Where & How to Buy Ethereum in 2025 – Best Places & Exchanges to Buy

How to Buy Ethereum in 2025

As the world’s second-most valuable cryptocurrency and one of the biggest drivers of innovation in blockchain technology, Ethereum is undoubtedly popular and can be bought from virtually any crypto marketplace. Our experts did the necessary research and testing and determined that crypto exchanges are still the best way to buy Ethereum in 2025.

The process of buying Ethereum from a CEX is not overly complicated and can be broken down into six key steps:

1. Choose a safe and reputable crypto exchange
2. Register with the exchange by creating an account
3. Go through the KYC verification process to verify your identity
4. Add money to your account to fund the purchase
5. Place the order to buy the amount of ETH you want
6. Transfer the Ether to your crypto wallet to secure it

Read on for a closer look at each of these steps in our comprehensive guide on how to buy Ethereum below, along with expert tips and insights to walk you through the process.

We will also discuss the best place to buy ETH, provide alternative methods for acquiring it, and explore some of the most practical use cases for your Ether after you purchase it.

Where to Buy Ethereum – Best Exchanges

If you are looking for the best place to buy Ethereum in 2025, this will help. We have tested, vetted and analysed reviews that has been shared about them.

Understanding Ethereum

To understand how Ethereum works, we need to go back to the basics. Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization and a leading blockchain platform known for its versatility and innovation. As of 2025, Ethereum continues to be a cornerstone of the crypto ecosystem, with over 120.4 million ETH tokens in circulation, though its supply is gradually decreasing due to deflationary mechanisms introduced in recent upgrades like EIP-1559.

Here are some interesting statistics on why people find buying Ethereum a good idea;

• Ethereum holds approximately 12% of the global crypto market share, trailing behind Bitcoin’s dominance at 56%.
• The Ethereum blockchain processes an average of 1.2 million transactions daily, reflecting its widespread adoption.
• The full sync data size of the Ethereum blockchain has grown to 1,257 GB as of March 2025, highlighting its extensive transaction history and active usage.

Key Features of Ethereum

1. Smart Contracts and Decentralized Applications (dApps): Ethereum revolutionized blockchain technology by introducing smart contracts—self-executing agreements that eliminate intermediaries. This functionality powers decentralized applications (dApps) across industries such as finance, gaming, and healthcare. In 2025, Ethereum hosts over 69.8 million deployed smart contracts, showcasing its dominance in the sector.
2. Deflationary Tokenomics: As part of the London hard fork upgrade (EIP-1559), a new mechanism was introduced that burns transaction fees instead of distributing them to miners, making Ethereum deflationary. To date, more than 2.7 million ETH have been permanently destroyed, reducing the overall supply and increasing scarcity.
3. Scalability and Energy Efficiency: It is no longer possible to mine ETH because Ethereum transitioned from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) during “The Merge” in 2022, cutting its energy consumption by 99.95%. This shift has made Ethereum more sustainable while paving the way for scalability improvements like sharding, expected to further enhance transaction speeds and reduce costs in 2025.
4. Developer Ecosystem:  Ethereum boasts the largest developer community in the crypto space, with approximately 3,500 active developers contributing monthly. This vibrant ecosystem ensures ongoing innovation and positions Ethereum as the dominant platform for blockchain development.

If you want to understand more about Etherem, read on EVM, Ethereum Scaling Solutions, ENS, and EIP.

How to Buy ETH – Step-by-Step Guide

For those who need additional guidance on buying Ethereum from a crypto exchange, here is a step-by-step walkthrough where you can find detailed instructions.

Find the Right Crypto Exchange

If you are looking to buy Ethereum safely, quickly, and at a competitive price, the first step is to find the right crypto exchange that offers such trading conditions. You want to trade on an exchange that is easy to use, secures your information, and allows you to use your preferred payment method to buy ETH.

However, as cryptocurrency becomes mainstream, more and more new crypto exchanges are popping up daily. Browsing through hundreds of crypto exchanges can be overwhelming and tedious, so we created our top list of the best crypto exchanges to buy Ether in 2025.

Our team of experts researched and compared hundreds of crypto exchanges and shared our findings further in this article. Our insights are here to help you make an informed decision and choose the right crypto exchange for your Ether purchase.

Create the Account

Once you identify the crypto exchange on which you would like to buy Ethereum, you must create an account and log in to use its trading capabilities.

The crypto exchange registration process is similar to any other account creation process. The platform requires you to fill out a registration form with basic personal information such as your name, email address, place of residence, date of birth, etc.

Then, the exchange will send you an email with an account activation link to your email address, and you will need to click on it to activate your account. Once the account is activated and the proper security measures are set in place, you will be able to log in and start browsing the platform.

However, you may not be able to make a deposit or start trading until you complete the KYC/AML verification procedure.

Complete the KYC Verification

KYC/AML verification is a regulatory compliance requirement imposed on all financial institutions, including centralized crypto exchanges, to ensure the legitimacy of their operations.

The law requires these institutions to confirm the identity of their customers as a preventative measure to ensure that their services are not used for money laundering, terrorist financing, or other illegal activities. For this reason, before you are allowed to buy Ether, you will need to verify your identity with the exchange’s system.

To do that, you will need to upload pictures of government-issued ID documentation, such as a passport or driver’s license, and a picture of your face to the exchange. Once the system verifies them, you will be able to fully use the platform’s tools and features.

Fund Your Purchase

With the KYC/AML verification out of the way, you are now ready to add money to your crypto exchange’s account, which you will later use to fund your purchase of ETH.

To add funds to your account, you will need to navigate to the appropriate section of the exchange’s platform. This will most likely be the “Wallet”, or the “Funds” section, or an equivalent, depending on the terminology used by the exchange you choose.

Then, you will see an “Add Money”, or “Add Cash”, or maybe a “Deposit” button that will allow you to add money to the account. Tap on it, choose your preferred payment method, insert the amount of money you want to deposit, and confirm the transaction.

Having preloaded your account with funds, you can now buy Ethereum without worrying about overspending or payment processing delays.

Place the Buy Order

After finishing all the preparation steps above, you can now start buying Ethereum from a crypto exchange. As this guide focuses on buying it from a crypto exchange, the proper wording here would be placing a buy order on Ethereum.

To initiate this process, navigate to the “Spot Trading”, or “Market” section of the exchange, and find Ethereum (ETH) on the list of available cryptocurrencies. Tap on it to initiate the trading interface and choose to “Buy ETH”, or “Place a Buy Order”, or whatever equivalent term is being used by the exchange.

Then, specify the amount of ETH you want to buy, choose your account’s balance as the payment method, and finalize the process. The exchange may offer you additional options, like placing stop-loss orders or setting recurring buys, but for a straightforward purchase of ETH, choose a simple market order and complete the trade.

Be sure to thoroughly check the transaction details and understand the fees applied to your purchase. Only proceed with the payment if you agree with all the applied costs.

Transferring the ETH to your Crypto Wallet

The ETH should be credited to your crypto exchange account’s balance shortly after the transaction has been processed, making you an owner of Ether.

However, because the currency is stored in the exchange’s crypto wallet, it is technically still under its custody, even though it is rightfully yours. To get full control over the ETH you just purchased, you will need to transfer it to your crypto wallet.

To do this, navigate to the withdrawal section of the exchange. Then tap on the “Transfer” or “Send” button, insert the public keys to your wallet and the amount of ETH you want to withdraw, and confirm the transaction.

Not only will this give you complete control, but moving your newly purchased ETH to your crypto wallet will enhance its security and give you peace of mind, especially if you are investing in Ethereum in the long term.

Why Trust Us?

Webopedia is a reliable and comprehensive resource for tech information and guidance. We take pride in our commitment to continuously deliver fact-checked and unbiased information on crypto exchanges, cryptocurrencies, and everything crypto.

Whether we examine any current market developments or provide you with guides and walkthroughs on how to buy ETH, we always do our due diligence and share our findings impartially.

Our expert team doesn’t shy away from a challenge and makes it their goal to research, analyze, and personally test as many crypto marketplaces as possible ahead of curating any list of recommendations.

Use our insights confidently and rely on our expert tips to hone your skills and improve your investment strategy to trade with confidence.

Alternative Methods to Buy Ether in 2025

Having already covered the best way to buy Ethereum, as well as the top-ranked exchanges to buy it from, we will now turn our focus on some less conventional methods of acquiring this valuable cryptocurrency. Namely, there are multiple types of crypto marketplaces on which buying Ethereum is possible, including:

1. P2P platforms
2. Decentralized crypto exchanges
3. Crypto wallets
4. Online brokerages
5. Financial services providers
6. Cryptocurrency ATMs

Let’s explore these platforms, highlight their benefits and drawbacks and see how they compare with centralized crypto exchanges.

P2P Platforms

In contrast to CEXs, P2P platforms are decentralized crypto marketplaces that facilitate a direct or peer-to-peer connection between crypto traders rather than managing the trades as a central authority. This lack of intermediation in the transaction process can be both advantageous and challenging, depending on the buyer’s preference.

On a P2P platform, the buyer can contact the seller directly and try to negotiate the terms and conditions of the trade. For example, they can settle on a price that’s acceptable to both parties and even agree to use a payment method that is typically supported by CEXs.

On the other hand, the lack of regulation and authority on these platforms also exposes buyers to scams and potentially fraudulent sellers, necessitating a high degree of caution and the use of escrow services to secure their trades. For this reason, we only recommend buying Ethereum from a P2P platform to experienced traders who can mitigate these risks.

Decentralized Crypto Exchanges

Similar to P2P platforms, DEXs are also autonomous crypto marketplaces that operate without a central authority and facilitate a direct connection between buyers and sellers. However, instead of relying on manual negotiation between the two parties, these platforms automate transactions by using smart contracts.

Smart contracts are self-executing contracts that only execute the transaction when both the buyer and seller have met the conditions of the trade. This makes trading on DEXs much more secure and transparent by eliminating the risk of fraud.

However, to buy Ether from a DEX, users must have certain knowledge of blockchain technologies, such as private and public keys and smart contracts. Moreover, they must already own some cryptocurrency before they can buy ETH, as most of these platforms don’t support fiat currencies.

Crypto Wallets

As you may already know, crypto wallets are digital solutions for storing and safekeeping crypto assets. What you might not know is that some of these wallets have integrated crypto exchange features, which allow users to buy Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies directly from within the wallet.

Buying Ethereum this way is very convenient as it doesn’t require managing two separate platforms and eliminates the need to transfer the ETH after you buy it. However, this method has some drawbacks as well, and they primarily have to do with liquidity.

Namely, the crypto exchanges built into crypto wallets are typically significantly less liquid than larger CEXs. Low liquidity can often hinder trades and lead to less favorable trading conditions, such as longer processing times, larger spreads, and price slippage.

Online Brokerages

Online brokerages are online trading platforms that traditionally specialize in trading and investing in more conventional financial instruments such as stocks, shares, ETFs, etc. In recent times, many of these brokers have expanded their service offerings and started facilitating crypto trading on their platforms.

As they often provide users with advanced trading tools, online brokerages may be the best way to buy Ether for experienced investors who are familiar with their features. Furthermore, if you are looking to invest in Ether as a part of a wider investment portfolio, these platforms can streamline your portfolio management process.

On the other hand, online brokerages may not be the cheapest way to buy Ethereum as they often come with monthly service fees and additional custody charges. They also may not provide you with the variety of trading pairs available on CEXs.

Financial Services Providers

To clarify, when we say financial service providers, we mean all types of services, including digital banks, payment processors, e-wallets, etc. Just like online brokers, most fintech solutions nowadays try to integrate crypto trading into their service offerings.

Chances are you are already using one or more of these platforms and may be able to buy Ethereum from it. You don’t need to sign up for any additional accounts and go through the somewhat lengthy process we explain above, but there is a caveat.

These services often charge considerably higher transaction fees when buying cryptocurrencies compared to CEXs. Additionally, some of them may not even allow you to transfer your ETH to your crypto wallet and force you to keep it as a balance for purchases.

Cryptocurrency ATMs

Very similar to traditional ATMs, widely known as cash dispensers, crypto ATMs are physical machines that you can use to buy or sell cryptocurrencies. They are the only method of purchasing Ether that doesn’t involve going online and creating an account on a website.

Although they support multiple payment methods, they are the only way to buy Ethereum using cash. This makes them indispensable for users who have no access to traditional banking services or are concerned about their privacy and don’t want to share their personal or financial information online.

Other than that, there are a few advantages to buying ETH from a crypto ATM, but there are plenty of downsides. Namely, you must be physically present to use them, some of them are limited to selling BTC, and worst of all, they often charge transaction fees notably higher than those charged by CEXs.

How to Buy Ethereum Without Fees

Purchasing Ethereum (ETH) without fees is possible, but it requires strategic choices and careful platform selection. It is true that investing in Ethereum offers substantial opportunities due to its dominance in DeFi, NFTs, and smart contracts, alongside ongoing improvements through Ethereum 2.0 upgrades. Here are some methods to minimize or eliminate fees:

1. Use Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs): Decentralized exchanges are crypto exchanges that do not foster peer-to-peer transactions without an intermediary. Platforms like Uniswap and Sushiswap allow users to trade Ethereum directly without intermediaries. While DEXs do not charge trading fees, you will still pay network fees for Ethereum transactions, which vary based on network congestion.
2. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Platforms: P2P exchanges such as Gemini, BitoPro, Changelly, or PrimeXBT enable direct transactions between buyers and sellers. These platforms often have minimal or no fees, but users should ensure the platform is reputable and secure.
3. Timing Transactions: Network fees fluctuate based on demand. Conducting transactions during periods of low network activity, such as early Monday afternoons, can help reduce costs.
4. Second-Level Protocols: Ethereum 2.0 solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism operate on Ethereum’s Layer 2 networks. They significantly mitigate transaction costs by bundling multiple transactions into one before confirming them on the main blockchain.

Pros and Cons of Buying Ethereum in 2025

Ethereum remains one of the most popular cryptocurrencies to buy for investors, thanks to its innovative technology and widespread adoption (even the president of the United States is an Investor). But, like any investment, it comes with advantages and risks. Below is a comprehensive analysis of the pros and cons of buying Ethereum in 2025.

Pros of Buying Ethereum (ETH) in 2025

• Ethereum 2.0 Scalability Improvements: Even though it is now impossible to mine Ethereum, the transition to Ethereum 2.0 introduced Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus and sharding, drastically improving scalability, reducing energy consumption by 99%, and lowering transaction fees. These upgrades make Ethereum more efficient and environmentally friendly.
• Dominance in DeFi and NFTs: Ethereum is the backbone of decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). A lot of people are learning how to create NFTs because of this. With billions locked in DeFi protocols and NFTs driving digital art and collectibles markets, Ethereum’s role as the primary blockchain for these sectors makes buying and storing ETH a good idea.
• Smart Contract Functionality: Ethereum pioneered smart contracts, which automate agreements without intermediaries. This innovation powers decentralized applications (dApps) across industries such as finance, gaming, healthcare, and digital art. As demand for dApps and tokenized assets grows, Ethereum’s utility increases.
• Institutional Adoption: Institutional interest in Ethereum continues to grow, especially with the introduction of Ethereum ETFs. These funds provide regulated exposure to ETH, increasing accessibility for traditional investors while driving demand.
• Developer Ecosystem: Ethereum boasts the largest developer community in blockchain, ensuring constant innovation and ecosystem growth. The network supports diverse projects ranging from decentralized exchanges to virtual worlds in the metaverse.
• Diversification Potential: The Ethereum vs Bitcoin argument is still a thing in 2025 because, unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as a store of value, Ethereum offers programmable transactions through smart contracts. This versatility makes ETH an attractive option for diversifying crypto portfolios.

Cons of Buying Ethereum (ETH) in 2025

• Market Volatility: Cryptocurrencies are inherently volatile, and Ethereum is no exception. The bullish vs bearish run in cryptocurrencies has been a subject of concern for longer term buyers. Its price can experience significant fluctuations within short timeframes (sometimes due to external, internal, or unrelated causes), posing risks for those seeking stable returns.
• High Transaction Fees: Despite improvements with Layer-2 scaling solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism, Ethereum’s gas fees remain unpredictable during periods of high network congestion. This can discourage smaller investors.
• Competition from Rival Blockchains: Some alternative blockchains could erode Ethereum’s market share over time. Ethereum faces stiff competition from “Ethereum killers” like Solana, Cardano, and Polkadot, which offer faster transaction speeds and lower costs
• Regulatory Uncertainty: Location-based regulations are evolving, and they pose risks to Ethereum’s adoption. Governments worldwide are working on crypto regulations that could either foster growth and safety (like countering money laundering) or impose restrictions on usage.
• Security Concerns: Cryptocurrencies can be hacked. While Ethereum’s blockchain is secure, vulnerabilities in smart contracts can lead to hacks or exploits. You must be cautious about interacting with unverified dApps or protocols if you want to store your ETH online. It is often advised to get crypto wallets that promote self-custody, like hardware wallets.
• Scalability Challenges Persist: Although Ethereum 2.0 addresses many scalability issues, it still struggles during peak usage periods compared to newer blockchains optimized for high throughput.

What Can You Do With Ethereum? (How to Use Ethereum)

Now that you know how to buy ETH, what the best CEXs to buy it from are, and have a general overview of the alternative methods of purchasing it, it is time to discuss what you can actually do with your Ether once you buy it.

As a foundational component of the Ethereum network, Ether is a very versatile cryptocurrency and it can serve all kinds of purposes. Among plenty of other practical uses for ETH in the blockchain ecosystem, you can:

1. Use it for transactions like payments and remittances
2. Trade it or keep it as a long-term investment
3. Pay gas fees for smart contract executions
4. Mint and trade non-fungible tokens
5. Stake it in a liquidity pool for interest and rewards
6. Use it as security in the DeFi space

Let’s dive into each one of these use case scenarios and explain Ether’s benefits in more detail.

Payments and Remittances

One of the main reasons crypto was invented was to provide users with a secure and affordable way to make fast international transactions while avoiding the slow processing times and excessive expenses of traditional banking services.

As a cryptocurrency, Ether can serve this purpose without a hitch. You can use it to make online payments, pay for microtransactions, send tips or donations, but also to send money to another crypto user anywhere in the world, with minimal transaction fees and additional costs.

Trade or Hold

Besides being a means of payment, Ether is also a very valuable asset that you can trade for profit, or hold long-term, like any other financial instrument of investment.

If you want to capitalize on it in the short term, you can sell it for profit at the very next market opportunity when its price reaches a new high or reaches your target value.

Alternatively, if you believe that Ethereum’s value will continue to grow in the years to come, you can hold on to it long-term and benefit from its price appreciation.

Pay Gas Fees

Ether can be highly useful if you don’t want to be a passive investor and are interested in the various applications and functionalities that blockchain technology offers.

This cryptocurrency can be used to pay for the transaction costs, known as gas fees, associated with executing smart contracts and other operations on the Ethereum network.

With the right amount of ETH in your wallet, you can access and interact with all kinds of decentralized applications (dApps), from financial solutions to games.

Mint and Trade NFTs

Speaking of gas fees, one of the most commonly practiced uses of Ether is paying the gas fee required for minting an NFT. NFTs are non-tangible art forms and digital assets that have real-world value and can represent ownership of unique items.

Using Ether, you can either create and mint NFTs by yourself and then try to sell them for profit, or you can buy existing NFTs and either trade them or hold to them if you believe that their value with appreciate over time.

Stake in Liquidity Pools

Another potentially profitable venture for your Ether is to stake it in a liquidity pool, or a yield farming pool, available on one of the many DeFi platforms. If the concept of staking is not familiar to you, you can think of it as putting it in a savings account.

During the period your ETH is staked, you won’t be able to use it, as it will be used to provide liquidity and support trading activities on the platform. However, over time, you will be rewarded with interest or other token-based rewards and earn a passive income for your stake.

DeFi Security

In addition to some of the activities we already touched upon, there are so many other use cases for your Ether available in the decentralized finance space.

You can participate in governing decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) by voting on important decisions that shape the future of the said organization. You can also fund and support new projects by investing in initial coin offerings (ICOs) and token sales and providing the early-stage capital for these ventures.

Overall, there is a lot you can do with Ether, and its versatility makes it a valuable asset for both practical and investment purposes.

Conclusion: Final Tips

You should now know a bit more about buying Ethereum, crypto exchanges, and alternative crypto marketplaces, as well as what to do with your ETH once you purchase it.

That said, to successfully invest in Ethereum and create a profitable investment strategy, you may need to learn more about blockchain technology and continuously upgrade your knowledge and skills. You also need to remain curious and always keep up-to-date with the latest market trends and developments to regularly adjust your strategy.

As a final note, remember that no strategy guarantees profit, and you should always invest money you can afford to lose.

FAQs on Where & How to Buy Ethereum