How to Buy USDC in 2025

USDC is one of the most traded cryptocurrencies in the world and a valuable asset that brings stability to any crypto trader’s portfolio. As such, USDC can be bought on a variety of crypto marketplaces and exchanges.

That said, we believe that centralized crypto exchanges (CEXs) are still the safest and most affordable way to buy USDC. Here is how you can do that in six easy steps:

1. Find the right exchange for your purchase of USDC
2. Join the exchange by creating an account
3. Complete KYC verification to confirm your identity
4. Deposit funds to your account to fund your purchase
5. Place a buy order on USDC and complete the transaction
6. Secure your USDC by moving it to your crypto wallet

In addition to showing you how to buy USDC from a CEX in more detail, below, we will present you with the best crypto exchanges to buy the stablecoin in 2025.

Furthermore, we will also explore some alternative routes to purchasing the crypto and even discuss the most practical use cases of USDC to help you build your investment strategy.

Where to Buy USDC – Best Exchanges

We promised to help you with your research, and we delivered. Here is our top list of the safest and most reliable crypto exchanges for buying USDC in 2025. Feel free to browse through our selection and buy USDC, quickly, securely, and at a competitive price.

How to Buy USDC - Step by Step

If you are a complete beginner and need detailed instructions on how to buy USDC from a CEX, the step-by-step guide below will walk you through the entire process and provide you with additional expert tips and insights to ensure you do everything right.

Finding the Right Exchange

Finding a CEX that offers the sale of USDC won’t be hard, as it is a widely accepted and supported cryptocurrency. Identifying the right exchange for your purchase, on the other hand, will be a little trickier, as there are hundreds of CEXs on the market, and each of them claims to be the best.

To narrow your choices down, you will need to set priorities and decide early which features and security measures you expect from the CEX. Additionally, you should consider affordability, payment methods, user-friendliness, and other factors that may be important to your experience.

Once you have a general idea of what you value most in a CEX, we suggest you look at our recommendations for the best crypto exchanges for buying USDC in 2025. We tested these crypto exchanges personally and shared our findings to save you hours of research and ease your burden of choice.

Creating an Account

After deciding where you would like to buy USDC, you will need to create an account with the exchange to be able to log in and use its trading capabilities.

The account creation process may vary slightly between different CEXs. Still, generally, most exchanges will provide you with a form you need to fill out with some basic personal information, such as:

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

Furthermore, you will need to agree to the CEX’s terms and conditions and possibly complete an account activation process that may include clicking a link sent to your email address or inserting an activation code sent to you by text.

Once your account is activated, you will be able to log in to the exchange and start exploring its features and services.

Completing KYC Verification

Even though you created, activated, and successfully logged in to your account, you will need to complete one more preparatory step before you are able to buy USD coins or make any transactions on the CEX, and that is to meet the KYC requirement.

KYC verification is a compliance requirement imposed on all financial institutions that deal with large transactions, including CEXs. It requires them to verify the identity of their users before allowing them to make any transactions on their platforms.

This requirement is in place to ensure the legitimacy of the users and to help these platforms prevent their services from being used for fraud, money laundering, and other illegal activities.

To confirm your identity with the CEX, you will need to upload copies of government-issued documentation, such as a passport or a driver’s license, and a photo of yourself to its verification system. Once the system verifies the submitted documentation, you will be able to use the CEX’s platform to its fullest capacity.

Adding Money to Your Account

Once you complete the KYC verification, you can move on to the transactional part of the process, which starts with adding money to your account to fund your purchase of USDC.

First, you will need to find the section of the platform where deposits are handled, which may be the "Funds" or the "Wallet" tab, depending on which CEX you are using. Once you are there, you will need to find the button that says something like "Deposit" or "Add Funds" and tap on it to initiate the process.

Then, you will choose your preferred method of payment and insert the amount of money you want to buy USDC for in the designated field. Before you confirm your payment, be sure to double-check the transaction details and fees applied to the deposit. If there are any additional costs you don’t agree with, we suggest you try using an alternative payment method.

Placing a Buy Order on USDC

Now that your account is preloaded with funds, all the preliminary steps are completed, and you can finally go ahead and buy USD coins from a crypto exchange.

Start by navigating to the section of the platform that deals with trading, typically labeled as "Exchange" or "Markets." Once you are there, you will likely see a new trading interface. Find USDC on the list of available cryptocurrencies and tap on it to select it.

This will bring you to a new window where you will be presented with various trading options. From here, you just need to choose your account’s balance as the payment method, insert the number of dollars you want to exchange for USDC, and place a basic market buy order.

Once again, be sure to thoroughly examine the transaction details before confirming your payment, as once you tap on "Buy" the transaction will be completed.

Securing the USDC in a Crypto Wallet

Shortly after your payment is processed and the transaction is finalized, the newly purchased USDC will be credited to your crypto exchange’s account balance. Congratulations, you are now the owner of USDC.

That said, even though the USDC is rightfully yours, it is still technically under the CEX’s custody as it is stored in its crypto wallet. To move the USDC to your crypto wallet, you will need to the tab we used to make a deposit in step four, but instead of adding money, you will need to look for the option to withdraw now.

Once you initiate the withdrawal, you will just enter the amount of USDC you want to transfer and the public key to your crypto wallet. Double-check the inserted information to avoid sending the USDC to the wrong wallet, and confirm the transaction. The crypto should shortly be transferred and secured in your own crypto wallet.

Why Trust Us?

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With long years in the industry, our team of experts has the experience and the expertise to deliver thorough and accurate evaluations and recommendations. Rather than relying on hearsay, we make it our goal to research, analyze, and test as many crypto exchanges as possible, to ensure we offer insights that are based on first-hand experience.

Whether we discuss the latest trends or explore topics like how to start investing in USDC, we always prioritize accuracy and clarity for our readers. The information we provide is always fact-checked, up-to-date, and unbiased, aimed at empowering you to make your own decisions.

You can trust Webopedia to be your trusted advisor and a source of knowledge that can guide you when navigating the dynamic world of cryptocurrency.

Alternative Methods to Buy USDC Coin in 2025

As we mentioned before, CEXs are not the only place on which you can buy USDC, and there are all kinds of trading platforms you can use to get it, including:

• Peer-to-Peer Platforms: Crypto marketplaces that connect buyers and sellers directly and allow them to trade without mediation or oversight from a central authority.

• Decentralized Crypto Exchanges: Autonomous trading platforms that facilitate decentralized crypto trading through the use of smart contracts.

• Financial Service Platforms: As a popular stablecoin, USDC can be purchased from a variety of digital banks, fintech solutions, and other financial service platforms.

• Crypto Wallets: Beyond safekeeping and managing digital assets, some crypto wallets also allow users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly within the platform.

• Cryptocurrency ATMs: Physical machines that resemble traditional ATMs, which can be used to purchase cryptocurrency through an in-person transaction.

In the following section, we will explain how to get USD coins from each one of these platforms, explore their pros and cons, and compare their buying processes to the one of using a CEX.

Peer-to-Peer Platforms

Unlike CEXs that operate under the oversight of a central authority, P2P platforms are decentralized entities that facilitate direct communication between traders. They don’t act as the intermediary, but rather, allow buyers and sellers to come up with their own terms and conduct trades in a way they see fit.

When buying cryptocurrency on a P2P platform, you will able to browse through numerous listings posted by other crypto users and choose the offer you like. Additionally, you will have the option to contact the seller by message and try to negotiate the price or the method of payment, which is something you can’t do on a CEX.

However, before you decide to buy USDC from a P2P platform, you must be aware that these marketplaces are not as heavily regulated as centralized exchanges. The lack of oversight opens the door to scammers and fraudsters, who are a realistic risk on these platforms.

Decentralized Crypto Exchanges

Like P2P platforms, and unlike CEXs, DEXs are also decentralized trading platforms operating without a central authority. But instead of relying on escrow services and seller reputation systems, these exchanges deal with the risk of fraud by automating transactions through the use of smart contracts.

The upside, or the downside, depending on your point of view, of buying cryptocurrency on a DEX is the fact that they don’t work with fiat currencies. For this reason, their users can stay anonymous and not share personal or financial information to trade.

However, this means that you must already have some cryptocurrency in your possession to use them, making them not that friendly towards absolute beginners. Additionally, you must have at least a basic understanding of blockchain technology and smart contracts to buy USD coins from a DEX, so consider that before you try them out.

Financial Service Platforms

As cryptocurrencies become more and more popular and accepted, more and more financial service platforms, such as digital banks, e-wallets, and payment processors, try to find a way to integrate crypto services into their offerings.

Off the top of our heads, we can think of at least five major fintech providers that facilitate the buying and selling of USDC directly on their app, without the need to use any external exchanges. For users who already have these apps on their phones, this can be a very convenient way to buy USDC without creating any additional accounts.

However, it is worth pointing out that this may not be the cheapest way to buy USDC, as these platforms commonly charge transaction fees, notably higher than those charged by CEXs. Additionally, some of them may not even allow you to transfer your USDC out after buying it and force you to use it solely for making transactions through their native app.

Crypto Wallets

While crypto wallets are primarily used for storing and managing crypto assets, some crypto wallet providers extend the functionality of their wallets by adding a built-in crypto exchange feature to them.

If you have a wallet that has this feature, the integrated crypto exchange makes for a convenient way to buy USD coins. Since you will be buying the crypto from the wallet, it will automatically be stored in it, and eliminate the need for additional transfers after the purchase.

However, if your crypto wallet does not have an integrated exchange, you will have to get a new one that uses this method. Additionally, we would like to point out that the built-in crypto wallet exchanges are typically much less liquid than CEXs, and low liquidity levels may lead to suboptimal trading conditions like longer processing times and higher market spreads.

Cryptocurrency ATMs

Finally, if none of the other methods work for you, you can always buy USDC from a crypto ATM. These machines present the unique opportunity to purchase cryptocurrencies through an in-person transaction using cash, making them invaluable to crypto traders who have no access to traditional banking services.

Now, not every crypto ATM out there will support the buying and selling of USDC, as many of them are limited to working with only a few major cryptocurrencies. Some of them are even limited to Bitcoin.

However, if you find one that works with USDC, crypto ATMs are safe, reliable, and good enough to be used as a last-resort option. But if you have access to a CEX or one of the other methods we mentioned, you should probably opt for one of them, as crypto ATMs charge considerably higher transaction fees than online platforms.

What Can You Do With USDC?

Now that you know how to buy the stablecoin, it is time to turn our attention to what to do with your USD coin once you purchase it. As it happens, USDC is not the best cryptocurrency for long-term strategies and price appreciation; however, it has plenty of utility and can fill various roles, including:

• Hedging against inflation
• Efficiently trading between different cryptocurrencies
• Making fast and cheap P2P transactions
• Be used for online purchases
• Sending cross-border payments or remittances

To help you understand and make the most of these use cases, we will take a closer look at each one of these scenarios and explain them in more detail below.

Maintaining Stability With USDC

One of the main reasons investors buy stablecoins is to hedge their investments and preserve their capital in times of market uncertainty and rising inflation.

Unlike most cryptocurrencies that are highly volatile, USDC and other stablecoins have their values pegged to the US dollar, making them more predictable and consistent.

So if you need to bring more stability to your investment portfolio and mitigate the risk of inflation without exiting the market, you can rely on USDC to ride out the storm.

Trading Cryptocurrencies Using USDC

If you want to become a crypto day trader and engage in frequent crypto trades, converting your trading capital into USDC can be advantageous.

Buying cryptocurrencies with fiat is subject to slower processing times and larger transaction fees that can tarnish the cost-efficiency of your trades and affect your bottom line.

By using USDC as your base currency instead of fiat, you will be able to seize market opportunities faster and cheaper and capitalize on more price fluctuations.

USDC for P2P Transactions

Beyond using USDC as a part of an investment strategy, its low transaction costs and high transaction speeds give the coin a great practical utility.

What’s more, the coin’s value is pegged to the USD, which makes it easy to calculate, unlike the value of most other cryptocurrencies.

This means that USDC is not only cost-effective but convenient for all uses, such as splitting bills, settling debts, or any other scenario where a P2P transaction may be needed.

USDC as a Payment Method

In addition to P2P transactions between two users, USDC can be used to purchase items online or make online payments with vendors who accept them.

As one of the most popular cryptos, USDC is already respectably widely accepted, and we can only expect the number of merchants who work with it to increase in the future.

By using USDC as a payment method, you can avoid paying the transaction fees charged by traditional banking services and get the most out of your money.

Making International Transfers With USDC

Sending remittances or any other international transfer with USDC is one of the most practical use cases for any cryptocurrency.

Banks and money transfer services not only charge outrageous transaction fees but also currency conversion chargers and potentially other additional costs.

With USDC, you can avoid all these charges and send the money instantly and securely for a fraction of the costs charged by traditional banks and financial institutions.

Conclusion: Final Tips

To summarize, there are multiple ways to buy USDC in 2025, but CEXs remain the most reliable and cost-effective platform. That said, not all CEXs are created equal, and you should always research before deciding where to buy the coin from.

Now that you know how to buy it, you may want to consider learning how to trade USDC efficiently and start upgrading your trading skills. Becoming a successful crypto trader requires plenty of dedication and effort to continuously learn, stay up-to-date with the market dynamics, and adjust your trading strategy to the current trends and developments.

Finally, you should always keep in mind that there is no strategy that guarantees profit, and you should only invest money you can afford to lose.

Frequently Asked Questions