How to Buy Ethereum (ETH) in the UK in 2025
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Ethereum opens the door to a decentralized internet of applications, and buying it in the UK is straightforward. Simply select a trusted exchange like Best Wallet, complete a quick registration, and you can own the token that powers this entire ecosystem and its remarkable growth.
This beginner’s guide explains how to buy Ethereum in the UK. We also discuss the safest and cheapest places to invest, and what risks to consider before proceeding.
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The Best Platforms to Buy Ethereum in the UK
These are the top recommended platforms to start buying Ethereum while in the UK:
| Platform | Type & Custody | FCA Status | GBP Ways to Buy | Typical Buy Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Wallet | Non-custodial wallet |
|
Buy ETH in-app via card, bank transfer, and Apple/Google Pay | Around 0.1% to 0.3% per trade |
| Coinbase | Centralized exchange, custodial |
|
Bank transfer (deposits/withdrawals free), and card | Instant buy: up to 3.99% + spread Advanced Trade: maker 0–0.6%, taker 0.05–1.2% |
| eToro | Broker/exchange, custodial |
|
Faster Payments, card, PayPal, Skrill, NETELLER | 1% fee to buy/sell crypto $5 withdrawal fee |
| MEXC | Centralized exchange, custodial |
|
Card purchases, SEPA bank transfers, and P2P | Spot trading from 0% maker / 0.05% taker |
How to Buy Ethereum: 4 Easy Steps
Now that we’ve explained how Ethereum works, we can move on to our step-by-step buying guide. Read on to buy Ethereum in the UK in four simple steps.
Step 1: Select a UK-Supported Exchange
First, you’ll need to choose a suitable crypto exchange that lists Ethereum. Make sure the exchange is safe and reputable. It should also accept UK clients and fiat payments. Explore which deposit types are available and what fees you’ll be charged when trading Ethereum.
We discuss the best crypto exchanges in the UK further down. Nonetheless, our top pick is Best Wallet, which offers its own decentralized exchange.
We’ll use Best Wallet as our example platform for the remainder of this walkthrough. However, the steps are the same for most platforms. With Best Wallet, customers need to download the available mobile app on iOS/Android devices. Click the ‘Download’ option, and get the app free of cost.
Step 2: Account Registration
Since Best Wallet does not require customers to complete a KYC form, the registration process takes just a few minutes. All you need to do is enter a valid email address to create a new account.
Step 3: Complete Security Requirements
Next, you are required to set up a four-digit password/PIN. This PIN will be used to access the Best Wallet app. You can strengthen your account security by opting for the two-factor authentication (2FA) process.
Step 4: Buy ETH Tokens
Now that the account is created and secure, you can start trading ETH. On the dashboard, simply type ‘Ethereum’ and hit continue. You can enter the new purchase order by stating the amount of tokens you wish to purchase, and then confirming the transaction.
What is Ethereum?
Before delving into our how to buy Ethereum UK guide, let’s explore how this crypto project works. Ethereum was launched in 2015. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum enables developers to build decentralized applications (dApps). In simple terms, dApps allow users to complete tasks without needing a centralized third party. For example, one of the most used dApps on Ethereum is Uniswap. The Uniswap platform enables traders to swap tokens anonymously.
There are thousands of other Ethereum dApps, ranging from decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems and metaverses to play-to-earn games. All Ethereum dApps pay fees in ETH. This gives ETH intrinsic value, as dApps can’t operate without it. ETH trades on public exchanges like any other crypto asset.
The value of ETH changes as every second passes. According to CoinMarketCap, ETH has increased by over 128,000% since its inception. Over the prior 12 months, ETH’s value has risen by 100%. In contrast, the FTSE 100 increased by 4% over the same period. Today, Ethereum has a market capitalization of over $435 billion.
This means that Ethereum is worth more than any single company listed on the London Stock Exchange. However, although Ethereum is the second-largest crypto by market capitalization, it isn’t without its challenges. Especially in terms of high transaction fees and low scalability. This is why other smart contract networks, like Solana, are increasing in popularity.
Ethereum, Ether, and ETH: What’s the Difference?
When exploring how to buy Ethereum in the UK, you’ll likely come across three different terms. Ethereum, Ether, and ETH are sometimes used interchangeably, but they refer to different aspects of the ecosystem.
- Ethereum: The name of the blockchain ecosystem is Ethereum
- Ether: Ethereum’s native crypto asset is called Ether
- ETH: The ticker symbol of Ether is ETH
How to Safely Store Your Ethereum
Ethereum is a virtual currency that’s stored digitally. There are several storage options available to you after you’ve invested. The best option will depend on your personal circumstances, financial goals, and prior experience.
- For instance, beginners might decide to leave their ETH coins in their exchange account. However, you’ll need to factor in counterparty risks.
- As such, withdrawing the ETH coins to a private wallet is the better option.
- You’d then need to decide between hot and cold storage.
Let’s explore the best ways to store Ethereum in a lot more detail.
Holding ETH on Exchanges (Active Trading)
The easiest option is to buy Ethereum on an exchange and leave the coins there. This is similar to buying shares and leaving them in your stock brokerage account. However, unlike shares, Ethereum is a decentralized asset. This means your coins are at risk if the exchange is hacked.
This is a common occurrence in the crypto industry. Your ETH coins are also at risk if the exchange runs into financial issues. While the riskiest option, leaving the ETH coins in your exchange account is also the most convenient. When you decide to sell you simply need to log into your account to close your position. Plus, you won’t need any knowledge of how wallet security works.
Hot Wallets (Convenient)
Withdrawing Ethereum to a private wallet gives you full control of your coins. You’ll remove the counterparty risk and won’t need permission to transfer funds. You’ve got two options when choosing a wallet. The most convenient is a ‘hot’ wallet. This means the wallet is always connected to a live server, as it’s software-based.
For example, one of the best hot wallets is offered by Zengo. This comes as a mobile app for iOS and Android, making it seamless to send, receive, and store ETH. Zengo uses MPC technology and multi-factor authentication, so is considered safe.
Alternatively, you might also consider MetaMask. It comes as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Brave. This means MetaMask will appeal to device users. Both Zengo and MetaMask are free.
Cold Wallets (Recommended)
Cold wallets allow you to store ETH offline. This is because cold wallets are never connected to live servers. Unless you’re using a paper wallet, cold wallets come as a hardware device. The leading providers are Trezor and Ledger, which have several different models.
In all cases, the private keys are stored within the device. You’ll need to type your PIN onto the device when making transfers. This makes cold wallets super secure. After all, nobody can hack your cold wallet remotely. Ultimately, storing your ETH coins in a cold wallet is the best option, regardless of prior experience.
- Using a private wallet to store ETH is always the best option. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the risks.
- Your private wallet will be protected by private keys. This is similar to an online banking password.
- However, unlike an online bank account, Ethereum is decentralized.
- So, if somebody gets hold of your private keys, they can withdraw the ETH coins to their own wallet.
- Put otherwise, if somebody hacks your private keys remotely, your ETH coins will be stolen.
- Therefore, make sure your private keys are written down and never kept on a device that’s connected to the internet. This will make remote hacking attempts redundant.
What Can You Use Your Ethereum For?
Most people buy Ethereum as an investment. Similar to other cryptocurrencies, a profit will be made if the price of ETH increases. That said, ETH has several other use cases, which we’ll cover in the sections below:
Network Fees for Smart Contracts
ETH’s most important use case is as a transactional currency. Put simply, dApps built on the Ethereum blockchain must pay network fees in ETH. This is a requirement wherever a new smart contract is executed.
This means that the demand is substantial. For instance, consider a dApp that allows users to swap tokens. A new smart contract is needed every time a new token swap is executed. This means more Ethereum network fees.
Staking Ethereum
Ethereum is a proof-of-stake network, meaning you can ‘stake’ your ETH coins. This helps keep the Ethereum network safe. You’ll earn a share of new ETH coins generated by the blockchain. Meaning – staking is a popular way to earn passive income.
The minimum Ethereum staking requirement is 32 ETH, or about $90,000. That said, this is reduced significantly when using a third-party platform.
Trading ERC-20 Altcoins
There are thousands of tokens built on the Ethereum network. These are known as ERC-20 tokens. Some of the most popular include Tether (USDT), Shiba Inu (SHIB), Polygon (MATIC), Chainlink (LINK), and Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC).
ETH is required to trade ERC-20 tokens on decentralized exchanges. Once again, this is because smart contract fees are payable in ETH.
Buying NFTs
The best NFTs to buy operate on the Ethereum network. This means ETH is often the required currency. OpenSea, which is the largest NFT marketplace, prices NFT prices in ETH. This further increases the use case for ETH.
Conclusion
In summary, Ethereum continues to outperform traditional asset classes, including the FTSE 100, gold, and real estate. If you want to invest in Ethereum in the UK today, be sure to use a regulated and trusted platform.
Best Wallet, a non-custodial wallet and decentralized exchange, is our top pick. This platform offers KYC-free registration, and allows traders to purchase ETH while paying limited fees. Furthermore, customers can purchase $BEST, the native token, to get trading discounts.
FAQs
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