The Best Bitcoin Exchanges – 2024
Do you think you are late for the bitcoin party? You might have been born too late to mine bitcoin, but it is definitely not too early to start trading it.
Realistically, right now, it’s 2022 and the only possible way to make money from bitcoin is cryptocurrency trade. Mind, trading cryptocurrencies promises only the possibility for profits and doesn’t guarantee anything. Consequently, trading at the best bitcoin exchange the USA market has to offer means solely that you will be trading in a secure and reliable environment.
If you know what you are doing, you can generate economic value, but the possibility for loss and missed opportunities will always be around the corner.
The best bitcoin exchanges provide a good trading environment. How you use it is up to you.
I want to make it crystal clear what a bitcoin exchange is. This is important so that people with minimal to no knowledge about cryptocurrency trading and exchanges can have the right expectations.
By the middle of the article you will know the basics about the new digital currencies and, more importantly, some of the best US bitcoin exchange sites. I will not share with you advice on how to invest; the several examples you will see are here to illustrate how exchanges work, not to give advice.
You can find the criteria for evaluating the cryptocurrency marketplaces right above the rank list. Below it are short overviews of the pros and cons of each of the featured exchanges. If you want more information, make sure you check out our detailed honest reviews.
Sounds simple enough, right?
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5
Expert Review- Bank transfer
- Card
- Paypal
- Webmoney
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
- ETH Ethereum
- Bank transfer
- Card
- Paypal
- Webmoney
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
5
Expert Review- Cryptocurrency
- NEM
- Cardano
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
- ETH Ethereum
4
Expert Review- Bank transfer
- Card
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
- ETH Ethereum
- Credit-Card
- Fast-Bank-Transfer
- Cash
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
4
Expert Review- Debit-Card
- Credit-Card
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
- XRP Ripple
- Fast-Bank-Transfer
- Cryptocurrency
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
4
Expert Review- Debit-Card
- Fast-Bank-Transfer
- Skrill
- Neteller
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
4
Expert Review- Cryptocurrency
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
- XRP Ripple
- Fast-Bank-Transfer
- Cryptocurrency
- Cash
- Pademobile
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
4
Expert Review- Credit-Card
- Fast-Bank-Transfer
- Cryptocurrency
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
4
Expert Review- Fast-Bank-Transfer
- Cryptocurrency
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
- ZEC Zcash
3.5
- Debit-Card
- Credit-Card
- Fast-Bank-Transfer
- Cryptocurrency
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
3.5
Expert Review- Fast-Bank-Transfer
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
- DOGE Dogecoin
3
Expert Review- Debit-Card
- Paypal
- Credit-Card
- Fast-Bank-Transfer
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
3
Expert Review- Bank transfer
- Card
- BTC Bitcoin
- BCH Bitcoin Cash
- LTC Litecoin
- ETH Ethereum
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Best Crypto Exchange for USA
Short reviews
eToro is a huge platform for online investment and trading. Ideal for beginners who really wish to learn, it provides a huge amount of useful resources and some unique features. You can copy successful traders and benefit from their market prowess, for instance. However awesome it is, eToro.com is not a typical bitcoin exchange site. Instead, it provides opportunities for all types of investment, including CFD trading. I strongly recommend registering at eToro.com and trying it out. It can only help you become a better investor, not only in bitcoin but in general. US users have a limited option of instruments available and can only invest in Cryptocurrencies at the moment due to regulation requirements.
eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro. Your capital is at risk.
Pros
- Comprehensive learning center
- Multiple trading opportunities
- Many investment tools
- Renowned secure site
- CFD trading
Cons
- Relatively small number of cryptocurrencies available for trade
- You need time to learn the ins and outs of the trading tools available
Another heavyweight, Bittrex sees high volume of trades across many cryptocurrencies. It is a highly trusted platform that enables big trades across the board.
The site became too popular for its own good, though, and was forced to suspend new registrations in order to cope with increased user base. Which, in my book, is a sound move that shows that Bittrex management is focused on delivering seamless experience to existing users instead of chasing blindly larger user base and increased profit.
Pros
- Comprehensive learning center
- Multiple trading opportunities
- Many investment tools
- Renowned secure site
- CFD trading
Cons
- Fees lean toward the high end
- Customer support could be better
CryptoGo is not your typical bitcoin exchange site. It is more like a broker that would handle any transaction you wish to conduct. The best part is that CryptoGo accepts any fiat currencies and trades with hundreds of cryptocurrencies as well.
On top of that, CryptoGo.com has no deposit restrictions, meaning that you can start your crypto trading with a tiny or humongous initial investment. It is entirely up to you.
CryptoGo is extremely easy to use for absolute beginners, as it works as a middleman in trading bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Open an account, deposit your fiat money and let the guys at CryptoGo handle the technical aspect of the transaction you wish to conduct.
Pros
- No deposit restriction
- Very user friendly
- Huge array of fiat and cryptocurrencies to trade with
- Personal account manager
- Established name
Cons
- It is not possible to trade crypto-to-crypto directly
One of the largest and most popular US bitcoin trading sites, Coinbase has intuitive interface and huge user base to trade with. It’s been around since 2012 and has been growing in strength ever since.
Some of the main reasons for that growth, interface aside, are the insured deposits, quick transactions and multiple payment options.
If you are new in the cryptocurrency realm, Coinbase.com is an excellent place to start. Possibly, this is the best bitcoin exchange in 2021 for US customers.
Pros
- Very user-friendly
- Very safe
- Good support
- Good guide for newcomers
Cons
- Limited fiat currencies available for payment
- Weekly restrictions on the amount of cryptocurrency you can trade
- Coinbase fees are not the lowest in the industry
- Long account verification times
One of the newest cryptocurrency exchanges, Binance.com appeared in mid-2017 with a surprisingly well thought-through product. The Chinese site comes with basic and advanced charts and statistics that can help you get your bearings very quickly and even, if you are so inclined, outline strategies for future investments.
Pros
- Huge variety of alt-coins
- High liquidity
- Very fast transactions
- Negligible fees
Cons
- Somewhat clunky interface
A place for serious traders, Coinbase Pro has swift withdrawals and impressive liquidity across the board. Arguably the best site to trade ethereum, Coinbase Pro can be very empowering if you know what you are doing.
Granted, its verification process can be tedious, but it is worth the effort.
Pros
- Stable and reliable platform
- Excellent for experienced traders
- High liquidity and volume
Cons
- Cumbersome verification process
- Limited deposit methods
A no-bullshit bitcoin exchange, CEX.io is a very direct and honest marketplace. Fees are disclosed since the very first moment, security is a priority and the interface is lean and simple.
CEX is highly suitable for beginners from the US and from around the world as the number of fiat currencies accepted is considerable.
Pros
- Great interface
- Suitable for beginners
- Numerous payment methods and currencies
- Good customer base
Cons
- High fees
- Various restrictions for buying and selling of bitcoin
xCoins.io is not a typical bitcoin exchange. It is a bitcoin lending service which, odd as it sounds, allows for instant transactions and some decent trading opportunities. Take your time to read the FAQ section of xCoins.io before producing your favorite payment method.
Thanks to its unique business model, xCoins accepts all popular credit cards and PayPal.
Pros
- Instant bitcoin transfers
- Quick verification
- Great many deposit methods
Cons
- Site was compromised back in 2017
- Virtually no tools for actual trade and statistics
Kraken.com is one of the best bitcoin trading platforms out there for a number of years now. The site provides powerful tools to monitor the market and to act on time.
However, when bitcoin’s price spiraled skyward toward the end of 2017, Kraken exchange couldn’t handle very well the massive increase in trade volume and its engine started acting up.
Pros
- One of the best US bitcoin and ethereum exchange sites
- Low fees
- Advanced investment tools
- Quick transactions and withdrawals
- Excellent security
Cons
- Various restrictions for buying and selling of bitcoin
- Relatively unsuited for beginners
- Account verification can take weeks
As of 2018, we see the new version of Kraken which seems to be working very well. Still, the influx of new users results in very long account verification times.
LocalBitcoins.com is one of the best bitcoin exchange platforms for peer-to-peer trade. It is a brilliant place to create your own trading network and to establish lasting contacts. I wouldn’t recommend it for absolute beginners, as P2P trade could be a tricky, but once you gain some exposure to crypto-trading, LocalBitcoins is a must-try.
Pros
- Available worldwide
- Simple verification
- Peer-to-peer trading
- Many payment methods available
- Trusted platform
Cons
- P2P can be risky
- Considerable learning curve
Operating successfully since 2011, Bitstamp.net is one of the oldest and most respected bitcoin trading sites. Indeed, the site was dedicated solely to BTC until not so long ago.
Pros
- Low fees
- Excellent security
- Available worldwide
- Good interface
Cons
- Support is somewhat lacking
- Credit card deposits have hefty fees
- Best suited for bitcoin trading; other popular cryptocurrencies were introduced only recently
Its intuitive interface and relatively low fees make for large user base and some intense trading. Still, Bitstamp is a good starting point for absolute novices.
You might be surprised to see Gemini so further down the list, as it is one of the most popular US exchange platforms. Indeed, it has gained the trust of many and offers some very interesting products like crypto-auctions.
I put it outside Top 5 mostly because its supports barely matches its reputation and because the only two assets you can trade there are bitcoin and ethereum.
Pros
- Highly secure
- Very large volume
- User-friendly
- Auctions
Cons
- Support could be better
- USD is the only supported fiat currency
- Limited cryptocurrency markets
All the same, Gemini.com is a very safe place to start your crypto-journey.
Now, my list is mostly focused on bitcoin exchange platforms, but EtherDelta.com is so progressive and revolutionary that it fully deserves to be mentioned.
Pros
- Practically no verification required
- Unparalleled decentralized security
- The best ethereum exchange
Cons
- Learning curve
- Interface could be more advanced
As the name suggests, the site is focused mainly on ethereum trade. The thing that sets it apart is the fact that it functions on Ethereum smart contracts, making all transactions truly anonymous and highly secure.
The interface takes some getting used to, but the site is outright awesome.
A massive meta-exchange, Changelly connects crypto traders from several big exchange platforms. It is probably the best place to trade for people who don’t wish to deal with the technicalities of the process and want to save time.
Changelly has great volume and transacts in many altcoins.
Pros
- Ideal for beginners
- Many altcoin markets
- Good selection of deposit methods
Cons
- High fees
- Withdrawals can be slow
Coinmama.com is a solid place to obtain your first bitcoin and ethereum. You can do so using bank cards and even Western Union. Purchases happen almost instantly and can help you get a footing into the crypto world.
Pros
- Good place to obtain cryptocurrencies
- A good variety of payment methods
Cons
- Not a real exchange, can only buy but not sell BTC
- Fees are above average
However, Coinmama.com doesn’t facilitate direct exchange on to the site itself.
Do you want to get BTC in an instant, without any verification whatsoever?
Get CoinATMradar.com on your phone or check it directly online to find the closes bitcoin ATM where you can buy cryptocurrency in an instant. The ATMs around the world approach 2,500.
Pros
- Shows all bitcoin ATMs
- Easy purchase of crypto assets
Cons
- Bitcoin machines are not always all that close
Bitmex.com is a very dynamic bitcoin marketplace. You can trade crypto against plenty of fiat and other digital currencies over at this Bitcoin Mercantile Exchange. One limitation is the deposit form – only BTC is accepted.
Pros
- Many trading opportunities
- High volume
- Excellent leverage
- Great interface
Cons
- Doesn’t accept US traders
- Novices best avoid it
Even though the interface is very well laid out, BitMEX is hardly a place for novice traders. The platform is ideal for seasoned crypto investors, who know how to use the tools at their disposal to the fullest.
Luno.com specializes in bitcoin and ethereum trading. The choice of currencies might be limited, but this exchange connects traders from many countries around the world. Deposits in various fiat currencies are accepted.
To make things easier, Luno.com has very decent Android / iOS app and very advanced security feature. The interface, both on the site and the app, is very intuitive and newbies will feel right at home.
Pros
- User-friendly site and apps
- Many countries and currencies supported
- Perfect for beginners
Cons
- High transaction fees
- Customer support is lacking
- Trades only in ethereum and bitcoin
All these awesome features come at a price, quite literally: fees at Luno are not to be underestimated.
Shapeshift.io is a very popular cryptocurrency trading platform. Traders can exchange various altcoins through the intuitive interface or the mobile app (both iOS and Android iterations available).
Pros
- Huge variety of altcoins
- Excellent for beginners
- Smooth interface and mobile apps
- Very fast platform
- No verification
- Low fees
Cons
- Cannot trade fiat for crypto
- Hidden trading restrictions
- No real trading interface
The verification is practically non-existent for certain operations and the fees are negligible.
All this sounds awesome, but the site was hacked not that long ago, while the lack of verification leaves some room for scams.
YoBit.net puts emphasis on ethereum trade but not much more. Indeed, the interface and the fees are not all that bad, but this exchange has gained a bad rep for somewhat shady behavior and deliberately unclear info.
Pros
- Low fees
- Good interface
- Many trading options
Cons
- Shady business practices
- Hefty withdrawal fees
YoBit has its merits, but its policy doesn’t inspire much confidence.
Bitfinex.com is a robust trading platform. Many cryptocurrencies are available for exchange, margin trading and margin funding. Traders can set up order types through the fully customizable interface, which provides all the necessary information to weave complex strategies.
Pros
- Very high liquidity
- Many trading options
- Advanced trading tools
- Acceptable fees
- Strong security
Cons
- Unsuitable for beginners
- Customer support is lacking at times
- Works solely with cryptocurrencies
The site looks and feels very professional, and the high number of traders supports this impression.
BFX tightened up its security considerably after it was hacked in 2016. Nearly $70 million were lifted and the exchange hardly survived. Bitfinex managed to repay all affected users and bounced back very strongly, indeed.
We talked about some of the best bitcoin exchanges US and Europe offer, so it is only just to mention Coincheck.com.
The biggest Japanese crypto trading platform accepts payments in Japanese Yen and provides some really interesting investment opportunities and leverage.
Pros
- Accepts bank card deposits
- Well regulated company
- Interesting trading tools
Cons
- – Trades are conducted only against Japanese Yen
Mind, Coincheck takes security seriously and its extended verification process is a testimony of this attitude.
Hitbtc.com has extremely high trading volume, mainly because of its many altcoin markets.
The site has its fair share of controversy after being hacked in 2916. HitBTC didn’t reveal many details about this unsavory moment.
Pros
- Very robust platform
- Many trading opportunities in various altcoins
- Extremely high volume
Cons
- Somewhat tattered reputation
- Dubious communication practices
- High fees
It seems to be in its nature to obscure deliberately important details, as you can find scarce information about the site owners and their mission.
Another cryptocurrency broker on the list, Bitpanda provides smooth user experience coupled with various deposit methods, including e-wallets and bank cards.
The brokerage operates mostly with EU traders and is very well suited to handle small to medium transactions with minimum fuss.
Pros
- Clean interface
- User-friendly
- Many deposit methods
Cons
- Fees are not that low; DISCLAIMER: Orders from EU countries have lower fees
- Customer support not the most responsive
At Bitpanda it is easy for beginners to start trading bitcoin, even though the fees are not among the lowest.
As is the case with many exchanges, larger transactions are met with stricter ID verification.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
?How did you Evaluate These Bitcoin Exchanges?
If you’ve gone through the brief reviews, you probably have noticed a trend. We focus mostly on:
Number of markets – Direct digital currency exchange is only one of the many ways to trade bitcoin for profit.
Security – Site security and history together with transaction security are crucial
Payment methods – The more deposit methods available, the better. Especially for first-timers from the USA, to be able to buy bitcoins with a credit card often is the only conceivable way.
Interface – Smooth user experience is essential, especially if you plan on using some of the best crypto trading platforms frequently.
Trading tools – The best crypto exchange sites must provide versatile and informative cryptocurrency trading software to empower their users.
Bitcoin exchange rate – For many, the best crypto trading sites are good because of competitive cryptocurrency exchange rates and nothing else.
Volume of trade – Experienced traders often like to sort the top Bitcoin exchanges by volume to maximize profit and play it big.
Bitcoin trading app – Mobile support is a must nowadays and the best cryptocurrency exchanges are quick to develop robust mobile apps for their users.
Fees – Every cryptocurrency exchange platform has processing fees. Their levels vary and the reasons behind their existence are not always justifiable.
Customer support – Good customer service is a must.
Reputation – This is a bit harder to judge. Discussions on bitcoin trading on Reddit and other forums give idea about a site’s trustworthiness and correctness but online stories are also tricky to verify.
Evaluating the best bitcoin exchange platforms takes time and concentrated effort.
Of all these factors, the only that is a harder to establish is reputation. We take our time to research the cryptocurrency exchange under scrutiny, including bitcoin Reddit reviews and other reputable forums. We try to weed off outright banter and (possibly) paid smearing posts, but sometimes the bad things far outweigh the good ones.
The other factors are relatively easy to evaluate by our reviewers. More details can be found in the in-depth review of each exchange listed here.
?Which is the Best Bitcoin Exchange?
This is a difficult question. For me, site security, interface and volume of trade, paired with eventual fees or lack thereof, are leading factors and have influenced the ranking a lot. This being said, the interface is a rather subjective category, while security is always a shifty topic. Sites boast 100% integrity all throughout their history and then get hacked, and their impeccable reputation is tattered in the matter of minutes.
Keep your coins stored safely away, regardless of the site’s reputation.
Get a decent crypto wallet and store your assets there. However secure a website may be, its fame and size often puts a target right between its virtual eyes. Recent history has seen many compromised pages and databases.
?How to Buy and Sell Bitcoin Through Exchanges?
Many of the sites have specific rules and technical requirements, as well as fees for different operations. To get the most of the above list, I suggest that you go through the some of the brief overviews below and then click on the name of the exchanges that grab your attention.
The best bitcoin exchanges top the list, but keep in mind that the differences between them are small, hidden in the detail. Check out their terms carefully and see which one appeals to you the most.
Before jumping on the cryptocurrency bandwagon, make sure to learn at least a little bit about the coins you wish to trade with. Focus on their technology and market history.
These are sites that gain greater and greater universal acknowledgement for being reliable and secure. Now, tight security is all nice and dandy, but I strongly recommend to not keep more than what is absolutely necessary stored on the exchange sites.
?Which is the Best Bitcoin Exchange in the USA?
There are several very big and reliable US bitcoin exchanges, with Gemini, Coinbase and Kraken being among the most popular ones.
Again, it is not that easy to single out one of them as the best bitcoin exchange US traders can use because these cryptocurrency exchanges have many virtues and some shortcomings; the latter would deter some users, while the former would make many enjoy the trading experience provided by each platform.
?How Bitcoin Trading Works?
I said that I am going to refrain from specific investment advice, as I am far from an expert in the field.
What I can do for you is to provide you one general piece of knowledge. It is useful in life in general and in investment in particular: know what you are doing.
Granted, investment by definition is related to risk because you must work with incomplete information. That’s particularly true with cryptocurrencies, as their fluctuations are frightening and impressive at the same time.
Find a good wallet, research and start small.
All the same, research the market, study the technology, learn how to invest, learn about the best bitcoin trading platform and what makes it so good, take advantage of its features.
As far as I am concerned, cryptocurrency and bitcoin trading involves three main aspects: the underlying technologies, the markets and the investment know-how.
Right now, bitcoin is just like any other trade. It is not a get-rich-quickly scheme. Instead, you must invest some time in learning the ins and outs. To start trading bitcoin for profit, you must know as much as possible about it. There is no way around it.
And since you are here, trying to learn and find out which the best bitcoin exchange in 2021 is, I will share the most fundamental piece of knowledge about investment: do not invest more than you are ready to lose. Ever.
The alluring promise of tomorrow’s riches is nothing compared to the solid dime on the nail of today.
?Is Bitcoin a Better Investment than, say, Shares?
If you are wondering why I invested my time in researching and assembling this list, I had two reasons. I got interested in crypto trading about three years ago. Bitcoin was making headlines already. A friend of mine was following it for a while and talked me into investing into it without much difficulty.
At the time, I already was looking for investment opportunities and had actually found quite interesting and lucrative options in traditional means: shares, developing economies, renewable energy startups and the likes.
All investments bear risk. Try to diversify your assets to get a peace of mind.
I had done my research and quickly realized that my knowledge on the subject of investment was seriously insufficient. Rectifying this was bound to take some time, so I decided to go through an investment fund. Got me a meeting with the vice president of big investment fund in my country who showed me plans for investment, numerous tools to create and manage my crypto portfolio, and was even sport enough to suggest some sources for improving my economic knowledge.
While excited about this initial investment, I found the action itself oddly lacking. As if the closure was too anticlimactic.
I spent about three hours every other day for seven weeks studying the basic principles of economics and markets, gathering information about products, services and economies and trying to wrap my mind around the financial undercurrents that influence them. These undercurrents are under the influence of the fickle human masses and the invisible pressure points certain politicians and organizations impose at will, to harvest handsome profit.
?What do I Need to Know?
I must admit, I am not that great a student, especially when it comes to economy. Never had the flair needed to “smell” where the money is, so to speak. The end result of my readings was a slightly improved understanding, clearly insufficient to understand the forming factors of economics but enough to create a reasonable portfolio to handle to my investment manager. Granted, researching felt also rewarding (how much, remains to be seen) at times but thrusting my investment in the hands of the investment fund left me oddly unsatisfied.
Slightly appalled by the complexity of economics and disappointed by my struggles with the topic, I went for a beer with the friend I mentioned earlier.
Find out why you want to invest and decide how much time and effort you are willing to put into it.
He had already invested in bitcoin and explained me what the cryptocurrency is.
Now, I am not that great with economics but technology is a much more agreeable topic. In short, BTC sounded like an intriguing idea, so I slept over it and the next day got me my first bitcoin for about $420.
Since, I have made several investments in cryptocurrencies, combining my understanding in the blockchain iterations behind them with my rudimentary understanding of the market. My experience has grown somewhat, largely thanks to the stupid mistakes I’ve made.
Because of all this, I will abstain as much as possible from imparting investment advice: my expertise is vastly insufficient to give a reliable advice.
Truth be told, with crypto, it is anybody’s guess what the market’s next move will be. I am trading with changing success for three years now and still have to rely mostly on other people’s opinions and predictions, which is why I can promise you that there is no infallible prophet in the world of cryptocurrencies.
With all this being said, it is not so difficult to buy and sell bitcoin. The main principle to generate some profit is very simple: buy low and sell high.
Define Clear Goals
The thing with more complex bitcoin trading strategies is the complete lack of predictability. Step 1 for beginners would be, indeed, to buy low and try to sell for profit. Right now a bitcoin costs nearly $8,000; buying one coin and selling it for, say, $12,000 in a month is nothing short of spectacularly insane profit.
But, if that is your profit target, will the crypto grow to $12,000? If it stays around $9,000 for three months, what would you do?
Define your goals and know what you are aiming at when investing.
What if the price plummets down to $4,000? It is far from unthinkable. The fact that cryptocurrencies are often mentioned in conjunction with the word “volatility” is not a coincidence or a conspirative narrative from the media. They really are unstable and should not be used as a get-rich-quickly scheme.
You should approach cryptocurrency trading and bitcoin trading sites with respect, somberness and clear goals in mind. Most importantly, though, never ever invest – in BTC or in anything – money you are not ready to lose. Their eventual melting into eternal nothingness should not take away the bread from your table or all your life savings.
Instead, do your research and try to understand some of the forces acting behind the crypto world. Maybe, unlike me, you have theoretical and practical experience with investing and just want simply to learn which the best Ethereum exchange is. If this is the case, click your way to the rank list.
If you want to learn more about the way cryptos work and what makes them so revolutionary, keep on reading.
?What is Bitcoin, Exactly?
In brief, bitcoin is a cryptocurrency. The “crypto” part is due to the fact that coins are produced (or mined, as is the correct terms) through the solution of complicated algorithms. Advanced cryptography is used in those, as well as in the conducting and recording of transactions between different entities.
Confused yet?
Wait until you hear why it is a currency.
But before that let me tell you a bit more about the technology used to power BTC: blockchain. It is one of the things that differentiate bitcoin completely from fiat currencies; the fact that it doesn’t rely on a central authority to exist is truly revolutionary as far as payment methods go.
Absolutely all traditional currencies are issued, i.e. printed and governed, by a central bank behind them. This is the Federal Reserve in the case of USD, the European Central Bank in the case of the euro and the Bank of England for the British pound.
Cryptocurrencies are far from fully understood.
Bitcoin has no such authority behind it. Instead, it relies on a global network of connected nodes (read: computers) that hold and update the ledger that records the existence of all bitcoins and the conducted transactions.
Each coin mined is recorded on this publicly accessible ledger.
Every time you buy or sell bitcoin, the ledger is updated accordingly.
This ledger is the famous blockchain, the revolutionary underlying technology that makes possible the existence of all cryptocurrencies. I must tell you that blockchain really is a technological leap the likes of which we haven’t seen in a long time. So much so that no one knows how far into the future we have jumped.
Some of the possibilities are just being explored, others are yet to be articulated fully yet.
Enough digressions, though.
The blockchain allows for a decentralized currency like bitcoin to exist and removes the necessity for banks and other intermediaries to record and confirm transactions. Of course, the bitcoin trading sites are a thing, but they simply facilitate easier trade. If you know the wallet address of a person you wish to send cryptocurrency to, you can do it right away, without going through any banks or paying hefty fees for the transfer.
Pretty neat, huh?
The blockchain is a technology with great potential and unknown possible repercussions.
Blockchain achieves that thanks to its vast network. Each transaction is recorded, creating a link in this virtual chain of blocks. Each new transaction is verified by the other nodes in the global network and if its (for the sake of oversimplification) consecutive number matches the one of the previous block, it is accepted and the chain progresses.
It is important to note that blockchain transactions are much more secure than bank transfers. Banks have their own ledgers to record the movement of money, but these records are stored on a central server. Such servers can and have been attacked successfully. The blockchain ledger is distributed across thousands and potentially millions of nodes; attackers have no specific target to aim at.
Second, bank transfers often include a human verification. Even the Romans realized that humans are prone to errors. Computer algorithms not so much.
Now, let’s see why a string of numbers is said to be money.
?Why Does Bitcoin Have Value?
So, what’s the value in a virtual currency that you cannot touch, smell, handle over?
The simple, yet difficult to understand, answer states: its value is whatever people believe it to be. Economists can explain at length that exactly the same notion holds true with regular, fiat currencies.
Right?
At the end of the day, the paper notes in your wallet are nothing more than rather dirty pieces of papers. They have absolutely no intrinsic value by themselves.
Not that many centuries ago our ancestors steadily adopted bank notes as truthful representation of gold and other tangible valuables and paper money became the norm for exchange. Originally, they were, indeed, notes written and stamped by the bank issuing them. And, back in the day, paper notes could be exchanged for their respective gold or silver equivalent.
That’s not the case anymore.
What is value?
Today’s money is not redeemable for gold from the central banks, even though they can be used to buy actual gold.
Now, let’s extend the question further and ask: what is the value of silver or gold? Gold particularly is an extremely useless metal. It is too soft to make a tool from and, for god’s sake, it is metal!
What can you do with it?
You can’t eat or drink it, nor can you work with it. By itself, gold is just a shiny waste of space.
This is technically true, but we all know how many shameful pages of the history of the world are written solely because time and again the lust for gold has taken the better of men.
Gold has become such a powerful symbol of wealth and power that it can induce the fever of madness, but this is only because of its ascribed value; value perceived through the eyes of the beholder.
Do you see where I’m going?
?Is Bitcoin Going to Take Over the World?
To draw the line, I will tell you that the actual value bitcoin holds and could hold has two axes: as payment medium and as value storage device. The more merchants and organizations begin to accept bitcoin as a valid payment method, the more its value will grow. Respectively, the more people see it as an asset worth the investment, the more its value is bound to rise.
That simplifies things… theoretically.
Nobody, for historical and cultural reasons, doubts the value of gold. Nobody really uses it to buy stuff with anymore, but it still is insanely valuable.
Larger adoption increases bitcoin influence.
Same goes for bitcoin – if people obtain it to store value, it will remain valuable. But for it to become valuable in the first place, it should be useful as a currency which can buy things. Many merchants and companies like Microsoft and Expedia accept bitcoin payments, but it is still a long way from proper adoption. You can’t go to the grocery store and buy milk and eggs with a satoshi or two.
Still, you can buy and sell bitcoin for profit, even if it is in USD.
And that’s not all that bad.
Stay Tuned..!!
The list of best bitcoin exchanges for USA traders and for those from other corners of the world differ somewhat. What is more, the ranking of the absolutely best bitcoin exchanges also undergoes regular revisions, as trading platforms compete constantly, offering new products and tools.
Stay up to date with the newest trends by visiting BTXChange regularly, as new trading sites make their entries in our review section. At present, our list is far from exhaustive. Even though it features most of the undisputed best bitcoin exchanges there are, new sites appear all the time. We are constantly looking for ways to enrich our database and to provide the most relevant and actual information.
Take your time to find the best cryptocurrency exchange for US trade or wherever you are, learn about the currencies you wish to trade with and invest carefully.
Best of luck!