Using the IC

Get ICP

Learn how you can get ICP tokens to participate in the Internet Computer.

How you can get ICP tokens

Safely acquire ICP tokens

The following covers the different ways to get ICP tokens. If you want to learn more about the native utility token of the Internet Computer, see What are ICP tokens?

Let’s have a look at the most common ways to safely acquire ICP tokens:

Purchase ICP

ICP tokens can be purchased through a variety of exchanges that have listed the tokens for trade

Token grants

The DFINITY Foundation and the Internet Computer Association (ICA) award token grants to builders and community members

Staking rewards

Neuron holders have locked their ICP and receive tokens as rewards for participating in governance

Node rewards

Note providers receive ICP tokens as compensation for providing the computing capacity that powers the IC

Where to buy ICP?

Buying ICP from exchanges

Centralized exchanges

A wide variety of centralized exchanges (CEXs) have listed ICP, allowing you to buy tokens with your native currency.

Please keep in mind that centralized exchanges have full custody over the ICP you buy unless you send it to a wallet you control.

The following shows an overview of large exchanges that allow trading of ICP. For a full list, have a look at coinmarketcap.com.

Decentralized exchanges

The advantage of decentralized exchanges (DEXs) is that you maintain full custody over your funds. Instead of safeguarding your funds, DEXs connect sellers and buyers directly and use smart contracts to safely facilitate the transaction.

ICPSwap is a decentralized exchange running on the Internet Computer. You can learn more about it here: ICPSwap.

Staking ICP Tokens

Learn how you can stake ICP tokens on the Network Nervous System (NNS)

Stake ICP

What are Neurons?

Learn more about the neurons of the Network Nervous System and what purpose they serve

More about Neurons