Buy Bitcoin with Barclays
[✓] last verified 2026-01-28·Reviewed by BankToBTC Team
Data from bank docs & FCA registers · How we verify · Report an error
Blocks Binance but allows FCA-registered exchanges.
Crypto Compatibility Score: 57/100 (Fair)
Score Breakdown:
- Payment methods: 25/35 pts — fast deposit rails available
- Bank transfer reliability: 19/25 pts
- Limits: 12/20 pts
- Cost: 8/10 pts
- Evidence: 7/10 pts
- Penalties: -4 pts
- Crypto policy: Restrictive policy (-10)
Supported payment methods: faster-payments, chaps
Last verified:
Quick Verdict
Barclays doesn't offer crypto, you'll need an FCA-registered exchange. Use Faster Payments from the Barclays app with a £10,000 monthly limit and £2,500 per transaction cap. Card payments to crypto merchants are blocked.
- [✗]
Can you buy Bitcoin in the app?
No, use an external exchange
- [✓]
Can you fund an exchange?
Yes, but with restrictions
- [›]
Best funding method
Faster Payments
- [!]
Potential issue
£10,000 monthly limit plus £2,500 per transaction cap
Top Exchanges for Barclays
Step-by-step guide to buying Bitcoin with Barclays
Barclays customers usually buy Bitcoin by sending Faster Payments to an FCA registered exchange. Follow our guide below.
- Pick an FCA-registered exchange
Choose an exchange registered with the FCA to reduce payment friction and improve payment traceability. - Create your exchange account
Sign up, set a strong password, and enable two factor authentication. - Complete identity verification
Verify your identity so you can deposit and trade. - Get the exchange bank details
In the deposit section, select Faster Payments and note the sort code, account number, and your payment reference. - Send a Faster Payments transfer in the Barclays app
Open the Barclays app, tap Pay and Transfer then Bank transfer, add the exchange as a new payee, and confirm the payment with biometric or PIN; enter the reference exactly. - Wait for funds to arrive
Faster Payments often arrive within minutes, but new payees can be held for extra checks or confirmation prompts. - Purchase Bitcoin
Once your deposit is credited, place your BTC order. - Secure your Bitcoin
For long term holding, withdraw BTC to a personal wallet.
[!] Troubleshooting
- If card payments to crypto merchants are declined, switch to Faster Payments from the Barclays app.
- If a new payee fails, check Confirmation of Payee details and re-enter the recipient name exactly as provided.
- If a transfer is pending, wait for Barclays fraud checks to clear and avoid multiple rapid retries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy Bitcoin with a Barclays account?
Yes, usually by sending a Faster Payment from the Barclays app to an FCA-registered exchange. Barclays has introduced card restrictions for crypto merchants, so bank transfer is the dependable route for most people. If a payment is stopped, it is normally a fraud or payee-check issue rather than a technical failure at the exchange.
Why does Barclays show a card limit of £0 for crypto exchanges?
Barclays has set card restrictions for payments to crypto exchanges and crypto merchants, including a £0 limit for certain card payment routes. If you want to fund an exchange, use a Faster Payment instead of trying to force it through by card.
How do I add an exchange as a new payee in the Barclays app without a name mismatch?
Use the exact beneficiary details shown inside the exchange deposit screen, including sort code and account number. When Confirmation of Payee runs, a mismatch warning often means the payee name you typed does not match the bank records for that account, so re-check the exact legal name the exchange provides and try again.
What is the Barclays online payment limit for a first time transfer to an exchange?
Barclays sets channel-based limits for online and app payments, and these can differ for new payees. Check your current limit in the Barclays app before you try a large first deposit, and raise it in advance if you plan to move more than the default allows.
When should I use CHAPS from Barclays instead of Faster Payments for a crypto deposit?
If you are moving a large amount and your Faster Payment limit is too low, CHAPS can be useful because it is designed for high value same day payments. Barclays charges for CHAPS and you normally need to submit it during business hours, so most routine exchange deposits still make more sense on Faster Payments.
Is a Barclays bank transfer more reliable than trying to pay an exchange with a Barclaycard?
Right now, yes. Card routes are where Barclays has the clearest crypto restrictions, while Faster Payments is the normal funding rail for UK exchanges. If a bank transfer fails, it is often because of payee setup, Confirmation of Payee, or a fraud hold that needs a quick verification.
Evidence & Verification
This page references 4 sources: Barclays Crypto Card Policy, Barclays Faster Payments, Confirmation of Payee. Information was compiled from official sources and user reports.
Sources:
How we verify · Report an error
Information can change without notice. Always verify current policies directly with your bank and exchange before making transactions.