_ Here's how it works: Anybody can ask a question Anybody can answer The best answers are voted up and rise to the top up vote down vote favorite 35 I am a complete noob at investing.I have never bought stock or invested in anything before but I have $300 I would like to turn into Ethereum.Could someone please tell me step by step how to purchase and own Ethereum using USD?ether exchanges up vote down vote Create an account on Gemini or Coinbase or Kraken.You will need to upload a wide variety of documents proving you are who you say you are and stuff.It's all regulatory stuff.Once you upload this stuff, verification takes about a day or two (time is dependent on how busy the service is.During times of price increases and tons of new users, it may take longer.Follow the instructions on the exchange to deposit USD into that exchange.This, depending on your bank and the wire transfer, will typically take 3-5 business days.Now you have USD in your exchange account and can buy ETH with it.

Once you have all the ETH you want, withdraw that ETH into a wallet that you control.Exchanges are notorious for being hacked (although the ones mentioned above are very reputable) and you want your funds in a place that you have the private key to.So... ...While you are waiting for your verification and transfer, download and install Mist / Ethereum Wallet.Run it so it can sync the blockchain.When you run it, it'll prompt you to make a new account.Create a password that you will never ever forget and create the account.Then, it'll give you an address that starts with 0x.. This what you will enter on Kraken or Bitfinex to move your ETH from their account to your own.To safely keep your account you have 3 pieces of information: Your address (0x....), your password, and the private key.The private key is like a password, but way more intense.Plus, it's a password that is protected by another password.In Ethereum Wallet, this private key is stored in the keystore file.You need to make a backup of this in case anything happens to your computer.

In Ethereum Wallet, go to the top bar and find ACCOUNTS -> BACKUP -> ACCCOUNTS.It'll open up a folder and inside you will see a file.This file is your private key.Copy this to a USB drive and safely store the USB drive in a different physical location than your computer (in case your house explodes).bitcoin rainbow tableAlternative steps 1-5: Use Circle or Coinbase which allow you to purchase $300 USD worth of BTC instantly with your debit card.bitcoin or bustThen create a Ethereum Wallet account and back it up.litecoin how to sellThen use http://shapeshift.io/ to turn that BTC into ETH.bitcoin jerry brownOn ShapeShift, simply enter the address to your new Ether Address.bitcoin mining on personal pc

It'll tell you where to send your BTC.In Circle or Coinbase, send all the BTC to that address.The ETH will appear in your ETH wallet in ~20 minutes.Alternative steps 6-8: Ethereum Wallet is highly recommended but some people have issues installing & syncing it.bitcoin regulation franceIf for some reason you cannot get it to run, here is a list of easily accessible wallets.bitcoin $150Follow the instructions provided by each of these wallets to back up your information.bitcoin and achIn Jaxx, that is a mnemonic.bitcoin and achIn MyEtherWallet, read this.Just, MAKE SURE YOU BACK IT UP. or MEW Chrome Extension JAXX - multi-platform, multi-currency Exodus.io - multi-currency desktop app up vote down vote to buy Bitcoin and convert the BTC to ETH through shapeshift.io.

, they claims to be the best Bitcoin Exchange.The best bitcoin exchange is needed for serious and professional bitcoin traders.Bitcoin security must be impeccable.Banking relationships must be sound and reliable.The trading engine must be fast.Order types must be advanced.And profits must be able to be multiplied with Bitcoin margin trading so you can leverage long bitcoin positions or short bitcoin positions.up vote 9 down vote there are markets directly in ETH/USD or ETH/EUR and you can pay by credit card.It's also a very well known and reputable exchange.But aware that it takes you a little while to verify your credit card / id / etc. so start the account creation asap and don't wait the moment you want to buy to do it.up vote 4 down vote Use a good BTC/USD exchange like Circle or Coinbase which allow you to purchase the BTC.Then you can send the BTC to an ETH exchange like Poloniex or BTC Markets where you can buy Ethereum.up vote 1 down vote Generally it is a real pain to make your first purchase.

As you want to use USD, you're probably a US citizen/entity, and the US government wants to make it as difficult as possible for you to use cryptocurrencies like Ether.You can do it, just be vigilant!TL;DR create an account at a prominent exchange.Some have been suggested above.Do your research, don't just join a random one.You will have to go through an extensive proof-of-identity process with the exchange - the US government requires them to put you through this, they want to be able to track all of your transactions.You will wire money to an account, and 7-14 days later you will finally be able to use it to buy Ether.The first time is the hardest.Once you get set up, you can wire money and convert it to Ether in 2-3 business days after that.But the first time can literally take weeks.:) up vote 0 down vote You can also buy ether with usd or eur using Bitpanda.But you will have similar issues verifying your account -I verified mine in just some hours- than using Kraken.