Localbitcoins confirms ID verification and one account per person

[gentlemand]

https://localbitcoins.com/gdpr

Most people knew this was coming but here's the confirmation anyway. ID verification will be required when you hit certain volume limits. Thank the EU rather than them. I presume this'll speed up decentralised options.

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[magneto]

https://localbitcoins.com/gdpr

Most people knew this was coming but here's the confirmation anyway. ID verification will be required when you hit certain volume limits. Thank the EU rather than them. I presume this'll speed up decentralised options.

Yeah, the rules are really tightening surrounding trading platforms.

I've already been identified as someone with significant trade volume and been asked for my ID. It's honestly disappointing to see a platform previously known for its anonymity all of a sudden requiring so much in terms of KYC, even though it is the EU regulations to blame.

They are still using pretty vague terminology in their terms and conditions, and nobody knows when you'll be asked for ID verification.

You're right, this will probably prompt faster development for decentralised trading options for sure.

[BitHodler]

If people think this is bad, then look at how the market will turn into one heck of a regulated legal circus.

Governments and their regulations while in some cases are helpful if fairly implemented, are an absolute plague to a free and healthy market development. It's perfectly showing how nervous the current system is.

Funny is that I can buy as many precious metals from whatever site as I want, and that without sharing any details aside from shipping information of course. It's solely meant to slow down crypto.

I can also start trading stocks and securities without verification, so the risks and financing of terrorism authorities always point to as being the reason is just nonsense. Just say it, you are afraid of crypto. 

[gentlemand]

Funny is that I can buy as many precious metals from whatever site as I want, and that without sharing any details aside from shipping information of course. It's solely meant to slow down crypto.

I can also start trading stocks and securities without verification, so the risks and financing of terrorism authorities always point to as being the reason is just nonsense. Just say it, you are afraid of crypto.  

Dunno where you're at, but that's not the case for me in the UK.

Most metals places have a limit on how much you can buy before they start having kittens and I've never come across a stock trading place that lets you get rolling without ID.

If they're not already then crypto services will be the same as everywhere and everything else in the EU - onerous.

[1Referee]

You're right, this will probably prompt faster development for decentralised trading options for sure.

Decentralized incentives are great, but they face one challenge they can't (at least for now) overcome, which is to incorporate fiat in a totally decentralized manner. All decentralized platforms right now rely on centralized payment services to settle fiat to crypto transactions, which is something they need to figure out somehow. Only crypto to crypto transactions are truly decentralized.

Tether is somewhat of a decent alternative, but again not decentralized since they work with fiat reserves being held by one party, where on top of that they don't enjoy that much of a clean status with everything going on. Unless we start disregarding fiat and use Bitcoin as base, it will prove to be a real challenge having decentralized platforms offer truly decentralized fiat to crypto trades.

[gentlemand]

Decentralized incentives are great, but they face one challenge they can't (at least for now) overcome, which is to incorporate fiat in a totally decentralized manner.

Short of handing over cash in person it can't be done. The best you'll get is keeping your deposit or payment obtuse enough for your bank to not notice or care. And that still does nothing to deal with charge backs or claims of scamming. I'm not sure how these platforms handle it but as they get bigger they'll get ever more gamed.

[mobnepal]

This is the reason why we should start using decentralized p2p platform but there are not many working options available right now because of budgetary constraints. Bitsquare (decentralized p2p trading platform) started more than year ago but still struggling to survive because  of almost zero fund for marketing and development. Don't know much about other similar platforms but I think all of them are struggling to survive. Localbitcoins like platform should start thinking about moving to decentralized ecosystem to get rid of all this regulatory requirement also this opens up space for dark net based localbitcoins if anyone willing to create one.

[pinkflower]

Is there a market for a darknet Localbitcoins type service? I think it will have to charge more. The price on keeping your anonymity is high nowadays. If you do not want to. You can always verify your ID on the regular Localbitcoins lol.

[TheQuin]

Dunno where you're at, but that's not the case for me in the UK.

Most metals places have a limit on how much you can buy before they start having kittens and I've never come across a stock trading place that lets you get rolling without ID.

If they're not already then crypto services will be the same as everywhere and everything else in the EU - onerous.

I'm pretty sure that when you sell a gold bar to a registered bullion dealer in the UK as well as asking to see your passport they are also compelled to inform HMRC. At least we haven't got that bad yet.

It's difficult to see a way other than f2f cash deals how to avoid ever creeping regulation.

[gentlemand]

I'm pretty sure that when you sell a gold bar to a registered bullion dealer in the UK as well as asking to see your passport they are also compelled to inform HMRC. At least we haven't got that bad yet.

It's difficult to see a way other than f2f cash deals how to avoid ever creeping regulation.

Yup.

https://www.sharpspixley.com/buy-gold-using-bitcoin/

That's the best place to get metals with BTC in the UK. If you're going above £5000 then you have to hand your ID over.

[TheQuin]

I'm pretty sure that when you sell a gold bar to a registered bullion dealer in the UK as well as asking to see your passport they are also compelled to inform HMRC. At least we haven't got that bad yet.

It's difficult to see a way other than f2f cash deals how to avoid ever creeping regulation.

Yup.

https://www.sharpspixley.com/buy-gold-using-bitcoin/

That's the best place to get metals with BTC in the UK. If you're going above £5000 then you have to hand your ID over.

The £5k limit only applies to buying. If you want to sell then you need it for all transactions.

https://www.sharpspixley.com/sell-your-gold/

Payment can be made by Bank Transfer, or in cash if selling in person. We require two forms of identification; one photo ID and one proof of address (dated in the last 3 months) for all transactions.

[gentlemand]

The £5k limit only applies to buying. If you want to sell then you need it for all transactions.

https://www.sharpspixley.com/sell-your-gold/

Payment can be made by Bank Transfer, or in cash if selling in person. We require two forms of identification; one photo ID and one proof of address (dated in the last 3 months) for all transactions.

Fair enough. Note how much less ludicrous that requirement is compared to Bitstamp wanting your tax records and all of your Bitcoin addresses so they can trace everything when they retrospectively demand more info when your money's locked up.

[TheQuin]

Fair enough. Note how much less ludicrous that requirement is compared to Bitstamp wanting your tax records and all of your Bitcoin addresses so they can trace everything when they retrospectively demand more info when your money's locked up.

Yeah, that is ludicrous.

I can see this ending up with the government treating Bitcoin as digital gold eventually. It doesn't mention it on that site but I have sold gold bars before and when you do it they make you sign a form that tells you that they will file a report to HMRC. Then you, of course, have to put that on your tax return and pay any CGT if it is due. I'm pretty sure government will catch up and extend that to crypto. Again that applies to licensed bullion dealers, not p2p trades. That's the slightly odd thing about LBC being forced into this, they're being treated as a dealer rather than just a platform hooking up individuals.

[slaman29]

So GDPR is looming and exchanges based in the EU have to take note. I agree, all for speeding up decentralized exchanges. I like LBC and we have to note the huge role they have played and continue to play in the space of Bitcoin, allowing so many people to trade in Bitcoin even in places like Iran where it has been banned. It's a shame this had to happen, but at least there is more clarity on personal data among exchanges. Please let's all start using Dexs!

[LeGaulois]

I'm pretty sure that when you sell a gold bar to a registered bullion dealer in the UK as well as asking to see your passport they are also compelled to inform HMRC. At least we haven't got that bad yet.

It's difficult to see a way other than f2f cash deals how to avoid ever creeping regulation.

Yup.

https://www.sharpspixley.com/buy-gold-using-bitcoin/

That's the best place to get metals with BTC in the UK. If you're going above £5000 then you have to hand your ID over.

The £5k limit only applies to buying. If you want to sell then you need it for all transactions.

https://www.sharpspixley.com/sell-your-gold/

Payment can be made by Bank Transfer, or in cash if selling in person. We require two forms of identification; one photo ID and one proof of address (dated in the last 3 months) for all transactions.

Be happy with the £5000 because here no matter, if it is for buying or selling 10€ your ID card, is required (for taxes purpose mainly). If I didn't have the sea to cross, I would be happy to come in your country to avoid the ridiculous limit in mine.
Belgium and Germany are less strict but can be waste of time

[BitHodler]

Dunno where you're at, but that's not the case for me in the UK.

Most metals places have a limit on how much you can buy before they start having kittens and I've never come across a stock trading place that lets you get rolling without ID.

I have had a look at the terms of the site I occasionally buy gold from, and they indeed seem to have a limit they work with, but it's quite easy to bypass. All purchases below €11,345 don't require any identification.

If you stay below that limit, and purchase €11,000 worth of gold per day, you can get access to €77,000 worth of gold on a weekly basis. The site also operates a brick and mortar store, so you can buy with cash as well.

What sort of limits do you face in the UK when buying precious metals?

[gentlemand]

I have had a look at the terms of the site I occasionally buy gold from, and they indeed seem to have a limit they work with, but it's quite easy to bypass. All purchases below €11,345 don't require any identification.

If you stay below that limit, and purchase €11,000 worth of gold per day, you can get access to €77,000 worth of gold on a weekly basis. The site also operates a brick and mortar store, so you can buy with cash as well.

What sort of limits do you face in the UK when buying precious metals?

Do you honestly think they're not going to shut you down after a couple of consecutive buys? That's about as obvious as it gets.

I'm not sure there's any formal limit in the UK but this place has similar ID requirements to the other one noted - https://www.atsbullion.com/faqs/are-there-any-id-requirements/

[Zapo]

Localethereum time gents...

Works on a smart contract, you don't need to wait 1 hour for your deposit and doesn't need KYC. I messaged a couple of the top sellers in my region and they are all moving over.

Was a good run.

[pinkflower]

Localethereum time gents...

Works on a smart contract, you don't need to wait 1 hour for your deposit and doesn't need KYC. I messaged a couple of the top sellers in my region and they are all moving over.

Was a good run.

The reason why Localbitcoin is now asking for ID is to avoid regulatory problems. How sure are you that Localethereum will not be pressured by the regulators to do the same? Is the service decentralized? But what about the website, it can be taken down or given a cease and desist order.

[audaciousbeing]

https://localbitcoins.com/gdpr

Most people knew this was coming but here's the confirmation anyway. ID verification will be required when you hit certain volume limits. Thank the EU rather than them. I presume this'll speed up decentralised options.

We had seen this that it will come and its happening but the people to be blamed is who I won't subscribe to because the EU cannot just come up with rules and regulations without having something to rely upon. We have read about several activities perpetuated on that platform, disputes that is left with the moderator to decides who is right and wrong without any deep investigation while they frustrate every move to get external help from the police simply because they have nothing to give.

Even though ID verification would come eventually, it should not be this early and the people I blame are those who have turn the crypto market into a funnel of scam, to carry their activities without any fear of being caught because there is no data of them that can be used against them and they can create so many accounts using disposable emails once one account is busted those are the people to be blamed and not EU or any government agency.