How to Buy, Sell, or Swap Crypto and What to Watch Out For

Aug 20, 2025 | 7 min read

Whether you’re an experienced investor or just starting your crypto journey, this comprehensive guide walks you through the essential steps to buy, sell, and swap crypto. If you want to buy Bitcoin, the first thing you need to do is create an account with a reliable broker or exchange. Let’s start with how to buy crypto.

How to Buy Crypto

Step 1: Research and Pick a Trusted Platform

Before investing in crypto, make sure to do thorough research and pick a reliable platform like a crypto exchange or crypto broker. Go for platforms with a user-friendly interface, strong security, and a wide range of cryptocurrencies. At Finst, you can trade 340+ cryptocurrencies in EUR with maximum security and transparency. Here’s how:

Crypto Vault
Your digital assets are managed via Fireblocks, which uses Multi-Party Computation (MPC) technology with hardware isolation. This ensures your assets are optimally protected from external attacks, internal collusion, and human error.

Safe Money Storage
Your funds are strictly separated from our company’s assets on a 1-to-1 basis and securely held at Bunq, a regulated and leading Dutch bank.

Separated Assets
Your digital assets are completely separate from ours. This gives you maximum protection no matter what happens with us.

Proof of Reserves (PoR)
Finst is the first and only Dutch crypto platform to successfully obtain a Proof of Reserves (PoR) from an independent and reputable audit firm (Audit Now).

Authorized by the AFM
Finst B.V., based in Amsterdam, is officially authorized as a provider of crypto asset services by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) under registration number 41000015.

It’s also important to consider the costs involved when trading crypto. At Finst, you get the lowest trading fees in the Netherlands with no hidden costs. A flat fee of 0,15% per transaction. That’s it.

You save an average of 93% on trading costs. Check the comparison chart on our fees page to see how much you save compared to other platforms.

Step 2: Create an Account

Once you’ve chosen a platform, the next step is to create an account. You can open an account online at Finst for free. It’s mandatory on any crypto exchange or broker to complete the KYC process when creating an account. Opening an account takes less than 5 minutes and can be done via our website or mobile app.

Step 3: Deposit Euros

After successfully creating your account, you can make your first EUR deposit. Finst currently supports payment methods like iDEAL, Bancontact, and SEPA bank transfers.

Easily deposit euros into your account by clicking the “Deposit” button on the trading platform and following the instructions. You can also deposit via bank transfer using the unique payment reference in your account. At Finst, deposits and withdrawals are always free with no minimum amount. Note: only invest money you can afford to lose.

Step 4: Pick Your Cryptocurrency

Now that you have euros in your account, it’s time to pick the cryptocurrency you want to buy. Choose your favorite crypto or explore new crypto projects. Bitcoin is the very first and most well-known cryptocurrency and has the highest total market value. Use the search function on the platform to find your desired digital assets. If you’re new to crypto, consider starting with well-known cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH).

Step 5: Place an Order

Decide how much EUR you want to invest or the amount of crypto you want to buy, and place an order on the platform. You’ll receive your crypto, and your transaction is complete.

Watch the video below for a tutorial on how to buy crypto with Finst.

How to Sell Crypto

Step 1: Pick the Right Time to Sell

The crypto market can be quite volatile, so timing is crucial when selling cryptocurrency. Keep an eye on market trends, news, and price movements to make informed decisions. Sell when you think the market conditions are favorable. You can sell your crypto anytime.

Step 2: Select the Cryptocurrency You Want to Sell

If you own multiple cryptocurrencies, choose the specific asset you want to sell. Simply log in to the Finst trading platform and go to your “Wallet.” Tap the cryptocurrency you want to trade and look for the “Sell” option.

Step 3: Confirm the Transaction

Review your sell order, including the amount and price, before confirming the transaction. Once confirmed, your order will execute at the best available price, and the amount will be credited to your EUR balance. You can easily see your EUR balance at the top of your screen.

For a visual guide on how to sell crypto with Finst, watch the tutorial below.

How to Swap Crypto

Step 1: Pick the Crypto You Want to Swap

With your Finst account, you can easily convert any cryptocurrency into another. Start the swapping process by selecting which crypto you want to convert.

Step 2: Select the Cryptocurrencies

After deciding which crypto you want to swap, choose the cryptocurrency you want to get in exchange. You can enter the amount in EUR you want to swap or the specific crypto quantity you want to convert.

Step 3: Place the Swap Order

Just like buying and selling, place an order. Review the details, including the exchange rate and fees, before confirming the order. To give you a better idea of swapping crypto at Finst, watch our video tutorial below.

What to Watch Out For When Trading Crypto

Trading crypto can be exciting and challenging, and it’s important to choose a strategy that matches your experience and knowledge. There are different ways to trade crypto. Day trading focuses on short-term movements and means you open and close positions within a single day, while long-term investing or position trading is about holding cryptocurrencies for months or even years. These traders can use Auto Invest, where you apply Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) to buy crypto weekly or monthly. Between these is swing trading, analyzing positive and negative price movements from one to thirty days.

Unlike traditional exchanges, crypto markets are open 24/7. This means crypto prices can rise or fall at any time. Experienced traders use technical analysis to read prices and predict trends. They also use candlestick charts, identify support and resistance levels, and apply indicators like the Relative Strength Index (RSI) to measure the strength of price movements. All this helps make informed decisions when timing buys and sells.

Choosing a reliable crypto platform is an important first step because fund security and platform usability directly impact your trading experience. Keep in mind that the crypto market is very volatile, so prices can go up and down sharply. This makes trading risky but also provides opportunities to make profits. Good research, a clear (exit) strategy, and smart use of indicators and analysis are essential for successful crypto trading.

What Are the Risks of Crypto Investments?

Investing in cryptocurrencies can seem appealing because of potential high returns, but there are also risks you need to consider. It’s important to understand these risks before putting your money into crypto.

Market Volatility: The crypto market is young and relatively small, so prices can be volatile. Prices can rise sharply but also drop quickly. A crypto that is valuable today could lose a large part of its value tomorrow. This means an investor could lose their entire investment if the crypto’s value falls.
No Underlying Value: Unlike stocks, where you own a (small) part of a company, most cryptocurrencies have no underlying value (e.g., meme coins), making them riskier to invest in. This means some crypto has no fundamental value. The result is that you can suddenly lose your money in crypto trading.
Manipulation and Fraud Risk: Some crypto projects exist solely to mislead investors, and large traders or influencers can manipulate the market by selling their crypto at the right time. Small investors are left with rapidly dropping values. This is called a "pump and dump" in crypto.
Technical Complexity: Crypto can be technically complex for some people. Mistakes in storing, sending, or investing can lead to money loss, especially if you don’t fully understand how crypto wallets and blockchains work.
Regulatory Impact: Governments are still figuring out how to regulate crypto. Stricter rules, like limitations on Bitcoin mining or taxation, can negatively affect crypto value. On the other hand, clear regulation can increase market confidence. For example, the approval of Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S.

Final thoughts

Crypto offers exciting opportunities but comes with significant risks due to volatility, technical complexity, and changing regulations. Successful trading starts with a reliable platform and a clear strategy, whether you’re a short- or long-term investor. Only invest money you can afford to lose, research carefully, and always be aware of risks alongside potential returns. For more info about everything crypto and the Finst platform, check out our Help Center.