Want to buy bitcoin, but afraid you might make a mistake? You’re not alone. Many newbies face the same fear: the crypto market is full of opportunities, but also risks, and scam stories circulate all over the internet. If you’re just starting out and looking for a simple, safe and quick way to enter the world of cryptocurrencies, this guide is for you.
What are cryptocurrencies and how do they work?
Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies that run on a technology called blockchain. Unlike traditional money (lei, euros, dollars), cryptocurrencies are not issued and controlled by a central bank, but are decentralized – meaning the network is maintained by thousands of computers around the world.
How do cryptocurrencies work?
Blockchain is like a public online ledger where all transactions are recorded. Once written there, a transaction cannot be erased or changed.
Bitcoin, the first and best-known cryptocurrency, was created in 2009 by a person (or group) under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. The idea was simple: to have a form of digital money that people could send to each other without banks or intermediaries.
Transactions are validated by network miners or validators, who use computing power or stakes to secure the system.
Once validated, the transaction is added to the blockchain.
💡 Simple example:
If you want to send 0.01 BTC to a friend in Romania:
Enter his wallet address.
You send the amount from your crypto wallet.
The transaction is verified by the network.
After a few minutes, your friend sees the money in your wallet.
Everything is done without banks, without cards, without intermediaries.
Why are cryptocurrencies important for beginners?
They offer financial independence (you don’t depend on banks).
Can be used to invest or send money internationally much cheaper.
They represent the most important currencies in the crypto market (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDT etc.).
Top 3 safe and fast ways to buy bitcoin
If you’re just starting out, you’re probably wondering: “How do I buy Bitcoin in Romania without falling into a scam?”. The good news is that there are several simple and safe ways you can do that. Below are the 3 most popular options, explained step by step.
Method 1: How to buy Bitcoin with your bank card
This is the simplest and quickest method for beginners.
Log in on a trusted platform (e.g. Abarai, Binance, Crypto.com).
Choose “Buy Bitcoin by credit card”.
Enter the desired amount (e.g. 500 RON).
You confirm the payment, and in a few minutes you receive the Bitcoin in your wallet (if you use a service like Abarai, if you use Binance or Crypto.com you will have to store the cryptocurrency on the account opened by these platforms).
📌 Advantages: speed, convenience, easy to use even if you’re just starting out.
⚠️ Disadvantages: fees can be a bit higher than bank transfer.
Method 2: How to buy BTC by bank transfer on a local exchange
Another safe method is to buy bitcoin via bank transfer on a local platform.
You create an account on an exchange in Romania (for example: Abarai, Tradesilvania, BitcoinRomania).
You deposit lei from your bank account.
Buy Bitcoin directly from the app at the displayed exchange rate.
📌 Advantages: lower fees, rate close to the real one.
⚠️ Disadvantages: transaction takes a few hours (depending on the bank) or even a few days.
Method 3: How to buy peer-to-peer (P2P) cryptocurrencies
If you don’t want to use your card or bank, there’s also the P2P method – that’s buying bitcoin directly from other people through a brokering platform.
You pick an offer from someone selling bitcoin.
You pay in lei by the preferred method (bank transfer, Revolut, etc.).
Receive Bitcoin in your wallet after payment is confirmed.
📌 Advantages: sometimes better rate, possibility to buy without strict checks.
⚠️ Disadvantages: if you choose an unreliable seller, there is a risk of fraud → that’s why it’s important to use platforms that block funds until you confirm payment.
Why always check the platform when buying bitcoin?
One of the biggest risks when you want to buy bitcoin is choosing an unreliable platform. Because the crypto market is relatively new and attractive, scams are constantly popping up that promise “guaranteed gains” or “Bitcoin at a discount”.
As a beginner, the golden rule is simple: always check the platform before making a transaction.
Example of a secure crypto buying platform in Romania
A secure platform must offer:
Transparency: clearly see the price, fees and payment method.
Regulation or formal partnerships: exchanges that comply with European legislation.
Non-custodial wallet (optional): allow you to hold the key to your wallet, not just keep money on the platform.
User support: have a support team that responds quickly.
📌 Examples: Abarai, Binance, Crypto.com, Kraken.
Example of a risky platform to avoid
You need to be wary of:
Obscure sites promising “double bitcoin if you send now”.
Unknown apps downloaded from untrusted sources.
Platforms that require no verification at all and promise “instant purchase without KYC” – often they disappear with customers’ money.
Groups on social networks (Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram) where unknown people ask you to send money in exchange for “guaranteed profits”.
What to look out for when checking a crypto platform
When choosing a platform to buy or sell bitcoin, consider the following criteria and we’ll explain the things we’d look out for:
Commission transparency
– Make sure it’s clear how much you pay per transaction. Unreliable platforms hide fees in the final price. Or other platforms hide the commission in the exchange rate.
On the Abarai platform we find the commissions displayed right on the first page. At the same time, this platform shows the amount you want to spend, which is very useful for those who don’t want to calculate the commission in percentage. So here you enter 1000 lei and see how much commission goes to the platform.
transparent commission platform abarai (left side of the screen) Usually on custodial platforms like binance or Kucoin there is a special page where commissions are displayed in tabular form. Below is a picture of the fees charged by Kucoin, the 4th largest trading platform in the world according to some sources.
KuCoin commissions for spot trades Another example of a commission charged by the binance platform is in the photo below.
binance spot trading commissions However, when using platforms like Binance or Kucoin you should keep in mind that there are additional fees. Specifically, there is a deposit fee depending on the payment method used (bank card, bank transfer, Paypall etc…) after you have funded your account, you can convert fiat money into cryptocurrencies using spot transactions or other methods. If after buying cryptocurrencies you want to send them to a friend, withdraw them to your own wallet or make a payment, you have to pay a withdrawal fee.
In the case of a completely non-custodial exchange like Abarai, if you have a cryptocurrency wallet, you directly enter the destination address and Abarai will send to the address you specify. By using this option the commission is charged only once (unlike the aforementioned custodial platforms).
- Regulation and reputation
– Look for platforms that comply with European rules and have good online reviews. You can also check if they have official partnerships. From our point of view, there should be clear company details, the location where the company operates and transparency about the team working on the project. For the compliance part, i.e. authorizations and licenses certifying that the company complies with the rigors of the law in force, you could look for the FINCen registration number or for companies in Europe, if they are MiCa authorized
Below I have put some pictures from Abarai’s website that certify that they are a company in compliance with the laws in force.
Another important aspect to check is the team behind the project.
If a crypto exchange platform meets these criteria, then it’s probably a serious service. However it still needs to build over time the trust reality between the cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency exchange service provider.
Payment methods available
– A serious platform allows you to pay by bank card, bank transfer or other popular methods (Revolut, PayPal).Account security
– check for options such as two-step authentication (2FA). This protects your account even if your password is compromised. However, complete control over your funds you can only have if you store them yourself. This leaves only you in charge of your funds, if you want you can use a non-custodial platform and fund your crypto wallet directly from there.Fast withdrawal possibility
– Ask yourself, “Can I withdraw my money quickly if I need to?” A good platform allows you to sell crypto and withdraw lions to your bank account or card within hours or even minutes in the case of a non-custodial platform.Customer support
– Test how quickly they respond to questions. If you can’t find a clear way to get in touch, it’s a red flag. The best is when you can call or visit the firm’s staff. Many times I’ve heard users who were fed up with chatting to the robot and not being understood, or not finding resolution. If you manage to call and can talk to someone physically, it’s a big plus.
How to make your own bitcoin wallet
The first step to entering the bitcoin world is to set up a bitcoin wallet. This wallet will act like a wallet in the physical world or with a bank account. Put simply, it’s a place where you can receive, store and send bitcoin.
In another article we detailed in more detail what the steps are to set up a bitcoin wallet. You can use Munn Wallet’s app, we’ll leave a description below to give you a clearer picture of how you could make your own Bitcoin wallet
The steps you need to fulfill for a bitcoin wallet:
Download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Munn Wallet app
Create a new wallet – “Create a new wallet“.
Choose a pin code to remember; with this pin code you will log into the app later.
Confirm the pin code chosen in the previous step (enter the same pin code you entered in step 3).
Congratulations! You have created your bitcoin wallet. You can now receive or send Bitcoin.
The next step is to create a recovery method for your wallet, so that if you lose your phone or run into other problems, you can recover your funds.Under the ‘Receive‘ and ‘Send‘buttons, click ‘Back-up your wallet‘.
Create a method where you can recover your wallet in case you change your phone or install the app on a different device.
We recommend that you do not use your email address for the back-up, because if you are the victim of a cyber-attack, you risk losing access to your wallet.
A safer method is to write down a string of words on a piece of paper that you will use when you want to recover your wallet.
Confirm the words written on the paper in the previous step and keep the paper in a safe place.
Once you’ve made a bitcoin wallet, it’s time to purchase your bitcoin on an exchange. We recommend that your first purchase is not such a large amount, but rather a smaller amount to see how it works.
How to make a wallet that stores cryptocurrencies other than bitcoin
If you want to buy and store not only Bitcoin, but also other cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Tether (USDT ) or BNB, you need a digital wallet that accepts multiple currencies. These are called multi-crypto w allets and are very popular for beginners.
Here are the steps to follow:
Download a multi-crypto wallet
– Popular examples: Trust Wallet, MetaMask, Exodus. You can find them on the App Store and Google Play.Create a new wallet
– The app will automatically generate a wallet that can store dozens or even hundreds of digital coins.Choose a PIN code for security
– You’ll use this PIN every time you access the app.Write down the seed phrase
– This is a set of 12-24 unique words. It allows you to recover your wallet if you lose your phone or app. Write it on a piece of paper and keep it in a safe place.Enable additional authentication (if your app allows it)
– Some wallets give you extra security options like fingerprint login or facial recognition.Add cryptocurrencies to your wallet
– From the app you can generate addresses for each currency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, etc.) Each cryptocurrency has its own address.Test your wallet with a small amount
– Send the equivalent of a few lei in Bitcoin or Ethereum to check that the wallet is working correctly.
Quite similar to creating a bitcoin wallet. In practice, creating a wallet should be an easy operation.
The difference between software and hardware wallets
When creating a crypto wallet, you’ll come across two broad categories: software wallets and hardware wallets. Both are meant to store your cryptocurrency, but they work differently and are suited for different needs.
Software wallets (hot wallets)
What they are: Applications installed on your phone or computer. The most popular are Trust Wallet, MetaMask, Exodus, Muun Wallet.
How it works: You create your account directly in the app, get your wallet address and seed phrase. Your cryptocurrencies are immediately accessible as long as you have internet.
Advantages:
Easy to install and use (ideal for beginners).
Free (most apps are free).
You have instant access to your coins and can trade quickly.
Can store hundreds of different coins (multi-crypto wallets).
Disadvantages:
They are connected to the internet → more vulnerable to cyber attacks.
If your phone is compromised or you lose your seed phrase, you risk losing your funds.
📌 Who are they suitable for.
If you’re just starting out and you want to buy smaller amounts or make frequent transactions, a software wallet is the most practical choice.
Cold wallets
What they are: Physical devices (similar to a USB stick) that store cryptocurrencies offline. The most popular brands are Ledger and Trezor.
How it works: You connect your hardware wallet to your computer or phone only when you want to make a transaction. Otherwise, cryptocurrencies are completely offline.
Advantages:
Best security – being offline, they can’t be cyberattacked.
Only you keep your private key.
Can store multiple types of cryptocurrencies.
Disadvantages:
Requires an initial investment (around 400-700 RON).
Hard to use for beginners.
Transactions are not as fast as in software wallets.
📌 Who are they suitable for?
If you want to invest for the long term and hold larger amounts, a hardware wallet is the ideal choice.
How to choose the right option for you
Choosing a crypto wallet depends on your level of experience, how much you invest and how you want to use cryptocurrencies.
1. If you are a beginner investing small amounts
Choose a software wallet (Trust Wallet, Exodus, Muun). It’s free, easy to set up and allows you to buy and sell quickly.
2. If you invest for the long term and want maximum security
Choose a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor). It costs a few hundred lei, but gives you the best protection against hackers and fraud.
3. If you do frequent transactions and want convenience
You can combine the two options:
Keep a small amount in a software wallet (for quick purchases, payments, testing).
Move the big savings into a hardware wallet for the long term.
💡 Important Tip:
Whichever option you choose, the private key and seed phrase are the most important. Never share them and keep them offline in a safe place.
In conclusion:
Software wallets = fast, easy to use, but more vulnerable.
Hardware wallets = best security, but less convenient.
The best strategy for many users is a combination of both.
Top 3 crypto buying platforms in Romania (2025)
If you are just starting out and want to buy or sell cryptocurrencies, choosing the right platform is one of the most important steps. There are several options available in Romania, each with advantages and disadvantages. Below you will find a list of the most popular and trusted platforms Romanians are using in 2025.
1. Abarai – non-custodial, fast and transparent solution
Allows instant buying and selling of bitcoin and other currencies directly with your card.
The main advantage is that it’s non-custodial: the coins don’t stay on the platform, but go directly into your personal wallet.
Simple, beginner-friendly interface.
Fees are clearly displayed before the transaction → zero surprises.
📌 Recommended for: those who want to buy or sell instantly without hassle.
2. Bitcoin Romania – local exchange with tradition
One of the oldest platforms in Romania.
Offers both online transactions and crypto ATM network.
Accepts lei and euros for buying and selling.
More suitable for users who prefer a 100% local platform.
📌 Recommended for: those who also want the option of physical ATM withdrawal.
3. Binance – the #1 international platform
The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
Offers a huge range of coins, very high liquidity and low fees.
Allows both simple transactions (card purchases) and advanced instruments (futures, staking, lending).
Requires full KYC verification and can be complicated for beginners.
📌 Recommended for: more advanced users or those who want access to hundreds of cryptocurrencies.
Top 3 crypto selling platforms in Romania (2025)
If you’ve bought Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT or other cryptocurrencies, the next natural step is to know how to sell them and withdraw the money in lei. In Romania, there are several safe and fast options. Here are the best platforms for selling in 2025:
1. Abarai – instant sale, directly to your account
You can sell cryptocurrencies instantly and get the money quickly into your bank account or card.
Being a non-custodial platform, Abarai doesn’t store your coins – you send them from your personal wallet and receive lei in return.
Fees are transparently displayed, so you know exactly how much you’re getting before you complete the transaction.
📌 Recommended for: those who want to sell quickly, hassle-free, and get their money safely straight into the bank.
2. Tradesilvania – local exchange with Romanian language support
A Romanian platform with offices and dedicated customer support.
Allows selling bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies directly in lei.
You can make withdrawals via bank transfer and get support in Romanian.
The interface is simple and suitable even for those who have never sold crypto before.
📌 Recommended for: Romanians who want to work with a local company and have direct support in Romanian.
3. Crypto.com – easy selling via app + crypto card
One of the most popular international trading apps.
Allows selling crypto and withdrawing money to your bank account.
It also offers a crypto Visa card, with which you can directly spend cryptocurrencies converted into lei or euro.
The app is well optimized for mobile and very intuitive.
📌 Recommended for: users who prefer everything on their phone and also want to have the option to pay with the card directly from crypto.
Conclusion
Entering the world of cryptocurrencies can seem complicated at first, especially when you hear daily about scams or unsafe platforms. However, with the right information and a little care, the process of buying, selling and storing bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies becomes much simpler and safer.
Together we have looked at what cryptocurrencies are and how they work, which are the safest ways to buy Bitcoin as a beginner, how to choose the right digital wallet (software or hardware), but also which are the trusted platforms for Romanians in 2025.
📌 In a nutshell:
If you’re just starting out, a software wallet and a secure platform are sufficient for your first purchases.
If you’re investing for the long term and the amounts grow, a hardware wallet offers the highest level of security.
For fast and transparent transactions, choose regulated platforms and avoid “too good to be true” promises.
In Romania, you have a variety of solutions available, from international exchanges to local platforms. Among these, Abarai stands out as a non-custodial and transparent solution where you can buy and sell bitcoin instantly and the cryptocurrency goes straight into your wallet.