So you have heard about Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies trading and after taking some time to research, you are finally ready to buy and sell. But, where do you start? A digital currency exchange is where most people go to start trading in cryptocurrency.
With a growing demand of not only bitcoins but also altcoins such as Dogecoin and Litecoin, many exchanges have sprung up in different parts of the world.
The following is not an exclusive list of exchanges in existence nor is it in any order. However, it will help you get around:
BTC China
It was set up in June 2011 as the first Chinese Bitcoin exchange and operates out of Shanghai. Nevertheless, it serves traders from all over the world with volumes that rank it 2nd largest exchange in the world.
On this platform, you can trade both Bitcoin and Litecoin using the Yuan and a few other selected international currencies to make deposits and withdrawals. In addition to normal trading, margin trading and future contracts are also on offer.
Huobi Exchange
This is also based in China and is headquartered in Beijing. The exchange has been around since September 2013 and accepts both Chinese and international traders. It handles about 13% of global volumes.
Through its subsidiary, BitVC, it offers trading products that include derivative instruments, margin trading, and P2P lending as well as standard trading order books.
Huobi also allows its clients to mortgage their BTC holdings, up to 60%, as collateral in exchange for trading shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
ItBit
The exchange is headquartered in New York, with offices in Singapore. It possesses a Banking Charter issued by New York State Department of Financial Services via its Trust Company. In this regard, it considered having attained the highest level of regulatory compliance.
All its US customers’ deposits are FDIC insured and bitcoin assets protected through its Trust Company. It doors are open to institutional, retail and commercial business customers who can make deposits via bank ACH transfers in USD, Euros or Singapore dollars.
ItBit also uses global equity exchange standards and mainstream finance security and monitoring technology.
Coinbase
Coinbase is both a wallet and an exchange service provider. Its headquarters are in San Francisco. It was the first licensed bitcoin exchange in the US and has a prolific investor -the New York Stock Exchange.
Besides the US, Coinbase is available in 18 European countries including the UK. Customers can make deposits via bank wire ACH in the US and SEPA payments in Europe in Euros, USD or Sterling pounds. US customers deposits are FDIC insured.
Coinbase offers only minimum trading buy and sell features with a transparent order book.
BitFinex
This Hong Kong-based exchange handles bitcoin, litecoin, and darkcoin. Since its launch, it has attracted international traders to its platform especially due to its diverse set of trading tools, features and products such as swap contracts, futures, index, margin and leverage trading, as well as P2P lending.
In addition, the exchange claims to provide transparent audit and security policy – proof of reserves – based on the blockchain. This is order for its clients to view the state of its reserves and liquidity and ascertain if it is enough to meet demand.
While the above is not an exhaustive list, it makes for an excellent starting point. Nevertheless, you should do due diligence and extensive research before putting your money on any exchange.
