There are different reasons why many people would like to remain anonymous when buying things on the web. The problem with Bitcoin is that it is not completely anonymous because everything is recorded on a publicly shared global ledger (the blockchain). Once a Bitcoin exchange requests identifiable information, such as a utility bill, a government ID or an email address, they can track every movement of your Bitcoins.
And that’s why more and more people want to know how they can get Bitcoins without using an ID.
That’s why in today’s post I’m going to show you exactly how to buy Bitcoins anonymously with credit card or cash.
You can also consider using VPN as an additional layer of privacy protection when buying cryptocurrencies.
What you’ll learn 👉
BUYING BITCOIN WITH A CREDIT CARD WITHOUT VERIFICATION
The number of exchanges that allow you to buy bitcoin with a credit card without verification is decreasing due to heavy regulatory pressure on the companies that run these platforms. However, there are still two places where you can buy bitcoin with a credit card anonymously without KYC and ID, albeit in very limited quantities.
CEX
CEX.io is a UK-based exchange (also registered in the US) where you can buy cryptocurrencies worth $100/day without providing any ID. And yes, the favourite deposit method of many cryptocurrency fans is supported (actually, it’s the most popular on the platform): credit or debit cards.
Supported fiat currencies: USD, EUR, RUB, GBP, USDT, BTC, GUSD, OMG, ONT, ONG, USDT, ADA, USDC, NEO, GAS, BAT, ATOM, XTZ, MATIC, LINK, WABI
Supported deposit methods: Credit Card, Debit Cards, SEPA, ACH, FasterPayments, Skrill, Qiwi
Read CEX.io review to learn more about this popular platform.
CoinMama
CoinMama is one of the oldest cryptocurrency exchanges that did not expand its initial service offering much: it still offers a quick and easy way to buy cryptocurrencies. This is probably the best option for newcomers to buy Bitcoin anonymously. You can buy Bitcoin worth $150 using debit/credit card without verification.
Our Coinmama review gets into the nitty gritty of this exchange, so check it out if you’re interested in more information.
HERE IS A FULL LIST OF P2P EXCHANGES WHERE YOU CAN BUY BITCOIN WITHOUT VERIFICATION
Bisq Client (?) [NO KYC].
HodlHodl (?, ⚡ ) [NO KYC] <- Not available in the US.
LocalCoinSwap (?) [OPTIONAL KYC (i.e., its ad, its terms)]
Local Lightning (?, ⚡ ) [NO KYC] (just launched)
AgoraDesk (?) [NO KYC] [NO KYC] (just released)
Counter.Network (?) [OPTIONAL KYC] [OPTIONAL KYC] [OPTIONAL KYC] [OPTIONAL KYC
Coin Wall (?) [NO KYC] Payfair (?) [NO KYC
Payfair (?) [NO KYC] Payfair (?) [NO KYC] Payfair (?) [NO KYC] BuyCrypto.
BuyCrypto.Today [NO KYC] BitQuick [NO KYC] BitQuick [NO KYC] BitQuick (?)
BitQuick [NO KYC (when the trx amount is less than $400)]]
Remitano [NO KYC for Seller (only Buyer must KYC)]]
Totalcoin Mobile Application [NO KYC (other than phone number verification)]]
Mycelium Local Trader [Map] (?) [NO KYC] Mobile Application
CryptoMap.me (?) [NO KYC] [NO KYC] Mobile Application
Huobi OTC
OTCBTC
CGem/CryptoGem
LiberalCoins
CoinCola
WazirX [KYC]
Giottus [KYC]
Bitzlato
BuyCoins [KYC] BuyCoins [KYC
SwapN>Go
r/Cash4Cash <- Take seriously the risks and recommendations in the General Information PSA
r/GiftCardExchange <- Take seriously the risks and recommendations in the GSX Secure Trading Guide
r/BitMarket <: take seriously the risks and recommendations in the GSX Safe Trading Guide
BitHalo Software [NO KYC]
OpenBazaar (?) [NO KYC] [NO KYC] OpenBazaar (?) [NO KYC] [NO KYC
P2P TRADING EXCHANGES WITH ALTCOIN ONLY
LocalMonero (?) [NO KYC] LocalMonero (?) [NO KYC] LocalEthereum (?)
LocalEthereum (?) [NO KYC] LocalEthereum (?) [NO KYC] LocalEthereum (?) [NO KYC
Dether (?) [NO KYC] LocalEthereum (?) [NO KYC] LocalEthereum (?) [NO KYC
BCash Local (?) [NO KYC] BCash Local (?) [NO KYC] Ethfinex Trustless OTC
Ethfinex Trustless OTC
Hubi
KuCoin OTC
Coinected
THE EASIEST WAY TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS: BUY BITCOINS WITH CASH
The local bitcoin option
UPDATE: Localbitcoins now requires full KYC just like other exchanges to buy amounts over $1k.
If you are looking to buy Bitcoins anonymously, then the easiest way would be to buy Bitcoins by meeting in person and exchanging cash. Use LocalBitcoins to find someone who lives next door to your physical location and is willing to sell Bitcoins for cash.
LocalBitcoins is a Bitcoin start-up based in Helsinki, Finland, that has buyers and sellers in nearly 15,000 cities around the world. This P2P Bitcoin exchange has been operating since 2012.
Here you can meet sellers online and execute an offline transaction. You can pay cash or send them money via direct bank deposit or SEPA or PayPal or bank transfer (all depending on the seller).
However, Local Bitcoins requires you to register using your email ID, but you can simply use an alias email address to register with Local Bitcoins to avoid this. It is easy to remain untraceable when using cash because there is no documentation for the transaction. One more thing worth noting is that all fees are set by the sellers, and LCB acts as an escrow manager.
Note that most local Bitcoin sellers do not like to do business with anonymous buyers. However, since you are paying in cash, this should be less of a problem.
Note: Be sure to check the seller’s reputation. A higher reputation means a more trustworthy seller.
The prepaid credit card option
Another way to remain anonymous when buying Bitcoin is to use a prepaid credit card that you can get at any convenience store or supermarket. For example, Coinmama allows you to buy Bitcoin with a prepaid credit card, but your purchase limit may be limited to a low amount ($150) if you do not verify your identity.
The Bitcoin ATM option
Another way to buy Bitcoins anonymously with cash is to go to the nearest Bitcoin ATM and buy Bitcoins at the ATM in exchange for fiat currency (such as dollars or euros). A Bitcoin ATM asks you to scan your public address and transfers BTC to that address. In some cases, if you don’t have a public address, simply specify that you don’t have one; in most cases, this will just generate a new paper address for you (if it supports that feature) and you’re good to go.
Important note: The actual anonymity you get with a Bitcoin ATM may vary between locations and machines. For example, there may be cameras on some machines but not others, or some ATM owners may ask you to verify your identity.
Buying Bitcoins through a Bitcoin ATM is probably the best way to buy Bitcoins anonymously. However, the problem is that not everyone has an ATM next to them.
Users in Australia can use FindBitcoinATM to verify the location of their nearest Bitcoin ATM.
METHODS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE AN ID BUT ARE NOT ANONYMOUS
The Wall of Coins option
Wall of Coins is a P2P Bitcoin exchange that allows you to buy Bitcoins without the need to verify your ID. However, you will need to provide your phone number to use the exchange.
Based in Sarasota, Florida, Wall of Coins is primarily a cash-based system where a buyer has to go and deposit cash at a bank.
A Bitcoin seller who has a bank branch near you gives you their bank account details, you then visit the nearest bank branch and deposit cash, and once they confirm the deposit, the coins held in escrow are released to you.
Wall of Coins is available in the following countries: United States, Germany, Brazil, Canada, Philippines, Poland and Latvia.
The BitQuick option
Launched in 2013, BitQuick is a Bitcoin exchange that acts as an escrow for Bitcoin transactions through cash deposits at thousands of banks in the United States.
The idea is simple. The buyer and seller agree on an amount, the seller deposits the Bitcoins into BitQuick, and once the buyer deposits the cash into the seller’s account, the coins are released. No identity verification is required for this process, but you will need to provide your phone number.
CONCLUSION
These were some simple ways to buy Bitcoins while remaining anonymous.
All of the methods described above do not require you to use ID verification to buy Bitcoins. However, you can still be tracked with more sophisticated techniques.
Sometimes you may accidentally reveal your public Bitcoin address online somewhere, or you may be identified by your IP or through the private Wi-Fi you are using, or a seller may track you from your vehicle or mobile phone number when you made your fiat/Bitcoin deal face-to-face with them.