Best Crypto Exchanges for Bank Transfers: ACH, Wire & SEPA

Updated December 24, 2025

Key Takeaways

Bank transfers save you 2-4% compared to cards, but speed ranges from 10 seconds (SEPA Instant) to 10 days (ACH with holds). ACH deposits are free but take 1-3 days. SEPA processes in 1 business day for minimal cost. Wires arrive same-day but cost $20-50. We support instant SEPA and local transfers completing in under 1 minute with transparent 0.99% + 0.05% fees. Binance offers 0.1% trading fees but requires navigating complex interfaces. Coinbase works for US beginners but adds a 0.50% spread fee and holds your crypto for 7-10 days.

Bank transfers promise lower fees than credit cards. But many first-time buyers link their account, wait three days, and discover two surprises: their crypto is still locked with a 7-day withdrawal hold, and their bank statement shows $510 charged for a “$500 purchase.”

Here’s what actually happens when you buy crypto with bank transfers, and which platform works best for your situation.

Bank Transfer Methods Explained: ACH vs. Wire vs. SEPA

Bank transfers come in three main types, each trading speed for cost differently.

ACH (Automated Clearing House)

ACH is a US network that processes electronic transfers in batches. Banks collect transactions throughout the day, then settle them together.

Processing time: Standard ACH takes 1-3 business days to settle, with same-day ACH available for an extra fee. Most crypto exchanges quote 3-5 business days to account for processing delays.

Cost: Free to $1 per transaction from your bank. Most exchanges charge zero for ACH deposits, but add trading fees when you convert USD to crypto.

Best for: US buyers who plan ahead and want minimal fees. Your exchange will hold ACH-funded crypto for 7-10 days before you can withdraw it to your own wallet.

“Paybis offers transactions in a quick and easy format with thorough security measures.” – Verified user review of Paybis

Wire Transfer

Wire transfers move money directly between banks, processing each transaction individually rather than in batches.

Processing time: Domestic wires usually clear within 24 hours. International wires take 2-5 business days depending on intermediary banks.

Cost: Your bank charges $20-35 for domestic wires and $35-50 for international transfers. Some exchanges add receiving fees of $10-15.

Best for: Large purchases over $10,000 where the flat fee becomes less than 1%, or when you need crypto within 24 hours.

The catch: Wire transfers are irreversible. Recovery requires weeks of bank investigation. Always verify receiving bank details match the exchange’s official documentation.

SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area)

SEPA is the EU’s payment network covering 41 countries. It combines ACH’s low cost with faster processing.

Processing time: Standard SEPA transfers arrive within 1 business day. SEPA Instant processes in under 10 seconds and operates 24/7, including weekends.

Cost: Free to €2 from most banks. Exchanges charge 0-1% for SEPA deposits.

Best for: Anyone in the SEPA zone. It’s the “goldilocks” option, fast processing at minimal cost.

Local Instant Payment Methods

Modern alternatives like PIX in Brazil and UK Faster Payments process in seconds with zero fees for individuals. We support both, processing transfers in under 1 minute.

“What stands out to me most about Paybis is the remarkable speed and smoothness of the crypto-buying process.” – Verified user review of Paybis

Top Crypto Exchanges for Bank Transfers

Not all exchanges support the same transfer methods, and fee structures vary significantly.

Paybis: Best for Transparency and Global Coverage

We show you exactly what you’ll pay before you click “buy.” Our calculator displays your 0.99% service fee, 0.05% processing fee, and network fee as separate line items. What you see on the confirmation screen is what your bank statement will show.

Supported methods: SEPA, ACH, UK Faster Payments, PIX, SWIFT wire, and 15+ local payment methods across 180+ countries.

Processing speed: SEPA Instant and UK Faster Payments arrive in under 1 minute. Standard SEPA takes 1-2 business days. ACH deposits process in up to 3 business days.

Fees: 0.99% service fee + 0.05% processing fee for SEPA transfers. ACH transfers follow similar structure with transparent breakdown before confirmation.

Best for: First-time buyers who value seeing exact costs upfront, users in underserved markets, and anyone who needs crypto today rather than next week.

“I especially appreciate the transparent fee structure—no hidden costs or surprises.” – Verified user review of Paybis

The trade-off: Total fees run 1-1.5% higher than Binance’s rock-bottom rates. We charge for speed, transparent pricing, and 24/7 human support that responds in under 2 minutes. Watch this step-by-step bank transfer tutorial to see the process in action.

Coinbase: Best for US First-Time Buyers

Coinbase dominates the US market with easy bank account linking. The interface is beginner-friendly, and regulatory compliance is strong.

Supported methods: ACH is free to deposit, SEPA for Europe, wire transfers ($10 incoming, $25 outgoing).

Processing speed: ACH transfers take 3-5 business days to arrive, then Coinbase holds your crypto for 7-10 days before you can withdraw it. SEPA deposits arrive in 1-3 business days with similar holds.

Fees: ACH deposits are free, but Coinbase charges 1.49% when you buy crypto with those funds, plus a 0.50% spread fee built into the quoted price.

The hidden cost: The spread isn’t shown as a separate line item. If Bitcoin trades at $40,000, Coinbase might quote you $40,200. That extra $200 is their spread markup.

Best for: US residents making their first crypto purchase who already trust the Coinbase brand and don’t mind waiting 7-10 days to withdraw their Bitcoin.

The trade-off: Slow processing plus withdrawal holds mean you might wait 10+ days from initiating your bank transfer to moving Bitcoin to your own wallet.

Binance: Best for Lowest Fees

Binance charges 0% for SEPA deposits and 0.1% trading fees. For frequent traders, this represents massive savings over time.

Supported methods: SEPA (Europe), USD services through BPay Global for 70+ countries. Binance.US restored ACH services in February 2025.

Processing speed: SEPA deposits arrive in 1-2 business days. Wire transfers typically process within 1-2 business days.

Fees: €1 flat fee for standard SEPA transfers. SEPA Instant has zero fees. 0.1% trading fee on spot transactions.

Best for: Experienced users comfortable navigating trading interfaces, frequent traders who will save hundreds annually on fees.

The trade-offs: The interface overwhelms first-time buyers with hundreds of trading options. Support response times stretch to 24-48 hours. Binance is unavailable in several jurisdictions including New York.

Kraken: Best for Large Wire Transfers

Kraken built its reputation serving institutional clients. Their wire transfer infrastructure handles large sums reliably.

Supported methods: ACH (US), wire transfers, SEPA (EU), with strong support for high-value transactions.

Processing speed: Wire transfers take 1-5 business days. SEPA processes in 1-3 days. ACH deposits are held for 7 days before withdrawal.

Fees: 0.16% maker, 0.26% taker fees for spot trading on Kraken Pro. Kraken Instant Buy charges significantly more but simplifies the process.

Best for: Wire transfers over $50,000, users who want strong EU regulatory compliance with MiCA licensing.

The trade-off: The platform splits between “Instant Buy” (expensive, simple) and “Kraken Pro” (cheap, complex). New users struggle to understand which to use.

How to Buy Bitcoin With a Bank Transfer

The process is similar across platforms, but timing and holds vary significantly.

Step 1: Verify your identity

Upload a government ID and take a selfie. We complete verification in under 2 minutes for most users. Coinbase and Kraken take a few hours to a day.

Step 2: Choose your transfer method

Pick ACH if you’re in the US and can wait 1-3 days. Choose SEPA if you’re in Europe. Use wire transfers only for amounts over $10,000. If we support instant methods in your country, use those for sub-1-minute transfers.

Step 3: Check the total cost

We show you a calculator with Service Fee, Processing Fee, Network Fee, and Total before you enter payment details. Coinbase shows the purchase amount but embeds a spread fee in the exchange rate. Binance requires you to calculate deposit fees plus trading fees separately.

Look for the final amount of crypto you’ll receive. If you’re buying $1,000 of Bitcoin at $40,000, you should receive 0.025 BTC. If you receive 0.0244 BTC, the platform charged you $24 in hidden costs.

Step 4: Initiate the transfer

For ACH and SEPA, link your bank account and authorize the transfer. For wire transfers, manually send funds from your bank using our provided reference number. Copy these details exactly because wire transfers are irreversible.

Step 5: Wait for settlement, check for holds

Your dashboard will show “pending” until the bank transfer arrives. Once funds arrive, most exchanges let you trade immediately. The critical question: can you withdraw your crypto?

Coinbase and Kraken hold ACH-funded crypto for 7-10 days. We typically don’t impose additional holds after your crypto settles.

Start Your First Bank Transfer Purchase

We make buying crypto with bank transfers straightforward. Our calculator shows exact fees before you commit. SEPA Instant and Faster Payments process in under 1 minute. Our support team responds in under 2 minutes if something goes wrong.

Create a free account, complete 2-minute verification, and check the total cost for your first bank transfer purchase. Your first card purchase has $0 service fees from us, and bank transfers maintain consistent transparent pricing at 0.99% + 0.05%.

Key Terminology

ACH: A US network for electronic bank transfers that processes in batches. Takes 1-3 days but costs only 0-1.5% per transaction.

SEPA: Single Euro Payments Area covering 41 European countries. Standard transfers take 1 business day, instant transfers complete in under 10 seconds.

Wire transfer: Direct electronic transfer between banks. Domestic wires usually clear within 24 hours at $20-35 cost, international wires take 2-5 days at $35-50.

Spread: The difference between the actual market price and the price you pay. Often hidden as a markup in the exchange rate rather than shown as a separate fee.

Withdrawal hold: A waiting period after depositing funds before you can move crypto off the exchange. Can range from zero to 10 days depending on platform and deposit method.