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.

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
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)
Bit / BTC China	Market	n/a	n/a
#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.	Bahtcoin	Fixed Rate	Cash, Webmoney Liberty Reserve USD	Will cash out to Thai mobile and gaming prepaid cards as well.
BitcoinExchange Services	Fixed Rate	Cash USD, MoneyPak, LR, MoneyGram, Western Union, Pecunix	Selling BTC/MtGoxUSD/LR - Will cash out to PayPal, MoneyGram, Western Union
Lilion Transfer	Fixed Rate	USD (Liberty Reserve) Pecunix
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 Morpheus	Fixed Rate	Cash, check or money order through the mail	U.S. mailing address for cash transactions.
Bitcoin Argentina	Fixed Rate	Cash: ARS, BRL, USD Bank transfer: ARS	No exchange fees!
Bitcoin.com.es	Fixed Rate	EUR (bank deposit)	Bank transfer or cash deposits at OpenBank in Spain.
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.local	Directory	Varies (person to person)
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
• Comparison of exchanges