Simple and clear, in three steps. You need a smartphone, about 20 minutes (not counting the time Strike itself needs to verify you) and your personal details (for the legal registration).
Bitcoin is digital money you can use without middlemen such as banks. It runs on a secure, worldwide network. You can buy small pieces, called “sats” (1 sat = 0.00000001 bitcoin). Start small and learn as you save.
In three steps
Strike is an app that lets you buy bitcoin with a bank transfer from your own bank account. You create an account and confirm your identity (this is a legal requirement). You can also set up a savings plan that buys small amounts automatically. Strike is available to customers in Europe: check your app store to see whether it works in your country.
Note: as long as your bitcoin sits in Strike, a company keeps it for you. That is why steps 2 and 3 matter.
Go to Strike →
With your own wallet you control the keys yourself, even if an app or company disappears. Proton Wallet is free, open source, bitcoin-only and works on iPhone, Android and in your browser. You need a (free) Proton account to use it.
Go to Proton Wallet →Proton Wallet doesn’t show your seed phrase right away. After creating the wallet, open the wallet backup on the home screen (“Backup this wallet’s seed phrase”) to see your 12 recovery words (your “seed phrase”). Write them on paper, not as a photo or screenshot and not in a notes app, and keep the paper somewhere safe. Whoever has those words has your bitcoin. If you lose them without a copy, you lose your bitcoin. Never share them with anyone: nobody from Proton, Strike or AVB will ever ask for them.
In Proton Wallet open the screen to receive bitcoin and copy the address. In Strike choose the option to withdraw bitcoin to an external address and paste the address. Send a small test amount first and check that it arrives (this can take a while). Then send the rest.
As we say in the bitcoin world: “Not your keys, not your bitcoin.”
For people who already have experience and want more control.
If you want to create and use a seed phrase the proper way (the 12 or 24 words that make up your bitcoin wallet), you can. With our offline tools you make one yourself, without any network.
Three offline files that turn physical randomness (one die, one or two decks of cards) into a 12- or 24-word BIP39 seed. No network. “Basic” shows only the words, “Full” also shows the first addresses and a SeedQR.
Go to the seed tool →Make a bitcoin seed yourself with dice, playing cards, dominoes or coins, completely offline. The result is encrypted with age straight away. You get 12 or 24 words, a QR code for SeedSigner, the first addresses and the zpub.
Go to The Hand →A well-known open-source tool that turns a BIP39 seed phrase into addresses and private keys. Handy to check what belongs to your seed and to learn how it works.
For real bitcoin, use it offline only: download bip39-standalone.html from the official releases page, disconnect from the internet and open the file by double-clicking it. Never enter a real seed phrase on a website.
Our own offline tools to create, secure and spend your own bitcoin: a generator, an encrypted vault, offline transaction building and more. Most tools are a single HTML file that runs offline in your browser. Only looking up balances and broadcasting transactions needs internet.
Only if you know what you’re doing. Some tools are still in beta. Always verify the download and test with small amounts.
Go to AVBforge →The information on this website is for information only and is not financial advice. Bitcoin can fluctuate strongly in value and investing involves risk. Always do your own research before making financial decisions. Decisions based on this information are at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage resulting from your choices.