Buy Bitcoin with Santander UK

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

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

Low limits: £1K/transaction, £3K/month.

Supported payment methods: faster-payments

Last verified: Jan 28, 2026

Top Exchanges for Santander UK

• Kraken
• Coinbase
• eToro

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

The easiest way to buy Bitcoin with Santander UK is Faster Payments to an FCA registered exchange. Use the steps below to begin.

1. Pick an FCA-registered exchange
   Choose an FCA-registered exchange and keep transfers under Santander UK caps to avoid blocks.
2. Create your exchange account
   Register and set up two factor authentication.
3. Complete identity verification
   Verify identity so deposits and withdrawals are enabled.
4. Get payee details and reference
   Select Faster Payments and note the sort code, account number, and reference.
5. Send via the Santander UK app
   Open the Santander UK app, go to Payments then Pay a new payee, add the exchange details, and approve; keep under £1,000 per transaction and £3,000 over 30 days.
6. Wait for funds to arrive
   Faster Payments are often minutes, but first time recipients can trigger extra checks and delays.
7. Purchase Bitcoin
   Buy BTC once your balance is credited.
8. Secure your Bitcoin
   Move BTC to a wallet if you plan to hold long term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy Bitcoin with Santander UK?

Yes, but Santander UK applies crypto payment limits and has restricted payments to Binance. Santander states it limits payments to crypto exchanges to £1,000 per transaction and £3,000 in a rolling 30-day period, across multiple payment channels. Faster Payments to regulated exchanges still works for many customers as long as you stay inside those caps.

Do Santander 123 and Santander Edge accounts get higher crypto limits?

No, the crypto limits are a policy control rather than a benefit of 123 or Edge tiers. Santander describes the limits as applying across the relevant payment methods regardless of the current account branding.

Why does Santander decline Binance payments but still let me transfer to other exchanges?

Santander has stated it stopped allowing payments to Binance, while still permitting payments to other crypto exchanges subject to its limits. If Binance is the destination, expect a decline even if the amount is small.

Does Santander’s £3,000 rolling limit apply to Open Banking deposits too?

Yes. Santander explains that its limits apply across several channels, including certain bank transfer and Open Banking style payments when they are identified as going to crypto exchanges. If you are close to the rolling cap, an Open Banking deposit can fail the same way a manual Faster Payment would.

How do I avoid a Santander Confirmation of Payee mismatch when paying an exchange?

Copy the beneficiary name exactly as the exchange shows it. If Santander shows a mismatch prompt, pause and re-check the exchange deposit instructions rather than guessing. A mismatch does not always mean fraud, but it is a strong sign the details are not identical.

Santander transfer timing: Faster Payments vs CHAPS for exchange funding

Faster Payments are usually the quickest for normal deposits and are designed for near real time transfers when both banks participate. CHAPS is intended for high value same day payments in business hours and Santander lists its CHAPS fee, but CHAPS will not bypass Santander’s crypto caps if the payee is a crypto exchange.

Evidence & Verification

This page references 4 sources: Santander UK Crypto Policy, Confirmation of Payee, Santander Source. Information was compiled from official sources and user reports.

Sources:

• Santander UK Crypto Policy
• Confirmation of Payee
• Santander Source
• 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.