Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges for Trading Ethereum

For anyone who's explored trading platforms like Kraken or Bitstamp and understands Bitcoin basics, terms like "Ethereum," "ETH," and "Ethereum network" are already familiar territory.

Often called the "world computer," Ethereum is one of the most recognizable cryptocurrencies in the crypto space. It's also a trading platform developed by Canadian-Russian programmer Vitalik Buterin. In simple terms, it's a platform using blockchain technology to maintain operations and create decentralized applications.

In this article, we'll explore everything about cryptocurrency exchanges, ether, and ETH trading. If you're already familiar with crypto basics, here's a quick roadmap for getting ether:

• Create a wallet — a dedicated Ethereum wallet

• Get your ETH address

• Visit a crypto exchange and select the amount of ETH you want

• Use your ETH address and enter payment details

But exchanges aren't the only place for Ethereum investment and trading. We've prepared a special list of platforms for trading and exchanging various cryptocurrencies.

If you need more detailed information about buying ETH and handling cryptocurrency trading, keep reading to discover the complete process.

Understanding Ether and ETH

Ether (ETH), sometimes called "Ethereum," is the cryptocurrency used on the Ethereum blockchain platform. Beginners might find this confusing since the platform itself is also named Ethereum.

Here's what matters: there's a blockchain-based platform called Ethereum, and the cryptocurrency used on that platform is also called Ethereum, Ether, or ETH.

The 2014 crowdfunding campaign determined the initial ETH market supply. Sixty million ETH went to presale contributors, with 20% allocated to the development fund and a portion to the Ethereum Foundation.

By 2019, 3 Ethereum units were created per block, averaging 16 seconds. Those days are gone — now that time generates only 2 ETH units.

Many users don't view it as traditional currency but rather as fuel powering the Ethereum platform. In other words, it's a token best treated as a payment method.

What Makes Ethereum Different?

Now let's discuss the Ethereum network. Ethereum is a DIY blockchain-based platform widely used for generating blockchains. Here you can create tokens (like ERC-20 tokens) useful for decentralizing everything from financial exchanges to domain names.

The Ethereum platform enables creation of so-called dApps (decentralized applications), meaning transactions can now occur directly between individuals without third-party involvement. Such applications make smart contracts real. 👉 Swap your crypto instantly across multiple exchanges with the best rates — no bank transfers needed when using blockchain-based services like Ethereum.

How to Buy Ethereum: Best Trading Platforms

Getting an Ethereum Wallet

Why do you need a wallet? Wallets are secure places for your cryptocurrencies to stay protected. A crypto wallet lets you keep your assets "at hand." Several Ethereum wallets are available to users. Let's briefly introduce the most popular options for your ETH.

Electrum Software Wallets

If you're buying Ethereum, you need somewhere to store it, and Electrum Software Wallet offers a solid solution. Several options exist in this category.

What's great about these software wallets? First, they're free — no additional costs for using them. Second, they're easily accessible to everyone. Third, they're excellent if you don't have much Ethereum — perfect for new users. Some work on computers, others via mobile.

However, these crypto wallets have drawbacks. They're less secure than hardware wallets we'll discuss next: due to constant internet connection, they could be hacked on an unlucky day.

Ethereum Hardware Wallets

Compared to software wallets, hardware wallets are known for better protection. Hacking chances are much lower. Popular Ethereum options include TREZOR and Ledger.

Such wallets' security comes from being disconnected from the internet — you only connect your Ethereum wallet when needed. It stores all private Ethereum-related data offline.

These wallet options also work for storing other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

Which Payment Method to Choose?

Use Bank Transfer or Credit Card

This section covers buying Ethereum (ETH) on any exchange platform you select. Below are several trustworthy platforms.

Buy Ethereum Using Coinbase

Coinbase is a relatively accessible platform for getting Ethereum. Over 100 countries can conduct operations here. Since payments can be made various ways (credit card or bank transfer), purchase fees vary (approximately 1.5% to 4%).

To buy ETH here, follow these steps:

1. Get a Coinbase account

2. Select your payment method

3. Choose the Ethereum amount you want

4. Press the "Buy Ethereum" button

Buy Ethereum Using eToro

eToro is a simple way to buy Ethereum and later sell it (speculating on price) for fiat currencies like dollars, euros, and others.

This platform has a fairly complicated withdrawal process. We wouldn't recommend it if you plan to hold and use purchased coins. Otherwise, if using coins isn't part of your plan and you're more interested in investment, eToro is a smart choice!

eToro works not only for Ethereum needs but also for dealing with other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. However, always remember this type of speculative activity is quite volatile — be careful with your assets!

Buy Ethereum Using Other Exchanges

Several other platforms enable cryptocurrency trading. Each has unique features regarding fees, transaction speed, and available payment methods. When choosing where to trade, consider factors like security, user interface simplicity, and transaction costs.

For those looking to exchange one cryptocurrency for another rather than purchasing with fiat currency, aggregator services can help you find the best rates across multiple platforms. 👉 Compare exchange rates and find the best deals for your crypto swaps to maximize value when converting between different digital assets.

Transfer Ethereum to Your Wallet

Once you've collected enough ether, check that your coins are in your wallet, not on the crypto exchange platform. Since the latter is online, storing coins there isn't secure enough — instead, put them in a crypto wallet.

To do this, send your ether units to your ether address. This address looks like a wild combination of letters and numbers, quite long to remember. Additionally, it always starts with 0x, followed by various letter and number mixtures.

If you don't know where to get an Ethereum address — your Ethereum wallet will help, download it from there.

Can I Mine Ether?

Yes, you can. Ether mining is possible, but you must prepare in advance. If you already have a CPU (central processing unit), you likely won't successfully mine cryptocurrencies like ether with it. We recommend getting a GPU (graphics processing unit) for these purposes. There's a good chance you'll eventually earn some money "filling your funds" with cryptocurrencies you mined yourself.

Other Important Considerations

How to Invest in Ethereum?

Cryptocurrency investment means mining, trading, collecting funds, and performing other manipulations with cryptocurrencies. Investors try to increase their capital by finding partners, exchanging with them, seeking the best available cryptocurrency market value.

Can I Buy ETH Through PayPal?

This is a fairly complicated question with a similarly complex answer. Theoretically, yes, you can, but it's not a simple process. Most cryptocurrency trading operations happen without PayPal involvement because this technology can be used for fraudulent activities.

Still, using PayPal when buying Ethereum is possible, though indirectly. For example, you could get Bitcoin through PayPal and then exchange bitcoin units for other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum. Visit Binance or any other exchange site. But this method isn't efficient for your "internal funds" — nobody wants to spend money on transaction fees.

Another possibility is using peer-to-peer marketplaces for cryptocurrency exchange between investors. But all investors follow their own interests, and fraud risk is notably high, so be careful.

Can I Sell Ethereum?

Obviously, if you can buy Ethereum, you can also sell it. All previously mentioned services enable buying and selling crypto products, except eToro, which only allows selling Ethereum if you bought it there. Quick reminder of available services already mentioned that apply to English-speaking traders.

ETH VS ETC

If you spend time in crypto social media circles, you've probably heard terms like Ethereum and Ethereum Classic. The first designates ETH, the second ETC. How do they differ?

ETC is a solution to a problem that arose when a programmer managed to steal Ethereum coins worth $60 million. ETC is basically the original code. To build new cryptocurrency, developers forked, creating ETH. Due to code support shortage, this problem emerged, but now there's sufficient support to prevent such cases.

Currently, ETH is more valued and recognized in the crypto world, receives greater trader support, and its price is higher than its "twin."

Final Thoughts

Ethereum, or Ether, or ETH, is now widely accepted worldwide. It receives tremendous investor support, allowing this cryptocurrency to remain relatively high-priced. Using blockchain technology remains a secure way to exchange cryptocurrencies.

But everyone knows the crypto world isn't exactly stable and things can change quickly. For now, Ethereum seems like a worthy investment, but will it remain so in several years?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Ethereum Reach $10,000?

Predictions depend on methods crypto experts use. Still, many reliable forecasters claim this Ethereum network, based on blockchain, will generate coins worth even more than $10,000.

Where Can I Buy Ethereum?

If you're interested in buying Ethereum, you can use multiple available cryptocurrency exchange services. Kraken, Coinbase, and many other sites apply for these purposes. Sometimes you don't even need to create an account to start trading, though account creation usually doesn't take too much time.

Is Ethereum a Good Investment in 2025?

According to forecasters, prices of coins generated by the Ethereum network could significantly increase in coming years. Some suggest Ethereum will one day be worth more than $10,000.

What Will Ethereum Be Worth in 2030?

Opinions about Ethereum's price 10 years later vary. Still, most forecasters claim its price will only grow. Some suggest Ethereum will cost approximately $50,000 by 2030.