Can you buy Crypto with Western Union?

It is not currently possible to buy crypto with Western Union directly, as Western Union is a money transfer service and not a cryptocurrency exchange. However, some cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms may allow users to fund their accounts using Western Union transfers or other similar services. Users must find a regulated & licensed platform in their jurisdiction to ensure Western Union does not freeze deposits and withdrawals.

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How to Buy Bitcoin and Crypto with Western Union?

As outlined above, users can buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with Western Union by first finding a regulated and licensed digital asset exchange that supports Western Union deposits. We recommend Uphold, as it offers a user-friendly platform that is available in over 100 countries and accepts 30+ currencies to trade 250 cryptocurrencies with zero fees.

Here is a quick guide to getting started:

  1. Create a free account on Uphold with your email and complete the verification requirements.
  2. Select the fiat currency you want to deposit (e.g USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF & 30 more).
  3. You can then select your deposit method to transfer funds. This will vary depending on what country you are transferring from (e.g USD is ACH Transfer and EUR is SEPA Transfer).
  4. Once your funds land, you can then find the crypto you want to buy and execute your trade.
Buy Crypto on Western Union

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What is Western Union's Crypto Policy?

While Western Union does not directly support cryptocurrency investing through its digital banking platform, users can transfer funds from their Western Union account to licensed and regulated digital asset exchanges that support cryptocurrency trading.

However, it is important to note that Western Union may freeze deposits and withdrawals if they suspect fraudulent activity related to cryptocurrency transactions. Therefore, users should exercise caution and do their due diligence in selecting a reputable digital asset exchange.

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What are the Fees?

The fees can vary depending on your country and the platform you choose to invest with. It's generally advisable to use ACH, SEPA, FasterPayments, iDEAL or similar local banking options when transferring funds from Western Union since they're free on platforms such as Uphold.

When it comes to trading fees, the difference between platforms ranges widely. On Uphold, there are zero fees on all trades and a 0.5% spread, but other exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken can charge up to 1% on fees and spreads.

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Bottom line

Navigating the world of cryptocurrency investing can be overwhelming, but Western Union and Uphold provide a straightforward and convenient way to buy and trade cryptocurrencies. While Western Union does not offer direct cryptocurrency investing through its digital banking platform, its ACH, SEPA, and other international transfer options make it easy to transfer funds to digital asset exchanges like Uphold.