How do I buy cryptocurrency on PayPal?
The following information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement of cryptocurrency. Visit Discover Crypto for more information.
Information provided by PayPal is not intended to be and should not be construed as tax advice. For questions about your specific tax situation, please consult a tax professional.
Buy it. Sell it. Hold it. Transfer it.
Crypto, short for cryptocurrency, is a digital currency you can buy, sell, and securely hold in your PayPal account.
Go at your own pace
Get started with cryptocurrency for as little as $1. You decide how much you want to participate, so it's easier to stick to a budget and buy what makes sense for you.
Here’s how to buy cryptocurrency with PayPal on the web:
- Click Finances.
- Click Buy.
- Choose a crypto to buy.
- Choose an amount and frequency (Daily, Weekly, Biweekly, or Monthly.)
- Frequency will default to One-time.
- Choose a payment method and tap Next.
- Click Buy Now.
To buy cryptocurrency on the app:
- Tap Accounts.
- Tap Crypto.
- Tap Buy.
- Choose an amount and frequency (Daily, Weekly, Biweekly, or Monthly.)
- Frequency will default to One-time.
- Select a starting date and tap Confirm.
- Confirm your amount and tap Next.
- Choose a payment method and tap Next.
- Tap Authorize and Schedule.
What exchange rate will be used for my Recurring Transaction?
The exchange rate for each Recurring Buy includes a currency conversion spread and refreshes frequently. When you create a Recurring Buy order, you may elect to make an initial purchase at that time. If you do so, the displayed rate is only for the initial purchase.
The exchange rate for subsequent purchases or for an initial purchase in a Recurring Buy you scheduled with a future start date may vary significantly and will not be displayed at the time the Recurring Buy is created. For additional information on Recurring Buys visit PayPal Cryptocurrency Terms and Conditions.
How can I edit/update my recurring transaction?
A crypto user can create, edit, pause, or cancel their recurring purchases via the manage section on the Crypto Hub or Acccount.
Which cryptocurrencies are supported on PayPal?
Customers in the U.S. and U.S. Territories can transact with the following cryptocurrencies on PayPal: PayPal USD, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Solana (SOL), and Chainlink (LINK.)
What funding sources am I able to use to buy crypto?
Customers can use their PayPal balance, bank, and debit card to buy crypto. Customers will not be able to use a credit card or their PayPal Credit.
How do we recover your funds if a crypto transaction fails?
If your bank payment fails or rejects the charge, we’ll use any money we’ve already put on hold in your account.
If more funds are needed to complete a transaction, we’ll collect payment through:
- PayPal Balance
- Debit card on file
If we still haven’t recovered the full amount due, we may need to sell some of your current crypto assets to cover what is owed.
If the transaction cannot be covered by the steps above, we will liquidate the asset tied to the failed bank payment.
Which crypto assets can be liquidated as part of the recovery process?
Only the crypto asset type associated with the failed bank payment can be liquidated. For example, if the failed payment was for Bitcoin (BTC), then only BTC can be liquidated.
How is the crypto liquidation amount determined?
If liquidation is needed, the amount will be limited to the lowest of these three:
- The asset quantity purchased by the failed bank payment.
- The current value of the crypto asset still held in the account that’s linked to the failed payment.
- The payment amount owed to PayPal for the bank return related to the crypto purchase.
Note: Crypto will not be liquidated to recover amounts tied to non-crypto transactions during the initial phase.
What happens if a fiat hold was already lifted to help recover the amount owed?
If a fiat hold has been lifted, the maximum liquidation amount will be reduced by the portion already covered by the hold. This ensures that the total liquidation does not exceed the original crypto amount or value purchased through the failed bank payment.
Crypto can be volatile
We recommend doing your research and consideration for all actions (buy/sell/hold) before interacting with cryptocurrencies. This includes speaking to a tax and financial advice specialist.
You can find our Terms and Conditions and Acceptable Use Policy by clicking Legal at the bottom of any PayPal page.