Bitcoin Forum

I have bitcoins that are in paper wallets in a safe. But the price of bitcoin has been increasing and I want to put them in a position where I could convert some or all to USD on Coinbase if I choose to do so. But if I keep them in paper, it will take too long to import them and send to Coinbase.

If I keep them on Coinbase (which would be quickest way to sell), I risk loosing my coins if they go out of business. That said if coins are stolen they have reimbursed people.

An online wallet could work, but if coins are stolen they are gone, and I still have to wait to transfer them to Coinbase.

Any suggestions?

For safety reason, I would suggest you to continue keeping it in paper wallets. Alternatively, you can also send a small portion of it to a online connected desktop-based wallet that is secure and free of infection.

As you said yourself. Online storage of bitcoin is never safe. In the past multiple exchanges and other bitcoin satellite services were reported hacked and BTC stolen.
I don't know how much bitcoin do you have, but keeping it all in one online wallet/exchange is never a good option if your number 1 priority is security.
Use software wallets: I would recommend Armory, but if you want speed and don't want to download whole blockchain use some SPV wallet like Electrum or Multibit.

The best option will be splitting your coins, keep some of them safe in paper wallet, and transfer some to software wallet.

The best is by far something like Electrum. I find that it is a good compromise of safeness and quickness.

Ledger Nano wallet is a nice little tool.

I'm not sure what do you mean by "It takes time" to import them honestly since it only takes a few minutes . I would suggest keeping them on Paper wallets and simply re-type the private keys on Bitcoin Core when you want to sell them and then send them where you want to . (Coinbase or other services).

There is a lot of possibilities  (after sending the funds to Bitcoin Core or other wallets - when you decide to sell) you can do one of the following :

1. Sending them to Bitcoin Debit cards : It's now possible to convert your bitcoins to USD , so you can send them to CoinsBank or E-coin.io and withdraw from ATMs and you are done .

2. Looking for someone to trade with : It may take some time (If you are looking to sell fast it's not recommended) since you have to find someone on the forums/LocalBitcoins with the payment method & fees that fit you .

3. Deposit to Neteller : You can deposit them to your Neteller account and then sell your Neteller funds using Card to Card method . (Note that Neteller won't allow you to use the funds to buy online or withdraw from ATM if you deposited using Bitcoin)

If you wanna keep your bitcoin safe, I think save it on paper wallet is the solution, the. you said it takes too long. so why don't you save some of your bitcoins on online wallet and use 2 factor authenticator?

It actually takes hours though. He will have to import his private keys somewhere, then send to an exchange, then find the price. Sometimes bitcoin's price moves fast enough that you want to be able to move faster than that.

I would say that if you are considering selling soon, I would get a wallet like electrum set up and ready.  Have your coinbase or other exchange account all set up too.

When you decide that you want to trade in the very near future, unfortunately you will have to store your coins at the exchange.  That isn't a good long term strategy, you should have 2FA and a strong password.  If the market moves against you, then get your coins back to your wallet.

just my opinion.

I recommend using both, still keep it in a paper wallet and send a half to the Coinbase or other wallet exchanger you believe. And keep in mind invest money that is not used, and if the money is gone you are ready. thank you

You can diversify it to several wallet online and offline but I doubt if coinbase will close shop this year,this is their best year I recommend that you always keep your key to all the wallet that you have account ..