vineri, 21 februarie 2014

Exchanging Bitcoin to USD: Where? How? When?

The Bitcoin started as a project of some passionate encryption specialists, and it remained a technical project until 2011-2012. Its initial value was established at $0.0000001 per one bitcoin. By the middle of 2012, the Bitcoin was already evaluated at $6-7, so the new concept started to attract investors and speculators. In 2012, the Bitcoin grew slowly but steadily from $2 to $13. MtGox was first website ever allowing trading between BTC and USD, with an exchange course established freely on the market, based on demand and offer. During the latest years, many other exchange houses appeared. However, just because a website allows you to exchange bitcoins for dollars, does  not mean that you can fully trust them. Along the history of Bitcoin, almost 20 exchanges were closed, disappearing with all the money of clients. This is why you must only exchange bitcoin to USD on websites that you fully trust, or read the latest Cryptopips analysis to anticipate the movements on this market.

1. MtGox.com

MtGox is not only the oldest exchange website, but also an important member of the bitcoin foundation. They had numerous problems along their history, such as the February 2014 crisis, when all the withdrawals were ceased for a while. This happened because MTGox found some problems in the BTC blockchain algorithm, so they ceased payments until this problem was solved. Even if confirmation of an account lasts for two weeks, and you will also need to provide MTGox with personal details, it is still the safest place where you can exchange bitcoins and dollars.


For a short time, BTC-E was the largest exchange website in the world of cryptocurrencies. This happened at the end of 2013, when BTC transactions were forbidden in China. Until then, BTChina.com was the largest trading website. Currently, it is hard to estimate the volumes of transactions on different websites, because there are many other smaller cryptocurrencies traded on the same websites, which can’t be quantified. Even so, BTC-E is a fully trusted exchange house, especially because they allow MetaTrader 4, an option that can’t be used on any other exchange.


A newer but yet interesting website where it is possible to trade BTC for USD. It is easy to deposit cryptos on this website, and the possibility to invest in other cryptos is a safety net used by many, especially when the price of BTC goes down.

There are tens of exchange websites appearing every month, but you should not trust them completely. Have patience, let the websites develop, and use those only when they gained enough recognition. Some of those websites might come with new features, but it is not worth to risk your hard earned bitcoins just to build the reputation of a website.