How to Buy and Sell Large Amounts of Cryptocurrency in 2025
Buying a small amount of crypto is relatively straightforward. However, buying and selling large amounts of cryptocurrency is an entirely different ball game. When we talk about large transactions, we’re faced with unique challenges around liquidity, security, regulation and price execution.
At Uptrade, we aim to demystify cryptocurrency trading for our clients. So to help with this, we’ve created this guide where we’ll break down the safest way to trade significant sums of cryptocurrency. Read on if you’re looking for expert insights and practical strategies for making high-value crypto transactions.
Why Large Crypto Transactions Require a Different Approach
As you move from trading thousands to hundreds of thousands, and even millions in crypto, the risks and requirements start to look very different to smaller trades. Here are the main factors you’ll need to consider.
Liquidity and slippage risks
The crypto market is uniquely volatile, and transactions above a certain size (around the million mark) can shift the market price. With limited liquidity on exchanges, you may not be able to fill your entire order at the expected rate, leading to slippage and higher costs.
Counterparty trust and settlement
Because blockchain transactions are irreversible, choosing the right counterparty becomes much more important. This can lead to longer settlements, especially when bank transfers are involved, which can then delay access to funds.
Regulatory scrutiny
In many jurisdictions, large trades attract attention from regulators and tax authorities. Disclosure rules vary depending on where you’re based, and this lack of clarity makes compliance a greater challenge for high-value transactions.
Taxation
Tax treatment for large crypto trades differs by jurisdiction. Capital gains, transaction reporting, and corporate tax implications must all be factored into planning before executing major trades.
Best Methods to Buy Large Amounts of Crypto
If you’re wondering how to buy large amounts of crypto, you’ll be pleased to know there are a number of ways to make that happen. We’ll look at some of the pros and cons of each method below.
OTC (Over-the-Counter) desks
OTC desks handle trades privately, away from public exchanges, which makes them popular for substantial transactions.
Pros: OTC desks allow private transactions to be handled discreetly, with minimal public reporting. They often connect to institutional buyers and sellers, making it easier to move large amounts with less slippage and volatility.
Cons: Trust in the provider is everything. Poor counterparties can expose you to fraud mishandling of funds. Access also tends to be more limited, and is usually reserved for institutions and large corporates rather than retail investors.
Using a broker
Brokers act as intermediaries, sourcing liquidity and managing execution, while providing expert guidance throughout the trading process.
Pros: Liquidity is important for buying large amounts of crypto, and brokers are great for this as they source liquidity across a number of different pools. This enables faster executions on your trades and tighter pricing spreads on large orders. Brokers also provide expert guidance (although some are not as expert as others!) to help with strategy, compliance, and personalised support. All of which saves you both time and risk.
Cons: The main con is that brokers charge fees. But the size of this con is relative. It all depends on how much the fees are and how high-quality the service is for those fees. High fees can feel like a bargain if the service is gold standard, while low fees can still feel like a bad deal if the service is poor.
Crypto exchanges
Exchanges, especially private ones, remain one of the most common ways to buy crypto — though they come with key limitations when used for large trades.
Pros: Certain private or higher-tier exchanges offer better fees, good privacy, and occasionally negotiable terms for high-value trades.
Cons: Not all exchanges are reliable. Limited trustworthiness and regulatory ambiguity can expose users to platform risks, including freezes, shutdowns, or “bank run” scenarios.
Cold wallet transfers
Some investors prefer to move large amounts directly into cold wallets, giving them complete control over storage and security.
Pros: Cold wallets provide maximum ownership control and reduce reliance on third parties. They also avoid third-party fees.
Cons: Setup and management can be complex, requiring careful handling of private keys. Errors are irreversible—losing a device or recovery phrase could mean permanently losing your funds. The higher your trade value, the higher your risk.
Safest Ways to Sell Large Amounts of Crypto
Selling large amounts of crypto comes with its own set of challenges. At Uptrade, we always put a lot of emphasis on reducing your risk in these scenarios, so here are some key considerations.
Important considerations when selling large amounts of crypto
Slippage & liquidity: Large sell orders can move the market. So securing sufficient liquidity is needed to help minimise slippage and protect the sale value.
Counterparty trust: Large sales require trusted platforms and/or brokers. A weak counterparty can cause delays, disputes, and in worst case scenarios, a loss of funds.
Regulatory compliance: Large transactions may trigger reporting requirements to tax authorities or regulators. Staying compliant avoids costly issues later.
Security: Protecting assets during the sale is critical. Using secure wallets, multi-signature setups, or trusted custodians reduces the chance of compromise.
Commonly used strategies
Broker assistance: Brokers manage large sales efficiently with a combination of liquidity and execution support, all the while being backed by top-tier market insights.
Cold wallet transfers: Moving assets into cold wallets can provide safer custody during the selling process.
OTC sales: Direct negotiation with a counterparty enables large, private sales without causing public market disruption.
How to Protect Your Assets During Large Transactions
Higher amounts of risk are a natural part of larger transactions. But choosing the right wallet is one of the best ways to minimise this risk.
Custodial vs. non-custodial wallets
Custodial wallets are managed by third parties, making them easy to use but leaving you without full control. Non-custodial wallets keep ownership in your hands, though they require careful management of private keys — meaning if any devices or keys are lost, there’s nothing that can be done.
Cold storage options
Pros: Cold wallets keep assets offline, making them highly resistant to hacks and cyber threats. They also give you full ownership control.
Cons: Lose the device or forget the recovery phrase, and your funds could be gone permanently.
Smart contract escrow services
Pros: Escrow contracts execute automatically once the pre-agreed conditions are met, reducing human error or fraud risk.
Cons: They require technical expertise to set up and aren’t suited to frequent or urgent transactions. But if you’re not in a rush, they’re a very sensible option.
Final Thoughts: The Benefits of Using a Crypto Broker
As you can tell from what we’ve covered in this guide, you certainly have options when choosing to make large crypto transactions, whether that’s OTC desks, exchanges, or cold wallets. But we’ve seen time and time again that none of them can offer the same balance of speed and security (not to mention simplicity) as a professional crypto broker.
A broker combines the best of all worlds: deep liquidity, best-price execution, personalised guidance, and end-to-end management of every trade.
For institutions and high-net-worth investors, a professional broker is hands down the most efficient and secure way to buy or sell large amounts of crypto.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a large crypto transaction?
It really depends on the asset. For major coins like Bitcoin, trades over USD $1 million are considered large. For smaller-cap tokens, even orders above USD $100,000 can have market impact.
Are large crypto trades reported to regulators?
Reporting varies by jurisdiction. In some regions, large transactions must be disclosed to tax authorities or regulators, while in others reporting is only required if you are specifically requested to do so.
Can I buy $1 million worth of Bitcoin instantly?
Yes, provided there’s sufficient liquidity. Using a broker or OTC desk helps ensure the order is filled quickly without significant slippage.
What are the tax considerations for large trades?
Tax treatment depends on your jurisdiction. Most commonly, capital gains apply, but reporting obligations and rates differ widely. In any case, we suggest getting in touch if you’d like to know the specific tax considerations for your situation.
