How to buy crypto in MetaMask

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Regional availability

While we want to make MetaMask's features accessible to as many people around the world as possible, buying crypto in MetaMask (also referred to as on-ramp) is not available in every country or region.

This is because the companies we partner with cannot operate in every jurisdiction, as their operations are affected by varying laws and regulations.

When you buy crypto in MetaMask, we will automatically show you your options based on what region or country you are in.

I can't buy crypto in my country/region.

If your country/region isn't supported, you may still be able to get tokens into your wallet through other means.

1. One route, for example, could be to buy tokens on a centralized exchange (CEX) and deposit them into MetaMask. See our guide for more information. Also, bear in mind that this route, like on-ramps themselves, will usually require KYC (know your customer) steps, such as proving your identity, and availability may also vary by region. CEXs also differ from MetaMask in that they are custodial — meaning you don't have control of your accounts' private keys.

2. You could also arrange a P2P (peer-to-peer) deposit into your wallet by sending simple transactions.

Regardless of the method you choose, please do your own research before handing over any money, and make sure the platform you're using is safe. Always practise good web3 security habits.

How to buy crypto

Buy crypto through a CEX account

You can now buy crypto through your linked centralized exchange (CEX) account directly in MetaMask Portfolio. For more information, see our guide here.

How buying crypto works

Buying crypto in MetaMask involves using an aggregator of on-ramp providers, making the process accessible, fast, and scalable.

When you enter how much of a token you want to buy, MetaMask's integrations with our vetted providers will spring into life, and fetch you quotes from each. These quotes automatically refresh every 10 seconds to account for gas price fluctuations, minimizing the potential for failed transactions (if gas prices rise after submitting the transaction, your quoted total may be too low to cover transaction costs by the time the transaction is picked up by the network).

Since you input your region and currency during the process, the quotes you're presented with are automatically configured for your circumstances: so no need to worry about whether you'll be able to use the available payment methods in your region, or whether your region is supported by that provider. If it appears on the quote list, you will be able to buy as quoted. Easy.

Extension and Portfolio

In Extension, click 'Buy & Sell' to be taken to MetaMask Portfolio.

On MetaMask Portfolio, once you select your region and your payment method, you'll move through the Buy flow in one screen, where you can input your amount, adjust the payment method (if you wish to do so), and select your quote.

Mobile

On the mobile app, click the wallet actions button in the center of the tab bar. This will bring up a pop-up menu, where you can select the 'Buy' button.

note

You cannot access MetaMask Portfolio's Buy feature from mobile devices. For this reason, make sure you go directly to the in-app Buy feature, rather than trying to buy from portfolio.metamask.io.

1. Head to your wallet homepage and find the button: on Extension, you can find the 'Buy/Sell' button on the left of your wallet view, which will redirect you to the MetaMask Portfolio. If you're on MetaMask Portfolio already, select the 'Move Crypto' tab, and then click 'Buy'.

2. If you're a first-time user, you must select your region, which will generally default to your current location. If you've used this feature before, MetaMask skips this step and uses the region you selected last time, which is saved in local storage.

From the drop-down menu, search or scroll until you find the country where your payment method (card/bank account) is registered. US users will then be able to select their state. If your region is not currently covered by at least one of our provider and payment method combinations, we'll let you know at this point. You can read more about other ways to purchase crypto here.

3. On the next screen, select your payment method (you can always adjust this afterward if you change your mind):

Choose from Apple Pay/Google Pay (this will adjust according to your device), debit/credit card, PayPal (US only, excluding Hawaii), and bank transfers (with the mechanism adjusted according to your region, KYC details, and currency: e.g. UK Faster Payments, ACH for the US, Pix for Brazil, and SEPA for Europe). Make sure you're comfortable with the estimated duration and payment limits detailed next to each option.

4. Select the token you want to buy, using the You want to buy field at the top of the screen.

5. Input your preferred amount, i.e. the value (in fiat) of the token you want to buy.

6. Choose your quote. After a brief wait, you'll see the quotes available based on your preferences. They're arranged in descending order based on how much crypto you receive, with the best-value option at the top. Pull down from the top of the screen to force refresh the quotes.

When you pick a provider, you may have to complete KYC if you've never used their service before.

Once your order is complete, you will see the below screen:

Troubleshooting

What do I do if my transaction fails?

Since MetaMask does not execute your transaction, the provider will likely be better placed to support than our team. In these situations, we recommend you contact their support teams first.

For any issues you encounter with MetaMask itself (such as problems selecting your region or currency, or with the buying process), get in touch with MetaMask Support via the 'start a Conversation' button on the Support page.

If you're facing problems using a provider's platform, such as payment limits, payment methods, or KYC, we recommend you get in touch with their support teams directly.

Why is my transaction still pending?

To get your ordered crypto into your MetaMask wallet, the provider you choose must execute transactions on-chain. This means that, as a minimum, you will need to wait as long as it takes for the transactions to be processed by the network (block time).

Once you submit your request, you can see the pending transaction in your MetaMask activity.

If your bank account was charged and there are delays in receiving your crypto, we recommend you contact the provider's support team directly. Pending purchases (not yet confirmed on the blockchain) are usually caused by the on-ramp provider's pre-authorization processes.