How to Buy Bitcoin Cash (BCH): Step-by-Step, Without Mistakes
Bitcoin Cash is a Bitcoin offshoot born out of a dispute over block size. We explain how BCH differs from BTC, what makes it risky and how to buy it step by step.
What Is Bitcoin Cash?
Bitcoin Cash split off from Bitcoin in August 2017. Part of the community wanted Bitcoin to be convenient for everyday payments and proposed increasing the block size. No agreement was reached, and the network split: anyone holding BTC at the moment of the split received the same amount of BCH.
Bitcoin Cash has bigger blocks, so transfers are usually cheaper. The coin is also mined and is likewise capped at 21 million coins.
The name is similar to Bitcoin, but it's a separate network and a separate coin with its own price. About the original: how to buy Bitcoin.
Bitcoin Cash Risks
- Fewer miners than Bitcoin. A network with less computing power is, in theory, more vulnerable to attacks.
- Market interest. Investors' and developers' attention is focused on Bitcoin, and BCH stays in its shadow.
- Confusion with BTC. Sending BCH to a Bitcoin address, or the other way around, can result in lost coins.
- Volatility is higher than Bitcoin's.
How to Buy Bitcoin Cash (BCH): Step by Step
- Step 1. Choose an exchange. Use a major exchange that lists the BCH/USDT pair. To set up an account, see how to open a crypto exchange account.
- Step 2. Secure your account. Complete KYC verification and turn on 2FA with an authenticator app right away.
- Step 3. Get USDT into your balance. The easiest way is to buy USDT from another user: see how to fund your account via P2P. Why exchanges price things in it: what is USDT.
- Step 4. Place an order. Go to Spot → BCH/USDT → a limit order at your price. More on this: limit vs. market orders.
- Step 5. Stop-loss. If you're buying to trade a price move rather than to hold for years, set your exit level in advance. Aspiro Trade has ready-made levels: signals on 45 assets with an entry, take-profit and stop-loss (the list is in the app).
- Step 6. Storage. For long-term holding, withdraw BCH to a wallet that specifically supports Bitcoin Cash. When withdrawing, choose the BCH network and check that the address belongs to it, not to Bitcoin.
Where to Store BCH
| Option | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange spot account | Active trading and small amounts | The exchange holds the keys; 2FA is a must |
| Software wallet (a wallet that supports Bitcoin Cash) | Holding and using the network's apps | Seed phrase on paper only, never on your phone |
| Hardware wallet | Large amounts held long term | Make sure it supports the coin's network |
Our affiliate link. If you decide to open an OKX account, please sign up through it: it's free for you and doesn't change your terms. If you trade, the exchange pays Aspiro an affiliate bonus, which goes toward developing our apps and the free Aspiro Academy. We have no access to your account, funds or trades.
- Buy BCH on the spot market with USDT, using a limit order.
- KYC and 2FA come before your first deposit.
- When trading, a stop-loss is mandatory on every trade.
- When withdrawing, double-check the network and the memo, if one is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bitcoin Cash the same as Bitcoin?
No. They share a history up to 2017, but today they are different networks, different coins with different prices.
Can I send BCH to a Bitcoin wallet?
No, don't do that: the coins can be lost. Use an address and network that are specifically Bitcoin Cash.
Why are BCH transfers cheaper?
Bitcoin Cash blocks are bigger and fit more transactions, so there's usually less competition for space and lower fees.
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