If you're looking to buy Sushi (SUSHI), the governance and utility token behind one of DeFi's most established decentralized exchanges, you've come to the right place. SushiSwap has grown into a...
Browse the buying guides
All buying guidesBuy yearn.finance (YFI) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy yearn.finance (YFI), you've come to the right place. YFI is the governance token behind one of DeFi's most recognized yield optimization protocols, giving holders a say in...
Buy Synthetix (SNX) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Synthetix (SNX), you've come to the right place. Synthetix is one of the more technically sophisticated projects in decentralized finance, combining the speed of centralized...
Buy Amp (AMP) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Amp (AMP), you've come to the right place. Amp is a digital collateral token built on Ethereum that's designed to make value transfers faster and more secure — particularly...
Buy Basic Attention (BAT) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Basic Attention Token (BAT), you've come to the right place. BAT is one of the more interesting projects in crypto because it's tied to a real-world problem — broken digital...
Buy Compound (COMP) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Compound (COMP), you've come to the right place. COMP is the governance token behind Compound Finance, one of the most established decentralized lending protocols in the...
Buy The Graph (GRT) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy The Graph (GRT), you've come to the right place. GRT powers a decentralized indexing protocol that plays a quiet but critical role in how blockchain applications retrieve...
Buy NEAR Protocol (NEAR) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy NEAR Protocol (NEAR), you're exploring one of the more ambitious projects in the blockchain space — one positioning itself at the intersection of AI and decentralized...
Buy Aave (AAVE) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Aave (AAVE), you've come to the right place. Aave is one of the most established decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols in crypto, giving users the ability to lend and...
Buy Uniswap (UNI) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Uniswap (UNI), you're in the right place. UNI is the governance token behind one of the most widely used decentralized exchanges in crypto, giving holders a real say in how...
Buy Chainlink (LINK) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Chainlink (LINK), you're researching one of the most foundational projects in the entire blockchain space — not just another token, but the infrastructure that helps smart...
Buy USDC (USDC) — A simple guide
If you're looking to get started with crypto or simply want a stable way to move money across exchanges without worrying about price swings, USDC (USDC) is one of the most trusted options available....
Understanding the NEAR Protocol ecosystem
Browse the buying guidesA project may also use NEAR infrastructure while providing services on other chains.
How it works
Named accounts and app integrations can make the interface approachable, but wallet permissions and recovery still matter. Identify the contract behind an asset and what an application is allowed to sign or spend. Cross-chain features introduce routes and dependencies that should be assessed independently of a normal same-network transfer.
Explore the foundations
Sources and further reading
A little groundwork goes a long way
Before your next purchase or transfer, understand who controls access, where your crypto is going and what the trade will actually cost.
Protect access to your crypto
An exchange account and a self-custody wallet need different safeguards. Protect exchange logins with a unique password and strong two-factor authentication. For self-custody, your recovery backup is what lets you restore access.
Keep recovery words offline and private. A support agent or website asking for them is a reason to stop.
See a recovery example
Your phone breaks. An exchange may help you recover your account after identity checks. A self-custody wallet cannot reset your recovery phrase. Check your wallet’s official backup instructions before relying on it.
Choose the right transfer network
The asset, token version and network must be supported at the destination. A familiar ticker or a matching address format is not enough. Read the receiving platform’s deposit instructions before selecting a withdrawal network.
Check the address, any required memo or tag, fees and minimums. Consider a small test transfer first.
See a network example
Your destination accepts USDC on Ethereum. Selecting a cheaper network at the sending exchange does not make it an Ethereum transfer. Use a network both ends support; an ordinary withdrawal does not bridge tokens.
Understand the price you pay
Trading fees are only part of the cost. The spread, available liquidity and withdrawal charges also matter. A market order prioritizes execution; a limit order controls the price but may remain unfilled or fill only partly.
Check the order preview and the amount you will receive, then compare the full cost of your intended purchase and withdrawal.
Work through a cost example
Hypothetical example: a $200 trade with a 0.1% trading fee costs $0.20 in trading fees. A separate $5 withdrawal fee brings those charges to $5.20. Spread or slippage may add more; these are not quoted exchange rates.

