Why the difference in exchange rate for USD between Mt Gox and BitStamp?

[bitspoon]

OK, I'm proud to be a Newbie and you can probably tell my status from subject question...

Seems there is an opportunity to buy BTC in USD at BitStamp and sell at Mt Gox for arbitrage. Of course if it were that simple everyone would be doing it - but with a couple of quick searches I have not found this issue addressed on the forum. I look forward to a good answer from an Oldie.

Current rates:
http://bitcoincharts.com/markets/currency/USD.html

[hilariousandco]

OK, I'm proud to be a Newbie and you can probably tell my status from subject question...

Seems there is an opportunity to buy BTC in USD at BitStamp and sell at Mt Gox for arbitrage. Of course if it were that simple everyone would be doing it - but with a couple of quick searches I have not found this issue addressed on the forum. I look forward to a good answer from an Oldie.

Current rates:
http://bitcoincharts.com/markets/currency/USD.html

Thread here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=387627.msg4173808#msg4173808

People do do it, but Gox is a bastard for getting funds in and out. I'd look for different exchanges if you're going to arbitrage.

[bitpop]

It's hard getting money out of mtgox but money into btce

[bitspoon]

Thanks for your responses to a Newbie.

Seems pretty clear that $ are currently more viable than BTC. Frankly I'm more interested in increasing my $ holdings than BTC - maybe this will change in the future, but at this time BTC are too illiquid and WAY too speculative. That being said, it is also a VERY interesting development and fun to dabble in! As with most things, I expect a few people will make lots of money (shrewd exchanges like MtGox) and lots of people will lose money. Of course it is only money...

[jonanon]

Thanks for your responses to a Newbie.

Seems pretty clear that $ are currently more viable than BTC. Frankly I'm more interested in increasing my $ holdings than BTC - maybe this will change in the future, but at this time BTC are too illiquid and WAY too speculative. That being said, it is also a VERY interesting development and fun to dabble in! As with most things, I expect a few people will make lots of money (shrewd exchanges like MtGox) and lots of people will lose money. Of course it is only money...

It can be a pain getting hold of BTC but that's where the future is!

[kulinsj]

If you want to do some arbitrage you can find a few sites that deal with a lot of alt coins so that you can move funds back and forth between them along different coin avenues. Cryptsy has a wide selection, so does bter and coined up is starting to get some. Few more out there if you look around.

[gardmario]

Crypto exchanges are not linked to each other. Traders in one exchange do not have trades reflected in another exchange. The trade pair weighs based on number of traders and frequency of trades.

[diablohunt]

BTC are highly volatile. As a beginner I will not hold BTC now. I fear of sudden loss.

[bitpop]

Arb tool in my signature

[cerleo]

They are different providers and,therefore,something like this is possible.You have to choose which one to use and think of it as the better one.

[infinitybo]

@Bitspoon Nothing wrong to ask a question anyways the difference in exchange rates for USD between Mt Gox and BitStamp are relatives.

[cerleo]

There are difference between them and they provide at a different rate.You should decide which one to choose depending on what you look for.

[cozytrade]

It's hard getting money out of mtgox but money into btce

Sorry I have not had issues to put money into btce so far, what sort of issues are there with btce in practical? Do they impose some restrictions someday suddenly?