why is it so hard to buy bitcoin

[calkob]

I have not really bought any bitcoin in a while, i have been mostly trading this last year.  but i have been trying to buy today from localbitcoins and bittylicious and it has been a real challenge.  they want photos of me holding cards on localbitcoins and on bitty they need about 4 different forms of id, what is going on. 

this is seriously restrictive to anyone wanting to get into bitcoin,  like its meant to be pseudonymous but if the gate ways into bitcoin dont allow that people will be put off.   

[1715470661]

1715470661

[Pursuer]

like its meant to be pseudonymous but if the gate ways into bitcoin dont allow that people will be put off.   

bitcoin is meant to be pseudonymous not buying it and paying with fiat!!!

I have not really bought any bitcoin in a while, i have been mostly trading this last year.  but i have been trying to buy today from localbitcoins and bittylicious and it has been a real challenge.  they want photos of me holding cards on localbitcoins and on bitty they need about 4 different forms of id, what is going on. 

I never really used any of these services but it is understandable why they do all these things, it is because they want to protect themselves and their customers against fraud. whenever you are involving "fiat" and all its payment methods there comes all the regulations, rules, AML, charge back, stolen credit cards, .... so these services need to take all these information in order to "reduce" the risk of all these fraud.

[U2]

If you use USD and want Yen you don't necessarily have to exchange them. You can start working for Yen. It's the same with bitcoins. You don't have to buy them you can just start services to earn them. I like it better because then you don't have to give out your ID to some online company!

[The Sceptical Chymist]

If you use USD and want Yen you don't necessarily have to exchange them. You can start working for Yen. It's the same with bitcoins. You don't have to buy them you can just start services to earn them. I like it better because then you don't have to give out your ID to some online company!

That's an extremely limited niche, though.  It's like selling stuff for bitcoin--your market is very small.  It's better to earn fiat and buy bitcoin.  And fiat is more stable.  Would you really want your paycheck in bitcoin?

[U2]

If you use USD and want Yen you don't necessarily have to exchange them. You can start working for Yen. It's the same with bitcoins. You don't have to buy them you can just start services to earn them. I like it better because then you don't have to give out your ID to some online company!

That's an extremely limited niche, though.  It's like selling stuff for bitcoin--your market is very small.  It's better to earn fiat and buy bitcoin.  And fiat is more stable.  Would you really want your paycheck in bitcoin?

Well it's a way for the OP to avoid his problem that's for sure. Would I like part of my paycheck in bitcoins!? Absolutely yes! Maybe a small percentage like how it's suggested you save 10% of your income for retirement.

[MONKEYJUNK]

Why you don't use a normal exchange?

You just need to confirm you ID one time and that's it, isn't so hard to buy bitcoins...

[Scott J]

If you use USD and want Yen you don't necessarily have to exchange them. You can start working for Yen. It's the same with bitcoins. You don't have to buy them you can just start services to earn them. I like it better because then you don't have to give out your ID to some online company!

That's an extremely limited niche, though.  It's like selling stuff for bitcoin--your market is very small.  It's better to earn fiat and buy bitcoin.  And fiat is more stable.  Would you really want your paycheck in bitcoin?

Well it's a way for the OP to avoid his problem that's for sure. Would I like part of my paycheck in bitcoins!? Absolutely yes! Maybe a small percentage like how it's suggested you save 10% of your income for retirement.

I also would love to be able to choose what % of my salary gets paid in Bitcoin.

I would stick it in cold storage and forget all about it.

[RodeoX]

bitcoin is meant to be pseudonymous not buying it and paying with fiat!!!

That really is the answer. You can do what you want with bitcoin, but fiat currency is only yours to use under the terms and conditions of the actual owner. In the U.S. that owner is the federal reserve, not you.

[yakushev]

I can easily buy Bitcoins through exchangers. I never had any problems with it. You probably just bad service chosen. Find another

[bitcoinisbest]

There are certainly some rules that needs to be followed like showing id or proof in order to prove your are genuine and right person to deal with. Some of them are scammers and in order to avoid such they might ask for the details. Same is the case with exchanges as well who require your proof.

[harizen]

I have not really bought any bitcoin in a while, i have been mostly trading this last year.  but i have been trying to buy today from localbitcoins and bittylicious and it has been a real challenge.  they want photos of me holding cards on localbitcoins and on bitty they need about 4 different forms of id, what is going on. 

this is seriously restrictive to anyone wanting to get into bitcoin,  like its meant to be pseudonymous but if the gate ways into bitcoin dont allow that people will be put off.   

It's normal for some local exchanges to have at least some infos about theirs client since money is involved and not just the bitcoin currency. And it's also a part of their terms in complying the rules and regulations of a certain law about financial thing. It's common.

Why not try instead to other exchanges that support your country? See if it's less hassle compare to those exchanges you mentioned. From what country you from?

[kryptqnick]

I have not really bought any bitcoin in a while, i have been mostly trading this last year.  but i have been trying to buy today from localbitcoins and bittylicious and it has been a real challenge.  they want photos of me holding cards on localbitcoins and on bitty they need about 4 different forms of id, what is going on. 

this is seriously restrictive to anyone wanting to get into bitcoin,  like its meant to be pseudonymous but if the gate ways into bitcoin dont allow that people will be put off.   

Well, I think there are just many precautions to avoid problems with people buying or selling bitcoin 'officially'. In my opinion, it is better to buy and sell btc to friends, because thus nobody is losing much and you don't need photos and other stuff like that.

[BingoDog]

I don't see the problem actualy. You have different methods and sources to choose like localbitcoins, any exchanger or you can even buy Bitcoins here on forum. Or if you have some Bitcoin ATM near you this could also be the option.
Don't let some tiny issues to make you give up.

[jondeen707]

I have not really bought any bitcoin in a while, i have been mostly trading this last year.  but i have been trying to buy today from localbitcoins and bittylicious and it has been a real challenge.  they want photos of me holding cards on localbitcoins and on bitty they need about 4 different forms of id, what is going on. 

this is seriously restrictive to anyone wanting to get into bitcoin,  like its meant to be pseudonymous but if the gate ways into bitcoin dont allow that people will be put off.   

Why don't you just get verified with one of the exchangers once and for all? Any money transfer business is held to very strict AML and anti-fraud standards. That's why they need you to go through that. 

[Yakamoto]

I have not really bought any bitcoin in a while, i have been mostly trading this last year.  but i have been trying to buy today from localbitcoins and bittylicious and it has been a real challenge.  they want photos of me holding cards on localbitcoins and on bitty they need about 4 different forms of id, what is going on. 

this is seriously restrictive to anyone wanting to get into bitcoin,  like its meant to be pseudonymous but if the gate ways into bitcoin dont allow that people will be put off.   

Most of it comes down to covering their tracks in the event the government ever gets involved. There are some gov't regulations that they still have to deal with, and in the event the government actually shows up, chances are they want to have those records on hand. I know I would, and a majority of business owners want to be on the good side of the government.

[dimonstration]

I have not really bought any bitcoin in a while, i have been mostly trading this last year.  but i have been trying to buy today from localbitcoins and bittylicious and it has been a real challenge.  they want photos of me holding cards on localbitcoins and on bitty they need about 4 different forms of id, what is going on. 

this is seriously restrictive to anyone wanting to get into bitcoin,  like its meant to be pseudonymous but if the gate ways into bitcoin dont allow that people will be put off.   

Actually it depends in the country you belong.in my country its easy to buy btc right now and too many ways to buy you canalso buy direct to your bank using our online wallet.

[madwica]

I have not really bought any bitcoin in a while, i have been mostly trading this last year.  but i have been trying to buy today from localbitcoins and bittylicious and it has been a real challenge.  they want photos of me holding cards on localbitcoins and on bitty they need about 4 different forms of id, what is going on. 

this is seriously restrictive to anyone wanting to get into bitcoin,  like its meant to be pseudonymous but if the gate ways into bitcoin dont allow that people will be put off.   

Actually it depends in the country you belong.in my country its easy to buy btc right now and too many ways to buy you canalso buy direct to your bank using our online wallet.

Correct like here in my country i can deposit money to be exchange in bitcoin in our bank and also in remittance center. We are lucky to having good bitcoin wallet with great services to the users.

[Shiroslullaby]

The exchange of fiat to Bitcoin and vice versa
is still (IMO) one of the weakest part of the system.

If you are not an early miner, or didn't earn Bitcoin years ago, you are forced to exchange local currency for BTC.
This means buying from a service that probably makes you register your paypal, bank account, government ID, etc.

And it's naive to think that some governments aren't already tracking people who exchange fiat for Bitcoin and the addresses they are using.

If you are fine giving all this information it's no problem,
but I dream of a day where I can escape fiat and my need for government issued currency.
That is real financial independence. (A boy can dream!)

[Schuyler]

From my local exchange, I have not had any difficulty buying bitcoins. But when I was still completing requirements, they asked for my IDs and photo of myself holding an ID. After that, it is all good.

[BitcoinPanther]

The exchange of fiat to Bitcoin and vice versa
is still (IMO) one of the weakest part of the system.

If you are not an early miner, or didn't earn Bitcoin years ago, you are forced to exchange local currency for BTC.
This means buying from a service that probably makes you register your paypal, bank account, government ID, etc.

And it's naive to think that some governments aren't already tracking people who exchange fiat for Bitcoin and the addresses they are using.

If you are fine giving all this information it's no problem,
but I dream of a day where I can escape fiat and my need for government issued currency.
That is real financial independence. (A boy can dream!)

I agree, fiat money have rules that we have to comply, same goes with the exchanges.  So they need this requirements in order for our fiat money to be processed.  They don't care much about bitcoin but I think they care about the fiat currency movement and who uses them.
Buying of BTC is easy as long as you don't have problem with filling the data required by the site. And besides it is only one time then the next transactions will be a easy.