Every buying method ranked by total cost. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive is staggering.
Published: March 2026The total cost of buying crypto includes the deposit fee, the trading fee, and any hidden spread. Here is what $1,000 of Bitcoin actually costs on different platforms:
| Method | Deposit Fee | Trading Fee | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binance + MGBABA + BNB + bank | $0 | $0.60 | $0.60 |
| OKX + BUYSTOCK + P2P | $0 | $0.64 | $0.64 |
| Binance + MGBABA + card | $18 | $0.80 | $18.80 |
| Coinbase Advanced Trade | $0 | $4.00 | $4.00 |
| Coinbase Simple Buy (card) | $20 | $6.00 | $26.00 |
| Cash App | $0 | $15-20 | $15-20 |
| Bitcoin ATM | $0 | $50-80 | $50-80 |
The cheapest method (Binance with code MGBABA + bank transfer) costs $0.60 in total. The most expensive (Bitcoin ATM) costs $50-80. That is a 100x difference in fees for the exact same amount of Bitcoin.
This is the optimal approach. Register on Binance with code MGBABA for 20% off trading fees. Deposit via bank transfer (free on most banks). Enable BNB fee payment for an additional 25% off. Your effective trading fee drops to 0.06%.
For users who cannot do bank transfers to Binance, OKX with code BUYSTOCK and P2P deposit is the next best option. P2P has zero exchange fees, and the BUYSTOCK code gives you 20% off when you trade.
P2P trading lets you buy USDT from other users using local payment methods — bank transfer, mobile money, gift cards. Both Binance and OKX offer free P2P trading. The only cost is a small spread (typically 0.5-1.5%) between the buy and sell price.
This is the best method for people in countries where direct bank deposits to exchanges are not available. OKX P2P generally has better coverage and tighter spreads in emerging markets.
Card deposits are the fastest (instant) but most expensive method. Binance charges 1.8% for card deposits, Coinbase charges 2-3%. On a $1,000 purchase, that is $18-30 in deposit fees alone — before you even pay the trading fee.
Only use card deposits when you need crypto urgently and cannot wait for a bank transfer or P2P order.
Step 1: Register on Binance with code MGBABA (20% off fees). Step 2: Deposit via bank transfer or P2P (free). Step 3: Enable BNB fee payment (25% off). Step 4: Buy crypto with a limit order (maker fee). Total cost: approximately 0.06% of your purchase amount.
Alternative: Register on OKX with code BUYSTOCK (20% off fees) and buy via P2P for zero deposit cost.
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Binance with code MGBABA (20% off) + BNB payment (25% off) + bank transfer deposit (free). Total fee: 0.06%. OKX with code BUYSTOCK + P2P is the second cheapest at 0.064%.
Codes like MGBABA (Binance) and BUYSTOCK (OKX) give a permanent 20% discount on trading fees. Combined with other methods, this can cut costs by up to 40%.
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