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Topic: USA citizen - how can I buy/sell btc without using Coinbase or LocalBitcoins? (Read 2935 times)

newbie
Activity: 57
Merit: 0
Wall of Coins allows same day purchase with cash of BTC and Dash. You search on the page what the local offers are and which bank to deposit the cash.

Going to the bank can be a major PITA (pain-in-the-ass) in my area. So many people!

I tried bank deposit once at a BofA. I was told the branch would not allow me to deposit in another person's account.

Would that be the same as transferring money to another's account?
sr. member
Activity: 1190
Merit: 306
Wall of Coins allows same day purchase with cash of BTC and Dash. You search on the page what the local offers are and which bank to deposit the cash.

Going to the bank can be a major PITA (pain-in-the-ass) in my area. So many people!

I tried bank deposit once at a BofA. I was told the branch would not allow me to deposit in another person's account.
That doesn't surprise me, although my own local bank allows this.  I'd estimate that 30% of people doing this are up to shady deals.  I could be wrong.

It's a damn shame that Circle is no longer with us, because they were quite convenient.  No one has stepped up to fill their shoes, unfortunately.  The only way to buy bitcoin with fiat reliably is to do the whole KYC thing with Kraken or whoever.  Not a lot of people are comfortable with that, although it was the same thing with Circle.  Buy from users on this forum.  You'll always see plenty of offers.
hero member
Activity: 938
Merit: 1001
Wall of Coins allows same day purchase with cash of BTC and Dash. You search on the page what the local offers are and which bank to deposit the cash.

Going to the bank can be a major PITA (pain-in-the-ass) in my area. So many people!

I tried bank deposit once at a BofA. I was told the branch would not allow me to deposit in another person's account.
sr. member
Activity: 322
Merit: 250
Wall of Coins allows same day purchase with cash of BTC and Dash. You search on the page what the local offers are and which bank to deposit the cash. You must have access to text messaging. There is no KYC only info they get is email and text messaging number. After you deposit the cash you they send you an email, you take 2 pictures of the receipts and email the pictures to them.

I had a snag where they didn't send the email and I was stuck waiting but after I contacted customer support they sent the email, I sent the pictures and got the coins.

There is somewhat of a markup but it is less than local bitcoins. The coins are held in escrow from the sellers. There are many banks to choose from
hero member
Activity: 938
Merit: 1001
I haven't tried anything that required wire transfers until today. Just sent $ to Gemini. I didn't realize I can wire money from my online bank portal.

Kraken says they work in my state now but there is an error. I have contacted support again.

I have tried many other methods in the past for buying but none were reliable for long-term. Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, various credit card transfers. They all start asking questions after certain limits.
hero member
Activity: 938
Merit: 1001
Circle shut me down before they closed shop.

I tested Gemini in the past and found $60 in my account! I will probably go back to them but I hate having funds tied up for 3-5 days.
legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1000
Funny this thread should pop up again. I am looking for a new supply of bitcoin.

Kraken still does not appear to support my state. I am checking with support.

Circle shut me down.

They shut you down or they shut everyone down?
I thought they got out of the btc business within the last year.


Gemini ng for you?

Have you tried Bitstamp?
hero member
Activity: 938
Merit: 1001
Funny this thread should pop up again. I am looking for a new supply of bitcoin.

Kraken still does not appear to support my state. I am checking with support.

Circle shut me down.

sr. member
Activity: 1372
Merit: 255
Paxful, or announce a trading here from Bitcointalk.org.  For your both security of your buyer, get a trusted escrow. You can start posting from the Currency exchange section of this forum: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=53.0
legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1000
A quick google should help lol. Paxful, virvox are good. I'd recommend them, but other than that I'm not sure as I'm not American. Google reviews before you use any exchange.

btc-mike stated in this thread (it was over a year ago): "Virwox - Very high fees".

legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1000
I've ended up with Bitstamp; Kraken; Poloniex.
Have an application pending with Bitfinex.

Gemini claimed they couldn't verify me although obviously the other 3 had no problem with that.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for BTC exchanges, especially ones accepting USD, for a USA citizen living in the USA?
Coinbase still works, though they're kinda funny.  I've heard good things about Kraken but have yet to try any of the ones you listed using USD.  I really, really, miss Circle.

Is Gemini an exchange?  I thought they were the ETF or something like that.  Didn't know you could actually buy bitcoin through the Winklevii.


"I've heard good things about Kraken but have yet to try any of the ones you listed using USD."

Poloniex is altcoin only, no fiat from anywhere.

But all the others mentioned deal with USD from USA.
legendary
Activity: 966
Merit: 1042
A quick google should help lol. Paxful, virvox are good. I'd recommend them, but other than that I'm not sure as I'm not American. Google reviews before you use any exchange.
legendary
Activity: 3500
Merit: 6981
Top Crypto Casino
I've ended up with Bitstamp; Kraken; Poloniex.
Have an application pending with Bitfinex.

Gemini claimed they couldn't verify me although obviously the other 3 had no problem with that.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for BTC exchanges, especially ones accepting USD, for a USA citizen living in the USA?
Coinbase still works, though they're kinda funny.  I've heard good things about Kraken but have yet to try any of the ones you listed using USD.  I really, really, miss Circle.

Is Gemini an exchange?  I thought they were the ETF or something like that.  Didn't know you could actually buy bitcoin through the Winklevii.
legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1000
I've ended up with Bitstamp; Kraken; Poloniex.
Have an application pending with Bitfinex.

Gemini claimed they couldn't verify me although obviously the other 3 had no problem with that.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for BTC exchanges, especially ones accepting USD, for a USA citizen living in the USA?
legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1000
Thanks for the feedback to this thread from 1 year ago - I'd like to update it.

I'd like to establish an account or accounts at businesses where I can sell BTC, other than Coinbase.
(Coinbase I avoid due to their lack of privacy and other issues).


Can anyone offer alternatives for selling BTC for USA residents?

Any recent buys made from non-Coinbase businesses, including any updates/comments/recent experiences on the ones mentioned in this thread?

Thank you.
legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1000
Circle's maximum is $300/week so they are useless.


If you use Coinbase, do NOT use them as a wallet.
Buy and then move them elsewhere.
Otherwise Coinbase will eventually ask you to account for every withdrawal/deposit you've made.

What do you mean that Coinbase will eventually ask you to account for every withdraw or deposit?

My statement was probably unintentionally exaggerated - they probably have a certain total USD/BTC amount of deposits/withdrawals.
When you reach that, it's exactly as I stated: They will demand you account for where you sent every withdrawal, and where every deposit came from.
They do that as their interpretation of KYC ("Know Your Customer") USA banking regulations.

If you do not comply you are barred from using their services for buy/sell.

There is no warning of this beforehand, and they can request this long after the dates of your deposits/withdrawals.


So much for the "anonymity" of btc.
hero member
Activity: 756
Merit: 500
Circle's maximum is $300/week so they are useless.


If you use Coinbase, do NOT use them as a wallet.
Buy and then move them elsewhere.
Otherwise Coinbase will eventually ask you to account for every withdrawal/deposit you've made.

What do you mean that Coinbase will eventually ask you to account for every withdraw or deposit?
hero member
Activity: 938
Merit: 1001
~snip~

Added a few more

You can use perfectmoney or neteller..
They both accept direct deposit in from of bitcoin.

Neteller charge is little high like 5% but perfect money has the lower deposit charge.
Although localbitcoin is always a good choice.


Perfectmoney/OKPAy/Webmoney do not allow US customers. It is possible to make account with VPN, but harder to get verified.

I attempted Bittylicous. They require identity verification. I am not going to do all that because i will not use them again anyway.
hero member
Activity: 1106
Merit: 521
lol  Wink yeah i was wondering there why you didnt even know a vpn was, doh

if you where to try to purchase at say https://bittylicious.com/ with a visa/mastercard, would it not just work as if you where on holiday?  like you said you are willing to try, good luck....Smiley

infact i just checked and they accept debit cards from the US at bittylicous, it is one of the top UK bitcoin sites.  i use it all the time almost instant bitcoin payment.

10% fee - ouch!

I need to go out IRL, will try a small purchase when I return.

10% not so good...... Undecided
hero member
Activity: 938
Merit: 1001
lol  Wink yeah i was wondering there why you didnt even know a vpn was, doh

if you where to try to purchase at say https://bittylicious.com/ with a visa/mastercard, would it not just work as if you where on holiday?  like you said you are willing to try, good luck....Smiley

infact i just checked and they accept debit cards from the US at bittylicous, it is one of the top UK bitcoin sites.  i use it all the time almost instant bitcoin payment.

10% fee - ouch!

I need to go out IRL, will try a small purchase when I return.
hero member
Activity: 1106
Merit: 521
lol  Wink yeah i was wondering there why you didnt even know a vpn was, doh

if you where to try to purchase at say https://bittylicious.com/ with a visa/mastercard, would it not just work as if you where on holiday?  like you said you are willing to try, good luck....Smiley

infact i just checked and they accept debit cards from the US at bittylicous, it is one of the top UK bitcoin sites.  i use it all the time almost instant bitcoin payment.
hero member
Activity: 938
Merit: 1001
what about using a VPN to purchase abroad?

How? I would be willing to try.

there are loadds of free vpn's out there, try hidemyass or something like that.  this website is sponsered by a VPN provider https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/ who accepts bitcoin

LOL, I have VPNs. What method do I use to buy? My banks are US based, I am sure an exchange would notice.
hero member
Activity: 1106
Merit: 521
what about using a VPN to purchase abroad?

How? I would be willing to try.

there are loadds of free vpn's out there, try hidemyass or something like that.  this website is sponsered by a VPN provider https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/ who accepts bitcoin
hero member
Activity: 938
Merit: 1001
You didn't say what state.

Buys:
Coinbase - The instant buy limit is extremely low. Normal buys take up to 9 days to arrive. Limit increases are extremely slow.
Circle - The instant buy limit is $300 per week but can be raised to $3000 per week with many buys. Limit increases are slow (i think it was 1 month for me).
Kraken - Does not allow buys for California residents. I learned this after becoming verified.
Gemini - idk, still working on verification
Bitfinex - idk, still working on verification
Virwox - Very high fees
ANXBTC - They do not allow deposits from my jurisdiction. Contacted support for more info.
BTC ATMs - Most are anonymous. I have never used one.
Craigslist - There are a few people in my area that advertise cash deals.


Added a few more
hero member
Activity: 938
Merit: 1001
what about using a VPN to purchase abroad?

How? I would be willing to try.
hero member
Activity: 1106
Merit: 521
what about using a VPN to purchase abroad?
hero member
Activity: 938
Merit: 1001
...
Gemini unfortunately is no good for me.
They require a recent utility bill of water/gas/electric.

This is ridiculous, as it eliminates people who do not receive those bills - roommates, someone whose partner receives those bills, anyone in a living situation where they are not the one who registered with the utility company.

I have multiple longstanding bank accounts, credit cards, passport, state driver's license, other picture ID - all from agencies which vet this info (do they think passports and bank accounts are issued blindly these days?) - but none of that is acceptable to this company without a utility bill.

A--holes.

LOL! That is why I an still working on verification.
legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1000
Thanks for the suggestions and personal experiences.

Please keep them coming.


Gemini unfortunately is no good for me.
They require a recent utility bill of water/gas/electric.

This is ridiculous, as it eliminates people who do not receive those bills - roommates, someone whose partner receives those bills, anyone in a living situation where they are not the one who registered with the utility company.

I have multiple longstanding bank accounts, credit cards, passport, state driver's license, other picture ID - all from agencies which vet this info (do they think passports and bank accounts are issued blindly these days?) - but none of that is acceptable to this company without a utility bill.

A--holes.

hero member
Activity: 938
Merit: 1001
You didn't say what state.

Buys:
Coinbase - The instant buy limit is extremely low. Normal buys take up to 9 days to arrive. Price may drop during that time. Limit increases are extremely slow.
Circle - The instant buy limit is $300 per week but can be raised to $3000 per week with many buys. Limit increases are slow (i think it was 1 month for me).
Kraken - Does not allow buys for California residents. I learned this after becoming verified.
Gemini - idk, still working on verification
Bitfinex - idk, still working on verification
Virwox - Very high fees

newbie
Activity: 57
Merit: 0
You can use Gemini. It is regulated by bitlicense. It is based in New York. So you are quite safe.
full member
Activity: 131
Merit: 100
Circle's maximum is $300/week so they are useless.

Since you are USA based you can sell at https://www.bitcoinmag.net
About buying probably the best option is www.btc-e.com
legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1000
Try Virwox

Thank you for the suggestion.

On their Homepage the most recent News story is:

"2013-12-07: SOFORTbanking now also available in France, Italy, Poland and Spain"
which is over 2 years old, so it's not really encouraging in general.

I read their instructions for selling btc and still don't understand it nor see the current rates for the multiple exchange transactions necessary.

Also the withdrawal methods once I get the USD are not satisfactory except for small amounts.
Western Union for receiving withdrawals is only good for a few hundred, plus they charge about 10%.
Credit cards? Paypal? Doesn't sound realistic unless perhaps a few hundred USD is involved, no more.

Am I missing something?



legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1000
Can anybody else recommend a site/company,and/or agree/disagree with any suggestion made in this thread?

Thank you for all suggestions.
legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1000
Circle's maximum is $300/week so they are useless.

Thanks for all suggestions and feedback about the sites mentioned.

As far as Circle, you can see from my OP above that they are useless unless one only wants to buy/sell $300/wk or less.
That is not enough for my needs.


If you use Coinbase, do NOT use them as a wallet.
Buy and then move them elsewhere.
Otherwise Coinbase will eventually ask you to account for every withdrawal/deposit you've made.
legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1000
Do not buy from EBAY made a mistake because Coinbase was taking to long to deliver. Regret it and a waste of time now I have to dispute it big ass headache coming.

What happened?
sr. member
Activity: 343
Merit: 254
From The New World
Do not buy from EBAY made a mistake because Coinbase was taking to long to deliver. Regret it and a waste of time now I have to dispute it big ass headache coming.
hero member
Activity: 798
Merit: 1000
Move On !!!!!!
Try Virwox

Hello no! They will rip your skin of your back. Stay away, they are charging over 20% in fees!

Try Gemini, Circle or Coinbase. Try finding some Bitcoin ATMs. Try finding some reputable users on this forum that would sell you. Set an add in Currency exchange subforum. Cash in mail or meet in person should work.

Good luck!
legendary
Activity: 1442
Merit: 1000
In california you can get them for right around going rate from craigslist. Obviously meet
at your local starbucks and not just go to some randoms house.
legendary
Activity: 3248
Merit: 1070
use another exchange, like bitfinex, or kraken, they deal with usa also, and the limit is much higher $2k per day, it should suffice

but if there are problem with license like in NY i think you can not do it, they are avoiding dealing with NY citizens
legendary
Activity: 1274
Merit: 1000
I've use https://www.bitquick.co/ a couple of times, very smooth service. I went into a bank both times because there is one across from my work so it's convenient.  Always received the btc faster than I expected.  They have a thread here: https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/annbitquickco-fastest-method-on-the-market-of-converting-fiat-btc-262082
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
currently coinbase is the best in US i think,but if you looking for anothr exchange,maybe you can try https://www.coinsetter.com
have a good trade.
member
Activity: 84
Merit: 10
Quickseller Stop Sexting Me
sr. member
Activity: 357
Merit: 251
legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1000
Circle's maximum is $300/week so they are useless.
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