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 (bank wire) |
BTC Liberty Reserve USD Direct Deposit (ACH) EUR (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 Liberty Reserve USD Liberty Reserve EUR |
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, bank transfer fees or Liberty Reserve conversion fees are usually too expensive. Thus other methods are usually a better choice. The following exchanges will enable you to acquire smaller amounts of bitcoin at reasonable rates:
- CoinPal accepts PayPal for purchases of small lots of bitcoin.
- Britcoin
- bitcoin.local arranges for exchanging currencies in person with someone nearby.
- Bitcoin 4 Cash will sell you bitcoins in exchange for cash in the mail.
- Bitcoin Morpheus will sell you bitcoins for PayPal, check, money order or cash in the mail.
- BitcoinUSD an order book information service.
- bitcoin-otc 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.
