My father lives in France. Should I have him buy my bitcoins?

[PA992]

It seems the U.S.A. is the worst place to buy bitcoins, so I was wondering if having my father buy bitcoins would ensure that I had convenient access to the exchanges (which seem to be cheaper than localbitcoins.com) If you had a close relative in a foreign country and you didn't have a list of trustworthy sellers, would you just do it this way, or is it unncessary?



From the OKPay website.

[1715304250]

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[Dalmar]

Bitstamp is open to US folk. Also, you can just use Coinbase. It's not like bitcoin is banned in the US. You seem to be exaggerating a bit too much.

[CMMPro]

Get your father to buy them from you, maybe all you are able to negotiate is $1 from him....claim a huge investment loss.

[PA992]

Bitstamp is open to US folk. Also, you can just use Coinbase. It's not like bitcoin is banned in the US. You seem to be exaggerating a bit too much.

I thought I observed that Coinbase was significantly more expensive than BTC-E.

[Dalmar]

I thought I observed that Coinbase was significantly more expensive than BTC-E.

BTC-e has high deposit and withdrawal fees. The price reflects this, also it is lower because of the risk of dealing with anonymous Russians.

[PA992]

So if someone in a foreign country was willing to set up an account with OKPay or one of the alternatives and buy bitcoins on BTC-E and send them to you with zero mark up in exchange for cash in the mail, you're saying there would be absolutely no advantage?

[E.exchanger]

Go bitstamp for all your answers 

[Dalmar]

So if someone in a foreign country was willing to set up an account with OKPay or one of the alternatives and buy bitcoins on BTC-E and send them to you with zero mark up in exchange for cash in the mail, you're saying there would be absolutely no advantage?

There are many examples of long delays with third-party deposits on BTC-e, and even cases that it was never credited.

Use BTC-e at your own risk. Anyhow, the price on bitstamp is not even that much more expensive than BTC-e, and you can make the difference back with one simple trade.

[daviducsb]

For maximum safety and convenience just use coinbase. You don't want to be penny wise and pound foolish.

[PA992]

What would you recommend for doing the wire transfer to BitStamp? xoom.com? Looks like it costs 6 bucks.

[leopard2]

you could open a bank account in a SEPA country, maybe in France since your father could help with the paperwork, EU banks should be OK with US citizens

then find an exchange that accepts SEPA without asking for ID; btc-e should work. SEPA wires do not convey address information like SWIFT wires so the recipient of a SEPA does not know where you live (unless there is an investigation, like funds not arriving etc. - then the SENDER of a SEPA can find out the address of the recipient, not the other way round).

it is much safer to provide ID to a bank than an exchange as we have learned from the Gox hack  

[PA992]

Thanks for the advice, leopard2.


Which one of these do you reccommend?




Hey, how is it that BitStamp can exist in light of stuff like this: Ego Pay just got shut down by the US Gov't...Go Bitcoin!!

[Sindelar1938]

Yes, you should
Europe is likely top remain a benign reg environment in the future also
Check capital gains tax treatment before you do though

[Swordsoffreedom]

I would say Oui Oui but that seems a bit bias
So will say absolutely worth trying if the verifications are easier over there

[Bit_Happy]

It seems the U.S.A. is the worst place to buy bitcoins, so I was wondering if having my father buy bitcoins would ensure that I had convenient access to the exchanges (which seem to be cheaper than localbitcoins.com) If you had a close relative in a foreign country and you didn't have a list of trustworthy sellers, would you just do it this way, or is it unncessary?



From the OKPay website.

Joining OKPay was something on my todo list.
Sorry to hear they have "banned" U.S. users.

[PA992]

Why is it that OKPAY doesn't accept U.S. customers and Ego Pay disallowed U.S. customers, and yet BitStamp and Coinbase do accept U.S. customers?

[snarlpill]

Coinbase worked fine but took me 4 days to get them because I didn't have a Visa credit card to put as backup for instant purchases. After that I used coin.mx, bought 100 dollars worth and had it in my wallet within an hour or so. You can use credit/debit, and they are located in the U.S. if that makes you feel better. Those 2 were my first BTC purchases, so I was excited and trying to get them Asap. Both companies were legit to me. Hope that helps.

[Bit_Happy]

Why is it that OKPAY doesn't accept U.S. customers and Ego Pay disallowed U.S. customers, and yet BitStamp and Coinbase do accept U.S. customers?

Different tolerance to risk is the simple answer.
The 2 most similar to Paypal don't accept U.S. customers and the exchanges do (with a verification required)

[5thStreetResearch]

Easiest way to buy/sell coins in the US is Coinbase.  If you want coins on an exchange so you can trade, you can send the ones you purchased from Coinbase to Bitstamp if you are having difficulty getting fiat onto Bitstamp.

[joeventyra]

Best option for you is Coinbase. OF course if you want to own the account by yourself. Otherwise if you want to use OKPay than you can ask your that to set it up for you and let you use it.

[PA992]

Would you say there are any benefits to using OKPAY?

[btcfre@k]

bitcoin-central if he have a bank account in europe

[BitOnyx]

you can buy bitcoins whenever you want. USA can try to regulate it, but to be honest they are rather limited at it. You can always make such transaction, but since state legislation is right in midle of working on it, it is hard to say if it is necessary.

[PA992]

Go bitstamp for all your answers 

Am I reading this right? U.S. customers have to pay a minimum fee of 15 dollars to use Bit Stamp!?   https://www.bitstamp.net/account/deposit/

[mrga2411]

you should do that :d