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Yes, you can buy crypto with PayPal in the UK again. PayPal paused crypto purchases for UK customers in October 2023 and brought the service back on 17 November 2025. You can buy, sell and hold 7 cryptoassets in your PayPal account, but you can’t send them to an external wallet.
Below we explain how PayPal crypto works in the UK, what it costs and which FCA-registered platforms offer more coins, lower fees or staking.
Can you buy crypto with PayPal in the UK in 2026?
Yes. On 17 November 2025, PayPal reintroduced its cryptocurrency service for eligible UK customers. It works on the web and in the app.
This is what you can do with it:
- Coins: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Solana, Chainlink and the PayPal USD (PYUSD) stablecoin at launch. The current list is shown in the Crypto Hub of your account.
- Payment: your PayPal balance, a linked bank account or a debit card. Credit cards are not accepted.
- Transfers: none. You can’t send crypto to other people or to wallets outside PayPal, and you can’t pay for goods with it. To take the money out, you sell and withdraw the cash.
- Checks: PayPal runs eligibility checks and an appropriateness assessment before you can buy, as the FCA requires.
PayPal UK Ltd is authorised by the FCA as an electronic money institution (FRN 994790) and is registered with the FCA for cryptoasset services (FRN 1000741).
Why did PayPal stop crypto in the UK?
On 8 October 2023, the FCA’s rules on crypto promotions came into force. They require clear risk warnings, an appropriateness test for new customers and a 24-hour cooling-off period the first time you invest with a firm.
PayPal paused crypto purchases for UK customers from October 2023 so it could adapt its service to these rules. Customers could still hold and sell the crypto they already owned. Purchases returned in November 2025.
How much does PayPal charge for crypto?
PayPal charges a transaction fee each time you buy or sell, plus a spread built into the price.
| Amount per trade | Fee |
| $1.00 to $74.99 | 2.20% |
| $75.00 to $200.00 | 2.00% |
| $200.01 to $1,000.00 | 1.80% |
| Above $1,000.00 | 1.50% |
Source: PayPal UK consumer fees, October 2026. PayPal lists the bands in US dollars. The fees do not apply to PYUSD.
On top of this fee, PayPal adds a spread that is generally about 0.50% of the trade value.
Example: if you buy £100 of Bitcoin, the trade falls in the $75 to $200 band. You pay about £2 in fees plus about £0.50 in spread, so around £2.50 in total. Selling it later costs about the same again.
PayPal crypto UK alternatives
PayPal is simple if you already use it, but the coin range is small and your crypto stays locked inside PayPal. These FCA-registered platforms accept new UK customers and offer more:
| Platform | Crypto fee | Best for |
| PayPal | 1.50% to 2.20%, plus spread | Small buys in an app you already use |
| eToro | 1% to buy or sell | Beginners |
| Coinbase | Shown before you trade (£0 with Coinbase One) | Wide coin range |
| Kraken | 1% on instant buys, from 0.40% on Kraken Pro | Staking |
Sources: PayPal, eToro, Coinbase and Kraken, October 2026.
Revolut is another option if you want crypto inside a banking app. Its fee is 1.49% on the Standard and Plus plans and 0.99% on Premium and Metal.
Two options you may see elsewhere are no longer worth considering. Gemini ceased operations in the UK on 6 April 2026. And the FCA says no crypto ATM operator is registered in the UK, so any Bitcoin ATM you find operates illegally.
eToro: best for beginners
76% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
eToro in a nutshell
eToro is a good alternative if you are new to crypto. eToro (UK) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA, and the platform lets you buy real cryptoassets such as Bitcoin, Ether and XRP alongside shares and ETFs. It is one of our picks among the best trading apps for beginners.
eToro charges a flat 1% when you buy or sell crypto. On the £100 example above, that is £1 to buy, against about £2.50 on PayPal. You can also move your coins to the eToro Money crypto wallet, which PayPal does not allow. A transfer fee applies.
| Feature | eToro | PayPal |
| Crypto fee | 1% | 1.50% to 2.20%, plus spread |
| Transfer to a wallet | Yes, to eToro Money (fee applies) | No |
| Shares and ETFs | Yes | No |
Coinbase: best for coin range
Coinbase in a nutshell
Coinbase is a dedicated crypto exchange with a far wider range of coins than PayPal. In February 2025, Coinbase obtained its registration with the FCA as a cryptoasset business.
On a simple buy or sell, Coinbase includes a spread in the price and adds a fee that depends on the payment method and order size. Both appear in the order preview before you confirm. A Coinbase One membership removes trading fees, and Coinbase Advanced has no spread for more active traders.
Unlike PayPal, Coinbase lets you send crypto to an external wallet. UK users can also stake 7 assets from £1. In October 2026, Coinbase showed indicative rates of 1.70% a year on Ethereum and 3.27% on Solana.
| Feature | Coinbase | PayPal |
| Crypto fee | Spread plus fee, shown before you trade | 1.50% to 2.20%, plus spread |
| Transfer to a wallet | Yes | No |
| Staking | Yes, 7 assets | No |
You can find more data in our sister site’s Coinbase statistics.
Kraken: best for staking
Kraken in a nutshell
Kraken offers the widest staking choice of the three. In the UK, Payward Limited, trading as Kraken, is registered with the FCA as a cryptoasset business (FRN 928768).
Kraken’s UK staking page lists about two dozen assets. With flexible staking you can unstake at any time, but rewards are paid on up to 50% of the assets you stake. Bonded staking locks your coins for a period in exchange for a higher rate. These are some of the estimated rates Kraken showed in October 2026:
| Asset | Flexible | Bonded |
| Cosmos (ATOM) | 9.38% | 19.63% |
| Cardano (ADA) | 6.18% | N/A |
| Solana (SOL) | 2.69% | 5.45% |
| Ethereum (ETH) | N/A | 2.56% |
Source: Kraken staking UK, October 2026. Rates are estimates before Kraken’s commission and change often.
Staking rewards are not guaranteed. You can lose part of your coins through slashing or a hack, and the coins can fall in value while they are staked.
On fees, instant and recurring buys cost 1%, and custom orders 1.5%. Kraken Pro starts at 0.40% for maker orders and 0.80% for taker orders, with lower rates as your monthly volume grows.
Conclusion
PayPal crypto is back in the UK since 17 November 2025, with 7 coins and fees of 1.50% to 2.20% plus a spread of about 0.50%. It suits small buys if you already use PayPal, but you can’t move your coins out.
If you want lower fees or more control, eToro charges a flat 1% and suits beginners. Coinbase offers a wider coin range and transfers to external wallets. Kraken has the most staking options, with bonded rates up to 19.63% on Cosmos in October 2026.
FAQ
Can I buy crypto with PayPal in the UK?
Yes. PayPal reintroduced crypto for eligible UK customers on 17 November 2025. You can buy, sell and hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Solana, Chainlink and PYUSD.
Can I transfer crypto from PayPal to a wallet in the UK?
No. In the UK, PayPal does not let you send crypto to external wallets or to other people. You can only sell it and withdraw the cash.
How much does PayPal charge to buy crypto in the UK?
Between 1.50% and 2.20% per trade, depending on the amount, plus a spread of about 0.50%. Buying and selling PYUSD has no transaction fee.
Is PayPal crypto regulated in the UK?
PayPal UK Ltd is registered with the FCA for cryptoasset services (FRN 1000741). Registration covers anti-money laundering rules. It does not mean your crypto is protected: cryptoassets are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Are Bitcoin ATMs legal in the UK?
No. The FCA says no crypto ATM operator is registered in the UK, so any crypto ATM operating in the country does so illegally.
Do I pay tax on crypto bought with PayPal?
You may. Profits from selling crypto can be subject to Capital Gains Tax, and PayPal leaves it to you to work out any tax due. From 2026, UK crypto platforms collect data on their users’ transactions and report it to HMRC, with the first reports due by 31 May 2027. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change.
What changes for crypto platforms in the UK?
The FCA opened applications for its new crypto regime on 30 September 2026. From 25 October 2027, firms that run a crypto exchange, hold crypto for clients or offer staking to UK customers will need FCA authorisation.