When it comes to purchasing digital assets in Europe, two payment rails dominate: SEPA Instant and the UK’s Faster Payments. Both offer fast and low-cost ways to move money from your bank account into an exchange. But which one is better if you want to buy crypto in Europe? Let’s break it down.
What Is 
?
SEPA Instant is part of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), designed for real-time euro transfers across EU and EEA countries. Unlike traditional SEPA transfers, which may take 1–2 business days, SEPA Instant completes transactions in seconds, 24/7. For crypto investors, this means you can buy crypto with SEPA Instant almost immediately after sending funds.
Pros of SEPA Instant for crypto:
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Instant euro transfers (up to 10 seconds)
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Available across most European banks
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Widely supported by crypto exchanges
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Secure and regulated
Cons:
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Works only with EUR
What Are 
?
The Faster Payments Service (FPS) is a UK-based system for instant bank transfers in GBP. If you’re in the United Kingdom and looking to buy crypto with Faster Payments, this method is often the quickest and cheapest.
Pros of Faster Payments for buying crypto:
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Near-instant transfers
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Widely supported in the UK crypto market
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Low or zero fees from most banks
Cons:
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Only available for GBP transfers
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Limited to UK residents
SEPA vs Faster Payments: Which Is Better for Buying Crypto?
The right choice depends on where you live and which currency you use:
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If you’re in the EU/EEA: SEPA Instant is the best way to buy crypto with EUR. It combines euro transfers with near-instant speed and is supported by most European exchanges.
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If you’re in the UK: Faster Payments is unbeatable for GBP transactions. It’s fast, cheap, and almost universally available for UK residents who want to buy crypto with GBP.
From a speed perspective, both systems are excellent. But in terms of coverage, SEPA Instant is better for eurozone users, while Faster Payments is the clear winner for the UK.
