Your first €100 in crypto: the complete step-by-step plan (2026)
Starting small is the smartest start. From zero to your first crypto in six steps — safe, regulated and without unnecessary costs.
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. This is the complete step-by-step plan.
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, €10 in free crypto via our link) or a full exchange with low costs like Finst (flat 0.15%, €20 bonus on signup). 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.