like this:

31Uw6L6RiIcdQgPqBkvIofH6CQ7wnMjxC

Your private key looks similar but is shorter. Be sure to never share your private key! Most wallets create QR codes of the keys, to make it easier to send and receive Bitcoin.

A Bitcoin can be divided into one-hundredth of a million (0.00000001), also called a satoshi. When to transfer Bitcoin, the wallet usually recommends a transaction fee which varies depending on the market. The higher the fee, the faster the transaction is completed.

The number of stores and services that accept Bitcoin is growing every year. To pay or send Bitcoin is also simple but requires a few more steps:

  1. Open your wallet and navigate to the “Send” page.
  2. Fill in the recipient’s public Bitcoin address (or scan the QR code).
  3. Enter amount (many wallets automatically convert the bitcoin price to normal currencies).
  4. Make sure the address and amount are correct.
  5. Send!

The transaction is usually done directly, but it may take a few minutes. If you’re transferring a large sum of money, you should wait for at least 6 confirmations to be 99.99% sure that the transaction is not canceled. Here you can learn more about How Bitcoin Works.

Now you know how to get started with Bitcoin! Don’t forget to read the security information →

CHAPTER 4

Important Security Information!


If you follow our guidelines, you’ll get started with Bitcoin without any problems. To make sure that you haven’t missed anything we will repeat some critical security information.

There are a variety of Bitcoin exchanges and services on the market. You should carefully evaluate products and services before using them. Beginners who are not aware of the security can lose their money.

However, it’s important to point out that Bitcoin is secure because it is based on mathematics. You can’t trick math. Likewise, you can’t trick Bitcoin. You only risk your Bitcoin if you use non-trusted exchanges and services.

Below we have listed important information to protect your Bitcoin. If you are aware of this and follow the guidelines, there is nothing to worry about.

  • First of all, you need to know that Bitcoin transactions cannot be refunded. In that way, it works like digital cash. Bitcoin offers more freedom but at the same time more responsibility.
  • Secondly, a Bitcoin transaction is only valid if it has been confirmed on the network. To complete a large transaction, we recommend that you wait for 6 confirmations to be on the safe side. The number of confirmations is usually displayed in the wallet or exchange.
  • Bitcoin is pseudo-anonymous. This means that you can send and receive money without having to identify yourself. However, if your identity is linked to a wallet, you can map all transactions to it. All transactions are stored in a shared ledger and users can either be public or anonymous.
  • There are many different types of Bitcoin wallets to choose from. But if you are serious about Bitcoin and want to protect your money properly, you should buy a hardware wallet. This is the safest way to protect and store Bitcoin. Read more about Bitcoin Hardware Wallets.
  • There are hundreds of different cryptocurrencies and even more exchanges. Firstly, there are many unreliable exchanges that are not secure. Second, never store Bitcoin at an exchange, but instead transfer them to a private and secure wallet. At the end of the guide, we have listed popular exchanges where you can easily and safely buy Bitcoin. Read more about Bitcoin Exchanges.

CHAPTER 5

Buy Bitcoin! (eToro Buying Tutorial)


eToro is the Best Bitcoin / Cryptocurrency Exchange. You can buy Bitcoin and cryptocurrency easy, instant and secure. Their exchange platform has received our highest rating. Follow our step-by-step instructions below and buy Bitcoin (BTC) now!

1. Create Account

First step is to Open Your eToro Account. Follow this link, enter your information, and click on “Start Trading“! →

2. Verify Email & Sign In

Next step is to verify your email to access your eToro account. Follow the email link, enter your information, and click on “Sign in” →

3. Complete Profile

First, let’s remove the deposit limitation by answering some questions. (Don’t worry, this is standard for all exchanges, and your private information is secure). Click on the button “Complete Profile” and follow their steps →

4. Make a Deposit

Now it’s time to make your deposit. Click on the button “Deposit Funds” and select amount / payment method →

5. Select Bitcoin

Now you just need to select Bitcoin (BTC). Click on the buy button

6. Buy Bitcoin!

Last step is to enter the amount and click on “Open Trade” →

 

Congratulations, you have now bought Bitcoin!

CHAPTER 6

Explore and Learn More


Good job! Now you know the basics of Bitcoin, but there is always more to learn. The cryptocurrency is changing and evolving all the time. Technology is improving every year, and new applications are continuously developed.

To avoid mistakes, you need to stay up to date. For example, more cryptocurrencies are created, and some use Bitcoin in its name. This can be confusing for new users and lead to mistakes.

You should keep track of the Bitcoin price and other cryptocurrency prices. If you want to learn more we have many beginner-friendly and detailed guides. Bitcoin is just one of many cryptocurrencies. Learn something new, read one of our guides!

Bitcoin is here to stay. You can transfer money easily, quickly and cheaply. There are no geographical restrictions or closing times. Everyone on earth can transfer money 24/7 for extremely low fees.

We have many guides and reviews to help you navigate the crypto space. You can also subscribe to our newsletter below to stay up to date and get exclusive offers.

Now it’s time getting started with Bitcoin! Buy Bitcoin Now →

eToro is the Best Bitcoin / Cryptocurrency Exchange. You can buy Bitcoin and cryptocurrency easy, instant and secure. Their exchange platform has received our highest rating. Open an account and start trading now!

eToro is the Best Bitcoin / Cryptocurrency Exchange. You can buy Bitcoin and cryptocurrency easy, instant and secure. Their exchange platform has received our highest rating. Open an account and start trading now!

Risk Disclaimer: Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Join The Discussion

53 comments

  • This is a great guide, thank you! Very informative and straight to the point.

    Reply
    • Thanks Chris, happy to hear!

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • An article very helpful for new users. Everything in one place.

    You could also mention or link an article about bitcoin scams to warn new users.

    Cryptocurrency scams are growing more and more. They are superbly camouflaged and it is difficult to distinguish them especially for beginners.

    Reply
    • Thanks for your comment!

      That is a good idea, our writers will soon update this guide.

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • This is a real guide to the beginners.

    Do you trust those people who advertise on Facebook?

    Reply
    • We can’t answer that question without any more information. However, in general, you should be skeptical about ads for bitcoin. If the company pays for an ad, they also expect to make money on you. For example, with higher fees.

      You should always make a comparison before you make your decision!

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • So how to create my own Bitcoin account?

    Reply
    • If you want your own private account please follow our Bitcoin Wallet guide.

      Let me know if you have any questions!

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • Please advise me on how to join because when I try to register they ask for which state yet Uganda is not in the list of states provided and there is no option to specify,so please am in Uganda and I want to join help me.

    Reply
  • Uganda is not in the list of states and I want to join what can I do .

    Reply
    • Hello Kayiira,

      If you live in Uganda, we would recommend using Coinbase. They are available in your country. Let us know if you have any other questions!

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • How do I open a bitcoin wallet and start with bitcoin ?

    Reply
  • Thank you for these details, it is very interesting, So once again, much appreciated!

    Reply
    • Thank you!

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • Hello am a new beginners please were can I get free bitcoin for a start.
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Hello,

      If you open an account at Coinbase they offer something they call “earn crypto”. This means you get free cryptocurrency to watch educational videos. Check it out!

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • I am interested in Bitcoin but am very scared as I don`t know what I am doing. You say you can buy things with it, trade it, send it person to person etc etc. Very scared but also very interested.

    Reply
    • Hello Darren,

      I understand because the bitcoin price moves up and down every day. We recommend starting with buying a smaller amount of bitcoin. You will then learn how it works and become less scared as your knowledge grows!

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • How do i get a bitcoin account

    Reply
    • Hello Louis,

      We have updated the guide with step-by-step buying instructions above!

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • Min 50 how munch is that in bitcoins

    Reply
  • hi, i’m new here, i’ll like to start bitcoin

    Reply
    • Hello Dammy,

      Thanks for your comment!

      I’m glad that you want to get started with bitcoin. Just follow our step-by-steps above and let me know if you have any questions.

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • Hello… Am a new member here and I really want to start bitcoin. Please how can I start by having my own bitcoin account.

    Reply
    • Hello Samuel,

      This is a common question from new visitors. The best way to get started is to buy a small amount of Bitcoin. In other words, learning by doing. To do that, you just need to open an account at an exchange that offers bitcoin. Scroll down and you will find the exchange that we recommend.

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • Hi
    I’m interesting in btc, but I’m really confused on how it works…
    Someone gave me a few app’s that are required to start ( Luno, Binance)and I’m confused if that’s all ..

    Reply
    • Hello Prisca,

      I understand and know that bitcoin can be confusing. If you want to use the apps you mention it will be a bit complicated. However, they are not required! There are better solutions that we recommend for beginners. In our comparison table choose an exchange marked with “All-in-One” and you will get started in just a few minutes.

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • What is a hardware bitcoin wallet?

    Reply
    • Hello Wihara,

      We get this question a lot! A hardware wallet is the most secure way to store your bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. It’s an electronic device such as a USB stick, but with the difference that it uses special hardware and software to protect your crypto. Read our guide about bitcoin hardware wallets to learn more.

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • It’s interesting to know how popular Bitcoin has become, and how it’s here to stay. My fiance is very interested in starting to invest in this market and wants to know more about the cryptocurrencies. I really appreciate that you elaborated on this article about bitcoins and their popularity.

    Reply
    • Hello Megan,

      If you click on “Guides” in the menu you will find all our guides about cryptocurrencies. Thanks for your comment!

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • I’m in Papua New Guinea and I’m interested to become a member in Bitcoin but currently, the crypto currency is not available as yet in my country. Is there are any other ways to become a member or get myself registered? Please advise me on how to go about, thank you.

    Reply
    • Hello Maggie,

      Thanks for your comment. I just looked at which exchanges accept users from Papua New Guinea. There were many that didn’t accept users in your country, so I understand your frustration. However, the CEX.IO exchange accepts users from Papua New Guinea. I recommend opening an account there, for more information read our review of them here: https://cryptorunner.com/reviews/cex-io/

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • how do you change cryptocurrency into cash

    Reply
    • Hello Carl,

      There are basically two ways; You can meet a person who is willing to buy your cryptocurrencies with cash. There are websites like LocalBitcoins that help connecting buyers with sellers. But this is risky and nothing we recommend. The other way is to sell your cryptocurrency at an exchange, transfer it to your bank and withdraw cash at an ATM. This is the safe and easy way.

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • Hello
    I am new here how can buy bitcoin and make more bitcoin with a wallet?

    Reply
    • Hello Thelma,

      Thanks for your comment and welcome. For buying bitcoin we have a buy bitcoin guide that we recommend to read. If you want to make more bitcoin there are several ways to earn money. I would look at Coinbase since they have different ways of earning cryptocurrency on their website. You can read our Coinbase review to learn more.

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • Hi! Im interested but I just want to know if you buy bitcoin and join exchange trade then what will happen to your money?

    Reply
    • Hello Jhamaica,

      When you open an exchange account you will need to deposit a balance. The exchange is then storing that money for you. Because of this, it’s important to only use regulated and trusted exchanges. I recommend to compare and open an account here: https://cryptorunner.com/compare-exchanges/

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • How can I start by having my own bitcoin account

    Reply
    • If this is your first time buying bitcoin, I would visit our buying guide here: https://cryptorunner.com/how-to-buy-bitcoin/

      You don’t need a wallet to buy bitcoin, although we recommend it. Bitcoin exchanges will protect your bitcoin for you.

      The next step should be to buy a bitcoin wallet to protect them better, then visit our guide here: https://cryptorunner.com/bitcoin-wallets/

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • Thanks so much for this information. Am new here.

    Reply
    • Welcome Larry!

      Thanks for your comment.

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • A brief on Bitcoin mining

    Reply
  • I just got a bitcoin wallet with exodus if I make a purchase online or the web lets say will the retailer know my personal information or my location?

    Reply
    • Hello,

      The retailer will see the location from your IP number. If you want to hide that you will need to get a VPN service. Regarding your personal information, that is up to you if you share it. Be safe!

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • Please, I need your contact, it’s been a long time I’ve been searching for someone to teach me about it

    Reply
    • Hello Isreal,

      If you have any questions that are not answered in the guide, please email us at [email protected].

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply
  • years ago i invested with(cannot remember)in bitcoin.The person i was dealing with stopped his contact and i basically wrote my investment off on advice from a lady @ the bank.Now all of a sudden i keep getting contact from people saying that i have monies quoted from three of them the amount of AUS $40,000.00 and that with anydesk they can recover the amount for me. One quoted 10% recovery fee ,the other a5% recovery fee.They all say that they need the anydesk for me to access/open my account from the fraud advisor i had.
    Any help/advice would be gratefully accepted,
    Regards Croydon Hampton

    Reply
    • Hello Croydon,

      Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately, that is a common scam. We do not advise you to open an account with them.

      / CryptoRunner Team

      Reply

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