How To Buy Bitcoin Cash (BCH)?
A common question you often see on social media from crypto beginners is “Where can I buy Bitcoin Cash?” Well, you’ll be happy to hear it is actually quite a simple and straightforward process. Thanks to its massive popularity, you can now buy Bitcoin Cash on most cryptocurrency exchanges, including Coinbase and Binance in 3 simple steps.
Step 1: Create an account on an exchange that supports Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
First, you will need to open an account on a cryptocurrency exchange that supports Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
We recommend the following based on functionality, reputation, security, support and fees:
1
Binance
Fees (Maker/Taker) 0.075%*-0.1%*
Cryptocurrencies
Available for Trade 500+
Sign-up bonus
10% reduced trading fees*
Available in
Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa
2
MEXC
Fees (Maker/Taker) 0.2%*-0.2%*
Cryptocurrencies
Available for Trade 1500+
Sign-up bonus
10% reduced trading fees & up to $170 in USDT vouchers*
Available in
North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa
3
Coinbase
Fees (Maker/Taker) 1.49%*-3.99%*
Cryptocurrencies
Available for Trade 150+
Sign-up bonus
$10 sign-up bonus*
Available in
North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa
In order to sign up, you will need to enter some basic information, such as your email address, password, full name and, in some cases, you might also be asked for a phone number or address.
Note: On specific exchanges, you might need to complete a Know Your Customer (KYC) procedure in order to be able to purchase cryptocurrency. This is most commonly the case with licensed and regulated exchanges.
Step 2: Deposit funds into your account
Many cryptocurrency exchanges will allow you to purchase Bitcoin Cash (BCH) with fiat currencies, such as EUR, USD, AUD and others. Furthermore, they will also provide you with multiple deposit methods through which you can fund your fiat account, such as credit and debit cards, ewallets or direct bank transfers.
Note: Some payment methods will have higher fees than others, such as credit card payments. Before funding your fiat account on your chosen exchange, make sure to do your due diligence to find out the fees involved with each payment method to avoid unnecessary costs.
Step 3: Buy Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
This process is similar across almost every cryptocurrency exchange. All you have to do is find a navigation bar or a search bar, and search for Bitcoin Cash (BCH) or Bitcoin Cash (BCH) trading pairs. Look for the section that will allow you to buy Bitcoin Cash (BCH), and enter the amount of the cryptocurrency that you want to spend for Bitcoin Cash (BCH) or the amount of fiat currency that you want to spend towards buying Bitcoin Cash (BCH). The exchange will then calculate the equivalent amount of Bitcoin Cash (BCH) based on the current market rate.
Note: Make sure to always double-check your transaction details, such as the amount of Bitcoin Cash (BCH) you will be buying as well as the total cost of the purchase before you end up confirming the transaction. Furthermore, many cryptocurrency exchanges will offer you their own proprietary software wallet where you will be storing your cryptocurrencies; however, you can create your own individual software wallet, or purchase a hardware wallet for the highest level of protection.
How to create a Binance account
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Step 1: Go to the Binance website.
Step 2: On the registration page, enter your email address, and create a password for your account.
Then, read and agree to the Terms of Service and click “Create Account”.
Note: Your password must be a combination of numbers and letters.
It should contain at least 8 characters, one UPPER CASE letter, and one number.
Step 3: Complete the Security Verification.
Step 4: The system will send a verification code to your email. The verification code is valid for 30 minutes. If you can’t find the email in your inbox, check your other mail folders as well, or click “Resend Email” to resend.
How to complete KYC (ID Verification) on Binance
Step 1: Log in to your Binance account and click “User Center” and then “Identification”.
Step 2: click “Start Now” to verify your account.
Step 3: Select your country of residence.
Ensure that your country of residence is consistent with your ID documents.
Step 5: Enter your personal information and click “Continue.”
You won’t be able to change it once confirmed.
Refer to the respective options offered for your country.
Step 7: Follow the instructions to upload photos of your document. Your photos should clearly show the full ID document.
Do not wear hats, glasses, or use filters, and make sure that the lighting is sufficient.
Once your application has been verified, you will receive an email notification.
How to buy cryptocurrency on Binance
Step 1: Log in to your Binance account and click “Buy Crypto” and then “Credit/Debit Card”.
Step 2: Here you can choose to buy crypto with different fiat currencies. Enter the fiat amount you want to spend and the system will automatically display the amount of crypto you can get. When you have selected the amount you wish to spend then press “Continue”.
Note: You might not be able to purchase every cryptocurrency directly using fiat, if you’re looking to purchase something that isn’t offered in the currency list on this page, then you will want to purchase USDT. We will then show you how to exchange that on the spot-market for the cryptocurrency that you want in the next section of this guide.
Step 3: Click “Add New Card”. Then enter your credit card details and your billing address.
Step 4: Check the payment details and confirm your order within 1 minute. After 1 minute, the price and the amount of crypto you will get will be recalculated. You can click “Refresh” to see the latest market price. You will then be redirected to your bank’s OTP Transaction Page. Follow the on-screen instructions to verify the payment.
How to Conduct Spot Trading on Binance
Step 1: Log in to your Binance account.
Click on “Classic” under “Trade” on the top navigation bar.
Step 2: Search and enter the cryptocurrency you want to trade.
Step 3: Set buying/selling prices and buying/selling amount (or exchange total). Then click on “Buy”/”Sell”.
(Note: The percentages under the “Amount” box refer to percentages of the total account balance.)
Step 4: If you don’t want to set a manual price, you can place a “Market Order” to set the buying/selling price automatically.
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For more in-depth instructions, our ‘Absolute Beginner’s Guide To Cryptocurrency Investing‘ will take you through the process step-by step. In addition to providing instructions for sending and receiving your cryptocurrency.
And if you’re completely new to crypto our beginner, intermediate and advanced level articles will get you up to speed with everything you need to know about the cryptocurrency space starting out.
What is Bitcoin Cash (BCH)?
When politics happen to blockchains, hard forks can instigate new projects. Bitcoin Cash (BCH) was created by a group of developers, investors, entrepreneurs, and miners who were unsatisfied with Bitcoin’s development plans. Created in August 2017, Bitcoin Cash is a peer-to-peer electronic cash system that focuses on increased scalability and low transaction fees. The project is also referred to as Bitcoin ABC (Adjustable Blocksize Cap).
Blockchain scalability
In 2017, Bitcoin was suffering from long transaction confirmation times and growing transaction fees, detracting from its initial premise of being near-instant payments with very low fees. Before the creation of Bitcoin Cash, there was a strong debate in the Bitcoin community about the implications of increasing the block size limit.
Since Bitcoin is decentralized, proposed changes to the protocol require widespread agreement. Therefore, all network nodes need to reach consensus when making changes and updates to the Bitcoin software.
The SegWit soft fork was planned before the BCH hard fork, but the Bitcoin Cash proponents believed that SegWit was an inferior alternative to increasing the block size limit. The Bitcoin Cash fork from Bitcoin was supported by some notable members of the blockchain industry, including Jihan Wu (co-founder of Bitmain) and Roger Ver (CEO of Bitcoin.com).
How does BCH work?
Unlike Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash has an increased block size limit, which allows for more transactions to be included in each block. The block size limit was initially raised from 1 MB to 8 MB and then raised again in 2018 to 32 MB.
Both Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash adjust their mining difficulty through the so-called difficulty adjustment algorithm (DAA). However, Bitcoin adjusts the difficulty every 2016 blocks, while the mining difficulty of Bitcoin Cash is adjusted after each block.
In the past, Bitcoin Cash also implemented an emergency difficulty adjustment (EDA) algorithm to decrease the mining difficulty and incentivize miners to join the network. However, the algorithm was later removed due to instabilities. The EDA implementation is one of the reasons why the BCH blockchain is thousands of blocks ahead of Bitcoin.
BCH key features
- The BCH source code was based on the original Bitcoin protocol.
- The supply is capped at 21 million.
- As a fork of Bitcoin, BCH also uses the Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism to issue new coins.
- Increased block size from 1 MB to 32 MB.
- The community argues that the BCH ethos aligns more closely with Satoshi’s original plans.
- The BCH mining difficulty is adjusted after each block through the difficulty adjustment algorithm (DAA).
- BCH did not implement SegWit.
- BCH implemented Schnorr Signatures in 2019.
- Smart contract development built-in as a later update.
What makes Bitcoin Cash (BCH) unique?
Bitcoin Cash is a decentralized peer-to-peer electronic cash system that does not rely on any central authority like a government or financial institution. As such, it represents a fundamental redesign of the very nature of money. The core features of Bitcoin Cash are:
- Open to anyone. Nobody controls or owns Bitcoin Cash. There’s no CEO, and you don’t need to ask for permission to use it.
- Pseudonymous. Identities are not tied to transactions. This helps to ensure that Bitcoin Cash remains free to be used by anyone, without censorship.
- Transparent. All transactions are recorded on a global public ledger called the blockchain. The ledger is updated at regular intervals in blocks that are connected to form a chain. This allows anyone to easily see the full history of ownership, and helps to eliminate the potential for fraud.
- Distributed. The public ledger (blockchain) is stored voluntarily by a network of participants known as ‘nodes.’ This helps to ensure the longevity of information.
- Rules-based. Nodes follow a set of rules (a protocol) to achieve consensus on the state of the ledger. This consensus is what constitutes the ‘truth’ as to who owns what. The protocol, however, can evolve as participants demand – although there is high-degree of consensus required to make changes. This makes Bitcoin Cash a quasi-political system, with participants forming a kind of social contract.
- Immutable. The technology deployed means that, once recorded in the blockchain, transactions effectively cannot be altered.
- Secure. Through a process known as Proof of Work (PoW), ‘miners’ compete to add new blocks to the chain that constitutes the ledger (again, the blockchain). The hardware and energy costs associated with PoW mining contribute to the security of the network along game-theory driven principles such that attacking the network is both prohibitively expensive and guarantees the attacker cannot profit directly.
- Fixed supply. Only 21 million coins will ever be created. This makes Bitcoin Cash a hard asset, like land or gold, providing an opportunity for people to store value in digital realm over long periods of time.
- Low Fees. Bitcoin Cash enables reliable, fast, and affordable transactions of any value and regardless of location (including cross-border transactions). This makes it an effective alternative to payment networks like Visa and Mastercard.
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) as a medium of exchange
Bitcoin Cash enables peer-to-peer payments between individuals – just like cash, but in the digital realm. Fees for sending Bitcoin Cash typically amount to less than a penny per transaction, and settlement occurs near instantly, regardless of the physical location of participants. This makes Bitcoin Cash useful for not only remittances and cross-border trade, but also for daily transactions like buying groceries. Since the fees and transaction times are so low, Bitcoin Cash is also effective for micro-transaction use cases like tipping content creators and rewarding app users.
What’s the difference between Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash?
Since forking in 2017, the multiple independent teams of developers working on the Bitcoin Cash protocol have brought a number of innovations aimed at improving the usability of Bitcoin Cash as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system that supports economic freedom. These innovations, which set Bitcoin Cash apart from Bitcoin, are summarized below:
Maximum block size
Bitcoin Cash has a larger maximum block size (32MB) than Bitcoin (1MB). The larger block size increases the volume of transactions that the Bitcoin Cash network can process on chain. While Bitcoin typically processes between 3-7 transactions per second, Bitcoin Cash has the capacity to process as many as 200 transactions per second. This helps to reduce the cost per transaction and increase transaction speed and reliability. Bitcoin Cash transactions typically cost less than a penny. By comparison, the median on-chain Bitcoin (BTC) transaction fee has been in the range of $1-15 since 2020.
Smart contract support
Bitcoin Cash developers can use smart contract languages like Cashscript to enable more complex functions than the basic transactions that are possible on Bitcoin. This creates the possibility of ‘decentralized finance’ applications like synthetic derivates trading. Other use cases include private payments with tools such as CashShuffle and CashFusion. It also allows for ‘token issuance’ (see below).
Token issuance
Using the Simple Ledger Protocol, developers can issue new tokens that live on the Bitcoin Cash blockchain similar to how ERC-20 tokens live on the Ethereum blockchain. For example, Tether, the largest issuer of USD stablecoins, has issued USDT tokens that live on the Bitcoin Cash chain. This enables people to send and receive USDT for pennies per transaction using a non-custodial digital wallet.
Non-Fungible Tokens
The Simple Ledger Protocol also supports Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), similar in function to Ethereum’s ERC-721 standard. The key feature of NFTs is that they are digital tokens which are distinguishable from each other. This enables a wide range of potential use cases, from digital artwork marketplaces to tradeable in-game items.
Schnorr signatures
This is a digital signature scheme that allows for more complex signing capabilities. Transactions that adopt Schnorr signatures consume less space, making them less expensive. Although currently supported by the Bitcoin Cash protocol, Schnorr signatures have yet to be widely adopted by wallet providers. When adoption of Schnorr signatures is widespread, it has the potential to enhance the network’s privacy by improving the fungibility of tokens (effectively making all transactions appear to third-party observers to be more similar to each other).
Difficulty adjustment algorithm
Bitcoin Cash deploys an exponential moving target difficulty adjustment algorithm called aserti3-2d. For every two days that blocks are behind schedule, the difficulty is cut in half, while for every two days blocks are ahead of schedule, the difficulty doubles. This difficulty adjustment algorithm helps to ensure new blocks are generated at a stable rate (every 10 minutes) even if there is high price volatility and hash power elasticity. For example, in the event that SHA256 miners move their hashing power from BTC to BCH and back, Bitcoin Cash’s difficulty adjustment algorithm ensures blocks continue to be produced at the desired consistent rate.
Official website: https://bch.info/en/
Best cryptocurrency wallet for Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
There are plenty of different crypto wallets available. The best one for you depends on your general trading habits and which provides the most security in your situation. There are two main types of wallets: hot storage wallets (digital) and cold storage or hardware wallets (physical). Both have their pros and cons, and there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer when it comes to figuring out which crypto wallet is best for you.
HOW DO I DECIDE WHICH cryptocurrency WALLET TO USE for Bitcoin Cash (BCH)?
Deciding which type of wallet to use depends on a variety of factors, including:
- How often you trade. In general, hot wallets are better for more active cryptocurrency traders. Quick login ability means you are only a few clicks and taps away from buying and selling crypto. Cold wallets are better suited for those looking to make less frequent trades.
- What you want to trade. As mentioned earlier, not all wallets support all types of cryptocurrencies. However, some of the best crypto wallets have the power to trade hundreds of different currencies, providing more of a one-size-fits-all experience.
- Your peace of mind. For those worried about hacking, having a physical cold wallet stored in a safe deposit box at the bank or somewhere at home, provides the safest, most secure option. Others might be confident in their ability to keep their hot wallets secure.
- How much it costs. It is important to investigate the costs associated with each wallet. Many hot wallets will be free to set up. Meanwhile, cold wallets, like any piece of hardware, will cost money to purchase.
- What it can do. While the basics of each cryptocurrency wallet are the same, additional features can help set them apart. This is especially true of hot wallets, many of which come with advanced reporting features, insights into the crypto market, the ability to convert cryptocurrencies and more. Security features can also be a good differentiator.
For a more in-depth overview of cryptocurrency wallets visit our “Cryptocurrency Wallets Explained” guide.
If you’re going to be dealing in larger volumes of crypto, investing in cold storage might prove advantageous.
Most widespead examples of this being the Ledger Nano and the Trezor.
Ledger manufactures cold storage wallets designed for users who want increased security. Their wallets are a physical device that connects to your computer. Only when the device is connected can you send your cryptocurrency from it. Ledger offers a variety of products, such as the Ledger Nano S and the Ledger Nano X (a bluetooth connected hardware wallet).
Trezor is a pioneering hardware wallet company. The combination of world-class security with an intuitive interface and compatibility with other desktop wallets, makes it ideal for beginners and experts alike. The company has gained a lot of the Bitcoin community’s respect over the years. Trezor offers two main models – The Trezor One and Trezor Model T (which has a built in touch screen).
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) Price & Charts
- Market Capitalization And Daily Trading Volume
- Current Market Price Of Every Cryptocurrency Relative To USD (And Some Local Currencies)
- Circulating And Total Supply
- Historical Charts With Prices Relative To USD, Bitcoin (BTC), And Ethereum (ETH).
