Buy Bitcoin with Starling Bank

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

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

BLOCKS ALL crypto transfers and card payments since Nov 2022.

Last verified: Jan 28, 2026

Top Exchanges for Starling Bank

• Kraken
• Coinbase
• eToro

Step-by-step guide to buying Bitcoin with Starling Bank

If Starling allows it, Faster Payments to an FCA registered exchange is the usual path. Follow along to get set up.

1. Confirm Starling personal account limits
   Starling blocks crypto payments by card and bank transfer on personal accounts.
2. Consider a different bank account
   To fund an exchange, use a different UK bank that allows crypto payments.
3. Pick an FCA-registered exchange
   If using another bank, choose an FCA-registered exchange for smoother transfers.
4. Create your exchange account
   Register and enable two factor authentication.
5. Complete identity verification
   Verify your identity so deposits are enabled.
6. Fund from a different account
   Send a Faster Payments transfer from a bank that supports crypto payments.
7. Purchase Bitcoin
   Buy BTC once the deposit is credited.
8. Secure your Bitcoin
   Withdraw to a personal wallet if you want self custody.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy Bitcoin with Starling Bank?

No. Starling says it no longer supports the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies by debit card or bank transfer, including GBP bank transfers and other currency bank transfers. If you need to fund a crypto exchange, you will typically need to use another bank account.

Why did Starling decline my crypto transfer after it worked for months?

Starling has made a policy decision to stop supporting crypto buying and selling transactions. If Starling identifies the destination as a crypto exchange or crypto merchant, it can decline it even if you previously made similar payments successfully.

Can I use Starling Spaces or the Connected Card feature to pay a crypto exchange anyway?

No. Spaces and Connected Cards are budgeting and card routing tools, but Starling’s crypto restriction is about the merchant or payee category. If Starling does not support crypto purchases, routing the same payment from a Space will not change the outcome.

Could Starling’s euro account be used to SEPA transfer to a European exchange as a workaround?

Starling’s euro account supports SEPA transfers, but Starling also states it does not support crypto buying and selling by bank transfer in other currencies. So a SEPA route is not a reliable workaround if the destination is still a crypto exchange.

What are Starling euro account transfer limits for high value payments?

Starling states you can send up to €250,000 in a single transfer from your personal euro account, and up to €500,000 per day in total. These limits are useful for normal euro payments, but they do not override Starling’s crypto restrictions.

How fast are Faster Payments at Starling when the payee is not a crypto exchange?

Starling explains the Faster Payments scheme supports up to £1,000,000 per transaction at the scheme level, and Starling applies its own account limits. If Starling needs more information to approve a high value payment, it may contact you in-app.

Evidence & Verification

This page references 4 sources: Starling Crypto Policy, Starling Source, Starling Source. Information was compiled from official sources and user reports.

Sources:

• Starling Crypto Policy
• Starling Source
• Starling 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.