Okay, onwards… Adding funds to Coinbase is the next step before being able to purchase Bitcoin.
When you first log in to Coinbase you will be presented with your ‘dashboard’. This gives you a quick overview of all your cryptocurrency, which is stored with Coinbase.
Coinbase dashboard.
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Coinbase makes it very easy to add funds, but first you have to link your bank account, PayPal address or debit/credit card with them.
In the top right corner you will see a blue button that says ‘Trade’ – Next to it is a bell icon for your notifications (this is where you can find any important messages to you from Coinbase). Right beside the bell icon is a blank person image, this is your account area.
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Click on the blank person image and a drop down should appear. From this drop down you will need to click ‘Settings’. This is your profile area and where you can find all the important things for your account.
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Profile settings.
If you want to replace the blank person image with your own you can upload one here – Smile!
Once you’re happy with the way everything looks on your profile you can then link an account for payments to your Coinbase account. Navigate on the top menu to ‘Payment methods’. When this is clicked you will be presented with a blank page with an option in the right corner to ‘Add a payment method’.
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Adding a payment method.
Click ‘Add a payment method’ and this will now show you all the accounts that can be added to your Coinbase account. They are PayPal (Add your PayPal email address), Euro Bank Accounts, SWIFT Account, UK Bank Account or Credit/Debit Card.
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How you choose to deposit funds is completely up to you. I currently use my UK bank account.
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Note: It appears I can currently add a PayPal address to withdraw only. This restriction may not be the same for your region.
Once you have added your accounts it is time to transfer some funds, here’s how.
For ease, I will only be explaining how to add British Pounds, however it is the same for all currencies but you will have to click the appropriate options.
At the top of the screen on the top menu click ‘Portfolio’.
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Portfolio – First view.
Your portfolio will display all your available wallets, which for now will probably be empty.
At the lower part of this screen you will need to select the asset you wish to deposit. In my case British Pounds.
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Using an asset’s wallet.
Click on the asset you wish to add. Your asset’s wallet will be displayed and on the right you will see ‘Deposit’ tab – click the option.
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For transferring British Pounds you’re currently given 2 options. The first is ‘UK Bank Account’ and the second is ‘Swift Bank Account’. Choose whichever you have setup previously in your account area.
You will be presented with a yellow warning box asking you to make a note of your ‘Reference code’. Write this down or copy it, this is very important to ensure the transaction doesn’t get rejected or lost in the system.
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To proceed past this point you have to verify that you have copied this code. Click the check box next to the words ‘I’ve copied or written down my Reference Number’ – The blue continue button will then highlight.
Next: The really important bit.
Transferring money to Coinbase.
You will now need to log in to your online banking.
From your bank account you will need to go to the section which says something like ‘Payments and transfers’. From here you will need to choose who to pay, click to ‘Pay someone new’.
On this screen with your bank you will need to add Coinbase as a person you’re going to pay. Add Coinbase’s details exactly as they appear on you Coinbase screen. Once this is done you will be setup to transfer funds.
If you’re unsure on how to do this bit with your bank please use this link to The Money Advice Service, which explains the process.
So, when done you can now go ahead and tranfer funds to coinbase.
IMPORTANT: Add the reference number to the transfer from your bank account. When Coinbase receive funds they must know who sent it and who to credit the funds to, without this things can get very complicated.
Now return to Coinbase and click the link ‘I’ve sent the funds’ this updates their system, which will now expect the transfer.
The transfer will take a little time, sometimes a few hours, but normally quicker.
When it has been processed, and ready in your Coinbase account to use, you will get an email from Coinbase telling you they have received your funds. The amount you transfer will show up on your Coinbase dashboard when completed.
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Step 1: Setting up a Coinbase account.
Step 2: Money transfer complete, with NO fees. Happy days!
Step 3: Buying your first Bitcoin!