💳 Buying Through Payment Systems and Bank Cards

Direct purchase of Ethereum (ETH) using a bank card or payment system is the fastest and most convenient method for beginners. Despite higher fees compared to exchanges or P2P platforms, this method wins in simplicity and speed, allowing you to go from deciding to invest to actually owning cryptocurrency in just minutes.

⚖️ Advantages and Disadvantages of Direct Purchase

Advantages:

• Speed — the entire process takes 5-15 minutes
• Simplicity — accessible even for absolute beginners
• Convenience — no need to register on exchanges
• Accessibility — you can buy ETH directly through your MetaMask wallet
• Minimal technical knowledge — intuitive process

Disadvantages:

• High fees — typically 3-8% of the purchase amount
• Limited limits — often there are restrictions on the maximum amount
• Less favorable exchange rate — the exchange rate is usually less favorable than on exchanges
• Possible bank rejections — some banks block transactions related to cryptocurrencies
• Basic verification — most services require minimal identity verification

🏆 Popular Services for Direct ETH Purchase

🦊 Buying ETH Directly Through MetaMask

MetaMask is not only a wallet for storing and managing cryptocurrency but also a convenient tool for purchasing it. The built-in ETH purchase function makes the process as simple as possible for users.

Step 1: Preparing Your MetaMask Wallet

1. Install MetaMask (if not already installed)

   • For Chrome, Firefox, or Brave: install the MetaMask extension
   • For mobile devices: download the app from the App Store or Google Play

2. Create or import a wallet

   • If you don't have a wallet yet, create a new one by following the instructions
   • If you already have a wallet, import it using your secret phrase

3. Make sure the Ethereum Mainnet network is selected

   • "Ethereum Mainnet" should be selected at the top of the interface

Step 2: Using the Buy Function in MetaMask

1. Open MetaMask and click on the "Buy" or "Add Funds" button

1. Select a payment provider
   • MetaMask will offer several options: Transak, MoonPay, Wyre, and others
   • Providers may vary depending on your region
   • Compare fees and limits of each provider

1. Select currency and amount
   • Specify which fiat currency you will use (USD, EUR, etc.)
   • Enter the purchase amount or quantity of ETH
   • The system will show the approximate amount of ETH you will receive

1. Go to the payment provider's website
   • You will be redirected to the selected provider's website to complete the purchase
   • This usually happens in the same window or a new tab

Step 3: Purchase Process on the Provider's Website

1. Create an account or log in

   • First-time purchases usually require registration (email and password)
   • For subsequent purchases, simply log in to your existing account

2. Complete basic verification

   • Confirm your email and phone number
   • For amounts above a certain limit, you may need to upload an identity document
   • Some services use facial recognition technology for quick verification

3. Enter your bank card details

   • Card number, expiration date, CVV code
   • Cardholder name (must match verification data)
   • Billing address (if required)

4. Confirm payment

   • You may need to confirm through 3D-Secure (one-time code from SMS or bank app)
   • Some banks may request additional confirmation through their mobile app

5. Wait for the transaction to complete

   • After successful payment, the ETH transfer process will begin
   • This usually takes from a few minutes to half an hour
   • You will receive a notification when ETH arrives in your wallet

💡 Tip: Before purchasing a large amount, make a test purchase for a small amount to ensure the process works without problems.

🔄 Direct ETH Purchase Through Specialized Services

If you prefer to use separate services to buy ETH rather than the built-in MetaMask function, here is a detailed instruction using MoonPay as an example — one of the most popular services.

Step 1: Service Selection and Preparation

1. Go to the MoonPay website (or another service from the list above)
2. Prepare your MetaMask wallet
   • Open MetaMask and copy your wallet address (0x...)
   • Make sure you copied the address from the Ethereum Mainnet network

Step 2: Currency and Amount Selection

1. Select the cryptocurrency "Ethereum (ETH)"
2. Enter the purchase amount in fiat currency or the amount of ETH
3. Paste your MetaMask wallet address in the "ETH wallet address" field

4. Review transaction details:

   • Exchange rate
   • Service fee
   • Network fee (if applicable)
   • Total amount to pay

5. Click the "Buy Ethereum now" button or similar

Step 3: Registration and Verification

1. Create an account (if purchasing for the first time)

   • Enter your email
   • Create a password
   • Confirm your email via the link sent to you

2. Complete basic verification

   • Enter your full name
   • Provide your date of birth
   • Enter your phone number and confirm it with a code from SMS

3. Additional verification (for amounts above a certain limit)

   • Upload a photo of your identity document (passport, ID card)
   • Take a selfie or complete a facial recognition procedure
   • Wait for confirmation (usually takes a few minutes)

Step 4: Payment and Receiving ETH

1. Enter your bank card details

   • Card number, expiration date, CVV code
   • Cardholder name (must match verification data)

2. Complete payment

   • Confirm the transaction through 3D-Secure or a similar system
   • Wait for payment processing

3. Receiving ETH

   • After successful payment, ETH will be sent to your address
   • Transfer time depends on Ethereum network congestion (usually 5-30 minutes)
   • You will receive an email confirming the transaction

📱 Alternative Payment Methods

Besides standard bank cards, many services support alternative payment methods that may be more convenient in certain situations.

Apple Pay / Google Pay / Samsung Pay

1. Advantages:

   • No need to enter card details
   • Additional security level (biometric authentication)
   • Fast payment

2. How to use:

   • Select the corresponding payment method on the payment page
   • Confirm payment through your device (fingerprint, Face ID)
   • All other steps of the process remain the same

Bank Transfers (SEPA, ACH, Wire)

1. Advantages:

   • Suitable for large amounts
   • Usually lower fees
   • Fewer problems with payment rejection

2. Disadvantages:

   • Longer processing time (1-3 banking days)
   • More complex process
   • Not available in all services

3. How to use:

   • Select "Bank Transfer" in the payment methods
   • Follow the instructions for transferring funds
   • After the service receives the funds, ETH will be sent to your address

Electronic Wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller)

1. Availability:

   • Limited support — not all services accept electronic wallets
   • PayPal has started supporting cryptocurrency purchases in some regions

2. How to use:

   • Select the corresponding wallet in the payment methods
   • Log in to your electronic wallet account
   • Confirm payment

🔒 Security Tips and Optimization

Security When Using Bank Cards

1. Use only official websites

   • Always check the URL in the address bar
   • Make sure the connection is secure (https://)
   • Don't follow links from unverified sources

2. Card data protection

   • Never save card data on websites
   • Consider using virtual cards
   • Enable transaction notifications in your bank's mobile app

3. Card selection

   • Use a card with minimal balance or a separate card for crypto purchases
   • Some banks are more loyal to crypto transactions than others
   • Debit cards often have fewer approval problems than credit cards

Cost Optimization

1. Fee comparison

   • Compare fees of different services before purchasing
   • Consider not only the fee percentage but also the exchange rate
   • Some services offer discounts for regular customers

2. Optimal purchase amount

   • Consider the minimum amount at which the fee becomes fixed
   • For large amounts, exchanges or P2P are usually more cost-effective
   • For small amounts, the advantage of direct purchase is speed and simplicity

3. Bank limits and fees

   • Check your bank's transaction limits
   • Find out if your bank charges additional fees for cryptocurrency operations
   • Some banks classify such operations as "quasi-cash" with increased fees

🛠️ Solving Common Problems

Problem: Bank Rejects Payment

Possible causes:

• The bank blocks operations related to cryptocurrency
• Insufficient funds in the account (considering possible bank fees)
• Exceeded limit for online transactions
• Fraud protection system triggered

Solutions: 1. Contact the bank to find out the reason 2. Temporarily remove restrictions on such operations (if possible) 3. Use another card or a bank more loyal to cryptocurrency operations 4. Try an alternative payment method (bank transfer, electronic wallet) 5. Split a large amount into several smaller transactions

Problem: Verification Fails or Takes Too Long

Possible causes:

• Poor quality of uploaded documents
• Mismatch between entered data and document data
• Temporary technical problems on the service side

Solutions: 1. Re-upload documents in better quality 2. Check the correctness of all entered data 3. Use another document, if possible 4. Contact the support service

Problem: ETH Not Arriving in Wallet

Possible causes:

• High Ethereum network congestion
• Technical problems on the service side
• Incorrect wallet address

Solutions: 1. Check transaction status in the service or on Etherscan 2. Give more time — during periods of high congestion, it may take longer 3. Contact the support service 4. Verify the correctness of the wallet address

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which method of buying ETH with a card is the most cost-effective?

Generally, services with lower fees, such as Ramp (2.9-3.9%) and Mercuryo (3-4%), offer better terms. However, you should also consider the exchange rate and additional charges that may be imposed by your bank.

Is it safe to buy ETH with a bank card?

Yes, if you use proven and reputable services. All platforms listed in this guide use data encryption, comply with PCI DSS standards for payment information protection, and have fraud prevention systems.

How long does it take to buy ETH with a card?

The entire process from start to ETH being credited to your wallet usually takes 5 to 30 minutes. This includes:

• Data entry and verification: 2-5 minutes
• Payment processing: 1-3 minutes
• Transaction confirmation in the Ethereum network: 2-20 minutes (depends on network congestion)

Which banks are loyal to cryptocurrency purchases?

This largely depends on the country and region. In general, digital banks and neobanks (Revolut, N26, and similar) are usually more loyal to crypto transactions than traditional banks. It's recommended to check this information with your specific bank.

Are there limits on buying ETH with a card?

Yes, there are the following types of limits:

• Minimum purchase amount: usually $20-50
• Maximum amount without extended verification: $500-2,000
• Maximum daily amount: $5,000-10,000
• Maximum monthly amount: $20,000-50,000

Exact limits depend on the chosen service and your verification level.

Can I cancel an ETH purchase after payment?

Generally, no. Once the payment is confirmed and the cryptocurrency is sent to your wallet, the transaction becomes irreversible. In exceptional cases (e.g., technical error), you can contact the service's support.

Why is the ETH rate different from the one indicated on exchanges?

Direct purchase services often set rates with a small markup (spread), which is part of their business model. Additionally, they may use an average rate from several major exchanges to ensure price stability during the purchase process.

📝 Conclusion

Buying Ethereum using a bank card or payment system is the fastest and most convenient way to acquire cryptocurrency, especially for beginners. Despite higher fees compared to exchanges or P2P platforms, the advantages in speed and simplicity make this method attractive to many users.

When choosing between different services, pay attention not only to fees but also to the platform's reputation, available payment methods, verification requirements, and user reviews. For everyday ETH purchases in small volumes, direct purchase through MetaMask or specialized services is often the optimal option.

After successfully purchasing ETH and receiving it in your MetaMask wallet, you're ready for the next step — investing in the Innovestia.