Your first €100 in crypto: how to go about it
€100 is plenty to get started. Where to put that money, how to keep costs down and what to do, and not do, in your first month.
You don't need thousands of euros to start with crypto — in fact, starting small is the wisest route. With €100 you learn how buying, storing and selling work, while a mistake costs you at most a few tens of euros in tuition. Below is what to do with exactly that amount. Want the basics first, from choosing an exchange to storing safely? Start with our crypto for beginners guide.
Step 1: choose a regulated platform
Since 1 July 2026, only platforms with a European CASP licence (MiCA) may serve EU clients. So always choose from that pool. For a first purchase two routes make sense: a super-simple app like Blox (AFM-authorised, with a welcome offer via our link) or a full exchange with low costs like Finst (flat 0.15%, with a welcome offer for new customers). In doubt? Use our comparison tool.
Step 2: account + identity check (10 minutes)
Registering works like at a bank: email, password and a KYC check with your ID. That's not hassle but a sign the platform is regulated. Enable 2FA with an authenticator app right away — not via SMS.
Step 3: deposit via SEPA
It's free or nearly free. Avoid card payments: they easily cost 1.5–6% extra — on €100 that's a few euros thrown away immediately.
Step 4: make your first purchase
For your first €100, bitcoin or ethereum is the logical choice: the most liquid and least manipulable markets. Feel free to buy in two or three portions instead of all at once — you'll experience how price swings feel without it getting tense.
Step 5: leave it alone and watch for a month
The biggest beginner mistake is panic-selling at the first dip. Make a deal with yourself: for the first month you do nothing. Follow the news (for example via our news section) and see how you react to -10% and +10%.
Step 6: build a routine
Enjoying it? Then consider automatic periodic buying (DCA) instead of large one-off purchases — most platforms support recurring buys. And if your holdings grow beyond a few hundred euros, look into self-custody with a hardware wallet.
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Frequently asked questions
Isn't €100 too little?
No. Virtually all platforms have minimums of €1–€10. The goal of your first purchase is learning, not returns.
Which coin should I buy?
This article is not buying advice. Bitcoin and ethereum are the most established markets; everything beyond that requires more research and carries higher risks.
Do I have to pay tax?
Rules differ per country; in the Netherlands crypto counts in box 3. Keep your transaction history from day one.
Sources: Blox, Finst, AFM. Last checked: 13 July 2026.