Back to blog
Crypto Basics

How Do You Purchase Cryptocurrency? A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

Want to buy crypto? Learn how to purchase cryptocurrency safely in 2025 with our beginner-friendly guide. Step-by-step instructions, tips, and common mistakes to avoid.
Token Metrics Team
8 min
Want Smarter Crypto Picks—Free?
See unbiased Token Metrics Ratings for BTC, ETH, and top alts.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
 No credit card | 1-click unsubscribe

Cryptocurrency has moved from niche tech circles to the mainstream, with millions of people worldwide investing in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of other digital assets. Whether you want to trade actively, hold long-term, or explore decentralized finance (DeFi), the first step is understanding how to purchase cryptocurrency safely and efficiently.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know—**from choosing the right platform to securing your crypto—**so you can get started with confidence.

Step 1: Understand What Cryptocurrency Is

Before you dive in, it’s important to understand what you’re buying. Cryptocurrency is a digital asset that uses blockchain technology to enable secure, decentralized transactions. Unlike traditional currencies, crypto isn’t controlled by banks or governments.

Some of the most popular cryptocurrencies include:

  • Ethereum (ETH): A blockchain supporting smart contracts and decentralized applications.


  • Stablecoins (USDT, USDC): Pegged to fiat currencies like the US dollar for stability.
  • Altcoins: Thousands of other coins with unique use cases (Solana, Cardano, etc.).

Once you know your options, you’re ready to buy.

Step 2: Choose a Cryptocurrency Exchange

To purchase crypto, you’ll need an exchange—a platform that lets you buy, sell, and trade digital assets.

Types of exchanges:

  1. Centralized Exchanges (CEX): User-friendly and beginner-friendly. Examples: Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, eToro.
  2. Decentralized Exchanges (DEX): Peer-to-peer trading directly from your wallet (Uniswap, PancakeSwap). Better for experienced users.
  3. Brokerage Apps: Apps like PayPal, Cash App, Robinhood let you buy crypto, though withdrawals may be limited.

What to look for in an exchange:

  • Security: Two-factor authentication (2FA), insurance, and strong history.
  • Fees: Look for transparent trading, deposit, and withdrawal fees.
  • Supported assets: Ensure your chosen exchange lists the coins you want.
  • Regulation: Use platforms compliant with your country’s laws.

Step 3: Create and Verify Your Account

Most centralized exchanges require Know Your Customer (KYC) verification for security and regulatory compliance.

What you’ll need:

  • Email & phone number: For account creation.
  • Government-issued ID: Passport, driver’s license, or national ID.
  • Proof of address: Sometimes required for higher transaction limits.

Once verified, you’ll gain full access to trading and withdrawals.

Step 4: Deposit Funds Into Your Account

You can’t buy crypto without adding funds.

Common payment methods:

  • Bank transfers: Usually the cheapest option but may take 1–3 days.
  • Debit/Credit cards: Fast but with higher fees (often 2–4%).
  • E-wallets & PayPal: Convenient but may have limits.
  • P2P transfers: Directly buy from other users (on platforms like Binance P2P).


Pro Tip: Always compare deposit fees before funding your account.

Step 5: Choose Which Cryptocurrency to Buy

Beginners often start with Bitcoin or Ethereum due to their liquidity and stability. However, thousands of altcoins are available—each with unique purposes.

Factors to consider before buying:

  • Market cap: Large-cap coins are generally less volatile.
  • Project fundamentals: Check the coin’s whitepaper and team.
  • Use case & community: Active projects with strong ecosystems are more promising.
  • Volatility: Understand the risks of smaller, high-reward tokens.

Step 6: Place Your Order

When you’re ready, navigate to the Buy/Sell section of your exchange.

Order types:

  • Market Order: Instantly buys at the current price. Best for beginners.
  • Limit Order: Sets a specific price at which to buy. Great for strategic entry.
  • Recurring Buy: Automates purchases (also known as dollar-cost averaging).

Example: If Bitcoin is $50,000 and you want to buy $100 worth, your market order will instantly execute at the best available price.

Step 7: Store Your Cryptocurrency Safely

Once purchased, you’ll need a wallet to store your crypto. Leaving assets on an exchange can expose you to hacking risks.

Types of wallets:

  • Hot Wallets: Online, exchange-based, or software wallets (MetaMask, Trust Wallet). Easy to use but more vulnerable.
  • Cold Wallets: Offline storage like Ledger or Trezor hardware wallets. Ideal for long-term security.

Tip: “Not your keys, not your coins.” If you hold significant funds, transfer them to a private wallet where you control the keys.

Step 8: Stay Informed and Manage Your Investment

Crypto markets are volatile. Prices can change rapidly, so keep track of market trends and news.

Best practices:

  • Set alerts: Use tools like Token Metrics or CoinMarketCap to monitor prices.
  • Diversify: Don’t put all your money in one coin.
  • Avoid emotional trading: Stick to your plan and avoid panic-buying or selling.
  • Use security tools: Enable 2FA and avoid sharing sensitive information.

How Much Should You Invest in Crypto?

Only invest what you can afford to lose. Experts often recommend starting with 1–5% of your portfolio and increasing gradually as you gain confidence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Crypto

  1. Skipping research: Don’t buy a coin just because it’s trending.
  2. Using unsecured exchanges: Stick to reputable platforms.
  3. Not securing your wallet: Leaving funds on exchanges long-term.
  4. Falling for scams: Avoid too-good-to-be-true offers and unverified projects.
  5. Overtrading: Excessive buying/selling leads to higher fees and losses.

FAQs: Buying Cryptocurrency

1. Can I buy crypto without an exchange?
Yes. You can use peer-to-peer platforms or crypto ATMs, though fees may be higher.

2. Do I need a lot of money to start?
No. Many exchanges let you buy as little as $10 worth of crypto.

3. Is buying crypto legal?
In most countries, yes. Always check your local regulations.

4. What’s the safest way to buy?
Use a regulated exchange and store your funds in a hardware wallet.

Final Thoughts: Getting Started with Cryptocurrency

Purchasing cryptocurrency isn’t complicated—it’s about choosing the right platform, securing your funds, and investing wisely. Whether you’re buying Bitcoin as a long-term investment or exploring altcoins for potential growth, the steps are the same:

  1. Pick a reliable exchange
  2. Verify and fund your account
  3. Select your crypto and buy
  4. Secure it in a private wallet

The crypto market is full of opportunities—but also risks. Start small, do your research, and approach your investment journey with a long-term mindset.

Build Smarter Crypto Apps &
AI Agents in Minutes, Not Months
Real-time prices, trading signals, and on-chain insights all from one powerful API.
Grab a Free API Key
About Token Metrics
Token Metrics: AI-powered crypto research and ratings platform. We help investors make smarter decisions with unbiased Token Metrics Ratings, on-chain analytics, and editor-curated “Top 10” guides. Our platform distills thousands of data points into clear scores, trends, and alerts you can act on.
30 Employees
analysts, data scientists, and crypto engineers
Daily Briefings
concise market insights and “Top Picks”
Transparent & Compliant
Sponsored ≠ Ratings; research remains independent
Want Smarter Crypto Picks—Free?
See unbiased Token Metrics Ratings for BTC, ETH, and top alts.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
 No credit card | 1-click unsubscribe
Token Metrics Team
Token Metrics Team

Recent Posts

Research

Top Crypto Trading Platforms in 2025

Token Metrics Team
10 min

Is the cryptocurrency market continues to mature, new technologies are emerging to give traders an edge. Among the most transformative is AI-powered crypto trading. From automating strategies to identifying hidden opportunities, AI is redefining how traders interact with digital assets.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

  • What is AI crypto trading?
  • What are the different types of cryptocurrency trading?
  • The top crypto trading exchanges and platforms, with Token Metrics as the leading AI crypto trading option.

What is AI Crypto Trading?

AI crypto trading refers to the use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data science techniques to make smarter, faster, and more informed trading decisions in the cryptocurrency markets.

These systems analyze vast datasets—price charts, market sentiment, technical indicators, social media trends, on-chain activity—to generate trading signals, price predictions, and portfolio strategies. The goal: remove emotion and bias from crypto trading and replace it with data-driven precision.

Some AI crypto trading tools offer:

  • Predictive analytics for token performance
  • Real-time trading signals based on pattern recognition
  • Automated execution of buy/sell orders based on predefined strategies
  • Portfolio optimization using volatility and correlation models
  • Sentiment analysis from Twitter, Reddit, and news feeds

AI is especially valuable in the 24/7 crypto markets, where human traders can’t keep up with constant volatility. With AI, traders can react instantly to market shifts and make decisions grounded in data—not gut feeling.

What Are the Types of Cryptocurrency Trading?

Understanding the major types of cryptocurrency trading is essential for choosing the right strategy—especially if you’re planning to use AI to assist or automate your trades.

1. Spot Trading

Spot trading is the simplest and most common form of crypto trading. You buy or sell a cryptocurrency at its current price, and the transaction settles immediately (or “on the spot”). Most traders begin here.

AI can assist by identifying ideal entry and exit points, evaluating token grades, and managing risk.

2. Futures Trading

Futures trading involves contracts that speculate on the future price of a cryptocurrency. Traders can go long or short, using leverage to amplify gains (and risks).

AI helps by identifying bullish or bearish trends, backtesting strategies, and automating trades with quantitative models that adapt to market changes.

3. Margin Trading

Margin trading allows users to borrow funds to increase their trade size. It’s risky but potentially more rewarding.

AI can reduce some of the risks by using real-time volatility data, calculating stop-loss levels, and dynamically adjusting positions.

4. Swing Trading

Swing traders hold positions for days or weeks, capturing short- to medium-term trends.

AI tools are ideal for swing trading, as they can combine technical indicators, market sentiment, and volume analysis to anticipate breakouts and reversals.

5. Day Trading

Day traders open and close positions within a single day, requiring rapid decision-making and constant monitoring.

Here, AI-powered bots can outperform humans by making thousands of micro-decisions per second, reducing slippage and emotional trading errors.

6. Algorithmic and Bot Trading

Algorithmic trading uses coded strategies to automate trades. AI takes this further by allowing the bot to learn and improve over time.

Token Metrics, for example, offers AI grades and indices that traders can plug into their own bots or use through the platform’s native AI strategies.

Top Cryptocurrency Trading Exchanges

When it comes to crypto trading platforms, there are two main categories:

  • Exchanges where you buy, sell, and hold crypto
  • Analytics platforms that help you decide what to trade and when

Below are some of the top cryptocurrency trading platforms in 2025—both exchanges and AI-powered tools—tailored to serious traders:

1. Token Metrics – The #1 AI Crypto Trading Platform

Token Metrics is not an exchange, but a crypto analytics and trading intelligence platform powered by AI. It offers:

  • Trader & Investor Grades (AI-powered scoring of tokens)
  • Bullish/Bearish Signals
  • Portfolio Strategies via AI Indices
  • Custom Alerts for price and grade movements
  • Data API for building AI trading bots

Token Metrics bridges the gap between raw data and actionable decisions. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro running algorithmic strategies, Token Metrics delivers the AI layer needed to outperform the market.

Traders use Token Metrics alongside centralized exchanges (like Binance or Coinbase) or DEXs to validate trades, identify top-performing narratives, and automate entry/exit based on AI signals.

2. HoudiniSwap

DeFi incentives are broken. Every program farms users with points, unlock schedules, and governance theater.

POINTLESS is different.

It's the first private incentive program in DeFi—paying users real USDC from actual HoudiniSwap aggregator revenue.

No points. No vesting. No games.

Connect. Swap. Earn.

Start Earning USDC

3. Coinbase

Coinbase is ideal for retail investors and new traders. While it lacks advanced AI features, it’s a trusted fiat gateway.

Advanced users can subscribe to Coinbase Advanced or integrate with tools like Token Metrics to make smarter trading decisions.

4. Bybit

Bybit offers both spot and derivatives, plus social trading tools like copy trading. It’s popular with swing and leverage traders.

Combine Bybit with Token Metrics for AI-driven entry points on high-volatility setups.

5. Kraken

Kraken is known for strong security and a transparent track record. It supports spot, margin, and futures trading.

When paired with AI tools, Kraken becomes a secure execution venue for data-driven strategies.

6. OKX

OKX offers robust bot features, including grid trading and DCA bots. For users who prefer built-in automation, OKX is a solid option.

Still, Token Metrics outperforms on signal generation, narrative tracking, and AI-backed token scoring—making it an ideal data source for OKX bots.

Why AI is the Future of Crypto Trading

As cryptocurrency trading evolves, manual strategies alone can’t keep up. Market cycles are faster, token launches are more frequent, and volatility is constant. This is where crypto AI trading shines.

Here’s why more traders are adopting AI:

  • Speed: AI analyzes and reacts faster than any human
  • Scale: It can monitor 1,000s of tokens across multiple chains simultaneously
  • Emotionless: AI doesn’t panic-sell or FOMO-buy
  • Backtested: Strategies are tested on historical data for statistical confidence
  • Adaptive: AI learns and improves over time based on market behavior

Platforms like Token Metrics make this technology accessible—offering plug-and-play AI indices, custom signals, and portfolio intelligence for retail traders, funds, and institutions alike.

Final Thoughts

Cryptocurrency trading is becoming more competitive, data-driven, and automated. With the rise of crypto AI trading, traders now have the tools to gain a true edge—whether they’re investing $100 or managing $1M.

If you’re serious about crypto trading in 2025, don’t just guess—trade with data, trade with AI.

Explore how Token Metrics can power your portfolio with AI-generated insights, real-time signals, and next-generation trading tools.

Announcements

🚀 Token Metrics API Goes Live on Hacker News – The AI Crypto Toolkit for Builders

Token Metrics Team
5 min

The Token Metrics API has officially launched on Hacker News, marking a major milestone in our mission to bring AI-powered crypto insights to every developer, founder, and builder in the Web3 space.

If you're building trading bots, dashboards, investment tools, or AI agents that interact with the crypto market, this is your developer edge in 2025. Forget raw feeds and static charts—this is real-time, AI-grade crypto intelligence available in minutes via a single API key.

What Is the Token Metrics API?

The Token Metrics API is a powerful crypto intelligence engine built for developers who want more than just price data. It combines machine learning, quantitative modeling, and narrative indexing to deliver structured signals that help users make smarter trading decisions.

Instead of simply showing what the market did, the API helps predict what it might do—with insights like:

  • Trader & Investor Grades (0–100 scores on momentum and fundamentals)
  • Bullish/Bearish Signals across 6,000+ assets
  • Narrative-based Indices like DeFi, AI, Memes, RWAs, and more
  • Quantitative Risk Scores and sentiment analysis
  • Real-time updates, no lag, no stale metrics

It’s like giving your crypto bot a brain—and not just any brain, an AI-trained crypto analyst that never sleeps.

Why It’s Different from Every Other Crypto API

Most APIs give you prices, volume, and maybe some on-chain data. Token Metrics gives you opinionated intelligence derived from over 80 on-chain, off-chain, technical, and sentiment indicators.

That means:

  • Your dashboard users get real-time grades and trending tokens.
  • Your AI agent can speak fluently about token fundamentals.
  • Your bot can act on bullish flips before the rest of the market.

We’ve designed this API for modularity and plug-and-play usability. With 21+ endpoints and official SDKs, you can ship faster and smarter—no custom pipeline needed.

What Can You Build?

Whether you're a solo developer or building inside a Web3 team, the possibilities are wide open.

Build smarter with Token Metrics if you’re creating:

  • 🧠 AI trading agents that query real-time token grades
  • 📊 Investor dashboards that surface top-rated altcoins
  • 📈 DApps that alert users to sector momentum shifts
  • 📱 Mobile apps with embedded market signals
  • 🧪 Backtesting systems for narrative-based portfolio strategies

Because the API supports OpenAI, Claude, Cursor, and Raycast integrations, your agents and LLM-powered tools can query live crypto intelligence in natural language—no additional parsing required.

Why the Hacker News Feature Matters

Token Metrics API just made it to the front page of Hacker News, one of the internet’s most trusted platforms for discovering high-impact developer tools.

This means:

  • 💬 A community of builders and engineers is already testing the API
  • 🧪 Feedback is pouring in, helping us evolve faster
  • 🚀 Your early adoption puts you ahead of the curve

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to integrate AI-native crypto signals into your product—this is it.

Get Started for Free

We’re offering 5,000 free API calls/month for every new developer.

Sign up, plug in your key, and build:

  • With one consistent schema
  • Across multiple clients
  • Without chasing multiple API docs

Your users don’t just want raw data anymore—they want insights. Token Metrics delivers those insights in real time, with zero guesswork.

Join the Developer Revolution

💥 Explore the API – Get your key in 30 seconds
💬 Join the Hacker News discussion – See what other devs are saying
📚 Browse Docs – View full endpoints and SDKs

One API. One schema. Smarter crypto apps.
The future of crypto building is AI-powered—and it starts here.

Research

Bullish or Bearish? Interpreting AI Signals in Today’s Volatile Crypto Market

Token Metrics Team
5 min

Introduction

Crypto moves fast — and traders who can't read the signs get left behind. But in a market where emotions dominate, how do you distinguish between a real trend and a fakeout? That’s where AI-powered trading signals come in.

Token Metrics AI monitors over 6,000 tokens using 80+ data points, from technical momentum to on-chain activity and social sentiment. Its bullish and bearish signals aren’t just flashes of color — they’re actionable, data-driven insights that can guide decisions in chaotic markets.

In this post, we break down how to interpret bullish and bearish signals, what they’ve been saying recently, and how to react when market direction flips suddenly.

What Are Bullish and Bearish Signals?

Let’s start with the basics:

  • Bullish Signal (Green Dot): Indicates that a token is showing signs of an upward trend based on combined technical, sentiment, and on-chain analysis.
  • Bearish Signal (Red Dot): Suggests that a token is losing momentum, and price downside or stagnation is likely.

But these signals aren’t standalone — they come with contextual grades, like the Trader Grade, which ranks signal strength from 0 to 100. This allows you to not just know the direction, but the confidence behind it.

What Happened Recently? The May 30 Flip

On May 30, 2025, Token Metrics AI issued a broad bearish flip across much of the market. That included:

  • Ethereum
  • Bittensor
  • Launchcoin
  • Many Real World Asset and L2 tokens

The AI signal flipped red, and Trader Grades fell across the board. Why? Here's what the AI detected:

  • Slowing volume
  • Negative sentiment shift
  • Liquidity thinning on DEXs
  • On-chain accumulation stalling

This wasn’t panic-driven — it was a data-driven, proactive warning that the cycle had peaked. In a world where most traders rely on lagging indicators or Twitter sentiment, this was an edge.

How to Interpret a Bullish Signal

A bullish signal isn’t an instant “buy” — it's a call to investigate. Here's what to check when a green dot appears:

✅ 1. Trader Grade Above 80

This means high conviction. If it's between 60–79, the trend is forming, but may lack strength.

✅ 2. Volume Confirmation

Price up + volume up = good. Price up + volume flat = caution.

✅ 3. Narrative Alignment

If the token fits a hot theme (like RWAs or AI), that adds strength to the signal.

✅ 4. Recent Price Action

Did the signal appear after a breakout, or just before? Entry timing depends on whether you're catching the beginning or chasing the middle of the trend.

✅ 5. Compare to Peers

If 3–5 similar tokens are also turning bullish, that indicates sector-wide rotation — a better entry environment.

How to Interpret a Bearish Signal

Red doesn’t mean "dump immediately" — it means it's time to tighten your risk.

❗ 1. Trader Grade Below 50

This indicates deteriorating conviction — exit or reduce exposure.

❗ 2. Volume Divergence

If price is flat but volume is fading, that’s a warning of a potential breakdown.

❗ 3. Signal Timing

Did the bearish flip happen near local highs? That’s often the best exit point.

❗ 4. Check for Repeats

Was this the second red dot in a week? That could confirm a longer-term downtrend.

❗ 5. BTC/ETH Context

If Bitcoin or ETH also flip bearish, it may suggest macro pressure, not just token-specific weakness.

Real-Time Examples from the Webinar

During the June 5 Token Metrics webinar, we walked through examples of how these signals worked in real time:

🟢 Bullish (April) – Launchcoin

Strong signal, grade in the 80s. Resulted in a massive short-term run.

🔴 Bearish (May 30) – Ethereum

Signal turned red around $3,490. Traders who followed it avoided the 55% drawdown that followed.

🔴 Bearish (June) – Fartcoin

After a 700% run-up, the signal flipped bearish with a low Trader Grade of ~24. Result? A slow bleed lower as sentiment cooled.

What Makes AI Signals Different from Traditional TA?

Feature                                                    Token Metrics AI                     Traditional TA

Combines social + on-chain                    ✅                                       ❌

Updated in real time                                 ✅                                       ❌

Machine learning trained on past data   ✅                                       ❌

Outputs confidence grade                       ✅                                       ❌

Adapts to new narratives                         ✅                                       ❌

This isn’t about moving averages or MACD — it’s about combining the entire digital footprint of a token to anticipate what comes next.

How to React to a Signal Flip

What do you do when your favorite token suddenly flips from bullish to bearish?

  1. Reduce exposure immediately — even if you don’t sell everything, cut risk.
  2. Check the Grade — if it’s falling, momentum is likely over.
  3. Watch Peer Tokens — if similar projects are also turning red, it confirms sector rotation.
  4. Set New Alerts — if the signal flips back to green, be ready to re-enter.

Your job isn’t to predict the market. It’s to respond to what the data is saying.

How to Combine AI Signals with a Strategy

Here’s a basic framework:

Entry

  • Bullish signal + Trader Grade > 80 = enter with full size.
  • Grade 60–79 = enter small or wait for confirmation.

Exit

  • Bearish signal = scale out or exit.
  • Grade < 50 = no new positions unless for short trades.

Risk

  • Position size scales with grade.
  • Only trade tokens with high liquidity and volume confirmation.

This keeps your system simple, repeatable, and data-driven.

Conclusion

In volatile markets, conviction matters. Token Metrics AI doesn’t just point up or down — it tells you how strong the trend is, how likely it is to last, and when it’s time to pivot.

Don’t trade on emotions. Don’t chase hype. Use the signals — and trust the grade.

Because in a market that never sleeps, it pays to have an AI watching your back.

Choose from Platinum, Gold, and Silver packages
Reach with 25–30% open rates and 0.5–1% CTR
Craft your own custom ad—from banners to tailored copy
Perfect for Crypto Exchanges, SaaS Tools, DeFi, and AI Products