Published: 2026-01-08

How to Buy and Sell Crypto: The Complete Basics

Buying is only half the story. This guide walks through both buying and selling crypto, the order types you'll use, and the fees attached to each side.

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Buying: The First Half of Every Trade

To buy, you pick a trading pair, like BTC/USDT. Then you enter an amount and confirm.

You pay a fee on this purchase. It's usually a small percentage of the trade value.

Choose the pair you want to buy
Enter the amount in coin or in cash value
Review the fee before confirming

Selling: The Other Half

Selling works the same way, in reverse. You choose the pair, set an amount, and confirm.

A fee applies here too. Buying and selling fees are usually the same rate.

Sell partial amounts, not just all-or-nothing
Check the current price before selling
Remember the sell fee reduces your proceeds

Order Types You'll Actually Use

A market order fills right away at the current price. It's simple but costs the taker fee.

A limit order waits for your chosen price. It often earns the lower maker fee.

Market order: instant, higher fee
Limit order: set your price, often cheaper
Stop order: triggers a sale below a set price

Fees on Both Sides Add Up

Every buy and every sell has a fee. Round-trip trading means paying twice.

If you trade often, this cost compounds. Small percentages matter over many trades.

A 0.1% fee on both sides equals 0.2% round trip
Frequent traders should track total fee cost
Lower-fee tiers reward higher trading volume

Simple Rules Before You Trade

Know your entry price, your target, and your exit plan before you click confirm.

Compare exchanges before committing. The cheapest platform for buying isn't always cheapest for selling.

Write down your plan before trading
Check fees for both buy and sell orders
Avoid impulsive trades based on emotion

A Simple Checklist for Every Trade

Whether you're buying or selling, run through this short list first.

It takes seconds and prevents most beginner mistakes.

Confirm you're on the spot tab, not futures
Double-check the coin pair and amount
Note the fee shown before confirming
Know your target price or exit plan
Keep a small buffer for fees in your balance

FAQ: Buying and Selling Basics

Here are quick answers to questions beginners ask most often.

These cover the practical side of both buying and selling.

Can I sell only part of my coins? Yes, partial sells are normal and common.
Do I pay a fee even if I lose money on the trade? Yes, the fee applies regardless of profit or loss.
Is selling for a stablecoin different from selling for cash? Yes, cashing out to a bank account may add extra steps and fees.
Should I always use the same order type? No, match the order type to your situation, urgency, and price sensitivity.