How To Buy Ethereum in NZ 2024

Ethereum (ETH) was launched in 2013 by Russian-Canadian software developer Vitalik Buterin. Besides mining more efficiently than Bitcoin, this new type of blockchain allows for more complex contracts than those possible with Bitcoin’s scripting language, using less energy and time.

When it comes to making a wise and informed decision to buy Ethereum, you need to find the right broker or exchange. With our guide on how to buy Ethereum in NZ 2022, you’ll learn which exchanges and brokers are best, along with fees and features, as well as an overview of the second-highest cryptocurrency in market capitalization.

What Is Ethereum?

The Ethereum platform is a blockchain-based platform with its native cryptocurrency, ether, ETH. Ethereum is secure because the blockchain technology is distributed, and that security allows ETH to accumulate value.
Due to its decentralized nature, Ethereum is considered a secure network. Any one individual or organization does not own the Ethereum network. Additionally, there is no backing for this cryptocurrency from a government or nation-state.

The Ethereum blockchain network is maintained by thousands of computers worldwide, and any changes to the blockchain require consensus or majority approval. Obtaining control of a majority of Ethereum’s computing power would require an individual or group of network participants to manipulate the Ethereum blockchain – an impossible or extremely difficult task.

In addition to supporting ether, Ethereum also provides a network of decentralized apps known as dApps. The Ethereum platform is based on smart contracts, a central component of how it works. This allows two or more parties to agree without needing to trust one another. Several decentralized finance (DeFi) and other applications use smart contracts in conjunction with blockchain technology.

Blockchain technology is employed by Ethereum as well as other cryptocurrencies. All information about each block is accessible to each member of the blockchain network. By accessing the blockchain as an electronic ledger, distributed consensus can be created and maintained.
In addition to new blocks being added to Ethereum’s blockchain with each Ethereum transaction, coins minted, and smart contracts executed, Ethereum DApps are also running.

New Zealanders primarily purchase ETH on a speculative basis. Like other popular digital assets such as Bitcoin, people invest in this digital currency, hoping to make money from it. If you later sell the coins for a higher amount than you paid, you will be able to do this.

5 Places To Buy Ethereum In NZ – Reviewed

1. Plus500 – Best Trading Platform To Buy Ethereum For Experienced Traders

Another interesting alternative to investing in Ethereum in New Zealand is Plus 500. Almost at the same time that Plus500 was launched, cryptocurrency was introduced into the exchange. For instance, the company launched Bitcoin CFDs in 2013 as the first in the world. As the platform continues to grow, several new cryptocurrencies have been added to its brokerage.

The non-availability of the underlying asset is important when trading crypto with Plus500. Ethereum, for instance, cannot be owned. This is because the exchange is primarily a CFD platform. So rather than owning cryptocurrencies, you merely speculate on their prices.

There are around 11 cryptocurrency CFDs available, including ETH. Even though there aren’t many, traders have leveraged them to profit from the smallest price changes in crypto assets. It is also worth mentioning that its platform runs over a no-commission structure. In other words, you only need to pay a spread when trading Ethereum.

Plus500 has won numerous awards for its user-friendly app, which is praised for its simplicity, power, and attractive design. In addition to bank wire transfers, debit/credit cards, and e-wallets, Plus500 supports PayPal and several e-wallet providers.

It is a highly suited platform for experienced investors since it has endless features, such as economic calendars, risk management, price alerts, guides, ebooks, market news, and perspectives.

Pros:

Your capital is at risk.

2. IG – Exceptional Trading Platform To Trade Ethereum in NZ With Spread Betting

The broker was founded in 1974 in the UK, making it one of the oldest in the sector. In terms of supply, more than 17,000 markets are available, including eight cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Bitcoin.

Additionally, you can trade a digital currency index through the IG cryptocurrency department. The list consists of 10 of the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Bitcoin and Ethereum dominate the index, as they are the most heavily weighted. However, this allows you to earn exposure to more than one coin at a time.

Although IG is not a traditional crypto Ethereum broker, its educational materials and crypto trading options are very helpful for beginners. IG also offers a vast range of analytical and charting tools, allowing even more experienced traders to perform complete trades. In addition, IG’s platform will include MetaTrader and several utilities and applications developed by the company.

In crypto trading, you have two options with IG: CFD trading and spread betting, the latter being the option available for New Zealand traders. Trading differs greatly from buying crypto on an exchange since neither of these types of trading allows you to own the underlying asset.

Pros:

Your capital is at risk.

3. Crypto.com – Best Place For New Zealanders To Buy ETH With FIAT Currency

If you’re interested in buying Ethereum in New Zealand, you should consider Crypto.com. In the past year, Crypto.com has been one of the fastest-growing cryptocurrency exchange sites. With NZD deposits supported on the Crypto.com platform, users can trade over 250 coins.

If you’re experienced with scalping and day trading, you can also margin trade perpetual futures pairs with leverage.

The Crypto.com mobile app and the online platform are both options for making your purchase. However, you’ll have to pay 0.4% each time you buy or sell a cryptocurrency if you choose the second option. In addition, if you pay with CRO, Crypto.com’s native token, this fee can be reduced by 10%.

You can, however, instantly invest in Ethereum with a credit or debit card if you use Crypto.com’s app. Unfortunately, when buying ETH with a debit card, you will be charged a 2.99% fee, which is more expensive than on an exchange. Nevertheless, Crypto.com’s first 30 days are free for first-time users.

Additionally, you can deposit FIAT currencies (including NZD) for free and exchange them for ETH on Crypto.com. In addition to investing, Crypto.com provides staking services and a marketplace for NFTs. Additionally, you can earn cashback rewards with the platform’s crypto credit card.

Pros:

Your capital is at risk.

4. Swyftx – Best Way To Buy Ethereum In New Zealand Without Minimum Deposit

Swyftx is also a reliable option for anyone looking to buy Ethereum in NZ. Swyftx can be used to trade over 320 crypto-assets and accepts New Zealand-based clients. Since Swyftx offers free deposits and withdrawals, its fees are relatively low. A variable spread is added to each trade by Swyftx on top of a 0.6% trading fee per transaction.

Spreads on Swyftx can be as low as 0.41%, making it a competitive Ethereum broker. Aside from bank transfers, Swyftx accepts credit cards, debit cards, PayID, and POLi. In addition, AUSTRAC registration ensures compliance and credibility with the company, and Swyftx does not have a minimum deposit threshold.

Pros:

Your capital is at risk.

5. Easycrypto – Best New Zealand-based Trading Platform For Invest In Ethereum

Traders can purchase and sell digital coins instantly and securely through Easy Crypto, one of New Zealand’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. In 2017, Janine and Alan Grainger founded it intending to create an easy way for Australians and New Zealanders to trade digital assets.

Easy Crypto is not only supporting the growth of the digital currency market in New Zealand but also South Africa and Australia. Using AUD, NZD, and ZAR fiat currencies, it offers a range of deposit methods for over 44 cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum. Despite its simplicity and elegance, the platform is extremely user-friendly. Cryptocurrencies can be banked directly to the exchange account, cold-storage accounts, or existing crypto wallets.

With Easy Crypto, users can purchase cryptocurrency smoothly and securely since it is one of the safest platforms in New Zealand. Furthermore, the cryptocurrency exchange has taken several precautionary measures to ensure the safety and security of its users’ funds, including two-factor authentication.

Easy Crypto is a regulated and licensed exchange registered with AUSTRAC. This regulatory institution enforces financial laws and minimizes the risk of cybercriminals, terrorist financiers, and money launderers using cryptocurrency platforms for their crimes.

Easy Crypto accepts POLi Payments and bank transfers for instant depositing of funds. All orders at Easy Crypto are subject to a 0.9% trading fee. However, when you apply the Discount Tier that starts at $1000, this percentage drops to as low as 0.7%. Therefore, Easy Crypto’s fee structure is transparent. No hidden charges are present.

Pros:

Your capital is at risk.

The Ethereum 2.0 Merge: What Does It Mean?

Ethereum 2.0 is the next version of the Ethereum blockchain. With the upgrade, the Ethereum network will be faster, more efficient, and more scalable, so more transactions can be processed simultaneously and bottlenecks can be avoided.

There is congestion and delays due to the current Ethereum network’s capacity of only 30 transactions per second. Instead, transactions can be processed at a rate of 100,000 per second with Ethereum 2.0, which far exceeds entities such as Visa, MasterCard, or Paypal. The implementation of shard chains will make it possible to accomplish this.

Due to Ethereum’s incompatibility with micropayments, no matter how many tokens are transferred, the average transaction fee is $4.
However, with the upgrade to the 2.0 version, Ethereum 2.0 is expected to reduce transaction costs almost to zero.

As opposed to Ethereum 1.0, which uses a proof-of-work consensus mechanism, Ethereum 2.0 will use a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism.

In the current system, mining involves solving complex mathematical puzzles and verifying new transactions using a machine’s power. Blockchain transactions are added to the record of all transactions by the first miner to solve a puzzle. The network’s native cryptocurrency is then given to them as a reward. However, this process demands a lot of energy since miners who didn’t solve the puzzle waste their processing power.

By contrast, with Proof of Stake, users can stake a network’s native cryptocurrency and become validators without relying on miners. Like miners, validators confirm transactions to ensure that no fraudulent transactions are processed. Their selection is based on how much and long they have staked crypto.

PoS decouples energy-intensive computer processing from the consensus algorithm, making it much more energy-efficient than PoW. Furthermore, blockchain security does not require a lot of computing power.

Security has been a priority when designing Ethereum 2.0. A PoS network with a small number of validators has a lower level of security than other types of networks. However, due to the minimum number of 16,384 validators required by Ethereum 2.0, the system is considerably more decentralized and, therefore, much more secure.

In December 2020, the first Ethereum 2.0’s upgrade known as the Beacon Chain went live. In an effort to move to a PoS consensus mechanism, the Beacon Chain introduced native staking to the Ethereum blockchain.

Phase two, the “Merge,” is expected in the second quarter of 2022, and it will combine the Ethereum mainnet with the beacon chain.

As part of the final phase, Ethereum’s network will be scaled with shard chains. Shard chains spread operations across 64 new chains rather than settling on one blockchain. Furthermore, since there will be fewer data to store on a given machine, running an Ethereum node will become much easier from a hardware perspective.

Following the Ethereum Foundation, the full upgrade to Ethereum 2.0 is expected in 2023.

Things To Consider When Buying Ethereum

Payment Methods

Cryptocurrency providers are constantly improving their platforms to make digital assets more accessible.

If you aren’t sure which payment method to use when buying Ethereum today, here are the most common methods for buying cryptocurrency in New Zealand today.

Buying Ethereum with PayPal

 

With PayPal, you can buy Ethereum easily. In addition, people can now directly invest in ETH using PayPal’s interface as a fully-featured crypto platform. Unfortunately, New Zealand is not one of the countries that offer this service.

New Zealanders with PayPal accounts can still buy Ethereum using a crypto exchange or trading platform that accepts PayPal deposits. But, of course, you have to use a reputable one.

Buy Ethereum with Credit Card or Debit Card

 

Cryptocurrencies can be bought with a debit/credit card, almost like any other online purchase.

Consequently, you can use this payment option to make your purchase if you need to buy Ethereum in New Zealand. Usually, there are two ways to achieve this:

• Direct purchases of Ethereum with credit/debit cards
• Using a credit/debit card to fund your trading account, then buying Ethereum with that balance

If you choose the first option, you can purchase Ethereum on most platforms by entering the number of tokens and your credit card information. Although it is quicker and does not require a deposit, it isn’t the cheapest way to buy Ethereum due to the high transaction fees applied by some exchanges.

In contrast, the latter option usually costs less, but you must fund your account manually.

Market Research And Analysis

The first step after deciding where to buy Ethereum in New Zealand is to assess whether this cryptocurrency would make an outstanding addition to your portfolio from an investment perspective.

There’s no avoiding the fact that buying Ethereum can be risky. However, even though all investments carry some risk, cryptocurrencies are particularly prone to price fluctuations.

Therefore, it’s essential to research before investing in something volatile like Ether and ensure that your finances are in proper order. An ideal case would be to have a large emergency fund, max out your retirement accounts, and have a low level of debt. However, despite checking all those boxes, investing in Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies should only make up a small portion of your portfolio.

Because of this, when you invest in Ether, it’s imperative to consider your risk tolerance and your overall investment portfolio’s diversity and stability. For instance, ETH can help investors with a low tolerance for risk wide their portfolios. However, Ethereum is generally problematic for risk-averse investors because it is a highly volatile asset.

As any other asset, Ethereum’s price will rise and fall every second. The ultimate goal of this strategy would be to buy Ethereum at a low price and then sell the tokens at a higher price later. If you purchase Ethereum at $4,000 and cash out at $8,000, you will have made a 100% profit.

The exact price of Ethereum will likely vary slightly across exchanges, but the difference will be very small. It is simply a matter of market forces that determine Ethereum’s price. Because more buyers are in the market, Ethereum’s value will rise and vice versa.

It is also worth mentioning that investing in cryptocurrencies, in general, should never exceed what you can afford to lose.

Crypto Wallet Security

Once you have figured out how to buy Ethereum and complete the purchase, another thing to figure out is where to store it.

However, choosing your Ethereum wallet wisely is imperative since each will offer a different blend of convenience and security. Wallets differ according to their intended use cases, so choosing one that suits your needs makes sense.

As far as Ethereum wallets are concerned, there are plenty of choices, including mobile apps, desktop software, and hardware.

For instance, storing your cryptocurrency in an exchange account’s custodial wallet is not wise unless you regularly make cryptocurrency transactions or only have a modest amount of money. Instead, hardware wallets are best for offline storage, and a noncustodial software wallet or app should be your alternative choice in this case.

When picking an Ethereum wallet, reputation is also a key factor to keep in mind. An established wallet provider should offer a reliable and secure service since it has built a name for itself.

Finding a wallet with two authentication factors is equally essential when choosing a reliable service to store your ETHs. If you want a secure wallet, you should set up multisig transactions.

Keeping your digital wallet secure is imperative, but it shouldn’t be so complicated that you can’t access it. Everyone forgets a password from time to time. You should create a strong password for your crypto wallet since it does not come with a “forgot password” link.

Additionally, mobile and desktop defense should be considered since your digital assets are most secure when you secure your devices. as one weak link can compromise the entire system. Keep your crypto wallet email account protected and prevent remote viruses from being downloaded to your device.

Broker Fees

Choosing a secure Ethereum trading platform and ensuring your preferred markets are available is critical, but you must also research any fees associated with the platform. When using a debit or credit card to deposit funds, many platforms in this space overcharge for Ethereum trading.

Considering this, we will discuss the major commissions you should consider when choosing a platform to purchase Ethereum in the current year.

Deposit Fees

Investing in Ethereum online requires that you fund your account first, so let’s start with the deposit fees. For instance, it can be expensive to deposit funds using a debit or credit card, which can become significant, especially when we want to invest large amounts of money.

Trading Commissions

If you want to trade Ethereum online, you must pay a commission like if you traded forex. After all, brokers, exchanges, and trading platforms are all in it for the money.

Therefore, commissions can vary widely depending on your chosen platform.

Spreads & Margin Commissions

 

Inexperienced users often overlook the differential because they do not know what it is. Platforms rarely warn you that you are paying a spread, so it is not the fault of inexperienced traders. Essentially, it is the price difference between the bid and the ask for the Ethereum pair that you are trading. For instance, when the spread is 2.5%, you enter the trade with a loss of 2.5%.

The profit margin on your Ethereum trading platform should also be considered similar to the spread. As a result, you are paying more than the market average. Depending on the exchange, surcharges may reach 2%, which is very high.

How To Buy Ethereum NZ – Conclusion

Ethereum is simple, convenient, and super cost-effective to buy online in New Zealand, as we’ve explained throughout this guide.

FAQs

How to buy Ethereum in NZ?

The trading of crypto in New Zealand has enabled several global exchanges to accept NZ traders.

Can you buy Ethereum with PayPal NZ?

Unfortunately, Ethereum cannot be purchased directly through PayPal as the service is unavailable to residents outside the United States. However, finding a broker that accepts this payment method as an alternative is also possible.

How to buy Ethereum with a credit card?

When it comes to the most convenient way to buy Ethereum with a credit card for New Zealand traders, there are brokers that stand out as an affordable option. This is because it allows depositing without paying a fee. If you're a newcomer to this exchange, you need to sign up for an account, choose this payment method, and deposit at least $20 fee-free.

What Ethereum broker has the lowest fees?