Buying bitcoins

One issue currently facing a newcomer to bitcoin is, how do I get some? While there is the bitcoin faucet that can get you started with a small fraction of a coin, when getting larger amounts the user faces an abundance of choice. This page will cut through the clutter, and help direct you to the right exchanger for your needs.

Large amounts

For large amounts of bitcoin (USD 1000 or more), you probably would get the best rate if you deposit funds via bank wire, ACH, Euro bank transfer, or via Liberty Reserve into a major exchange.

Exchange	Type	Adding Funds	Withdrawing Funds	eWallet	Notes
MtGox	Market	BTC Liberty Reserve USD USD (bank wire) USD (Dwolla) USD (ACH) EUR (SEPA bank wire) AUD (Bank wire)	BTC Liberty Reserve USD USD (Dwolla) USD (ACH Direct Deposit) EUR (SEPA bank wire)	Yes	Restrictions and limits on withdrawals.
Tradehill	Market	BTC USD	BTC USD	Yes	Just opened, more payment methods to come.
Britcoin	Market	BTC GBP (bank deposit) PokerStars USD	BTC GBP (bank deposit) PokerStars USD	Yes
Btcex	Market	BTC USD (international wire) EUR (bank transfer) JPY (bank transfer) RUS (RUB, Yandex, WebMoney)	BTC USD (international wire) EUR (bank transfer)	Yes	USD handled in Switzerland. EUR through Finland (SEPA) RUS (RUB, Yandex, WebMoney).
VirWoX	Market	BTC SLL (Second Life) ACD (Avination) OMC (OpenSim) USD,EUR,GBP,CHF (PayPal) USD,EUR,GBP (Credit & Debit cards via Moneybookers) USD,EUR,GBP (NETELLER) EUR (DIRECTebanking / Sofortüberweisung) USD,EUR,GBP,CHF (paysafecard) EUR (SEPA bank wire)	BTC SLL (Second Life) ACD (Avination) OMC (OpenSim) USD,EUR,GBP,CHF (PayPal) USD,EUR,GBP (Moneybookers) USD,EUR,GBP (NETELLER) EUR (SEPA bank wire)	Yes	Trading through Second Life Linden Dollars (highly liquid). See VirWoX article for instructions on how to buy and sell bitcoins. Variable limits on PayPal and Credit Card deposits.

Small amounts

For smaller amounts, the options are limited due to bank transfer fees, conversion fees and transaction size restrictions. Options include:

Service	Type	Payment Method	Notes
BitcoinExchange Services	Fixed Rate	Cash USD, MoneyPak, LR, MoneyGram, Western Union, Pecunix	Selling BTC/MtGoxUSD/LR - Will cash out to PayPal, MoneyGram, Western Union
Britcoin	Market	GBP (bank deposit)	No charge for GBP deposits.
Bitcoin Market	Market	USD (PayPal) USD (Liberty Reserve) USD (MoneyBookers) GAU (Pecunix)	Varies (person to person)
BitMarket.eu	Market	EUR GBP USD PLN (Polish złoty) RUB	Varies (person to person)
Bitcoin.com.es	Fixed Rate	EUR (bank deposit)	Bank transfer or cash deposits at OpenBank in Spain.
Bitomat	Market	PLN (bank deposit)	No charges
Nanaimo Gold	Fixed Rate	USD (Liberty Reserve) Western Union money transfer Moneygram money transfer Cash in the mail	LR <--> Bitcoin exchange is automated For cash in the mail send USD, EUR, CAD, or GBP. Canada mailing address.
Bitcoin Brasil	Fixed Rate	BRL (Brazilian Real) USD	Cash exchange
Bitcoil	Fixed Rate	ILS (Israeli New Shekel)	Payment via bank transfer.
Bitcoin 4 Cash	Fixed Rate	Cash in the mail	Send USD or CAD. Canada mailing address.
Bitcoin2Cash	Fixed Rate	Cash in the mail	U.S. mailing address.
Bitcoin Morpheus	Fixed Rate	Cash, check or money order through the mail	U.S. mailing address for cash transactions.
bitcoin.local	Directory	Varies (person to person)
#bitcoin-otc	Order Book	Varies (person to person)	IRC trading marketplace will usually have people willing to deal for small and larger amounts using various payment methods, including PayPal, Dwolla, Linden Dollars, etc.
Ubitex	In person exchange	Varies (person to person)

eWallet

Some services hold your bitcoins in an eWallet and provide funding methods.

• YouTipIt Add funds with PayPal.

See Also

• Digital Currencies
• Selling bitcoins
• Secure Trading