How To Buy Bitcoin In New Zealand

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As the most popular and leading cryptocurrency by market cap, it's no surprise that Bitcoin is drawing the attention of investors in New Zealand. If you're wondering how to buy Bitcoin in New Zealand but don't know where to start, we have compiled this 4 step guide to show you how to buy Bitcoin.

To buy Bitcoin (BTC) in New Zealand, follow these simple steps:

1. Compare and select a crypto exchange. Find and compare the best cryptocurrency exchanges that support NZD that will be converted into Bitcoin. Each exchange will have different deposit options to fund an account with money.
2. Register an account with the exchange. Create an account with a Bitcoin exchange using a valid email address or mobile number. Before making a deposit in fiat currency, exchanges have a mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) process that will need to be completed.
3. Deposit funds to a wallet. Choose a payment option that offers the best fees and reasonable speed for the funds to arrive in the exchange wallet. The most common payment methods in New Zealand include a bank transfer, wire transfer, debit card, credit card and PayPal.
4. Buy Bitcoin. Browse the supported assets and choose Bitcoin (BTC). Use the funded account to choose an amount to spend. Finalize the transaction by clicking on ‘Buy'.

Where To Buy Bitcoin In New Zealand

The best method to obtain Bitcoin is to use a trusted crypto exchange for New Zealand that abides by the rules set by the Financial Markets Authority. Most exchanges in New Zealand offer Bitcoin which can be purchased using a bank account. Crypto exchanges such as Swyftx, Binance, and Easy Crypto are available to operate in NZ and have commonly accessible payment options to buy Bitcoin. In addition, these platforms accept New Zealand dollars.

EXCHANGE	CRYPTO ASSETS	TRADING FEES	RATING	PROMOTION	WEBSITE	REVIEW
Swyftx	422	0.6%	Rating We provide an overall weighted average rating out of 5 stars. Our ratings are based on objective criteria like the ease of use, fees, deposit methods, customer support and availability. Our reviews are not influenced by 3rd parties. Click here for further information about our rating methodology and a full list of categories we review against. 4.9 / 5	$20 Bitcoin for creating a verified account	Visit Swyftx	Swyftx Review
Binance	385	0.1% (spot) and 0.02% / 0.04% (Futures)	Rating We provide an overall weighted average rating out of 5 stars. Our ratings are based on objective criteria like the ease of use, fees, deposit methods, customer support and availability. Our reviews are not influenced by 3rd parties. Click here for further information about our rating methodology and a full list of categories we review against. 4.8 / 5	Up to $100 welcome bonus	Visit Binance	Binance Review
Easy Crypto	160+	0.5 – 1.35% spread	Rating We provide an overall weighted average rating out of 5 stars. Our ratings are based on objective criteria like the ease of use, fees, deposit methods, customer support and availability. Our reviews are not influenced by 3rd parties. Click here for further information about our rating methodology and a full list of categories we review against. 3.8 / 5	None available at this time	Visit Easy Crypt…	Easy Crypto Revi…

Other Ways To Get Bitcoin With NZD

In New Zealand, there are several ways for residents to buy cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Each method will comprise different risks and fees that must be considered before making any transaction to invest in Bitcoin with NZD.

• Buy Bitcoin using cash. Swap cash for Bitcoins with a trusted friend or family member who is willing to buy and sell Bitcoin. The benefit of getting Bitcoin in person is that the buyer does not need to create an account with an exchange. However, it can be a tricky process to complete and recommend a mobile phone wallet or laptop to verify the Bitcoin price and confirm the transaction.
• Use a peer-to-peer exchange. These websites were commonly used several years ago to buy Bitcoin before the emergence of centralized exchanges. The best P2P platforms such as Paxful connect willing buyers and sellers from all over the world. Paxful uses an escrow service to ensure the transaction is fulfilled by both parties. The Bitcoin is held by the website and released to the buyer once the payment method for the Bitcoin is verified. 
• Trade-in a gift card. Several exchanges accept a wide variety of payment options such as pre-paid cards, and gift cards from iTunes, Amazon and many others. These cards can be traded in exchange for digital currencies such as Bitcoin. There are several websites that will accept an Amazon gift card in exchange for Bitcoin.
• Use a Bitcoin ATM. Bitcoin automatic teller machines (ATMs) provide a means for investors to buy Bitcoin directly from an ATM. The process is similar to using an ATM to withdraw cash and there is a growing number of ATMs that can be found using a service such as Coinatmradar.

What To Look For In A NZ Bitcoin Exchange?

With so many options available to choose an exchange in New Zealand, it can be a difficult task for beginners to know which cryptocurrency exchanges are suitable. Before you start to purchase Bitcoin, here are a few important considerations to take on board to assist with comparing exchanges.

• Trusted and regulated: Using a local exchange is a safe option knowing the platform will need to comply with local laws and regulations and have built up a solid reputation. There is also the option to contact the customer support team should any issues arise.
• Beginner-friendly & easy to use: Look for an exchange that allows quick and easy NZD deposits using an online version of the trading app. Some exchanges are designed as a cryptocurrency trading platform and should be avoided for users who want to buy Bitcoin using a simple interface and to hold for the long term.
• Deposit methods: Find an exchange that offers preferred deposit options such as bank transfers to a local bank account, credit card or debit card. Not all exchanges offer the same payment methods to deposit NZD funds and have restrictions on the minimum and maximum amount that can be deposited within 24 hours.
• Supported cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin is widely available on the vast majority of digital currency platforms. However, users who are searching for altcoins or Defi tokens will need to ensure there is a pairing against NZD or Bitcoin.
• Wallet security: The risk of online scams, fraud and theft is a major concern in the blockchain community so it is important to ensure the exchange includes security features and is ‘bank-like' to protect funds that are stored on the exchange. Common security measures include offline hardware wallets for storage, multi-signature withdrawal process and two-factor authentication.
• Fees: There are several different fees to be aware of when using a crypto exchange such as depositing AUD, withdrawing cash or crypto and trading between assets. Also, exchanges can charge a spread fee which is often a ‘hidden cost' and not fully disclosed. Essentially it is the difference between the bid and ask price on the market.
• Customer support: Explore the website to find out what communication methods are available to support users who need troubleshooting advice or assistance on the exchange. Also, some exchanges will provide comprehensive FAQs and How-To-Guides which are useful for beginners.
• Reviews: It is always good practice to conduct a thorough review of the exchange before using it. Read online exchange reviews, forum comments and posts on social media to find out what others thought about the platform. It can save time and money by choosing the right exchange.

Guide To Buying Bitcoin In New Zealand

1. Compare and select a suitable exchange

Before purchasing any crypto an investor needs to decide which New Zealand cryptocurrency platform they are going to use. This involves reviewing and comparing crypto exchanges or brokerage services that are supported in New Zealand. As mentioned, the best option is to use a provider that is licensed with the Financial Markets Authority. Other aspects to keep in mind when selecting an exchange are:

• Supported countries and accepted fiat currencies
• NZD deposit methods and limits
• Option to withdraw to a New Zealand bank account
• All fee types (deposit, trading and withdrawal)
• Ease of use for all experience levels
• Trading volume and liquidity (minimize spread and slippage)
• Industry-standard security measures
• Live chat or support desk

2. Create an account and complete the ID verification process

The first step to making a Bitcoin purchase is to create an account with a cryptocurrency platform that is available in New Zealand and accepts NZD such as Swyftx. To get started, visit the Swyftx website using our link for $20 BTC and click on the “Sign Up” button. This will redirect to the registration page that will show the promotion code. Enter a valid email address, and set a strong password, full name and phone number. Click “Agree” to the terms and conditions and hit “Create My Account”.

Once an account has been created, the next step is to commence the ID verification process in accordance with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Counter Terrorism Financing (CTF) regulations under New Zealand law. Before a wallet can be funded with NZD to deposit and withdraw funds, the account must be verified as per the rules set by the FMA.

Using Swyftx as an example, the verification process is fast and hassle-free and can be completed within 2 minutes of creating a new account. To start verification, log in to the account and navigate to the ‘Verification' tab under the ‘Profile Tab'. A valid email address, mobile phone number, or identity document number will need to be provided.

To protect any funds within a crypto exchange account, it is vital to increase the basic account security level and turn on Two Factor Authentication (2FA). This should be the first step after verifying an account and prior to depositing any funds. 2FA is a specific type of multi-factor authentication that requires two methods to verify the user's account and even withdrawal requests. Popular 2FA apps for multi-factor authentication are Authy and Google Authenticator which can be downloaded for both iOS and Android devices.

3. Add a bank account and deposit funds

Finding an exchange that accepts local deposit methods using New Zealand Dollars is an important requirement for the safe transfer of funds. A suitable method to fund a crypto exchange is to transfer funds using ANZ via a bank transfer, POLi payment, or PayID. These deposit options are fast, secure and will be familiar to residents in New Zealand.

POLi connects to bank accounts and is processed instantly. PayID and bank transfers can take between 1 and 3 business days. Swyftx also supports Bitcoin purchases using a credit card.

4. Find and choose Bitcoin then complete the purchase

Now that an account is verified and funded with NZD, the next step is to buy Bitcoin. To get started, click “Trade” on the left sidebar. This will bring up the “Assets” list where the users can search and select Bitcoin to purchase. Select how much to spend and click “Instant Buy”. The BTC amount will be purchased based on the current Bitcoin price and shown in the trade history. The number of Bitcoins will be stored on Swyftx and then transferred to an external wallet.

Where To Store Bitcoin In New Zealand

Users who buy and store Bitcoin on cryptocurrency exchanges are putting the ownership of the asset at risk of theft and fraudulent activity. The safest and most secure place to store purchased Bitcoins is to withdraw to a hardware wallet such as a Ledger Nano X or CoolWallet Pro and keep it in your possession.

Hardware wallets are small compact devices that store encrypted private keys that give access to Bitcoin or other assets. Access to Bitcoin can be recovered if the wallet is lost or stolen using a recovery phrase. We have assessed the best Bitcoin hardware wallets and recommend the Nano Ledger and Trezor wallets.

Frequently Asked Questions