Difference between revisions of "Bitcoinica"

From Bitcoin Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Add mention of security breach. Add HOWTO and API sections.)
(Update status to past-tense. Add to history the announcement regarding being put into receivership. Remove from Exchanges category.)
Line 1: Line 1:
An exchange that enables leveraged speculation in its contract-for-difference (CFD) market against the Bitcoin to USD (BTC/USD) exchange rate.
+
Was an exchange that enabled leveraged speculation in its contract-for-difference (CFD) market against the Bitcoin to USD (BTC/USD) exchange rate.
 
 
The service charges no trading fees but instead earns from the trading spread -- similar to how forex trading functions.
 
 
 
==Leverage==
 
 
 
Caution is recommended for those not familiar with leverage and/or forex trading.
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
==Depositing Funds==
 
 
 
===Bitcoins===
 
 
 
* Bitcoin transaction.  Deposit transactions are credited after six confirmations.
 
 
 
====Redeemable Codes====
 
 
 
Credited and available for use instantly.
 
 
 
* Bitcoinica Redeemable Code (BTC). 
 
* [[MtGox|Mt. Gox]] Redeemable Code (BTC).
 
 
 
===USD===
 
 
 
====Redeemable Codes====
 
 
 
* Bitcoinica USD redeemable codes
 
* Mt. Gox USD redeemable codes are accepted for deposit.
 
 
 
====Internationial Wire====
 
 
 
* Funds (USD) may be wired to Bitcoinica's bank account in Singapore.
 
* Funds through [[AurumXChange Company]] are then deposited as a Bitcoinica USD redeemable code.
 
 
 
====Cash deposit====
 
 
 
Deposits at thousands of banks can fund a Bitcoinica USD redeemable code (fee applies).
 
 
 
====Liberty Reserve====
 
 
 
* AurumXChange accepts [[Liberty Reserve]] USD and other e-currencies for conversion to a Bitcoinica USD redeemable code
 
* BitInstant accepts Liberty Reserve deposits for transfer to a Bitcoinica account.
 
 
 
===EUR===
 
 
 
SEPA Euro transfers can be used to fund a Bitcoinica USD redeemable code through AurumXChange.
 
 
 
===GBP===
 
 
 
GBP wire transfers to a U.K. bank can fund a Bitcoinica USD redeemable code through AurumXChange.
 
 
 
===Other E-Currencies===
 
 
 
E-Currencies including Liberty Reserve, HD-Money, [[Pecunix]], PerfectMoney, and others are accepted at AurumXChange and can be converted to a Bitcoinica USD redeemable code.
 
 
 
==Withdrawing Funds==
 
 
 
===Bitcoins===
 
 
 
* Bitcoin transaction.
 
 
 
====Redeemable Codes====
 
 
 
* Bitcoina Redeemable Code (BTC)
 
* Mt. Gox Redeemable Code (BTC)
 
 
 
===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.
 
* Mt. Gox Reemable Code (USD).
 
* BitInstant. For transferring funds to other exchanges.
 
* International Wire Transfer (fee applies).
 
 
 
===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.
 
 
 
==API==
 
 
 
An [http://www.bitcoinica.com/pages/api API] is available for automated trading.
 
==HOWTO==
 
 
 
Going long and short can be as simple and placing a buy or sell order at market prices and doing nothing more.  Additional techniques for obtaining desired pricing or limiting risk include the use of limit orders, stop orders, and more.  A [http://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=81339 Bitconica for newbies] post on the [[BitcoinTalk]] forum describes the more advanced uses.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
Line 98: Line 9:
 
On May 11, 2012 Bitcoinica suffered for the second time a security incident in which a large amount of coins were stolen from its hot wallet<ref>[http://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=81045.0 Bitcoinica site is taken offline for security investigation]</ref>.  
 
On May 11, 2012 Bitcoinica suffered for the second time a security incident in which a large amount of coins were stolen from its hot wallet<ref>[http://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=81045.0 Bitcoinica site is taken offline for security investigation]</ref>.  
  
==External Links==
+
On August 1, 2012 the Wendon Group investment fund as creditor to Bitcoinica LP announced that it will appoint a receiver under New Zealand law<ref>[http://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=97272.0 Bitcoinica Consultancy abandons customers. Bitcoinica to enter Liquidation]</ref>.
 
 
* [http://www.bitcoinica.com Bitcoinica] web site
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 
[[Category:Exchanges]]
 
[[Category:Investing]]
 

Revision as of 18:33, 2 August 2012

Was an exchange that enabled leveraged speculation in its contract-for-difference (CFD) market against the Bitcoin to USD (BTC/USD) exchange rate.

History

The service was launched on September 8, 2011[1]. 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[2].

Announced on April 20, 2012 was that Bitcoinica had "reorganized" and was now operated as Bitcoinica LP and had become a registered Financial Services Provider[3].

On May 11, 2012 Bitcoinica suffered for the second time a security incident in which a large amount of coins were stolen from its hot wallet[4].

On August 1, 2012 the Wendon Group investment fund as creditor to Bitcoinica LP announced that it will appoint a receiver under New Zealand law[5].

References