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 |
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| 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.