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 (ACH) EUR (SEPA bank wire) |
BTC Liberty Reserve USD USD (ACH Direct Deposit) EUR (SEPA bank wire) |
Yes | Restrictions and limits on withdrawals. |
| Britcoin | Market | BTC GBP (bank deposit) PokerStars USD |
BTC GBP (bank deposit) PokerStars USD |
Yes | |
| Bitcoin Central | Market | BTC Liberty Reserve USD Liberty Reserve EUR EUR (bank deposit) Pecunix |
BTC Liberty Reserve USD Liberty Reserve EUR |
Yes | |
| BitcoinUSA | Fixed Rate | BTC USD (ACH Debit) |
BTC USD (ACH Direct Deposit) |
Yes | Requires physical mailing address verification, photo ID. |
| 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). |
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 |
| CoinPal | Fixed Rate | USD (PayPal) | For purchases of small lots of bitcoins |
| 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 PLN (Polish złoty) |
Varies (person to person) |
| bitomat.pl | Market | PLN (bank deposit) | No charges |
| Bitcoin Brasil | Fixed Rate | BRL (Brazilian Real) USD |
Cash exchange |
| 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 | PayPal, Cash, check or money order through the mail |
7-day delay for PayPal transactions. U.S. mailing address for cash transactions. |
| bitcoin.local | Directory | Varies (person to person) | |
| BitcoinUSD | Order Book | Varies (person to person) | Escrow service available. |
| #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. |
eWallet
Some services hold your bitcoins in an eWallet and provide funding methods.
- YouTipIt Add funds with PayPal.