Payment Method
Buy Bitcoin via Bankgiro
and Bank Transfer
Bank transfers and Bankgiro offer higher deposit limits and lower fees than Swish. The trade-off is speed — transfers take 1-2 business days. Ideal for larger Bitcoin purchases in Sweden.
What is Bankgiro?
Bankgiro is Sweden's system for transferring money between bank accounts using a unique Bankgiro number. It is used by businesses and institutions across Sweden for receiving payments. When you deposit SEK to a Swedish exchange via Bankgiro, you initiate a domestic bank transfer using the exchange's Bankgiro number.
Bankgiro transfers are processed by Bankgirocentralen (BGC), which is owned by the major Swedish banks. Processing typically takes one business day, though same-day transfers are possible if initiated early enough.
Bankgiro vs Swish vs SEPA
| Method | Speed | Limits | Fees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bankgiro | 1-2 days | High (no Swish cap) | Usually free | Large purchases |
| Swish | Instant | 10,000-25,000 SEK | Free (exchange fees apply) | Quick, small to medium |
| SEPA Transfer | 1-3 days | Very high | 0-5 EUR | Global exchanges |
For purchases under 10,000 SEK, Swish is usually more convenient. For larger amounts — 50,000 SEK and above — Bankgiro avoids the Swish transaction limits and may have lower cumulative fees.
How to Deposit via Bankgiro
Select Bankgiro deposit
Navigate to the deposit section and choose "Bankgiro" or "Bank Transfer" as the payment method.
Note the Bankgiro number and reference
The exchange will display a Bankgiro number and a unique reference code. The reference code is critical — it links the payment to your account.
Initiate the transfer from your bank
Log into your bank (SEB, Handelsbanken, Swedbank, Nordea, etc.) and create a payment to the Bankgiro number. Enter the exact reference code in the message field.
Wait for the transfer to process
Bankgiro transfers typically arrive within 1-2 business days. You will receive an email or notification from the exchange when the deposit is credited.
Buy Bitcoin
Once the SEK is in your exchange account, place a buy order for Bitcoin. See our step-by-step guide for detailed buying instructions.
Important: Always double-check the reference code when making a Bankgiro transfer. If the reference is missing or incorrect, the exchange may not be able to credit your account automatically, leading to delays.
SEPA Transfers for Global Exchanges
If you are using a global exchange like Binance, Coinbase, or Kraken, you will need to make a SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) transfer in EUR. Swedish banks support SEPA, but there may be a currency conversion fee since your account is in SEK.
Some Swedish banks offer multi-currency accounts or competitive exchange rates. Alternatively, services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) can offer better SEK-to-EUR rates than traditional banks.
SEPA transfers typically take 1-3 business days and cost 0-5 EUR depending on your bank. Instant SEPA (SCT Inst) is available at some banks and can process within seconds, though not all exchanges support it yet.
Which Swedish Banks Work Best?
All major Swedish banks support Bankgiro and SEPA transfers. Here is a quick overview:
- • Swedbank — Full Bankgiro and SEPA support via the mobile app. Crypto-friendly.
- • SEB — Smooth Bankgiro transfers. Good SEPA rates.
- • Handelsbanken — Reliable for transfers. Some users report slower SEPA processing.
- • Nordea — Full support. May require customer service call for high-value SEPA transfers.
Note: Some banks may flag crypto exchange transfers and ask for additional confirmation. This is standard anti-fraud procedure, not a block.
Prefer Instant Deposits?
Try buying Bitcoin with Swish for instant SEK deposits on Swedish exchanges.