Bitcoin.com features a selection of bitcoin exchanges where you can buy and sell bitcoins (this page must be making a fortune in affiliate marketing fees).
Bitcoin.com currently feautures Bitpanda. BitPanda used to be called Coinimal has recently rebranded itself as BITPANDA.
*HINT* Click the UK flag in the top right or you will have to buy your bitcoins in German.
Clicking on get started takes me to a registration page. So far so good, who knew buying bitcoins could be so simple, nice interface, easy to navigate. The next step was to confirm my Email and choose a password.
Following this I was directed to the dashboard. Here I could see my balance, wallet, history and other options. At this point it feels very much like Paypal.
My first instinct now is to buy, I am shown current bitcoin prices and trends. There is also an option to buy Etherium but one thing at a time.
After clicking buy I learn the Minimum spend – 25 euros (£21) which buys a few thousand satoshis (100,000,000 Satoshi = 1Bitcoin). I clicked buy again and was taken to the verification screen.
Verification
Verification was a 3 step comprehensive process and an unusual one if you have trust issues. The first step (Verification bronze) involves a two step phone verification process. I entered my phone number and then was sent a code which I entered to confirm.
The next (Verification Silver) Involved entering personal and address details.
The third step of verification (verification gold) was a bit more complex and required nerves of steel. This step requires a live web chat with a home agent where I was required to show my passport and water bill. As a savvy internet user this immediately rang alarm bells, as a technical blogger I was forced to proceed.
The situation got more concerning by the minute. For some reason the verification suddenly turned German. I was forced to proceed through a series of confirmation screens where my only clue was knowing that “fortsetzen” means continue in German (hint – right button is always continue, left button is always go back). Through continuous pressing of the right button I was connected to an agent.
The agent was German but spoke perfect English, he guided me through showing off my private documents. I had to hold up my ID and letter to the screen while he recorded me, confirming my details. The whole time I was assessing this man for signs of fraud but it was all very professional.
After the call I hit refresh on my screen and the account was verified. Feeling very proud for trusting a strange man on the internet.
I accessed my wallet and clicked on “buy” for the value of 25 euros worth of bitcoin.
The payment system was very standard, the exception being that the main payment details form was again in German. Fortunately German has some logic to it and I was able to fill in my details. (long number in long box, security number in small box, hit the right button to continue).
Then success! I have bought bitcoin and am now the proud owner of a Bitpanda account, a bitcoin wallet and 0.044 BTC.
Conclusion
I talked to strangers, took part in a recorded show of my passport and personal details, filled out a form in German and now own 0.044 of a Bitcoin. It was not easy but now it is done I feel confident to become a regular bitcoin buyer and seller. Looking forward to making my first bitcoin purchase.
Robert Morel is a Software Developer and a blogger for B.I.S.S. Research. Contact me at robert.morel@localhost
