How to Buy Cardano in 2025

If you are looking for expert guidance on buying Cardano, you’ve come to the right place. This article will show you how to buy ADA from a safe and reputable crypto exchange and provide you with the necessary insights to invest wisely and confidently.

All that it takes is six simple steps:

1. Research and identify a reputable CEX you will use to buy the crypto
2. Join the exchange by creating an account with it
3. Complete the KYC verification to confirm your identity
4. Load your account with funds to fund your purchase of ADA
5. Place a buying order on Cardano (ADA) and complete the trade
6. Secure your newly purchased ADA by moving it to your crypto wallet

In addition to the guide, we will also provide you with our selection of the best CEXs to buy the Cardano crypto in 2025, discuss some alternative methods of purchasing the coin, and explore the best use cases for your ADA.

Where to Buy Cardano – Best Exchanges

ADA has risen to be an investable asset. So, if you are looking for a safe place to buy and invest in Cardano right now, these are a list of some crypto we have vetted and tested.

How to Buy Cardano (ADA) - Step by Step

Even though there are multiple types of platforms on which you can buy the Cardano coin, we recommend you use a reputable CEX for your purchase. This step-by-step walkthrough will explain the process of buying ADA from a CEX in detail.

Identifying the Right Exchange

Even though there are hundreds of exchanges on which you can buy ADA, not every CEX is created equal in terms of security, cost-efficiency, and ease of use. To find the best CEX for your purchase, you will need to consider these features and decide what you value most.

When researching, don’t rely solely on user experiences and reviews, and be sure to consider other important factors like supported payment methods and customer support. Not everyone will share the same needs and priorities as you, so remember that you want to choose the best option for your personal goals, not what is popular.

To help streamline your research process, we provided our top list of best crypto exchanges for buying ADA in 2025. Explore our selection and use our insights to make a more informed decision.

Creating an Account

After identifying the right CEX for your purchase of ADA, you will need to create an account with it. The account creation process will vary slightly from one CEX to another, but it will generally involve filling out a form with basic information like:

• Your email address
• Your name
• Your country of residence
• Your phone number
• Your date of birth

After entering your personal info, you will also likely need to set up a password and additional security measures to protect your account from unauthorized access. Lastly, you will also likely need to activate your account through a confirmation link sent to your email, or a PIN sent through a text message.

Completing KYC Verification

Once your account is activated, you will be able to log in and explore the CEX, but you may not yet be able to buy Cardano coins or make any other transactions. This is because of the stringent KYC verification regulations that require financial institutions to confirm the identity of their users before allowing them to engage in trading or depositing funds.

To confirm your identity on the Centralized Exchange (CEX), you will need to upload copies of your government-issued documents to the platform’s system. You might also need to upload a photo of yourself or a document that will act as proof of address.

Although it may be slightly inconvenient and intrusive, KYC verification is a necessary procedure to prevent fraud, money laundering, and other illegal financial activities. It also protects you from identity theft and ensures a safer trading environment for all users.

Loading Your Account With Funds

After confirming your identity and gaining full trading privileges, the first thing you should do is load your account with the money needed to fund your purchase of ADA.

To do this, you will need to navigate to the area of the platform where transactions are managed, which may be the “Wallet”, “Funding” tab, or something similar.

Tap on “Deposit” or “Add Funds” or something similar. This will open a new window where you can choose your preferred payment method and insert the amount of money you want to deposit.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the transaction, and pay attention to the fees applied to it. If there are any unreasonable fees applied to your deposit, try using a different payment method to add the funds.

Placing a Buy Order

Once you’ve funded your account, you can buy the Cardano coin from the crypto exchange.

Navigate to the section of the platform that deals with trades. This may be the “Spot Trading”, “Exchange”, or “Markets” tab, depending on which CEX you are using. Once you are there you will see a list of cryptocurrencies available for trading. Tap on Cardano (ADA) to open the ordering interface.

From here, you will only need to select your account’s balance as your preferred payment method for your trade and insert the amount of ADA you want to buy. The CEX may present you with some additional options, like placing a recurring order or setting limits, but for a simple purchase of ADA, you just need to place a basic market buy order.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the transaction. Similarly to the previous step, examine the transaction details closely and confirm the payment only if you are okay with the costs.

Securing Your Newly Purchased ADA

Shortly after finalizing the trade, the newly purchased ADA should be credited to your CEX account’s balance.

If you want to take full custody of your coin and enhance its security and your control over it, you will need to transfer it to your own crypto wallet.

This is a much easier and more straightforward process than buying Cardano. To initiate a withdrawal, you simply need to return to the tab where you made a deposit.

Choose ADA from the list of available cryptocurrencies, insert the amount you want to move and enter your crypto wallet’s public key. The cryptocurrency should shortly be transferred and secured in your crypto wallet.

Why Trust Us?

Webopedia is an impartial and free resource dedicated to empowering crypto enthusiasts with the necessary insights to navigate the crypto market with confidence. Our team of experts is committed to researching, analyzing, and testing as many crypto exchanges as possible first-hand, then sharing our findings with our readers.

Whether we explore the cheapest way to buy Cardano, or discuss crypto investing in general we always aim to present unbiased facts and critical analysis. We don’t just follow trends, but give you the information you need to make decisions for yourself.

Alternative Methods to Buy ADA in 2025

While we prefer using CEXs, there are other ways you can buy Cardano, which we will discuss in the following section. There are plenty of alternative methods you can explore, and some of the most popular options include:

• Peer to Peer Platforms: Decentralized crypto marketplaces where buyers and sellers are directly connected and allowed to negotiate the terms of the trade by themselves.

• Decentralized Crypto Exchanges (DEXs): Autonomous trading platforms that facilitate crypto trading without the oversight or mediation from a central authority.

• Online Brokerages: Centralized trading platforms that facilitate trading and investing in multiple asset classes, including cryptocurrencies.

• Crypto Wallets: Used for storing crypto assets, buying and selling cryptocurrencies is possible on some, specific, brands of crypto wallets.

• Cryptocurrency ATMs: Physical kiosks that can be used to buy and sell cryptocurrencies through an in-person transaction.

All of these methods come with their own sets of pros and cons, and we will have a closer look at how to buy the ADA crypto on each of them. We will also compare the platforms to using a CEX, and help you decide whether or not you should use them for your purchase of ADA.

Peer to Peer Platforms

Unlike CEXs, where the trading process is managed through a centralized order match system, on P2P platforms, crypto traders are allowed to interact directly with each other to negotiate the terms of the trades by themselves.

If you want to buy ADA on a P2P platform, you will start by browsing through the listings posted by sellers who use the platform. Once you find an offer you like, you will initiate the trading process with that exact seller. If you think you can get better terms, you may even message the seller and try to negotiate the price or the payment method.

While buying cryptocurrencies with this method has advantages, it's not without challenges. Namely, P2P platforms are often targeted by fraudulent sellers and scammers who exploit the lack of regulation. For this reason, we strongly suggest you exercise great caution, research sellers' reputations, and use escrow services when conducting business with them.

Decentralized Crypto Exchanges

As the autonomous counterpart of CEXs, DEXs also operate without oversight or mediation from a central authority. However, unlike P2P platforms, these exchanges rely on smart contract technology to automate and secure the trading process, making them highly reliable and resistant to manipulation.

Because they don’t work with fiat currencies, Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) are very appealing to users concerned about their privacy. They don’t require users to comply with KYC regulations, and you can use them to buy Cardano coin without sharing any personal or financial information.

But exactly because they don’t work with fiat, they are off-limits to absolute beginners who don’t own any crypto yet. Additionally, their reliance on smart contract technology makes them somewhat more complex and harder to understand for users who are just entering the world of crypto and lack the knowledge to navigate them effectively.

Online Brokerages

Another alternative way to buy Cardano ADA is through the services of an online broker, or an investment/social trading platform. Even though these platforms are primarily used for investing in stocks, shares, and other traditional financial instruments, nowadays, many of them also facilitate crypto trading.

However, we should point out that buying ADA through a broker may not be the most cost-effective. These platforms typically deliver a wide range of trading tools, features, and services, which is something that comes at a certain price.

For this reason, we recommend this method only to individuals interested in managing a diversified portfolio with multiple asset classes. If you are just looking for a simple way to invest in ADA and have no use for charting tools and advanced financial analytics, it makes little sense to pay the extra fees.

Crypto Wallets

If you have the right crypto wallet with the necessary support for Cardano, you may actually be able to buy the ADA crypto directly from its interface. Specific crypto wallet brands offer integrations with crypto exchanges that allow for a built-in exchange feature in their software.

This is a safe and convenient way to purchase cryptocurrencies as it streamlines the process of buying and storing them in your wallet. However, because it only works with some wallets, it essentially forces you to use a specific brand, making it not the most flexible method out there.

Furthermore, it may also not be the most efficient way to buy cryptocurrency as these built-in exchanges are not as liquid as crypto trading platforms. Low liquidity levels may tarnish your trading experience and subject you to slow processing times, wide market spreads, and high price slippages, so keep that in mind before using it.

Cryptocurrency ATMs

Crypto ATMs are another way to acquire ADA, offering the unique opportunity to buy it without using a smartphone or a computer. These machines facilitate direct, in-person buying of cryptocurrency using several different payment methods, including cash.

As such, they are the preferred way of buying ADA for users who don’t have access to traditional banking methods. In fact, they are the only way to purchase crypto for a large number of users.

One thing you should keep in mind if you plan on using a crypto ATM to buy ADA is that not every machine will support this cryptocurrency. Many of them are limited to working with a few mainstream coins, and some of them even only support BTC. Additionally, the transaction fees charged by crypto ATMs are typically considerably higher than those charged by CEXs.

What Can You Do With Cardano?

Now that you know how to buy the Cardano crypto, you can start gathering more information on how to trade ADA effectively or create an effective strategy to invest in Cardano for the long term.

As it happens, ADA is quite the versatile crypto and can seamlessly fit any portfolio. It also has utility value and can be used as a digital currency. There are many possibilities you can consider, including:

• Holding on to your ADA as a long-term investment
• Selling your ADA for profit at the next opportunity
• Using your ADA as a payment method
• Sending your ADA as an overseas payment
• Investing your ADA in a DeFi platform

While we will introduce you to each one of these use cases, be sure to do additional research and thoroughly understand these strategies before you commit to any one of them.

ADA as a Long-Term Investment

HODL-ing is a very prominent strategy in the crypto market. As most cryptocurrencies are highly volatile and unpredictable, they are considered a speculative investment. And speculative investments are risky but potentially very rewarding choices for long-term investing.

As the crypto market is expected to expand and take on more mainstream adoption, so are the coins that contributed to this expansion expected to appreciate in value. As a result, doing nothing, and simply holding on to your ADA is a perfectly viable strategy for long-term appreciation.

Selling ADA for Profit

Not every investor has the patience for a long-term strategy, and many become day traders hoping to generate returns on short-term movements. As the price of cryptocurrency fluctuates, day traders try to predict these small market shifts and generate profits by buying low and selling high.

If you want to cash out on your investment, you can always wait for the next market opportunity and sell your ADA for profit. However, keep in mind this profit will likely be very small. Day traders accumulate large returns by executing large volumes of successful trades per day.

Online Purchases With ADA

In addition to being an investment asset, ADA is a digital currency that can be used for online purchases and payments, even though the array of merchants, crypto games and vendors who accept ADA is not as vast as the ones for BTC or ETH. As time goes by, we can only expect the network of ADA-friendly merchants to expand and give your crypto even greater utility value.

ADA International Transfers

Most cryptocurrencies are great for making international transfers and ADA is not an exception. With its fast transaction times and low transaction costs, the coin is a much cheaper and more convenient alternative than a money transfer service.

If you need to send money to someone abroad, convert it to ADA, send it to their crypto wallet, and have them exchange the ADA into their native currency once they receive it. Not only will the money be sent quicker this way, but both of you will spend less on transaction and currency conversion fees.

ADA in Decentralized Finance

For users who want to maximize the return potential of their ADA, participating in DeFi is an option they could consider. DeFi is a rapidly growing autonomous financial ecosystem that operates outside of the traditional banking sector, where crypto owners can use their coins as security and invest them in various lending platforms and liquidity pools.

By staking your ADA in DeFi projects, you can earn passive income in the form of interest or other financial rewards. Not only that, but you will also support the growth and development of this decentralized sector and the crypto expansion in general.

Conclusion: Final Tips

While there are multiple ways to buy ADA coins in 2025, not all of them are equally safe and reliable. Using a CEX is a hassle-free and beginner-friendly method that we recommend you consider. If you need help finding a reputable CEX, you can always refer to our list. However, we encourage you to do additional research.

Remember that knowing how to buy ADA is not the same as knowing how to invest in Cardano. Becoming a successful crypto investor requires dedication and effort to build a diversified portfolio and develop an all-around strategy that minimizes risk.

Always remember that there is no strategy that guarantees profit, and you should only invest money you can afford to lose.

FAQs on Where & How to Buy Cardano