How to Buy Ethereum

Which exchanges have Ethereum?

All six exchanges we cover list ETH/USDT for spot trading (we checked their official market data on 20 October 2026):

Check availability for your country first: for example, OKX isn't available to residents of Syria, and Bitget isn't available to residents of Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Germany, France or Austria. Details in Compare exchanges

Step 1: Create an account and verify it

At signup you may see an optional invitation field. If you came from our link it's already filled in; leave it as it is. Then complete identity verification. Guides: Create a Binance account · Binance verification.

Step 2: Buy USDT in your currency on P2P

P2P means you buy USDT from another person and pay them by bank transfer or a local e-wallet, while the exchange holds the USDT in escrow until the payment is done.

• General guide: How to buy USDT
• On Binance: Buy USDT on Binance P2P · On OKX: OKX P2P
• Other ways to fund your account (card, or a crypto deposit from another wallet): How to deposit on Binance
• By country: Egypt · Saudi Arabia · UAE · Morocco · All countries

Step 3: Convert USDT to ETH

On Binance:

1. Move the USDT from your Funding wallet to your Spot wallet.
2. Trade → Convert → from USDT to ETH → enter the amount → Preview Conversion → Convert.
3. Or use spot trading: the ETH/USDT pair → Buy → Market. Spot trading guide

You don't need to buy a whole ETH; a small fraction is fine.

Step 4 (optional): Withdraw ETH to your wallet

This is where most mistakes happen. ETH exists on more than one network. On Binance, for example, the ETH withdrawal networks on 20 October 2026 included:

According to ethereum.org, layer 2 networks build on Ethereum's security and let you use it for a fraction of the cost. But ETH on Arbitrum won't show up in a wallet that only watches mainnet, and vice versa.

Steps:

1. In the receiving wallet or exchange: Deposit → ETH → pick the network → copy the address.
2. On Binance: Withdraw → ETH → paste the address → pick the same network.
3. Check the fee and the amount you'll receive, then confirm with 2FA.
4. First time sending to this address? Send a small test amount first.

Full guides: Withdraw from Binance · Networks explained.

What is gas, and what does a withdrawal cost?

According to ethereum.org, gas measures the computational effort an operation takes on Ethereum. It's paid in ETH and usually quoted in gwei (a billionth of an ETH). When the network is busy, fees go up.

Exchange withdrawal fees change with the network and its load, and each network has a minimum withdrawal. That's why we don't print numbers here: the actual fee shows on the withdrawal screen before you confirm, and Binance publishes a per-network fee table on its crypto fee page (linked in the sources). Layer 2 networks are usually cheaper than mainnet, but compare on the screen yourself.

Tips before you buy

• Ethereum's price swings a lot. Don't put in money you need.
• Don't buy ETH from people on Telegram or WhatsApp outside the exchange. Read P2P scams.
• Turn on two-factor authentication before any withdrawal.

Other coins you buy the same way (USDT on P2P, then Convert): How to buy Solana · How to buy Toncoin · How to buy TRX.

Frequently asked questions

How do I buy Ethereum for the first time?

Create an account on an exchange like Binance and verify it, buy USDT on P2P in your currency, then convert it to ETH from [Convert].

Can I buy a fraction of Ethereum?

Yes, you can buy a small part of an ETH; you don't need a whole coin.

What's the difference between ETH on Ethereum and on Arbitrum or Base?

It's the same coin on different networks. Arbitrum, Base and Optimism are layer 2 networks built on Ethereum and are usually cheaper. What matters is withdrawing on the network your wallet supports.

I sent ETH on the wrong network. What now?

Contact the receiving exchange or wallet's support right away with the transaction ID (TxID), the network and the address. If the address is in a wallet whose keys you hold, you may reach the funds by adding that network to the wallet.

Why are ETH withdrawal fees sometimes high?

Gas fees on mainnet rise when the network is busy. Try a layer 2 network if your wallet supports it.

Where does my ETH show up after I buy it?

In your Spot wallet on the exchange, until you withdraw it.

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Last updated: 20 October 2026 · Sources: Binance official help pages (Convert, spot trading, withdrawals, fees), official market data from all six exchanges on 20 October 2026, and ethereum.org.