Spot trading is the most fundamental and frequently used feature on Binance. Simply put, it means swapping one cryptocurrency for another. Whether you want to buy BTC with USDT or exchange ETH for BNB, it all happens on the spot market. Here's a clear breakdown of the entire process.
How to Find the Spot Trading Page
In the Binance App, tap Trade at the bottom, then select Spot to enter the trading interface. On the web version, go to Trade > Spot in the top navigation bar. If you don't have an account yet, sign up for Binance and complete identity verification first.
Once you're in, you'll see a page with a candlestick chart, a buy/sell order area below it, and the order book (a list of pending buy and sell orders) on the side.
How to Choose a Trading Pair
In the upper-left corner of the page, there's a search bar where you can type in a coin name directly. For example, if you want to buy Bitcoin, search for BTC/USDT. If you want to swap BTC for ETH, search for ETH/BTC.
Trading pairs follow this format: the coin you want to buy / the coin you're paying with. The coin before the slash is called the base currency, and the one after is the quote currency. As a beginner, it's best to stick with USDT pairs — they're the most straightforward.
Placing a Buy Order
After selecting your trading pair, in the order area:
- Select the Buy direction
- Set the order type to Market (executes instantly at the current price — the simplest option)
- Enter the amount of USDT you want to spend, for example 100
- Tap Buy BTC and confirm — the order should fill within seconds
If you'd like to buy at a specific price, choose a Limit order and manually enter your desired price and quantity. Limit orders may not fill immediately — you'll need to wait for the market to reach your specified price.
Selling Works the Same Way
To sell coins you're holding, switch to the Sell direction, choose either market or limit, enter the quantity you want to sell, and confirm.
How to Check Order Status
After placing an order, two tabs will appear at the bottom of the page: Open Orders and Order History. Market orders usually fill instantly, so you'll find them in Order History. If a limit order hasn't filled yet, it'll show under Open Orders, where you can cancel it at any time.
On the App, you can also view your holdings by going to Wallet > Spot. All coins purchased through the spot market will be listed there. For your first trade, it's a good idea to start with a small amount and increase it once you're comfortable with the process.