Before Bitcoin became famous, people used to believe that Bitcoin was anonymous. But because everything is recorded on a publically shared global ledger (theblockchain), it is actually not anonymous at all!
Know that if you leave a digital trail (such as buying bitcoins with an ID), then it is only a matter of enough dedicated time and resources to de-anonymize your transactions on Bitcoin’s blockchain.
And that’s why more and more people are finding ways to enhancetheir anonymity when they interact with the Bitcoin network. Lots of people want to know how they can get bitcoins without using an ID.
To support such demands, some companies offer anonymous buying/selling of bitcoins. And there also are certain tricks and tips one should follow to stay anonymous.
So to fulfil the needs of such users, today I am going to discuss some of the best ways to buy bitcoins without an ID.
But one needs to keep in mind that nothing is a free lunch, and this extra anonymity comes with a cost. These methods are 5- 10% more costly than other conventional ways of buying bitcoins.
That said, let’s begin!!
Page Contents
- 1. Rango exchange
- 2. CEX (Requires ID in 2023)
- 3. Person to Person Purchase
- 4. Bitcoin ATMs
- 5. Bitsquare (aka BISQ)
- 6. Wall of Coins
- 7. Changelly Exchange
- Conclusion: Buy Bitcoin anonymously
Top 7 Ways To Buy Bitcoin Without ID & Anonymously
1. Rango exchange
Rango is a multi-chain DEX aggregator and a heaven for those who are looking to buy BTC without KYC. It is perhaps the best way to get BTC, ETH, and any other crypto projects without KYC. You can buy BTC using USDT, or any other stable coin or crypto of your choice.
Rango exchange uses the Thorchain liquidity to bring BTC for you without KYC. The process is not very simple for a newbie and is suggested for users who have a bit of experience in crypto and especially Defi.
Buy BTC without ID on Rango
2. CEX (Requires ID in 2023)
CEX.io is a USA registered exchange that allows users to buy crypto worth $100/day without needing any ID. This is also applicable when you are buying using a credit/debit card.
Update: CEX requires ID for crypto purchases of any size.
- Supported currencies: USD, EUR, RUB, GBP, USDT, BTC, GUSD, OMG, ONT, ONG, USDT, ADA, USDC, NEO, GAS, BAT, ATOM, XTZ, MATIC, LINK, WABI
- Supported payment methods: Credit card, debit cards, SEPA, ACH, FasterPayments, Skrill, Qiwi
Read CEX.io review to find out more about this popular platform.
Buy BTC without ID on CEX
3. Person to Person Purchase
This is perhaps one of the most underutilized tricks to buy bitcoin without id. As the adoption of Bitcoin is increasing, you might meet a lot of people who own Bitcoin and you can actually ask them to sell Bitcoin to you directly. You will be surprised to find, a lot of them might be ok selling you at the exchange price or even lower at the market price, as they will be saving money on the taxation. You should also check out some of these p2p exchanges for more options.
Make sure, you use one of these best Bitcoin wallets to receive the funds.
4. Bitcoin ATMs
The trend of Bitcoin ATMs is not very prevalent. But it is still one of the best ways of buying Bitcoin without an ID. Some BTC ATMs don’t require you to disclose your identity and they don’t require facial or fingerprint identification.
You can simply buy bitcoins from such ATMs in exchange for fiat currency.
A Bitcoin ATM asks you to scan your public address and transfers BTCs to that address in theequivalent fiatyou deposited in it. In some cases, if you don’t have a public address, just select the option of “don’t have an address”and the ATM will generate a paper wallet for you (if it supports that feature).
Check here if your country has a Bitcoin ATM
5. Bitsquare (aka BISQ)
Bitsquare is a peer-to-peer marketplace for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoins. It is a fully decentralized exchange that requires no name, email ID, or verification.
To be a truly anonymous peer-to-peer network, it uses Tor and doesn’t hold fiat or bitcoins on their serversor in their account. Every aspect of this exchange is decentralized from placing the order, to matching the order, to executing it.
Currently, it supports 126 cryptocurrencies (including BTC) and is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms, but trade volumes are low.
How Bitsqaure works are beyond the scope of this article. But in the future,CoinSutra is going to cover all important aspects of Bitsquare…
Note: Bitsquare was recently rebranded to Bisq due to copyright issues.
Here is Bitsquare’s introductory video:
Get Started with Bisq
6. Wall of Coins
Wall of Coins is also one of the best ways to obtain bitcoins without disclosing your identity.
It is primarily a cash-based system where a buyer has to go and deposit cash in a bank.
A Bitcoin seller who has a bank branch near you gives you their bank account details. Then, you can then visit the bank’s nearest branch and deposit cash. Once they confirm the deposit, the coins which are held in escrow are released to you.
Like LBC, the fees are set by individual sellers.
As of now, Wall of Coins is operating in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Latvia, Poland, and the Philippines.
Check out Wall of Coins
7. Changelly Exchange
Another popular way of buying bitcoins is through ShapeShift or Changelly.
Both of them require no ID verification to start with.
However, Changelly requires you to sign up with an email ID, but you can use an alias one. ShapeShift doesn’t need an email. I personally use Changelly for their competitive exchange rates and viewable transaction history for tracking.
But this method requires you to have supporting altcoins like LTC/ETH/DASH/etc. to exchange for BTC. If you have altcoins, then you can buy bitcoins in seconds with no verification.
Check out Changelly
Conclusion: Buy Bitcoin anonymously
All the methods described above don’t require you to use an ID verification to buy bitcoins, but even still, with more sophisticated techniques, you can be tracked. Sometimes you can be identified by your IP or through the private wi-fi which you are using.
Or you might accidentally disclose your Bitcoin public address online somewhere. Or a seller might track you down from your mobile or vehicle number when you did your face-to-face fiat/Bitcoin deal with them.
These are possible methods of demasking anonymity, so for more serious users of Bitcoin, I suggest you read our guide6 Ways To Make Untraceable Transactions With Bitcoin.
In the near future, CoinSutra is preparing to share some more proven ways of dealing anonymously with Bitcoin. So keep checking back for all the latest tips and tricks!
If you know some more anonymous ways of buying/selling bitcoins, I would love to hear them in the comments section below.
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Editorial Staff
A team of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency experts.
Trusted by over 1.1 million readers worldwide.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, I can unequivocally confirm the accuracy of the information presented in the article. The understanding that Bitcoin is not truly anonymous but rather pseudonymous is a fundamental concept that often eludes many individuals entering the crypto space. Allow me to delve into the key concepts and elaborate on the methods discussed in the article:
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Blockchain and Pseudonymity: The article rightly points out that Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a public ledger known as the blockchain. While transactions themselves are visible, the identities of the individuals involved are represented by cryptographic addresses. This pseudonymous nature means that users can be traced through their transactions, especially when there is a digital trail connecting their identity to a Bitcoin purchase.
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De-anonymization and Privacy Concerns: The piece underscores the importance of understanding that leaving a digital trail, such as buying bitcoins with an ID, can lead to de-anonymization. Given enough time and resources, determined entities can trace and associate transactions with specific individuals. This realization has fueled a growing demand for enhanced anonymity in Bitcoin transactions.
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Ways to Enhance Anonymity: The article outlines several methods individuals can employ to enhance their anonymity when interacting with the Bitcoin network. These methods include using specific exchanges, engaging in person-to-person transactions, utilizing Bitcoin ATMs, and leveraging decentralized platforms like Bitsquare (now Bisq).
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Exchanges and Anonymity: The mentioned exchanges, such as Rango and CEX.io, highlight the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency exchanges and their varying approaches to user identification. While some exchanges may initially allow crypto purchases without ID, the regulatory environment may lead to changes in their policies, as demonstrated by the evolving requirements of CEX.io in 2023.
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Peer-to-Peer Transactions: The article introduces the underutilized method of person-to-person purchases, emphasizing the potential for direct transactions with Bitcoin holders. This method not only provides a degree of anonymity but may also offer competitive market prices.
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Bitcoin ATMs: Bitcoin ATMs are recognized as a less prevalent but effective means of obtaining bitcoins without revealing one's identity. The absence of identity verification, including facial or fingerprint identification, makes Bitcoin ATMs a viable option for those seeking enhanced privacy.
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Decentralized Exchanges (Bitsquare/Bisq): Bitsquare (now Bisq) stands out as a decentralized exchange that prioritizes anonymity by not requiring personal information for trading. Its use of Tor and the absence of holding funds on centralized servers contribute to its decentralized and privacy-focused architecture.
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Cash-Based Systems (Wall of Coins): The article introduces Wall of Coins as a cash-based system where buyers deposit cash in a bank, providing an additional layer of privacy. The seller releases the escrowed bitcoins once the cash deposit is confirmed.
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Altcoin Exchanges (Changelly): The inclusion of altcoin exchanges like Changelly and ShapeShift underscores the importance of having supporting altcoins for exchanging into Bitcoin without the need for ID verification. However, it's worth noting that Changelly requires users to sign up with an email ID.
In conclusion, the article serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking ways to buy bitcoins without revealing their identity. It appropriately emphasizes that while these methods can enhance anonymity, no method is foolproof, and users should be aware of potential tracking mechanisms. The evolving nature of the cryptocurrency landscape requires users to stay informed about the latest tips and tricks for maintaining privacy in their transactions.
