Bitcoin Exchange Definition
A Bitcoin exchange or a crypto exchange is a digital marketplace for buying and selling Bitcoins using altcoins or fiat currencies. It's an online platform acting as the intermediary between a Bitcoin buyer and a Bitcoin seller.
For instance, the official site here is an exchange or a trading system that you can use to buy, sell, or invest in Bitcoin. You can also configure this system's settings to automatically execute trades for you based on the current market trends. This system has algorithms designed to pass real-time market information to users.
How Bitcoin Exchanges Work
As a trading platform, a Bitcoin exchange matches a cryptocurrency buyer with a seller. A Bitcoin trader can choose to sell or buy Bitcoin by placing a limit order or a market order, the same way they can do on a stock exchange.
After selecting the market order, the trader authorizes the exchange to start trading their coins. Therefore, the system looks for the best price available in the marketplace. Setting the limit order means the crypto exchange will trade digital currencies at a price above their current bid or below their current ask, based on whether the trader is selling or buying.
Start trading Bitcoin at an exchange is by opening an account. The registration process can involve several verification stages to authenticate the user's identity. After authentication, the system creates an account to which a new user transfers their funds before purchasing Bitcoins.
The accepted payment methods vary from one Bitcoin exchange to another. However, most crypto exchanges accept direct bank transfers, bank wires, bank drafts, debit and credit cards, gift cards, and money orders as deposit methods. Also, crypto exchanges allow traders to withdraw funds from their accounts using credit card transfer, check mailing, bank wire, cash delivery, and PayPal transfer.
Decentralized Crypto Exchanges
A decentralized Bitcoin exchange doesn't have a central operating authority. Crypto traders can use such a Bitcoin exchange for peer-to-peer trading without the facilitation of any power. Such a crypto exchange has several benefits.
For instance, many Bitcoin users feel that this exchange matches the decentralized structure of a cryptocurrency. Also, decentralized exchanges do not require a lot of personal information from users. Additionally, a user can transfer their assets to another user directly. And this eliminates the risk of fraud and hacks. A decentralized exchange is also less susceptible to fraudulent trading or price manipulation.
But decentralized exchanges should maintain fundamental levels in liquidity and trading volumes for the users' interest. And not every decentralized crypto exchange can achieve such baseline qualities. What's more, decentralized Bitcoin exchanges can have limited recourse in case of fraud when compared to centralized authorities.
Important Considerations
When choosing a Bitcoin exchange, look for a reputable platform known for prioritizing users' funds and information security. Also, consider the fees charged by the platform. With most crypto exchanges, withdrawals and deposits have a cost. Payment methods with a higher chargeback risk attract higher charges.
Nevertheless, buying, selling, and investing in Bitcoin becomes more straightforward if you choose a reliable crypto exchange. Therefore, take your time to research the available Bitcoin exchanges to select a platform that will enable you to invest more comfortably in this cryptocurrency.
Published: 02/26/2021