You sell crypto by converting it to your local currency on a platform that supports it, then withdrawing the money to your bank, card, or a payment app. With many assets you can sell directly to cash; with others, or when you want to lock in a value first, you convert to a stablecoin as an in-between step. This guide, part of our crypto learning guides, covers both routes, the fees, and how to cash out safely.
Sell crypto with the Bitcoin.com Wallet app:
- Open the Bitcoin.com Wallet app and tap Sell
- Choose the asset and connect your bank account if you haven't already
- Enter the amount, review the details, and confirm
How long does it take, and how much can I sell?
Speed depends on the method and the asset. Selling for cash at an ATM or in person is near-instant, while selling through an app, website, or exchange is quick to execute but the payout timing depends on your region and method, from a few minutes with some app or card withdrawals to one to three working days by standard bank transfer.
How much you can sell easily depends on the asset's liquidity. Major coins and stablecoins trade in high volume, so they sell quickly at close to market price. Smaller or newer tokens can have thinner markets and wider spreads, and some platforms may ask you to convert them to a major asset or a stablecoin before cashing out.
Selling directly or converting to a stablecoin first
This is the choice that makes selling crypto different from selling a single coin. You have two broad routes:
- Sell directly to cash. Convert the asset straight to your local currency and withdraw. This is the simplest route and usually best when the asset is liquid and you want the money now.
- Convert to a stablecoin first, then cash out. A stablecoin holds a steady value, so converting a volatile asset into one lets you step out of price swings straight away, then withdraw to your bank whenever you're ready. It adds a step and an extra fee, but it's useful when you want to lock in value now and cash out later, or when a platform only lets you withdraw from stablecoins.
Neither is "better" on its own; the direct route is fewer steps and often cheaper, while the stablecoin route trades a little cost for control over timing.
If you do route through a stablecoin, the network you move it on affects the cost. The same stablecoin often exists on several networks, and some are far cheaper to send than others, so moving it on a low-fee network before you cash out can save meaningfully on network fees. Just match the network your cash-out platform expects, since sending on the wrong one can lose the funds.
Ways to sell crypto compared
| Method | Speed to cash | Typical fees | ID required | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wallet app (sell in-app) | Fast | Low to moderate | Yes | Bank, card, or app |
| Bitcoin.com website (bitcoin.com/sell/) | Minutes to 1-3 days | Moderate | Yes | Bank, card, or app |
| Centralized exchange | 1-3 days | Low (plus withdrawal) | Yes | Bank account |
| Crypto ATM | Instant | Highest | Sometimes | Cash |
| Peer-to-peer | Varies | Varies | Often less | Cash, transfer, or app |
As a rule, the faster and more private the method, the more it costs, while bank-linked routes are cheaper but slower.
What selling crypto costs
Most services show what you'll receive before you confirm, but the total is shaped by several layers, and the same cash-out can lose value at more than one:
- Conversion or trading fee. What the platform charges to sell the asset.
- Spread. The gap between the quoted rate and the market price, usually baked into the rate.
- Network fee. Paid when you move crypto from your own wallet to a cash-out platform. This varies by asset and network, so moving a stablecoin on a low-fee network can cost far less than on a busy one.
- Withdrawal fee. Some platforms charge to send the fiat to your bank or card.
Because the cost is spread across these layers, a low headline "trading fee" doesn't always mean the cheapest cash-out. Check the amount that will actually land in your account.
As a rough example, cashing out $100 of a liquid asset by bank transfer might leave you with somewhere around $96 to $98 after the trading fee and spread, while a card or ATM cash-out returns less in exchange for speed. Routing through a stablecoin first adds the network fee to move it, so weigh that small cost against the value of locking in a price before you withdraw.
How to sell crypto, step by step
The flow is similar across platforms.
In the Bitcoin.com Wallet app
Selling to cash in the app is available in supported regions and keeps you in control of your crypto until the sale.
- Open the app and tap Sell
- Choose the asset, and follow the prompts to connect your bank account the first time
- Enter the amount, review, and confirm
The money lands in your linked account, with timing that varies by region and method.
On the Bitcoin.com website
The Sell crypto page converts crypto to cash in a few steps: choose the asset and currency, enter the amount, review the order and add the return address, then enter your payout details and send your crypto to the address shown. Depending on your region you can receive by bank transfer, card refund, or a payment app.
On a centralized exchange
Exchanges suit larger or less liquid assets because of their deeper markets. Register and verify your identity, deposit the crypto, sell it for your chosen currency (a limit order can get a better rate on large amounts), then withdraw to your bank. Remember the exchange holds your crypto while it's there.
Peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer platforms connect you directly with buyers and often need less verification, holding the crypto in escrow until payment clears. Privacy is the draw, but scam risk is higher, so trade with well-reviewed counterparties and never release escrow before payment lands.
At a crypto ATM
Some ATMs let you sell supported assets for physical cash on the spot. It's the fastest way to get cash but usually the most expensive, and machines vary in which coins they accept.
- Find a machine that supports the asset you want to sell
- Verify your identity if the amount requires it
- Send the crypto to the ATM's address and collect your cash
Selling safely: mistakes to avoid
- Use the right network when moving crypto to a platform. Sending an asset on the wrong network to a cash-out service or exchange can lose it. Match the asset and network every time.
- Double-check your payout details. A wrong bank or card number can delay or lose your money.
- Never release escrow or send crypto before payment clears. Fake payment confirmations are a common peer-to-peer scam.
- Protect your recovery phrase. No legitimate service needs it. Keeping a wallet backup secures your remaining funds, and Bitcoin.org's security guidance is a good reference.
A note on tax
In many countries, selling crypto for cash is a taxable event, and so is converting one crypto to another, including swapping into a stablecoin. Simply holding is usually not. Rules vary widely, so keep records of what you sold and when, and check your local regulations or a qualified tax professional. This guide is educational and not tax advice.
Selling crypto with confidence
Selling crypto comes down to choosing a route that fits your priorities, direct to cash for speed, or via a stablecoin to lock in value first, checking the amount you'll actually receive, and matching the network whenever you move funds. For selling Bitcoin specifically, see our guide on how to sell Bitcoin. You can also learn how to buy, send, receive, and use crypto across our crypto learning guides.
