Difference between revisions of "Bitcoinica"

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(Add to category Investing.)
(Update with AurumXChange deposit and withdrawal methods.)
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An exchange that allows speculation on the Bitcoin to USD (BTC/USD) exchange rate using leverage.
 
An exchange that allows speculation on the Bitcoin to USD (BTC/USD) exchange rate using leverage.
  
The service was launched on September 8, 2011<ref>[https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=42267.0 Bitcoinica - Advanced Bitcoin Trading Platform]</ref>.  At the time leverage offered was 5:1 though on November 19, 2011 the service dropped the default margin requirement level to 2.5:1<ref>[http://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=52092.0 Bitcoinica changes default leverage to 2.5:1 for everyone]</ref>.  The level may raised to 5:1 by placing a request with the company via email.  
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The default margin requirement level is 2.5:1<ref>[http://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=52092.0 Bitcoinica changes default leverage to 2.5:1 for everyone]</ref>.  The level may raised to 5:1 (or higher) using the self-service settings function.
  
 
The service charges no trading fees but instead earns from the trading spread -- similar to how forex trading functions.
 
The service charges no trading fees but instead earns from the trading spread -- similar to how forex trading functions.
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Funds may be added in the form of either MTGUSD or Bitcoins.  Leverage from funds added using bitcoins can purchase an even larger Bitcoin (long) position<ref>[http://www.bitcoinmoney.com/post/11583434953 Bitcoinica - Leveraging Your Bitcoins To Buy ... More Bitcoins]</ref>.  Similarly, funds added using USDs can be used to sell (short) bitcoins without already having bitcoins.
 
Funds may be added in the form of either MTGUSD or Bitcoins.  Leverage from funds added using bitcoins can purchase an even larger Bitcoin (long) position<ref>[http://www.bitcoinmoney.com/post/11583434953 Bitcoinica - Leveraging Your Bitcoins To Buy ... More Bitcoins]</ref>.  Similarly, funds added using USDs can be used to sell (short) bitcoins without already having bitcoins.
  
The site for the service has a copyright mention referencing an xWaylab, Inc (a Delaware corporation) however the site does not yet provide a terms of service and it is not known from which jurisdiction the service operates.  The service does not appear to address regulatory requirements referenced in an alert from the U.S. capital regulator FINRA<ref>[http://www.finra.org/Investors/ProtectYourself/InvestorAlerts/MarginAndBorrowing/P005973 Investing with Borrowed Funds: No "Margin" for Error]</ref>.
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The site does not yet provide a terms of service and it is not known from which jurisdiction the service operates.
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==Depositing Funds==
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===Bitcoins==
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Bitcoins are accepted for depositA Bitcoinica BTC code may also be used for bitcoin deposits that are instantly available for use.
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===USD===
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====Redeemable Codes====
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Bitcoinica USD redeemable codes and Mt. Gox USD redeemable codes are accepted for deposit.
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====Internationial Wire====
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USD funds may be wired to Bitcoinica's bank account in Singapore or to [[AurumXChange]] which can fund a Bitcoinica redeemable code.
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====Cash deposit====
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Deposits at thousands of banks can fund a Bitcoinica redeemable code (fee applies).
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====Liberty Reserve====
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[[Liberty Reserve]] USD and other e-currencies can be converted to a Bitcoinica redeemable code at through AurumXChange.
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===E-Currencies===
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E-Currencies including Liberty Reserve, HD-Money, [[Pecunix]], PerfectMoney, and others are accepted at AurumXChange and can be converted to a Bitcoinica redeemable code.
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===EUR===
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SEPA Euro transfers can be used to fund a Bitcoinica redeemable code through AurumXChange.
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===GBP===
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GBP wire transfers to a U.K. bank can fund a Bitcoinica redeemable code through AurumXChange.
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==Withdrawing Funds==
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===USD===
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Bitcoinica USD redeemable codes can be redeemed at AurumXChange.  USD funds may be used for a bank wire transfer or to load or reload funds for the AurumXChange MasterCard.
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===EUR===
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Bitcoinica USD redeemable codes can be redeemed at AurumXChange and then withdrawn as a bank wire transfer in the SEPA Eurozone.
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 +
===GBP===
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 +
Bitcoinica USD redeemable codes can be redeemed at AurumXChange and then withdrawn as a bank wire transfer to a UK bank.
 +
 
 +
==History==
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The service was launched on September 8, 2011<ref>[https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=42267.0 Bitcoinica - Advanced Bitcoin Trading Platform]</ref>.  On March 1st, 2012 the site suffered a significant financial loss when a web hosting had an internal security breach that gave the attacker access to a wallet in which Bitcoinica stored funds.  More than 43K bitcoins were stolen by the attacker.  The operator provided a statement that reserves were sufficient to cover the loss<ref>[http://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=66979.0 Bitcoinica lost 43,554 BTC from Linode compromise, suspicious TXIDs publicized]</ref>.  
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==

Revision as of 07:50, 6 March 2012

An exchange that allows speculation on the Bitcoin to USD (BTC/USD) exchange rate using leverage.

The default margin requirement level is 2.5:1[1]. The level may raised to 5:1 (or higher) using the self-service settings function.

The service charges no trading fees but instead earns from the trading spread -- similar to how forex trading functions.

Caution is recommended for those not familiar with leverage and/or forex trading.

Funds may be added in the form of either MTGUSD or Bitcoins. Leverage from funds added using bitcoins can purchase an even larger Bitcoin (long) position[2]. Similarly, funds added using USDs can be used to sell (short) bitcoins without already having bitcoins.

The site does not yet provide a terms of service and it is not known from which jurisdiction the service operates.

Depositing Funds

=Bitcoins

Bitcoins are accepted for deposit. A Bitcoinica BTC code may also be used for bitcoin deposits that are instantly available for use.

USD

Redeemable Codes

Bitcoinica USD redeemable codes and Mt. Gox USD redeemable codes are accepted for deposit.


Internationial Wire

USD funds may be wired to Bitcoinica's bank account in Singapore or to AurumXChange which can fund a Bitcoinica redeemable code.

Cash deposit

Deposits at thousands of banks can fund a Bitcoinica redeemable code (fee applies).

Liberty Reserve

Liberty Reserve USD and other e-currencies can be converted to a Bitcoinica redeemable code at through AurumXChange.

E-Currencies

E-Currencies including Liberty Reserve, HD-Money, Pecunix, PerfectMoney, and others are accepted at AurumXChange and can be converted to a Bitcoinica redeemable code.

EUR

SEPA Euro transfers can be used to fund a Bitcoinica redeemable code through AurumXChange.

GBP

GBP wire transfers to a U.K. bank can fund a Bitcoinica redeemable code through AurumXChange.

Withdrawing Funds

USD

Bitcoinica USD redeemable codes can be redeemed at AurumXChange. USD funds may be used for a bank wire transfer or to load or reload funds for the AurumXChange MasterCard.

EUR

Bitcoinica USD redeemable codes can be redeemed at AurumXChange and then withdrawn as a bank wire transfer in the SEPA Eurozone.

GBP

Bitcoinica USD redeemable codes can be redeemed at AurumXChange and then withdrawn as a bank wire transfer to a UK bank.

History

The service was launched on September 8, 2011[3]. On March 1st, 2012 the site suffered a significant financial loss when a web hosting had an internal security breach that gave the attacker access to a wallet in which Bitcoinica stored funds. More than 43K bitcoins were stolen by the attacker. The operator provided a statement that reserves were sufficient to cover the loss[4].

External Links

References