Comment by celticninja | Hacker News Reader

Comment by celticninja | Hacker News Reader

Parent Full thread

It is not practically impossible to buy bitcoins. It may take a little effort that is all and even then it is minimal effort if you spend any time at a computer.

Localbitcoins.com – You can buy bitcoins from other individuals either in person or using bank transfer. There is an escrow system in place for protection of buyer and seller. Using bank transfer you dont even need to leave your house, you can do it via online banking.

BTC-e.com – This exchange does not require verification to deposit money or trade but you may need to provide verification before you withdraw. I sent pictures of my photo driving licence and a photo of a utility bill and was verified within 48 hours.

Bitstamp – you need to be be verified before you can deposit money. Follow the rules they lay down re: high quality scan and photo and you will be fine.

MtGox – Same as above, follow the rules and it is fine. Verification did at one time (April bubble) take a few weeks, it is much more reasonable now.

These are 3 of the exchanges but there are others such as Kraken, Coinbase etc.

So I tried Bitstamp 3 times and was denied all the times. I'm not a noob in this respect, I know what a good scan is and I've used this passport scan (front+back) for many other services. They're just not good at verifying docs there.

Not to mention that the requirement sending hi quality scans of your passport and other personal details to small, obscure websites, like Bitstamp and MtGox, is BS in the first place.

I think that's the result of anti-money laundering laws and know your customer regulations.

The "send your password scan" perhaps, the "to some obscure web services" though is not.

they are not obscure if you know anything regarding bitcoin, they are the main exchanges.

To people with no knowldge of the internet amazon may be an obscure site but you send them yur credit card details

I had a bit of trouble depositing money (my fault) and their customer service I thought was fine. Did you ask for any help?

Yes I have, they have not responded to my support tickets in 7 days now.

Kraken.com: Up to 10.000$ a month _without_ the need to be verified (SEPA transfer). I signed up and had my EURs on the platform after two days of SEPA transfer.

Minimum withdrawal amount is eur 500 fee 1%, minimum fee = eur 100

100 EUR fee for a bank transfer? that's insane.

Where are you seeing that? The FAQ says

EUR SEPA Withdrawal (0.09€)

EUR Bank Wire Withdrawal (10€)

In any case non-BTC withdrawal is a very different question from purchase of BTC.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com