One of the tenets of blockchain technology was to give users the right to retain their privacy and conduct transactions without having to disclose their personal identity. This was an outcry against the power that financial institutions had and still have over how we transact with our money.
When Bitcoin first appeared, crypto enthusiasts thought that they finally found a currency that would bypass these regulations. However, after a while, governments across the world felt threatened by the crypto market and started imposing regulations. Nowadays, to buy Bitcoins online, you have to verify your identity first.
Luckily enough, we can still spot some cracks within these regulations and find limited ways to buy Bitcoin anonymously. Our guide gives you a list of these platforms and explains how to use them with just a Bitcoin wallet and a credit card.
Is It Legal to Buy BTC Anonymously?
Every crypto exchange that wants to get a working license and register in the States has to be fully compliant with the US regulations. This means respecting the Anti Money Laundering (AML) and the Know Your Customer (KYC) policies among other things. That’s why the only way to buy BTC anonymously is using foreign platforms run in countries where different regulations apply.
Where to Buy BTC Anonymously?
We’ve made a list of some reliable foreign exchanges where you can buy BTC anonymously.
LocalBitcoins
Founded in 2012 in Finland, this peer-to-peer exchange matches Bitcoin buyers and sellers around the world and allows them to agree on a payment method and communicate directly during the trade. LocalBitcoins plays the role of an escrow that maintains the level of security.
BitQuick
On BitQuick, you find the right Bitcoin seller and together you agree on how you’re going to pay for the coins. Once you come to an agreement, BitQuick holds the bitcoins in escrow until the seller notifies the platform that the money has reached his/her account.
Wall of Coins
Wall of Coins is another peer-to-peer exchange currently available in the US, Canada, Germany, Latvia, Poland, the Philippines, and Argentina. It allows you to buy bitcoins with cash. The platform boasts of being the only marketplace that makes sure you purchase and receive your coins in less than 15 minutes! There’s no registration, and the only thing they need from you is your phone number where you’ll receive a confirmation message and your location to show you the nearest banking branches.
Bitit.gift
Unfortunately, Bitit is only available for European citizens. We’ve included it on our list because you can still buy gift vouchers and spend them in any store that accepts bitcoins.
Bitcoin ATM
Apart from crypto exchanges, you can buy BTC using a Bitcoin ATM if there happens to be one in your vicinity. The withdrawing process is quite straightforward and most of the ATMs don’t require user verification. You can use cash or credit card to make a purchase. However, these machines charge extra 5-10% for their services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Would Anyone Want to Skip Being Verified?
Unless they have some illegal intentions in mind, most people just want to skip the verification process because they’re in a hurry or lack all the documents at the moment. For some exchanges, the verification wait time can extend to two or three weeks! Others don’t like the thought of having to share sensitive information with online platforms and complain at the lack of security some of them have.
How Do I Know I’m Not Getting Scammed?
This is a challenge you’ll be facing on any platform you’re using, regardless of whether they ask you to verify your identity or not. It’s the risk you take for trading on a less-regulated market like the crypto one. What you can do is make some research in advance. Read through our cryptocurrency exchange review for Australia, and user reviews to get the bigger picture. If you’re planning to meet with a Bitcoin seller, arrange for the meeting to take place at a public spot or bring someone with you.
Final Notes
We won’t get into details or judge you because you prefer to remain anonymous while trading BTC. We’ve all been there, and we understand you completely. In the end, we hope we managed to offer you some possible solutions on how to avoid KYC checks while still buying on relatively safe platforms.