How to Buy Bitcoin When You’re Underage

There’s no such thing as a legal age to buy bitcoin. If you’re old enough to appreciate it, you should be old enough to buy it. In practice though, most exchanges mandate a minimum age of 18, in keeping with KYC requirements. It doesn’t matter how clearly you’ve scanned your documents and signed your name: if you’re underage, you’re not getting in. How, then, can minors buy bitcoin without breaking the law?
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New Kids on the Blockchain

A late surveil found millennials to have a greater interest in cryptocurrency than any other age group. If 18-year-olds are adult on bitcoin, it stands to reason that their younger tech-savvy siblings will be just as curious. many long-familiar bitcoiners got into cryptocurrencies at 16 or younger and have been hooked always since. Some of bitcoin ’ mho earliest miners were quite literally minors. Coinbase used to permit under-18s to buy bitcoin in fact but have since debarred them from signing up. In bitcoin ’ randomness nascent years, regulation was lax and, with the care of an accommodating relative, getting money into an exchange was relatively easily.

That option still exists in some places nowadays, but what about teens who are old enough to live alone but not old enough to buy bitcoin ? Or minors whose family whole is incapable or unwilling to facilitate their request ? That ’ sulfur when underagers who are captive on buy cryptocurrency are forced to take matters into their own hands .

underage and Overeducated

Teenagers eager to buy bitcoin have a numeral of options at their administration. The ‘ legality ’ of each method is subject to rendition, but from a technical position, the follow are at least viable :
eBay : It ’ sulfur not barely sneakers and bumper stickers that can be picked up on eBay – sellers will besides furnish you with bitcoin. Using eBay and/or Paypal to buy little amounts of bitcoin is easily done but you will pay dearly for the privilege and are urged to check seller ratings before parting with cash .

Bitcoin ATM : In theory, ATMs are the arrant way for under-18s to buy cryptocurrency. In practice, they ’ re few and far between in most countries. Unless you happen to live in the heart of Tokyo, brace yourself for an epic trek .
Localbitcoins : technically, the lapp rules that govern cryptocurrency exchanges besides apply to sites like Localbitcoins.com. Basic confirmation is well accomplishable however, and once complete you ’ rhenium release to buy and sell P2P, transferring funds directly from your bank account. It ’ randomness besides possible to meet local sellers in person and buy bitcoin with cash, but circumspection is advised, particularly when purchasing for the first clock time. Buyers should be accompanied by an pornographic .
P2P exchanges : away from Localbitcoins, there are sites such as Solidi in the UK whose terms and conditions advise that “ Persons under the senesce of 18 wishing to trade must contact us first ”. Under 16s in particular will only be granted depleted purchase limits, though the central has suggested that minors get a rear or defender to set up an account in their name. Bitcoinprijzen in the Netherlands is another web site where under 18s seem able to purchase cryptocurrency using ideal .
Local cryptocurrency groups : Look on Facebook or Twitter and you ’ ll probably find crypto meetups in your area. The organizers of these groups are exquisite to encourage bitcoin borrowing and may be glad to help. As constantly, exercise circumspection when meet and trade with person for the first gear meter and don ’ t hand over a penny until you can see the transaction on the blockchain .

Some teens determined to get their hands on bitcoin have gotten creative, purchasing Amazon gift cards and swapping them on sites such as Paxful. other options include earning bitcoin on-line and asking for it as a gift from friends and relatives.

Should Minors Be Buying Bitcoin ?

Adults with a acute interest in bitcoin need little boost to preach the decentralized gospel to their kids. The chances of growing up in a cryptocurrency “ house-hodl ” and not being exposed to bitcoin are slender to non-existent. Teaching the future genesis about cryptocurrency ’ s electric potential, though, should besides include a discussion of warning about its risks, both in terms of volatility and security .
careless of what the law says, under-18s who are determined to buy cryptocurrency will find a way. Compared to some of the vices that teens could be spending their money on, bitcoin seems absolutely benign .
Do you think under-18s should be allowed to buy bitcoin? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Kai Sedgwick

Kai ‘s been manipulating words for a animation since 2009 and bought his first bitcoin at $ 12. It ‘s hanker gone. He specializes in writing about darknet markets, onchain privacy, and counter-surveillance in the digital age.