How to Buy Ethereum (ETH): Exchanges, Fees and Steps
Ethereum is a programmable blockchain for smart contracts; ether (ETH) is the coin used to pay network fees and to stake.
Page updated 1 Oct 2026. Exchange fees checked 30 Sep 2026.
Where to buy Ethereum (ETH)
These are the exchanges we link to. Listings and supported countries differ, so search for ETH in the exchange's spot markets before you deposit. The table further down compares their fees.
MEXC
Spot and futures exchange with a wide range of listed tokens
Buy ETH on MEXCMEXC fees and sign-up guide
Bybit
Derivatives exchange with copy trading and trading bots
Buy ETH on BybitBybit fees and sign-up guide
These are referral links: we may earn a commission from the exchange if you sign up through them, at no extra cost to you. Any fee discount or promotion for referred users is set by the exchange and can change. Trading crypto carries a high risk of loss; see our risk disclaimer.
How to buy Ethereum step by step
- 1
Choose an exchange and sign up with a referral link
Pick one of the exchanges above and use its button on this page so the referral is applied. Each exchange has its own fees, features and country restrictions; its guide page explains what to check.
- 2
Secure the account
Confirm your email or phone, set a strong password you do not use anywhere else, and turn on two-factor authentication.
- 3
Complete identity verification if asked
Most exchanges require verification (KYC) for withdrawals or higher limits. The rules vary by exchange and by country, so check them before you deposit.
- 4
Add funds
Deposit crypto you already own, for example USDT, or use a card, bank transfer or P2P option if the exchange offers one in your country. These on-ramps usually cost more than a spot order, so compare the total cost.
- 5
Open the ETH/USDT spot market
Search for ETH in the spot markets. If the pair is not listed on that exchange, pick a different exchange rather than buying through another route.
- 6
Choose the order type
A limit order waits at the price you set and, when it rests on the order book, is usually charged the lower maker rate. A market order fills immediately and is charged the taker rate. Check the fee shown before you confirm.
- 7
Confirm and check your balance
Once the order fills, the ETH appears in your spot balance. Start with a small amount while you learn how the exchange works.
- 8
Optional: withdraw to your own wallet
Ethereum withdrawals use the Ethereum (ERC-20) network and the fee is paid in ETH. Some exchanges also list layer-2 networks for withdrawals; only pick one if your receiving wallet or app supports exactly that network, and keep a little ETH for gas.
Fees for buying ETH
Spot trading fees are set by the exchange and your account tier, not by the coin, so the same rates apply whether you buy ETH or another spot pair.
| Exchange | Spot maker | Spot taker | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXC | 0%regular users | 0.05%regular users | Sign up |
| Bybit | 0.1%non-VIP | 0.1%non-VIP | Sign up |
| Bitget | 0.1%base rate | 0.1%base rate | Sign up |
| OKXNot confirmed | Fee schedule | Fee schedule | Sign up |
| KCEXNot confirmed | Fee schedule | Fee schedule | Sign up |
Base rates for regular (non-VIP) accounts, read from each exchange's own fee pages on 30 Sep 2026; each figure links to its source. A maker order adds liquidity to the order book (a limit order that waits), a taker order removes it (a market order). Fees change and depend on your tier, pair and any promotion, so check the exchange's current fee schedule before you trade. We could not confirm OKX or KCEX's figures on their own pages, so none are quoted for them.
About Ethereum (ETH)
- Mainnet launched
- 30 July 2015
- Creator
- Vitalik Buterin and co-founders
- Consensus
- Proof-of-stake (since September 2022)
- Supply
- No fixed cap
- Smart contracts
- Yes (EVM)
- Fees paid in
- ETH (gas)
What it is
Ethereum is an open blockchain that runs smart contracts: programs that execute automatically and are visible to everyone. Vitalik Buterin proposed it in late 2013 and the main network launched on 30 July 2015. Much of decentralized finance (DeFi), NFT trading and stablecoin activity is built on Ethereum or on networks that settle to it.
Background
In September 2022 Ethereum completed the Merge, switching from proof-of-work mining to proof-of-stake. Before that, the 2021 London upgrade introduced EIP-1559, which burns part of every transaction fee. Since then most growth in everyday activity has moved to layer-2 networks such as Arbitrum, Optimism and Base, which bundle transactions and settle them on Ethereum.
How it works
Ethereum uses proof-of-stake: validators lock up ETH (32 ETH to run a full validator) and are rewarded for proposing and attesting to blocks. Smart contracts run on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which many other blockchains also copy, so the same tools work across networks. Every transaction pays a fee, called gas, in ETH. There is no fixed supply cap.
What people use it for
ETH is needed to pay gas for almost everything on Ethereum: swapping on decentralized exchanges, minting NFTs, lending, or moving tokens. Many stablecoins and tokens, including PEPE, are issued on Ethereum. People also hold ETH to stake it, either directly or through an exchange or staking provider.
Background facts are general reference information, not market data. Check the project's own documentation for current details.
What can move the price of ETH
Nobody can predict the price of Ethereum, and we publish no targets. These are the factors that have tended to matter, in no particular order:
- How much the network is used, which affects fee revenue and how much ETH is burned.
- Growth (or slowdown) of layer-2 networks and of DeFi activity.
- Staking participation and whether staked ETH can be withdrawn easily.
- Protocol upgrades on the published roadmap, and any delays.
- Serious smart-contract exploits and hacks of large protocols.
- General crypto-market direction: ETH often moves in the same direction as Bitcoin.
Not financial advice. This page is education, not a recommendation to buy or sell anything, and it contains no price forecasts: nobody can predict crypto prices. Crypto is volatile and you can lose everything you put in. Only use money you can afford to lose, and do your own research.
Ethereum FAQ
How do I buy Ethereum (ETH)?
Where can I buy Ethereum?
Which exchange has the lowest fee for ETH?
Can I buy Ethereum with a card or bank transfer?
Do I need to verify my identity to buy ETH?
How should I store Ethereum after buying it?
What are gas fees on Ethereum?
Do I need ETH to use other Ethereum tokens?
Is Ethereum a good investment?
Ready to buy ETH?
Pick an exchange, check its fees and country rules, and start with a small amount.
MEXC
Spot and futures exchange with a wide range of listed tokens
Buy ETH on MEXCMEXC fees and sign-up guideBybit
Derivatives exchange with copy trading and trading bots
Buy ETH on BybitBybit fees and sign-up guideThese are referral links: we may earn a commission from the exchange if you sign up through them, at no extra cost to you. Any fee discount or promotion for referred users is set by the exchange and can change. Trading crypto carries a high risk of loss; see our risk disclaimer.