Buy Bitcoin with HSBC UK

[✓] last verified 2026-01-28·Reviewed by BankToBTC Team

Data from bank docs & FCA registers · How we verify · Report an error

Allows transfers with £10K/month limit. Credit cards blocked.

Supported payment methods: faster-payments, chaps

Last verified: Jan 28, 2026

Top Exchanges for HSBC UK

• Kraken
• Coinbase
• eToro

Step-by-step guide to buying Bitcoin with HSBC UK

With HSBC UK, the route is Faster Payments into an FCA registered exchange within policy limits. See the steps below.

1. Pick an FCA-registered exchange
   Use an FCA-registered exchange and plan deposits that fit HSBC limits to avoid blocks.
2. Create your exchange account
   Register and enable two factor authentication.
3. Complete identity verification
   Verify your identity so you can deposit.
4. Collect Faster Payments details and reference
   In the deposit screen, select Faster Payments and copy the sort code, account number, and payment reference.
5. Send using the HSBC UK app
   Open the HSBC UK app, go to Payments then Pay someone new, add the payee, and confirm with Secure Key or biometric; keep deposits within £2,500 per transaction and £10,000 per 30 days.
6. Wait for funds to arrive
   Faster Payments can arrive in minutes, but first time crypto related transfers may trigger extra questions or temporary holds.
7. Purchase Bitcoin
   Buy BTC once the deposit is credited.
8. Secure your Bitcoin
   Consider a personal wallet if you want to hold outside the exchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy Bitcoin with HSBC UK?

Yes, but HSBC UK applies specific crypto payment limits. HSBC caps payments to crypto exchanges at £2,500 per transaction and £10,000 in any rolling 30-day period, so large buys may need to be staged over time. Use Faster Payments to a regulated exchange and expect scam prompts on first time transfers.

What are HSBC UK’s crypto limits for exchange payments, and do they apply to Faster Payments too?

HSBC applies a £2,500 per transaction limit and a £10,000 rolling 30-day limit for payments to crypto exchanges. These limits are not just a card thing, they also apply when HSBC identifies a payment as going to a crypto exchange.

Does HSBC Premier increase the £10,000 rolling crypto cap?

No. HSBC describes the crypto limits as a policy control rather than an account tier benefit, so Premier status does not remove the £2,500 per transaction and £10,000 rolling 30-day caps for crypto exchange payments.

How do I set up an HSBC payee for a UK exchange without triggering Confirmation of Payee warnings?

Use the payee details exactly as shown in the exchange deposit instructions, then let Confirmation of Payee run. If the check returns a mismatch, do not guess the name, go back to the exchange and copy the beneficiary name and reference format they provide.

Why did HSBC delay my first £500 crypto transfer even though it is under £2,500?

Amount is only one signal. New payee payments and anything that looks like a scam pattern can be paused for verification, especially under APP scam controls. If HSBC prompts you, follow the in-app steps or call the number inside your HSBC app, not one from a text message.

Is HSBC CHAPS still worth using for large exchange deposits now that HSBC made CHAPS free?

CHAPS can help for high value, time-sensitive payments in business hours, but HSBC’s crypto caps still apply if the destination is a crypto exchange. HSBC has removed the CHAPS fee for many customers, but it will not bypass the £2,500 and £10,000 crypto controls.

Evidence & Verification

This page references 4 sources: HSBC UK Crypto Policy, Confirmation of Payee, APP Fraud Rules. Information was compiled from official sources and user reports.

Sources:

• HSBC UK Crypto Policy
• Confirmation of Payee
• APP Fraud Rules
• FCA Cryptoasset Register

How we verify · Report an error

Information can change without notice. Always verify current policies directly with your bank and exchange before making transactions.