Cryptocurrency exchanges offer different ways to buy Bitcoin (BTC) using the Apple Pay payment method. This is a good step for Bitcoin adoption as the Apple Pay digital wallet accounts for over 507 million mobile wallet downloads and a dominant market share of 43.5% in the US mobile payments market.
Now the ability to integrate and buy Bitcoin with Apple Pay opens up new cryptocurrency opportunities for iPhone users. This article explains how to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies using Apple Pay.
What is Apple Pay digital wallet?
Introduced in 2014, Apple Pay is a mobile payment service for web payments using iOS and supported by Apple products. It is most commonly used as the Apple Pay app on iPhones and Apple watches. It allows users to pay for music, movies and apps with one simple tap.
With the introduction of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, offline stores also now accept Apple Pay, leading to an increase in Apple Pay contactless payments. NFC is a proximity-based wireless connection technology that uses magnetic fields to create a connection between devices when they come close to each other. Apple Pay is supported by thousands of apps and offline stores around the world, allowing users to purchase numerous goods and services, as well as buy Bitcoins with their iPhone and Apple Watch using NFC.
Different ways to buy Bitcoin with Apple Pay
While Apple’s devices don’t have direct Bitcoin or crypto integration, many popular apps and platforms facilitate cryptocurrency transactions or transfers. Different ways to buy Bitcoins using Apple Pay.
Buy Bitcoin with Apple Pay via Coinbase
Coinbase is a US-based cryptocurrency trading and investment platform that offers a range of services and enables users to buy, sell, exchange and store cryptocurrencies. Coinbase is expanding its presence in the cryptocurrency space by partnering with major giants such as Visa and Mastercard to offer on-or-off cryptocurrency trading through instant purchases with credit and debit cards.
To enable a more convenient option for iOS users, Coinbase introduced the purchase of Bitcoin using Apple Pay linked to a debit card in June 2021. However, cryptocurrency selling and cashing out options are not yet available in this mode.
Steps to buy Bitcoin using Apple Pay on Coinbase
- Sign in to your Coinbase account on the website or app using a device that supports Apple Pay.
- Select Bitcoin in the cryptocurrency options.
- Enter the amount of Bitcoin to buy in the “Buy BTC” option.
- Select Apple Pay from the list of available payment methods.
- Confirm your Bitcoin purchase using Apple Pay.
It’s important to note that if a Visa or Mastercard debit card is connected to the main Apple Pay digital wallet, Apple Pay will automatically appear as a payment option. If not, make sure you do so before performing the steps above.
The limit for buying BTC using Apple Pay on Coinbase depends on the sum of the debit card’s transaction limit and Coinbase’s limits, and may change according to policy, geographic region and location. You can check these limits under ETH Settings in the Coinbase app, Litecoin (LTC) and Ripple’s XRP (XRP) can likewise be purchased using Apple Pay on Coinbase.
Buy Bitcoin with Apple Pay on Binance
For the first time, Binance introduced Apple Pay integration and started providing only UK and European Economic Area (EEA) citizens to buy cryptocurrency using credit and debit cards. In December 2022, Binance announced Apple Pay (for debit cards only) for US account holders to deposit USD and buy cryptocurrency.
This opens up ways not only to buy, but also to make Bitcoin and cryptocurrency investments using Apple Pay on Binance.
Steps to buy Bitcoin using Apple Pay on Binance
- Log into the Binance app on your iOS device.
- Click on “Wallet”, select USD and deposit USD.
- Click “Add a payment method” and add Apple Pay.
- Enter the amount in USD and click “Deposit”. Add Apple Pay as a preferred payment method.
- Continue to buy BTC or other cryptocurrencies with this deposit.
It’s worth noting that for the US, Apple Pay will only work for debit card integration, while for the UK and the EEA, a credit card is an optional extra. Also, when using Apple Pay in the US, there is a 3.75% fee on the deposit amount, and in the UK, around 2% per transaction, which is subject to change according to policy. Users should ensure that they check payment changes at the exchange they are transacting with.
Buy Bitcoin using Apple Pay at BitPay
BitPay is the largest Bitcoin and cryptocurrency payment service provider based in Atlanta, Georgia. It allows businesses, merchants, and institutions to accept cryptocurrency payments and convert them into fiat currencies. BitPay has gained a lot of popularity because it charges merchants a 1% transaction fee, compared to credit cards that are known to charge higher commissions of 3% and sometimes more.
BitPay added Apple Pay as a payment option in 2021 to allow its users to buy, exchange and make purchases with BTC and other cryptocurrencies using the Apple Pay digital wallet. BitPay does not yet allow in-app cryptocurrency purchases, but contactless cryptocurrency purchases using NFC are available in-store and online via Apple Pay on supported devices.
In addition to Bitcoin, BitPay also supports popular stablecoins such as USD Coin (USDC) and BinanceUSD (BUSD) for Apple Pay purchases. Users need to add their BitPay crypto debit card to Apple Pay, and then they can use Bitcoin to make purchases anywhere Apple Pay is accepted globally. BitPay has partnered with Simplex and Wyre to enable these Apple Pay payments.
Steps to buy Bitcoin using Apple Pay on BitPay
- Log in to the BitPay app.
- Load BTC to your BitPay debit card.
- Add your BitPay Card to Apple Pay in the BitPay App.
- Use BitPay card BTC funds to make purchases with Apple Pay.
Buy Bitcoin with Apple Pay using MetaMask
Ethereum cryptocurrency wallet provider MetaMask now also allows users to purchase cryptocurrency via Apple Pay. MetaMask announced Apple Pay support in April 2022. Because it doesn’t integrate directly with Apple, MetaMask users are redirected to Wyre, which allows them to pay via credit/debit card or Apple Pay. Wyre is a cryptocurrency exchange that offers crypto to fiat via an API and integrates with Apple Pay.
MetaMask allows Apple Pay users to deposit a maximum of $400 per day into their wallets and charges its transaction fee (0.875% of transaction amount) in addition to gas fees. Moreover, buying cryptocurrency through MetaMask allows users to use it in various decentralized applications (DApps) and Web3 services where MetaMask is available. However, contactless in-store purchases are still not possible with this method.
Steps to buy Bitcoin using Apple Pay via MetaMask
- Log in to your MetaMask account in a browser or app.
- Set up Apple Pay through the app.
- Make sure you know your customer on the card linked to Apple Pay.
- Click on “Add Funds”, click “Buy BTC” and enter the amount.
- Select Apple Pay as your payment method.
- Verify and complete the transaction.
While the above four methods are quite well known, there are many other wallets, exchanges and platforms where you can enjoy the benefits of buying Bitcoin with Apple Pay including but not limited to Exodus, Paxful, CEX.io, Lumi Wallet, Crypto.com and more. more. Users should familiarize themselves with the terms, conditions, fees and others before choosing their preferred method.
Should you buy cryptocurrency with Apple Pay?
There is no definitive answer as to whether or not users will choose to purchase Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies using the Apple Pay method. However, it has both advantages and disadvantages.
Pros include quick, easy and simple transactions. Apple Pay’s contactless payment method technology makes it the preferred payment method among millennials and Gen Z users in the US. Apple Pay statistics claim that its contactless payment method is accepted for fiat payments by 85% of US retailers. These user preferences are also reflected with numerous cryptocurrencies, exchanges and wallets bringing contactless Apple Pay integration.
However, downsides to watch out for include the risk of losing money due to scams, hacks, and malware, as well as crypto volatility, which can cause frequent price fluctuations during purchases. Therefore, users should make informed decisions and conduct thorough research before using the various crypto payment methods available in the market.