Coinbase

Coinbase is the world’s largest Bitcoin broker. They represent an easy and fast way for new users to purchase bitcoins. Coinbase supports customers in over 30 countries, including the United States, Europe (besides Germany), UK, Singapore, Canada, and Australia.

Customers in the above-mentioned countries can purchase bitcoins by credit card, debit card, bank transfer, SEPA transfer, and more.

PROS

  • High liquidity and buying limits
  • Easy way for newcomers to get bitcoins
  • “Instant Buy” option available with credit card or debit card

CONS

  • Purchases made with bank transfer can take up to 5 days to complete
  • Coinbase may track how and where you spend your bitcoins

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Canadian Bitcoins

Canadian Bitcoins is a Bitcoin exchange based in Canada. The company offers many payment options:

  • Interac Online
  • Bill Payment via online banking
  • Direct debit from bank account
  • Flexepin Voucher
  • Cash via mail
  • Cash in person (Ottawa)
  • Debit in person (Ottawa)

The fees vary for each payment method.

PROS

  • Wide range of payment methods to purchase bitcoins
  • Can handle large purchases of bitcoins, $100,000 or more
  • Interface is easy to use for first time buyers

CONS

  • Many payment methods are not private ways to buy bitcoins

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GDAX

Coinbase’s exchange, GDAX, is one of the largest Bitcoin exchanges in the United States. Users can fund their accounts via bank transfer, SEPA, or bank wire. GDAX offers good prices and low fees, but their confusing user interface may initially prove difficult to navigate.

PROS

  • Some of the lowest fees available for US and EU customers
  • Possible to buy bitcoins for 0% fees

CONS

  • User interface is confusing for first time buyers
  • Sending bitcoins directly from GDAX to any legally-questionable site may result in closure of your account

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Kraken

Founded mid-2013, Kraken is the world’s largest Euro-denominated Bitcoin exchange, based on daily average trading volume. It supports deposits from US, European, Canadian, British, and Japanese customers. Deposits can be made via bank wire, SEPA, SWIFT, and bank deposit (Japan only).

PROS

  • Well-financed and trusted exchange
  • Very low 0.25% taker fee, falling to 0.1% with sufficient trading volume
  • Very low maker fee, falling to 0% with sufficient trading volume
  • Deep liquidity for large volume buyers in European markets ensures a price close to fair market rate
  • Highly-rated for security
  • Publishes proof of reserve audits

CONS

  • User-interface makes it difficult for first time buyers
  • Requires ID verification, so not private

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Cubits

Cubits is a Bitcoin exchange based in the United Kingdom. It allows users in almost every country besides the United States to purchase bitcoins, using a wide range of currencies and payment methods. The payment options include SEPA, SWIFT, credit cards, OKPAY, SOFORT, Skrill, Dotpay, and online bank transfer.

PROS

  • Fair 0.9% trading fee
  • Wide range of payment methods offered
  • Support for 20 fiat currencies
  • Super clean design makes the buying process easy

CONS

  • Offers a wallet that should not be used to store bitcoins
  • Requires ID verification, so not private

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CoinCorner

CoinCorner is a Bitcoin exchange based on the Isle of Man. They cater to users in the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and certain African, Asian, and South American countries. CoinCorner users may purchase bitcoins with SEPA, credit/debit card, GBP bank transfer, and now Netellertoo.

PROS

  • Trusted and regulated company in the UK
  • Wide range of payment options
  • Good customer support
  • Instant credit card purchases
  • Supports a very wide range of countries
  • Video tutorials covering the basics of Bitcoin and buying and sellingMulti-sig security features

CONS

  • Slightly high 5% fee for buying with a credit card
  • 1% trading fee slightly high by European standards
  • Offers a mobile wallet but this is not ideal for bitcoin storage
  • Requires ID verification, so not private
  • Geared towards traders; slightly confusing for first time buyers
  • Does not provide exchange prices for comparison without sign-up

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Top Crypto and Blockchain Exchanges in the World