Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Buy Crypto with Professional Support via an OTC desk
Ruby Layram
23rd May 2025
Entering the world of crypto investing isn’t exactly an easy feat. If you’re not a blockchain expert (and let’s face it, who is?), navigating the different cryptocurrencies, decentralised platforms, and exchanges can be incredibly daunting. This is where Over-the-Counter (or OTC) desks come into play, offering a personalised way to get started.
In this guide, we will explore how to use OTC desks to purchase crypto for you. We will also take a closer look at whether this option is suitable for you and how to start.
What Is an OTC Desk?
OTC stands for Over-the-Counter, and an OTC desk is basically a service that helps people buy (or sell) large amounts of cryptocurrency directly, without having to do it yourself in a crypto exchange.
Instead of logging onto a platform and placing an order where the whole market can see, you work directly with a broker (often called an OTC trader) who arranges the deal for you behind the scenes.
Some popular exchanges, such as CoinJar, offer a native OTC desk. This allows you to buy or sell crypto through a well-known provider.
Why Use an OTC Desk to Buy Crypto?
OTC desks come with a range of benefits that make them appealing to traders who are looking to buy large quantities of crypto.
Slippage
One of the biggest advantages of using an OTC desk is slippage. When you buy crypto on a crypto exchange, especially in large amounts, your transaction can affect the price of the coin you’re buying.
That’s because crypto exchanges usually have what’s called an order book, where all trades are visible. If someone suddenly wants to buy £250,000 worth of Bitcoin, for example, everyone sees it and the price could shoot up. But with an OTC desk, none of that happens. The deal is handled using a number of liquidity providers, some might be outside of the crypto exchange. So in the majority of cases, there’s no market disruption, no panic buying, and no sudden price swings just because you’re getting involved.
Professional help
Another benefit is that you’ll have a professional on your side.
OTC desks are often staffed by professional traders who live and breathe the crypto markets. They know what they’re doing, and they can help guide you through the process rather than leaving you to navigate the chaos alone.
This is especially handy if you’re not sure how to get started. You don’t have to be a tech whizz or a seasoned investor, they’ll guide you through the process from start to finish.
Liquidity
Liquidity is just a fancy way of saying: how easy is it to buy or sell the amount you want without having to wait around or pay more than expected.
With an OTC desk, you’ll usually get access to much deeper liquidity than on standard crypto exchanges.
That means if you want to buy £50,000, £100,000, or even more in one go, you’re far less likely to face delays or overpay in fees and spreads. The OTC desk will tap into its network of buyers and sellers to match you up efficiently and at a competitive rate.
How Does It All Work?
The process of buying crypto from an OTC desk is a little different to buying it from a traditional exchange.
Before you get started, you have to have a crypto account set up with the OTC platforms. If you choose Coinjar, for example, just like with any other FCA registered exchange, there is a 24-hour cooling period during which you need to pass a knowledge test, deposit funds and wait for your funds to clear.
Once your account is set up, you contact the OTC desk and let them know what you’re looking to do: buy or sell, how much, and which coin.
They’ll give you a quote based on what the market is doing. If you’re happy with the price, you agree to the deal, and they take care of the rest.
Once the trade is confirmed, they’ll arrange the transfer of crypto and funds so that everything settles smoothly. And just like that, you’re a crypto holder, without having to wrestle with confusing exchange fees, slippage, or confusing dashboards.
Is an OTC Desk Suitable for You?
OTC is a service that used to be aimed mainly at big institutions and wealthy individuals. But if an individual meets their minimum requirements (for example, a minimum trade of US$50,000 like CoinJar OTC desk) then this could appeal to the retail investor.
If you’re thinking about buying a decent chunk of crypto and don’t want the hassle of doing it all yourself, this could be a really smart route.
That said, not all OTC desks are the same, so it’s worth doing a bit of research.
Look for one that’s well-established, ideally with good reviews or recommendations. You want to make sure they follow proper procedures like KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks, as it increases the likelihood of the firm having controls in place to detect and prevent financial crime.
Ask about fees, too. Some desks charge a flat rate, others take a small percentage, so it’s good to know what to expect upfront. Some will even offer extra services like crypto storage or market updates, which can be useful if you plan on holding your investment long-term.
CoinJar is a good example of a reputable exchange that offers OTC services. They have a USD$50,000 minimum per trade requirement and usually operate during business hours.
Going through a platform such as this is a good way to ensure that you are using a credible service that complies with local regulations.
In short, using an OTC desk to buy crypto is like hiring a tour guide for a destination you’ve never visited before. You could try to figure it out on your own, but it’s much easier, when someone with experience is showing you the ropes.
You might get access to better prices, avoid rookie mistakes, and you won’t have to worry about making your move in front of a watching crowd.
So, if you’re seeking to invest a large amount into crypto and are looking for good service and more competitive rates, reach out to an OTC desk, ask your questions, and let the professionals do the heavy lifting for you.
It’s a low-stress way to make your first big crypto buy.
| Standard Risk Statement |
| The above article is not to be read as investment, legal or tax advice and it takes no account of particular personal or market circumstances; all readers should seek independent investment advice before investing in cryptocurrencies. The article is provided for general information and educational purposes only, no responsibility or liability is accepted for any errors of fact or omission expressed therein. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. |
| UK residents are required (in accordance with local legislation) to complete an appropriateness assessment to show they understand the risks associated with what crypto/investment they are about to buy and enabling CoinJar to categorize them as an investor. New customers are also required under local regulations to wait 24-hours as a “cooling off” period (from account creation), before their account is active (i.e. to deposit, trade, withdraw etc.). |
| Cryptocurrency is currently not regulated in the UK. It’s vital to understand that once your money is in the crypto ecosystem, there are no rules to protect it, unlike with regular investments. You should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. So, if you make any crypto-related investments, you’re unlikely to have recourse to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) or the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) if something goes wrong. |
| Remember: |
| Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high‑risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 minutes to learn more: www.coinjar.com/uk/risk-summary. |
| If you use a credit card to buy cryptocurrency, you would be putting borrowed money at a risk of loss. We recommend you obtain financial advice before making a decision to use your credit card to purchase cryptoassets or to invest in cryptoassets. |
| Note the standard risk warning from the CoinJar website. |
Leave a Reply