Everything you need to go from zero to your first crypto purchase, step by step. No jargon, no fluff.
Updated: March 2026You have $100 and you want to buy crypto. Maybe Bitcoin, maybe a stablecoin, maybe you are not sure yet. This guide walks you through the entire process from start to finish. By the end, you will have crypto in your account and understand exactly what you own.
An exchange is where you buy and sell crypto. For beginners, we recommend Binance or OKX — they are the two largest exchanges by volume, have the lowest fees, and support the most deposit methods worldwide.
The critical part: when you sign up, enter a referral code. This gives you a permanent 20% discount on every trade you make. You cannot add this later — it is a one-time opportunity during registration.
Use code MGBABA on Binance or BUYSTOCK on OKX.
You have three main options to get money onto the exchange:
Bank transfer — Free or nearly free. Takes 1-24 hours depending on your bank. This is the best option for most people.
Debit/credit card — Instant, but costs 1-3% in fees. On $100, that is $1-3 lost before you even buy anything.
P2P trading — You buy directly from another person using your local payment method (Zelle, PayPal, bank transfer). Fees vary by seller. Great if bank transfers are slow in your country.
Recommendation: Use bank transfer. The savings add up over time.
With your first $100, keep it simple. Here are two sensible approaches:
Option A — All stability: Buy $100 of USDT. This is a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. It does not go up or down. You hold it so you are ready to buy Bitcoin or other crypto when prices dip.
Option B — Split approach: Buy $50 USDT + $50 BTC. You get stability plus exposure to Bitcoin's long-term growth. This is what most experienced traders recommend for beginners.
Avoid buying random altcoins or memecoins with your first money. Learn the basics first.
Use a limit order, not a market order. A limit order lets you set the exact price you want to pay. A market order buys at whatever the current price is, which can slip during volatile moments.
Go to the trading page, select the BTC/USDT pair, choose "Limit," enter a price slightly above the current market price (for fast execution), enter the amount, and click Buy.
Limit orders also cost less in fees than market orders.
Before you do anything else, enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Use Google Authenticator or Authy — not SMS. In crypto, there is no bank to reverse a hack. If someone gets into your account, your money is gone.
Also set a strong, unique password and enable withdrawal whitelisting if the exchange offers it.
Forgetting the referral code: This is permanent. No code = no discount, forever. Use MGBABA (Binance) or BUYSTOCK (OKX).
Paying card fees: A 2% card fee on every deposit adds up fast. Bank transfer is almost always free.
Panic selling: Crypto is volatile. If Bitcoin drops 10% the day after you buy, that is normal. Do not sell at a loss because of short-term movement.
Sending to wrong network: When withdrawing, always double-check the blockchain network. Sending USDT on Ethereum to a Tron address means lost funds.
Sign up with a referral code, deposit via bank transfer, and make your first purchase. The whole process takes about 15 minutes once your account is verified.
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Sign up on Binance (code MGBABA) or OKX (code BUYSTOCK) for 20% off fees. Deposit via bank transfer. Split between USDT for stability and BTC for growth. Use limit orders.
Both serve different purposes. USDT is stable (pegged to the dollar) and lets you buy dips. BTC is volatile but has the highest long-term growth potential. A 50/50 split is a solid starting point.
Codes like MGBABA (Binance) and BUYSTOCK (OKX) give a permanent 20% trading fee discount. You can only enter the code during registration — it cannot be added later.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We earn a commission when you sign up at no extra cost to you.