Wanting to learn about Bitcoin

[Ricnvolved1956 51]

My AirVPN subscription comes up for renewal at the end of this month and I would like to pay with Bitcoin. The problem is that I know next to nothing how to go about it. Last night I downloaded and installed Bitpay and Copay apps from Apple's app store. I uninstalled the Bitpay app after an hour because it kept repeatedly freezing. Copay app seems to be functional. However, I've run into an infuriating problem in trying to upload my photo I.D. I keep getting the same message that I must re-send a photo that's visually clear enough to be accepted as legitimate. I've resent one new photo after another and keep getting the same message. (The photos I've tried to upload after about the third one seem pretty clear and sharp to me.)

 

So here's a question I have-- Does anyone know if Glidera is a trustworthy entity? It APPEARS you have to go through either Glidera or Coinbase before you can buy Bitcoin online. Any and all assistance as to how I can join the Bitcoin community is greatly welcome.

 

 

(By the way, I live in the U.S.)

[zhang888 1066]

btcdirect.eu – A good service for Europe
bittylicious.com – Get BTC via Visa / MC or SEPA (EU) bank transfer
localbitcoins.com – This service allows you to search for people that want to sell Bitcoins directly (WU, Cash, SEPA, Paypal, etc).
cex.io – Buy Bitcoins using Visa / Mastercard or Wire Transfer.
coincafe.com – It is recommended for the fast and easy service. Payment methods: Western Union, Bank of America, cash through FedEx, Moneygram, and/or wire transfer
bitstamp.net – Old and proven Bitcoin dealer
coinmama.com – Visa/Mastercard
btc-e.com – Bitcoins exchange (Visa/Mastercard, etc.)
buybitcoinworldwide.com International catalog of Bitcoins exchanges
bitcoin-net.com – Another Bitcoins sellers catalog
howtobuybitcoins.info – International catalog of Bitcoins exchanges
bittybot.co/eu – A catalog for the European Union

 

Don't send any of these companies your photo IDs, they get hacked every once in a while and all that info might end up in the wrong hands.

[Ricnvolved1956 51]

Thank you very much for those links, I will investigate.

 

Do you recommend I not use the Copay app/Glidera? After my experience last night in trying to get things going, and having had time to think more about it, I've pretty much decided to stay away from Copay/Glidera. To be honest, something just didn't feel right as I was uploading my other information like street address and mobile phone number.

[LZ1 672]

Hello!

 

I recommend you contact Kepler. He may have a thing or two to say about this!

Ahem, just a random feeling I got of course, I can't imagine why I thought of Kepler

[Ricnvolved1956 51]

Hello!

 

I recommend you contact Kepler. He may have a thing or two to say about this!

Ahem, just a random feeling I got of course, I can't imagine why I thought of Kepler

What WOULD I do if you weren't here to keep me apprised on the best oracles to consult? ; )

 

No doubt SOME "oracles" around here would just whine about surreptitious Russian interference.... Vladimir Putin gonna completely take over Bitcoin and steal everyone's funds. I mean, Vlad the Impaler threw the election to Trump after all, RIGHT?! LOL

 

~Really cheesy Russian accent~ "In Amerika, you don't buy Bitcoin. Bitcoin buy you." ; )

[NaDre 157]

You may want to look at using Electrum as a client/wallet on your own computer:

 

https://electrum.org/#download

 

That way you are not relying on someone else to hold your bitcoins (and guard your privacy as you spend them) on your behalf. Transfer everything from the place you bought it to your own wallet immediately.

 

And Electrum can operate over Tor.

 

Also, if you do not want to have to provide a lot of ID and copies of bills and stuff (for proof of address), there are a few sites that only validate who you are by texting a PIN to your cell phone. For example in Canada:

 

https://quickbt.com/ca/faq/

 

To use QuickBT you must have your own wallet. They do not hold bitcoins for you. Generally QuickBT seems to charge a higher mark up than the full exchanges I bothered to register for, at least if I want to buy more than a small amount. But given the volatility of the value of the bitcoin,  trying to save a few percentage points may be pointless. And going through the registration process that most exchanges require is a real pain.

 

The last exchange I used in Canada was:

 

https://www.quadrigacx.com/

 

I was signed up for another Canadian exchange, but it got bought out (so I think they may want me to register again) by:

 

https://www.kraken.com/

 

This appears not to be just Canadian.

[Ricnvolved1956 51]

NaDre-- Thank you very, very much for that information. I like the idea of downloading and storing my Bitcoin on a specialized hardware device (USB stick?) instead of a software wallet. I've still got a lot to learn about this whole subject but your recommendations look promising. Thank you again.