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How to Buy Bitcoin and Crypto with First Abu Dhabi Bank [2024]

How to Buy Bitcoin and Crypto with First Abu Dhabi Bank
Diana Paluteder

Summary: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) does not offer its customers the choice to purchase cryptocurrencies on its platform. Instead, UAE crypto investors can link their banking accounts to their chosen broker or a crypto exchange to buy digital assets such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) by depositing Dirham from their FAB bank account.

To buy crypto with FAB, we suggest using a multi-asset investment platform, eToro. After trialing more than ten crypto trading platforms, we found it to be the best option, as it offers low trading fees and a wide selection of assets trusted by over 30 million users.

Best Crypto Exchange for Intermediate Traders and Investors

  • Invest in cryptocurrencies and 3,000+ other assets including stocks and precious metals.

  • 0% commission on stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.

  • Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.

  • eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.

30+ million Users
Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD

Can you buy crypto with First Abu Dhabi Bank? 

You can buy crypto with First Abu Dhabi Bank, but you need to connect to a licensed cryptocurrency exchange. As mentioned above, this is because First Abu Dhabi does not offer cryptocurrency services directly through its online banking platform.

How to buy crypto with First Abu Dhabi Bank?

The best way to buy Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency with FAB is through a broker like eToro, which is a widely trusted multi-asset investing platform with over 70 cryptocurrencies and unique features such as “Copy Trading” (enables users to imitate top-performing crypto traders), a custom watchlist, as well as advanced charts and technical analysis tools. 

How to buy crypto with First Abu Dhabi Bank: Step-by-Step

You can get started in minutes with four simple steps:

  • Step 1: Create an account on eToro and complete your verification (personal or company);
  • Step 2: Enter the AED amount you want to deposit on the eToro platform;
  • Step 3: Connect your FAB online account to deposit your selected fiat currency;
  • Step 4: The final step is to find the cryptocurrency you want to purchase and execute your trade.

Disclaimer: Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.

Crypto on eToro. Source: etoro.com

Best Crypto Exchange for Intermediate Traders and Investors

  • Invest in cryptocurrencies and 3,000+ other assets including stocks and precious metals.

  • 0% commission on stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.

  • Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.

  • eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.

30+ million Users
Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD

About First Abu Dhabi Bank

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is the largest bank in the United Arab Emirates, headquartered in Abu Dhabi. The bank was established in 2017 through a merger between First Gulf Bank (FGB) and the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and offers a comprehensive selection of banking services, including personal, corporate, commercial, and investment banking.

FAB’s homepage. Source: Bankfab.com

First Abu Dhabi Bank crypto policy

First Abu Dhabi is a crypto-friendly bank with no policies prohibiting its users from buying and selling Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency through licensed trading platforms. Therefore, First Abu Dhabi crypto users can use their banking accounts to link and transfer funds to a licensed crypto exchange to buy digital assets.

Important

Please note that the cryptocurrency exchanges in the UAE must acquire a license from the Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) to operate legally, so check this before choosing your preferred broker. We recommend using the online investment platform eToro as it is a globally licensed exchange that offers over 3,000 assets in 120 countries.

As for First Abu Dhabi’s stance in the crypto space, the bank announced in February 2023 plans to introduce digital asset offerings to its clients. Moreover, FAB plans to implement Web3 technologies in their services, with Srinivasan Sampath, chief technology officer at the bank, stating: 

“We’re getting ready to leverage Web3 along with digital assets. We’re at an advanced stage in terms of getting the approvals to initiate it. Initially, we’ll probably allow customers to use crypto to pay [for] or use some of our services.”

How to buy crypto safely

While crypto can be a lucrative investment with astronomically high returns, its volatile nature makes it considerably riskier than stocks. In fact, many people have been scared away from investing in any digital assets because of the high amount of scams and cybercrime that target inexperienced and seasoned investors alike. 

Thankfully though, licensed crypto brokers in the UAE are required to comply with the UAE anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism financing, cybersecurity, and data protection laws, as well as develop technology platforms that provide real-time information on ownership and trading. 

Tips for starting out with crypto

To make sure you’re being careful when starting out with digital assets, apply these best practice guidelines to your investing strategy:

  • Research the cryptocurrency you want to buy: Make sure you understand how it works and what the risks are; 
  • Only use a safe device: Avoid public computers and Wi-Fi networks. Always use your personal computer with a VPN, which helps establish a secure connection between you and the web, keeping your sensitive information safe;
  • Choose a reputable exchange: Ensure the exchange has a license from an appropriate regulator in your country and has a solid track record. Study the exchange’s user terms and agreements carefully to learn more about where they’ll keep your money and what happens to it if the business goes bankrupt. You may also want to scour through user reviews to catch any red flags;
  • Secure your account: Use two-factor authentication and a strong password to protect your account;
  • Use a secure wallet: Store your cryptocurrency in a secure wallet to protect it from hackers. You can opt for either a hot (online) or cold (offline) wallet. To choose the right one for you, make sure to check out our in-depth guide on crypto wallets;
  • Don’t invest money you can’t afford to lose: Because the crypto market can be so volatile, you need to be conservative with your investments, particularly when starting out. For more investing tips, have a look at our guide on investing mistakes to avoid;
  • Monitor your investments: Keep an eye on the market and be aware of any changes in the price of the cryptocurrency you’re investing in. 

Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk. 

FAQs about how to buy crypto with First Abu Dhabi Bank:

There are no prohibitions against the trading of crypto assets in the UAE. However, cryptocurrency exchanges must acquire a license from the Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) to operate legally.

Yes, Bitcoin is legal in the UAE. There are no prohibitions against trading crypto assets, with the government taking a supportive approach. However, cryptocurrency exchanges must acquire a license from the Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) to operate legally.

How to buy crypto with First Abu Dhabi Bank?

You can buy crypto with First Abu Dhabi Bank by depositing United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) to a licensed third-party trading platform that offers cryptocurrencies.

Can you buy crypto with First Abu Dhabi Bank?

You can buy crypto with First Abu Dhabi Bank, but it doesn’t offer crypto trading directly through its own platform. Instead, customers can connect their FAB accounts to a regulated cryptocurrency exchange to buy digital assets.

What is First Abu Dhabi Bank's crypto policy?

First Abu Dhabi Bank has no policies prohibiting its users from buying and selling cryptocurrencies through licensed crypto exchanges. 

What crypto exchanges does First Abu Dhabi Bank allow?

Customers can deposit funds from their First Abu Dhabi accounts to brokers like eToro. 

Best Crypto Exchange for Intermediate Traders and Investors

  • Invest in cryptocurrencies and 3,000+ other assets including stocks and precious metals.

  • 0% commission on stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.

  • Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.

  • eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.

30+ million Users
Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD

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