How to buy bitcoin using this list of exchanges?
Hopefully the list of bitcoin exchanges above will be of good use for how to trade bitcoins. Each outstanding site should have detailed instructions. From here, one can easily figure out how to buy bitcoin with credit card, paypal, cash, bank transfers. Once you have got some coins then it is a good idea to store them offline (not on an exchange).
For cold storage check out the list of available wallets. When wanting buy or sell it is safer just to transfer in and out of your ‘cold’ wallet to the ‘hot’ online exchange. Remember that so long as an offline wallet’s keys have not been compromised, then those coins cannot be taken.
What is the best site to buy bitcoin in the above list?
It’s a tough question in my opinion. Each will have an upside compared to others. Check a few out and look up on forums to see what users are saying about the service provided, and which they think are the best sites to buy bitcoin easily. Localbitcoins.com is a really cool p2p bitcoin exchange for beginners wanting to buy for their first time. The service is all over the world, meaning you can use euros, pounds, yen, australian dollars, swiss francs, canadian dollars, krona, rubles, lira, rupees and so on. If you pay by physical cash then you get to meet the person in real life. Alternatively you can do a fast bank transfer and the site will hold your coins in escrow for you once it goes through. Obviously there are more simple ways to start off. Some like to buy with paypal, but not many leading bitcoin exchanges accept this because of chargebacks.
Which are the largest exchanges?
Generally the biggest bitcoin exchanges will be toward the top of the above list. For example OkCoin, GDAX, Btc-e, Coinbase (also the best usd bitcoin exchange) all represent large volume proportions. Daily volume varies, and therefore the world’s largest exchange vary each day. Go to bitcoinity for a good list of all the top bitcoin exchange site and their proportional volumes. Some find this handy for arbitrage between markets.
What about the best cryptocurrency exchange?
Sadly, with the demise of Cryptsy there is a need for a new major first-rate cryptocurrency exchange (aka altcoins). Having many medium-sized cryptocurrency exchange sites is a better situation than having one large amazing option. Poloniex is the large amazing option. It’s a really good platform and the user-interface has gone through a complete redesign. Things feel smooth when using Poloniex. All big and small trading pairs are offered and it is now possible to do cryptocurrency margin trading on major altcoins. This is a cool feature, but use it with caution as leveraged trading has a certain risk factor. Keep in mind that some of the best bitcoin exchange sites also do altcoins. HitBTC, Bittrex, and CEX, are great options worth checking out. Some even offer short selling on major coins.
You may also like to check the market capitalizations and compare them to others listed there.
Where to find the most secure bitcoin exchange?
This is an important question to ask. Yes, putting the words trustworthy bitcoin exchange in the same sentence seems like an oxymoron, especially when remembering the shiny days of MtGox (aka Empty-Gox). While the bitcoin protocol has never been hacked, many peripheral businesses have. Perhaps the best question to ask would be: which are the least secure bitcoin exchanges. Generally, those listed here are optimum and of good standing, but please proceed with caution. Remember never to leave more btc online than you can afford to loose.
Please come back to my blog and rate which ever finest site(s) you chose to buy BTC online. This helps future visitors immensely.
The best bitcoin exchanges for the year :
Coinbase.com
Coinbase combine an attractive interface, a great site to get bitcoins with a debit card, and multiple online wallets for your digital currency.
Over 4,800,000 users are signed up, including 45,000 merchants, and 9000 developer apps. Works well for European, American, & Canadian customers. I’ve also written a comprehensive
Pros
- Damn easy to use
- Lots of long-time customers
- Online wallet available
Cons
- Slightly more work needed when verifying account
Localbitcoins.com
Localbitcoins is quite a popular for p2p (person to person) transactions all over the world. Simply put, you interact directly with the guy selling to you. Out of all the bitcoin sites listed here, this is one of the first and most reputed. Escrow and dispute resolution is provided by the site.
Pros
- Great way to meet people
- PayPal also available
- No verification needed
- Popular in most countries
Cons
- May take longer to conclude transaction
- Risks associated with anonymous transactions
- Some bank accounts have been suspended after receiving money
Bitstamp.net
Bitstamp are big in Europe and operate out of the United Kingdom. Good volumes are available for larger trades. Well received by people using SEPA and cards.
Pros
- Card purchases available (visa mastercard)
- HQ Located in London
- Good for large transactions
Cons
- Not available for many countries
Kraken.com
Kraken is becoming a reputed bitcoin broker, with many markets served. Europeans love it just as much as Americans because they work well through SEPA, have an easy verification process, and are very knowledgeable when it come to cryptography.
Pros
- Cryptographic communications
- Cheapest rates
- works well for Europeans and North America
Cons
- Site not as visually intuitive
CoinATMradar.com
CoinATMradar provide a global map of bitcoin ATMs. This allows you to use cash to buy in person at a physical machine. This is one of the most underrated means of purchasing with no verification of ID, and allows users to stay anonymous with over 869 ATMs srpead over each continent.
Pros
- Find bitcoin locations near you
- No ID needed in some cases
- Explains how a bitcoin atm works
Cons
- Not always possible to find a machine nearby
- You’ll have to leave your house!
Paxful.com
Paxful get over 2 million monthly visits, with 50% originating from the USA. It’s a peer to peer Bitcoin marketplace connecting buyers with sellers similar to the one above. Over 150 payment methods can be used. Impressive.
Pros
- Hundreds of payment methods
- p2p (person to person)
Cons
- Higher fees than elsewhere
Bitsquare.io
Bitsquare is not to be missed for the more technically advanced. A decentralized p2p platform that keeps you super safe. Over 60 crypocurrencies can be traded and you can even purcahse btc using a bank transfer, escrow, & trusted 3rd parties.
Pros
- Incredibly advanced (technologically)
- p2p AND decentralized
- Trusted escrow system for bank transfers
Cons
- Advanced level of IT comprehension needed
GDAX.com
GDAX is great for technical traders and offers good liquidity. Deposits are in USD and can be processed just as rapidly as withdrawls. Aslo happens to be the best ethereum exchange for serious players in this space.
Pros
- An integral part of the trusted Coinbase brand
- Optimized to be a serious trading site
Cons
- More ID processing steps than on Chinese trading platform
