Step 1
Choose an exchange
Compare the fee table above to find the cheapest exchange for buying ETH. Consider maker vs taker fees, deposit methods, and whether the exchange is available in your country.
How to buy ETH
How to Buy Ethereum — Cheapest Exchange Comparison (2026)
The leading smart contract platform powering decentralized applications, DeFi protocols, and NFTs. Ethereum transitioned to proof-of-stake in September 2022 (The Merge), significantly reducing energy consumption. It remains the largest ecosystem for dApps and layer-2 solutions.
Quick Answer
Compare fees across 10 exchanges to find the cheapest way to buy ETH. The lowest spot maker fee is currently offered by MEXC at 0%.
Fee comparison
Exchange fees for buying Ethereum (ETH)
Compare spot and futures trading fees for ETHUSDT across all 10 major exchanges. Sorted by lowest spot maker fee by default.
| Exchange | Spot Maker ↑ | Spot Taker | Futures Maker | Futures Taker | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEXC | 0% | 0.05% | 0% | 0.01% | Zero maker fees by default |
| Coinbase | 0.04% | 0.08% | 0% | 0% | Advanced Trade rates shown |
| OKX | 0.08% | 0.1% | 0.02% | 0.05% | OKB holders get lower tiers |
| Binance | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.02% | 0.05% | BNB discount to 0.075% |
| Bybit | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.02% | 0.055% | VIP tiers available |
| KuCoin | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.02% | 0.06% | KCS discount to 0.08% |
| Bitget | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.02% | 0.06% | BGB token discount |
| Kraken | 0.16% | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.05% | Pro rates shown |
| Gate.io | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.015% | 0.05% | GT token discount |
| HTX | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.02% | 0.04% | HT token discount |
Step-by-step guide
How to buy Ethereum in 5 steps
A beginner-friendly guide to purchasing ETH on a centralized exchange.
Step 2
Create and verify your account
Sign up on your chosen exchange and complete identity verification (KYC). This typically requires a government-issued ID and may take a few minutes to a few days depending on the exchange.
Step 3
Deposit funds
Deposit fiat currency (USD, EUR, etc.) via bank transfer or card, or transfer crypto like USDT from another wallet. Bank transfers usually have lower fees than card deposits.
Step 4
Buy ETH
Navigate to the ETHUSDT trading pair. Use a limit order to get the maker fee rate (usually cheaper) or a market order for instant execution at the taker fee rate. For large purchases, consider splitting into multiple orders.
Step 5
Secure your holdings
After buying ETH, consider your storage options. For active trading, keep funds on the exchange. For long-term holding, transfer to a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor) or a reputable software wallet for better security.
Buy ETH
Ready to buy Ethereum?
Choose an exchange below to start buying ETH. Fees shown are base-tier rates — higher-volume traders may qualify for lower fees.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about buying Ethereum
What is the cheapest way to buy Ethereum?
The cheapest way to buy ETH is to use a limit order (maker) on an exchange with low maker fees. MEXC currently offers 0% maker fees, making it the cheapest option for limit orders. For market orders, compare the taker fees in the table above.
Can I buy Ethereum with USD or EUR?
Most major exchanges support fiat deposits for buying ETH. Coinbase and Kraken offer direct USD purchases. For EUR, Kraken and Coinbase are popular options. You can also deposit stablecoins like USDT first and then trade the ETH/USDT pair.
Is it safe to buy Ethereum on a centralized exchange?
Centralized exchanges offer convenience and liquidity but require trust in the platform. To minimize risk: use exchanges with strong security track records, enable two-factor authentication, consider withdrawing large holdings to a personal wallet, and only use regulated exchanges available in your jurisdiction.