Buying bitcoins: Difference between revisions

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==Small amounts==
==Fixed Rate Exchanges & Others==


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

Revision as of 19:18, 2 July 2011

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.

Major Exchanges

The least expensive methods for buying bitcoins involve transferring funds using a bank wire, ACH, bank transfer (ACH, EUR / SEPA).

Exchange Type Adding Funds Withdrawing Funds eWallet Notes
MtGox Market BTC
USD (Dwolla)
USD (International bank wire)
EUR (SEPA bank wire)
AUD (Bank wire)
Liberty Reserve USD
BTC
USD (Dwolla)
EUR (SEPA bank wire)
Liberty Reserve USD
Yes Restrictions and limits on withdrawals.
TradeHill Market BTC
USD (Dwolla)
USD (Domestic bank wire)
USD (International bank wire)
CLP (Bank transfer)
PEN (Bank transfer)
INR (Bank transfer)
AUD (Bank transfer)
Liberty Reserve USD
BTC
USD (Dwolla)
USD (Domestic bank wire)
USD (International bank wire)
USD (Direct deposit / ACH)
CLP (Bank transfer)
INR (Bank transfer)
AUD (Bank transfer)
Liberty Reserve USD
Yes
Bitomat Market BTC
PLN (Bank transfer)
BTC
PLN (Bank transfer)
Yes
Britcoin Market BTC
GBP (bank deposit)
BTC
GBP (bank deposit)
Yes
ExchangeBitcoins.com Market BTC
USD (Dwolla)
USD (Bank wire)
USD (Check)
BTC
USD (Dwolla)
USD (Check)
Yes
Bitcoin7 Market BTC
EUR (Bank transfer)
USD (Dwolla)
USD (MtGox)
USD (Bank wire)Liberty Reserve USD
Liberty Reserve EUR
CashU
PaySafeCard
BTC
EUR (Bank transfer)
USD (Dwolla)
USD (Mt. Gox)
USD (Bank transfer)
Liberty Reserve USD
CashU
Yes USD wire to Citibank. EUR transfer to FiBank or EBank.
VirtEx Market BTC
CAD (Interac)
CAD (online bill pay)
CAD (cash at TDBank)
BTC
CAD (Interac)
CAD (direct deposit)
CAD (Prepaid VISA)
Yes BETA (i.e., no new accounts / no adding funds)
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.

Fixed Rate Exchanges & Others

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
Bit / BTC China Market n/a n/a
Bitcoin Argentina Fixed Rate Cash: ARS, BRL, USD
Bank transfer: ARS
No exchange fees!
BitcoinExchange Services Fixed Rate Cash USD, MoneyPak, LR, MoneyGram, Western Union, Pecunix Selling BTC/MtGoxUSD/LR - Will cash out to PayPal, MoneyGram, Western Union
Bitcoin Market Market 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
MeuBitcoin Fixed Rate BRL (Brazilian Real) Payment via MoIP (Money over IP)
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.

See Also