How to Buy Cryptocurrency with Apple Pay in Europe

How Apple Pay Works for Crypto Purchases

Apple Pay functions as a card-equivalent payment at crypto exchanges. When you select it at checkout, the exchange processes the transaction through your linked Visa or Mastercard debit card in Apple Wallet. Apple Pay itself charges no fee. The cost is the exchange's card purchase rate.

Two fully MiCA-licensed exchanges accept Apple Pay across all EU member states: Coinbase, licensed via the Central Bank of Ireland (Coinbase, 2025), and Kraken, which received its MiCA licence via Ireland in June 2025 (Kraken, 2025). Coinbase works via both the mobile app and Safari on macOS and iPhone. Kraken supports Apple Pay in the mobile app only, not the desktop site. For users who want to send crypto directly to an external wallet, MoonPay is an on-ramp service that also accepts Apple Pay and delivers crypto to MetaMask or Trust Wallet.

One clarification: the Coinbase Card (their own debit card product) cannot be added to Apple Pay in the EU. To use Apple Pay on Coinbase, link your own bank's Visa or Mastercard to Apple Wallet.

Step-by-Step: Buying Crypto with Apple Pay

Step 1: Choose a Platform

Coinbase and Kraken are both MiCA-licensed and accept Apple Pay across Europe. Choose Coinbase for access to 200+ assets and a simple custody setup. Choose Kraken for a 3.75% card purchase fee and a broader range of trading pairs.

Step 2: Create an Account and Verify Your Identity

All regulated European exchanges require identity verification (KYC) before any purchase. Upload a government-issued ID and complete a selfie check. Verification typically completes in minutes but can take longer during peak periods. Have your ID ready before you start.

Step 3: Select a Cryptocurrency and Enter the Amount

Choose your asset: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) are available on both platforms. Enter the purchase amount in euros. Review the fee breakdown and exchange rate before confirming. Both are locked at the moment of confirmation.

Step 4: Choose Apple Pay at the Payment Screen

At checkout, select Apple Pay from the available payment options. On Coinbase, it appears in both the app and Safari. On Kraken, it is available in the mobile app only. Apple Pay surfaces automatically when a Visa or Mastercard is linked in your Apple Wallet.

Step 5: Authenticate and Confirm

Use Face ID or Touch ID to authorise the payment. Crypto is credited to your account within seconds for most assets. Kraken applies a 72-hour withdrawal hold after your first Apple Pay purchase: you own the crypto but cannot transfer it off-exchange during that period (Kraken, 2025).

Fees, Limits, and Availability

Apple Pay purchases carry higher fees than bank transfers. Coinbase charges approximately 3% for card and Apple Pay purchases in Europe (Coinbase, 2025). Kraken charges 3.75% for card payments including Apple Pay (Kraken, 2025). MoonPay's Apple Pay top-up to its balance is free, but buying crypto from that balance costs 1% to 4.5% depending on asset and country (MoonPay, 2025). Bank transfers cost less but take several business days.

Apple Pay crypto purchases are available across all 27 EU member states, Norway, Iceland, and most other EEA countries. Both Coinbase and Kraken cover the full EU under their MiCA licences. If your bank declines the transaction, try a Wise or N26 debit card linked to Apple Pay.