As most who've used digital payment tools are aware, PayPal is one of the most widely used online payment platforms in the world, and it's been offering a simple service that allows users to invest in four core cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, LTC and BCH). Here's why PayPal is a can be considered for crypto investing, despite the fact that it is a central platform and you do not own the seeds or keys to your investment.

A bit of disclosure; I've been using PayPal since probably 2005 when I was running a side business on eBay selling antique motorcycle parts and whatnot for extra income. The tool was ideal for accepting electronic payments, especially credit-card based transactions, that made it easier for my customers to buy my goods. So, I've had a long-standing good experience with the platform, that has also been connected to my fiat bank the whole time.

While there has been a tremendous amount of criticism about PayPal in the crypto field, as well as the fact that it is a high risk for anyone to lose their money, I simply have not had that experience. In fact, it's been a very stable opposite situation that has been operating for more than a decade and a half. When I compare PayPal then to many of the other so-called crypto resources for trading and investment, I'm faced with:

• Binance US under investigation by the SEC.
• Coinbase threatened by investigation of the same.
• Kraken sued and settled and punished by the SEC.
• Crypto.com in the gray area.
• OpenSea hacked repeatedly.
• FTX crashed with the biggest heist in financial digital history.
• CoinEx banning US customers altogether.
• Celsius gone bankrupt with $500 of my money.

And the list goes on. Yet, there is PayPal, the one that everyone trashes on, providing safe trades, easy profits when dips turn to spikes, and the money goes right to my bank account safe and secure. So, really, how bad is PayPal in practice?

First, PayPal's crypto investment service is convenient and easy to use. The platform is also accessible through the PayPal app, which means that users can buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrencies all in one place. This convenience saves investors the hassle of having to navigate multiple platforms, which can be time-consuming and confusing. It's also a great gateway for newbies into crypto buying without complicate buy-sell screens.

Second, PayPal's crypto investment service is safe and secure. No, it's not guaranteed, but two decades of solid operation is a hell of a lot better than FTX, for example. It also has robust security measures in place to protect its users' funds and personal information.

Third, PayPal's crypto investment service is cost-effective. PayPal charges a small fee for buying and selling cryptocurrencies, but these fees are lower than those charged by most cryptocurrency exchanges. Most big trade exchanges charge anywhere from a $1 to $5 more per trade, including hidden fees in price differences as well.

So, in my opinion and experience as a customer, as well as one who has also personally tried a dozen other exchanges, PayPal continues to be the best platform I've seen and used for core crypto investing. I simply don't have the concerns constantly voiced about how bad the platform is for crypto investors. No, it doesn't have a wide range of options like exchanges that list every little shitcoin created every other week. Instead, it simply provides a solid path into the big 4 coins, 3 of which continue to provide stable returns (BCH is a bit dead, I will agree).

And, given the SEC's continued regulatory crusade, I'm pretty sure PayPal's longstanding bank approach will give them an exception in treatment that even Coinbase can't seem to generate with the Feds.

I could be wrong, but the proof is in the results over time.

Disclaimer - No, I'm not getting any benefit from PayPal writing this article. It's pure experience only.