There are a multitude of ways to buy bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Buy online, in physical stores or over-the-counter: anything is possible. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
To buy bitcoins quickly, there’s nothing like going through the Internet. But before buying bitcoin online, you must meet a few prerequisites.
First of all, your IT environment must be protected. If manipulating your bank details or other personal data on a corrupted computer is a terrible idea, doing it with your crypto is even more so. Make sure your operating system is up to date, as are your antivirus and firewall. Also use a VPN to divulge as little personal data as possible on the web. Once you have ensured this, you must prepare a Bitcoin wallet to accommodate your funds.
You can consult the tutorials dedicated to the different wallets that we have recommended. The physical wallet remains the most secure, like a credit card or a USB key (hardware wallet). Without going into details, I recommend a reliable and secure desktop wallet. For example, software to install on any computer. Do not forget to save your mnemonic phrase, this sequence of words which allows you to generate your private keys and your associated public addresses. This is the only way to regain access to your funds, if you reinstall your computer, or if it is lost, crashed or stolen!
Once you have a Bitcoin wallet, you will have multiple receiving addresses, where you can receive and then transfer your bitcoins. The process is the same for most cryptocurrencies: you just need to install an application on your PC (Windows or Mac) or smartphone.
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Don’t forget your valid ID
To note, online sales sites and foreign exchange platforms will therefore ask you to provide your identity and, in many cases, your physical address. If you decide to buy cryptos through regulated providers, your identity will therefore be linked to the addresses for receiving your funds. In order to prove that you are the legitimate owner of the identification documents you send, you will very often be asked to take a photo of yourself in the presence of said documents. So you can already take a high definition photo of the ID document you will be using.
Once you have an (empty) Bitcoin wallet and the required documents, you can proceed with the purchases. There are some different options available. First of all, only go through well-known and proven providers! Above all, do not send money to a shady company unknown to the crypto community, at the risk of never seeing it again!
Buy bitcoin via a distance selling site
Distance selling sites allow you to get bitcoins directly from an address that belongs to you. You must therefore first create a Bitcoin wallet. This is a great way to get bitcoin on a very short notice. Once your documents have been validated and your purchase made, the BTC will be sent to the address you have specified (that of your wallet). Distance selling sites generally offer many means of payment: bank card (the fastest, but generally the most expensive), bank transfer, or even prepaid card.
How to buy Bitcoin by credit card
The process is always the same: You will first need to create your account on the distance selling site; You will then need to enter your identity (name, first name, address); In order to validate this information, you will usually need to send a photo of your passport / ID card and a photo of yourself, holding your document in your hand.
If you choose to pay by bank transfer, you will have to wait longer (bank transfers are not instant). In contrast, this payment option generally allows for the purchase of larger amounts of bitcoin.
Now have you got any idea (to buy)?
