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Where and how to trade Bitcoin in 2025: a complete guide for beginners
Trading Bitcoin: Essential Information to Get Started
Trading Bitcoin is attracting a growing number of investors and traders due to the market's high volatility and the opportunities to profit from Bitcoin's short-term price fluctuations. To start trading Bitcoin, simply open an account on a reputable trading platform, deposit funds (in euros, dollars, or cryptocurrency), and place your first orders. Bitcoin trading is available 24/7, allowing you to react in real time to Bitcoin's price movements.
Table of contents
What is Bitcoin trading?
Whether you're interested in day trading , swing trading , CFD trading , or using leverage , there are now numerous platforms suited to all profiles. Cryptocurrency trading allows you to take advantage of market volatility to generate profits in the short or long term, depending on your trading strategy and risk tolerance.
Before you start, it is important to choose your platform carefully, understand trading fees and master risk management tools to trade independently.
Where to trade Bitcoin: centralized vs. decentralized platforms
Centralized platforms (CEX): simplicity and efficiency
The most popular method for trading Bitcoin within the community remains the use of a centralized trading platform, also known as a CEX (Centralized Exchange). On these platforms, such as Gemini, Bitvavo, Binance , or Kraken, you actually own your bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies: you can buy, sell, deposit, withdraw, and store your digital assets directly on the platform. In Europe, spot trading is the norm: short selling and leveraging Bitcoin are generally not permitted for individuals due to regulations. Some platforms offer derivatives or margin trading, but access is often restricted depending on your country of residence and doesn't always apply to Bitcoin. CEXs are therefore ideal for those who want to buy, hold, transfer, or use Bitcoin while benefiting from an intuitive interface, high liquidity, and competitive fees.
Our choice of CEX for trading Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies
For investing in cryptocurrencies, we recommend Gemini.
The platform offers:
- Top-tier security, with "cold" storage of the majority of funds
- A dual interface: a simplified application for beginners and ActiveTrader , an advanced platform offering volume-dependent fees and a competitive order book.
- Access to over 60 cryptocurrencies, but also to a rare offering on the market: tokenized shares (Nvidia, Apple, etc.). These products replicate the price of real shares via tokens issued directly on the Gemini platform, allowing them to be bought and traded 24/7 like cryptocurrencies, without going through a traditional stockbroker.
- Strict regulatory compliance, with Gemini being one of the first platforms approved in the United States and holding the European license ( MiCA ).
- Additional services such as staking to generate returns on these cryptocurrencies.
Gemini therefore allows you to invest in both cryptocurrencies and tokenized shares, all within a secure and regulated environment.
Decentralized platforms (DEXs): autonomy and innovation
Cryptocurrency trading is evolving rapidly, and more and more users are choosing to trade Bitcoin without intermediaries via decentralized exchanges (DEXs) like dYdX or Drift. These platforms operate without a central authority: you retain control of your funds through a decentralized wallet.
On a DEX, you can take long or short positions, use leverage, and trade 24/7 directly from your wallet. You never deposit your assets on a platform; you interact directly with the blockchain, which limits the risks associated with holding funds in third-party custody.
DEXs are particularly well-suited to users who want to capitalize on market volatility, experiment with advanced strategies, or maintain control over their private keys. However, be aware that they are more technically complex to learn, and the risks of manipulation or error are higher for beginners.
How does a decentralized wallet work?
A decentralized wallet ( DeFi ) is an application that allows you to manage your crypto and interact directly with the blockchain. Unlike an account on a platform , you are the sole holder of the private keys: you control your bitcoins and cryptocurrencies at all times. To start trading on a DEX, you need to:
- Download a compatible wallet (e.g., MetaMask, Phantom, Keplr)
- Create a backup of your recovery phrase
- Transfer cryptocurrencies (often USDC or ETH) to your wallet
- Connect your wallet to the decentralized trading platform
To learn how to use a decentralized wallet, we offer our free, step-by-step guide, complete with screenshots. Here's what you'll learn:
- Mastering a decentralized (DeFi) wallet – Learn to manage your assets without intermediaries and interact directly with the blockchain.
- Conducting transactions via a decentralized wallet – A practical guide to trading cryptocurrencies independently.
- Explore decentralized finance (DeFi) – Discover advanced concepts like staking and NFTs, and optimize your investment strategies.
Download the guide for free by filling out the form below:
Drift : a trading experiment on Solana
Drift is a decentralized exchange initially developed on Solana , a blockchain known for its speed and low transaction fees. The principle is quite simple: you connect your wallet, deposit the accepted cryptocurrency USDC on Solana ), and then you can take long or short positions on different currency pairs. Advantages of Drift :
- Drift stands out with a rich offering of more than 50 trading pairs, covering major cryptocurrencies BTC , ETH or SOL, but also many native tokens from the Solana .
- Trading fees are very competitive, with -0.01% for makers (you are paid to bring liquidity) and 0.1% for takers at most and can be reduced through the FUEL loyalty program, which rewards users based on their activity on the platform .
- Drift offers yield options through lending/borrowing, providing liquidity as well as vaults.
- Drift also offers its BET prediction market, similar to Polymarket .
For more details, we invite you to visit our article on how Drift Protocol how to use it .
dYdX : the benchmark DEX for derivatives
dYdX is often presented as a benchmark for decentralized perpetual contract trading. Initially launched on Ethereum , the protocol used a layer 2 architecture to offer fast and low-cost transactions. Since its transition to its own blockchain, dYdX Chain, based on the Cosmos ecosystem, the protocol operates in an even more decentralized manner, with a proof-of-stake model. To start trading, simply connect a compatible wallet and fund your dYdX with USDC , the primary stablecoin used on the platform. Users can then choose their leverage, place long or short orders, and access a wide range of crypto pairs while benefiting from the advantages of decentralized finance (DeFi). For more details, we invite you to visit our article on how dYdX . Advantages of dYdX :
- dYdX combines the technical performance of a centralized exchange with the transparency guarantees of DeFi. Its main advantage is its new sovereign blockchain (dYdX Chain), which enables it to ensure fast order execution, near-instant finality, and a trading experience free from network congestion.
- The platform offers more than 200 active perpetual markets, with leverage up to 50x on major crypto pairs.
- Trading fees are particularly competitive (0.5% max for takers and 0.1% for makers), and can be further reduced depending on the volume traded or via staking of the DYDXtoken.
- The Cosmos environment allows dYdX to rely on a robust decentralized model, where network security is based on a set of independent validators, strengthening the autonomy and resilience of the protocol.
CFD platforms: flexible speculation, leverage and access to short positions
In addition to CEX and DEX exchanges, there are platforms specializing in CFD (Contracts for Difference) trading on Bitcoin, such as XTB, Capital.com, FP Markets, Plus500, and ActivTrades. On these platforms, you never actually own bitcoins ; you only speculate on the price fluctuations of bitcoin, whether they rise or fall.
CFDs allow you to open long (buy) or short (short sell) positions, use leverage (generally limited to x2 for individuals in France), and access advanced risk analysis and management tools.
CFD platforms are therefore ideal for traders who want to profit from the short-term volatility of the Bitcoin market without worrying about holding or securing the asset. However, it is not possible to withdraw Bitcoin, nor to use it for payments or staking : you are only trading financial contracts indexed to the price of Bitcoin.
In summary, the choice of platform depends on your objectives and experience:
On a CEX, you actually own your bitcoins but access to short selling and leverage is limited.
On a DEX specializing in perpetual contracts, such as dYdX or Drift , you can use leverage and take long or short positions on the price of Bitcoin. You retain control of your collateral (often USDC USDC through your own wallet, but you don't directly own the underlying asset: you hold a derivative position whose value fluctuates with the price of Bitcoin. Your collateral remains under your control, but it is locked in the smart contract as long as the position is open.
On a CFD platform, you don't actually own Bitcoin: you're only speculating on its price fluctuations, both upward and downward, with the option to use leverage. This type of platform offers great flexibility for short-term trading, but it only deals with financial contracts indexed to the price of Bitcoin, without access to the actual asset.
How to trade Bitcoin: steps and practical tips
Open a Bitcoin trading account
To start trading Bitcoin , you need to open an account on a trading platform . Registration typically requires:
- A valid email address
- Your identity verification (KYC)
- An initial deposit in euros, dollars or crypto
Choosing your bitcoin trading strategy
Bitcoin traders can choose from several bitcoin trading strategies :
- Day trading : taking advantage of intraday volatility
- Swing trading : targeting trend movements over several days or weeks.
- Bitcoin CFD trading: speculating on the rise or fall of the price of bitcoin without owning the asset, using bitcoin CFDs .
- Using leverage to amplify gains (and losses).
Understanding the risks of Bitcoin trading
Bitcoin trading involves exposure to market volatility . The price of Bitcoin can fluctuate very rapidly, both upwards and downwards. Traders should be aware that profits are never guaranteed and that losses can be significant, especially with leverage . Before trading Bitcoin , it is advisable to:
- Define a risk management plan ( stop loss , take profit )
- Never invest more than you can afford to lose
- Take the time to learn about technical and fundamental analysis
- Understanding how trading works and the difference between trading Bitcoin and buying Bitcoin for the long term
Tools for success in bitcoin trading
Technical and fundamental analysis
It is useful to master the basics of technical analysis (reading charts, indicators such as RSI, MACD, moving averages) and fundamental analysis for longer-term trading (studying news, innovations, bitcoin mining , regulations, and future use cases for Bitcoin).
Risk and volatility management
Cryptocurrency trading requires rigorous risk management. Use the tools provided by your platform :
- Stop and limit orders to protect your positions
- Choosing the lever best suited to your profile
- Regular monitoring of Bitcoin prices and industry news
Tips for learning to trade Bitcoin independently
- Train yourself with expert guides and reliable resources on crypto trading
- Test your strategies on a demo account before investing with real money
- Bitcoin regulations, news, and market trends.
- Keep track of all your transactions to make tax filing easier
FAQ: Everything you need to know to trade Bitcoin
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a digital currency , created in 2009, that allows for the exchange of value without intermediaries. Its limited supply of 21 million coins and its blockchain technology make it a benchmark in the world of cryptocurrencies .
How to trade Bitcoin without owning the asset?
You can trade bitcoin without owning bitcoins by using derivative products such as bitcoin CFDs , or by speculating on the price of bitcoin via specialized platforms
What are the risks of trading bitcoin?
Bitcoin trading exposes you to high volatility , leverage if used, and the possibility of losing all or part of your capital. It is recommended that you fully understand the risks of trading before you begin.
How to trade cryptocurrencies?
To trade crypto , you simply need to choose a trading platform , open an account , deposit funds and place your first orders according to your trading strategy .
Conclusion: Discover Bitcoin trading and succeed in your first steps
Trading Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies provides access to a dynamic market, open 24/7, with opportunities to profit from the volatility . Whether you choose a platform like Gemini, newer DEXs like Drift and dYdX , or a CFD platform, take the time to educate yourself and develop a trading strategy tailored to your profile. Bitcoin trading involves risks, but it can also offer unique opportunities for investors who want exposure to the Bitcoin market . Learning to trade, understanding how Bitcoin trading works , and choosing the right platform are key to trading independently and taking advantage of market volatility . To learn more and Bitcoin and other crypto trading , feel free to consult our guides, test different strategies , and stay informed about industry developments. You can start trading Bitcoin today and join the traders shaping the future of cryptocurrency .
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Yoann
Training engineer, I quickly became interested in the field of finance. Convinced that decentralized finance has a bright future ahead of it, I participate in its democratization by developing Crypternon.
