PRACTICAL
SOLUTIONS
Here is a non-exhaustive selection of links to practical solutions for meeting bitcoiners, locating businesses that accept bitcoin, buying and selling bitcoin, and getting the right toolkit of software and hardware .
Bitcoin meet-ups
There’s nothing like meeting other bitcoiners in the flesh to share knowledge, have a good time, get opinions, gather practical advice…
Find out in just two minutes where bitcoiners are meeting in your area. The map lists the meeting points for friendly 100% Bitcoin get-togethers. Access the usual meeting dates and venues, Telegram channels and other contacts associated with each group.
Twentyone World was created to visualise and encourage the development of local 100% bitcoin communities. The site: (1) locates reliable all-bitcoin communities on a map and (2) facilitates the creation of such communities by providing an open template, a sort of step-by-step guide.
Businesses
Find a Bitcoin ATM, buy sats from it, start spending them in brick and mortar shops… All over the world! It’s an excellent experience, and one that demonstrates the incredible potential of Bitcoin and the Lightning Network as a means of payment.
Exchanges
Buy and sell bitcoin, on a one-off or regular basis, manually or automatically, via an exchange or a peer-to-peer platform… Here is a non-exhaustive list of recommended services. And please do remember: Not Your Keys, Not Your Coins!
KYC* Solutions
These are probably the simplest and easiest solutions for ordinary people to access.
*KYC: Know Your Customer refers to the process of verifying the identity of a company’s customers or to the banking regulations that govern these activities.
Kraken is one of the longest running, most trusted and healthiest exchanges.
The biggest exchanges (Binance, Coinbase), now sued by the regulator (6 June 2023), are now viewed with considerable suspicion. The bankruptcy of FTX in 2022 revealed the major failure of regulators to control these super-powerful players. There is no guarantee that the personal data and bitcoins you leave on these platforms are safe. Put the integrity of the players ahead of the bling-bling casino interfaces, and don’t delay in withdrawing your bitcoins from these opaquely managed platforms.
No-KYC Solutions
Centralized Plateforms
Relai is designed to be easy to use: no need to create an account or downloading of identification documents, no deposits (direct purchase from bank account), no hidden or unexpected charges, transparent fee structure.
Peer-to-Peer Platforms
Buy and sell bitcoins for fiat currency (or other crypto-currencies) privately and securely using Bisq’s peer-to-peer network and open-source desktop software. No registration required.
Peach is a mobile application that brings bitcoin buyers and sellers together. Buy or sell bitcoins peer-to-peer, anywhere, anytime, with the payment method of your choice, at the price you want.
Global peer-to-peer bitcoin exchange platform (does not hold your funds). Allows you to trade worldwide using any payment system and in any currency.
The easiest way to run a Lightning node at home is to use a turnkey solution. Most complete Bitcoin node packages also run Lightning, and all you have to do is plug it in.
Tools
Wallets
As the famous saying “Not your keys: Not your bitcoins“, it is strongly recommended that you “withdraw” your bitcoins from exchanges, i.e. that you yourself hold the private key that gives you control over the funds. Here’s a list of wallets or, more accurately, solutions for storing your private keys. This list – far from being exhaustive – highlights a sample of tried-and-tested solutions whose simplicity and reliability have ensured their success.
NB: Before downloading, buying or using any of these solutions, please take the time to read the sections of this site designed to give you a good understanding of them. Also check out the links associated with the tutorials for each solution.
Mobile Solutions
Use this type of solution to carry out your transactions easily, anywhere, at any time. Small amounts are generally kept in them, typically the equivalent of what you would have in cash in your wallet.
An easy-to-use, highly versatile wallet. Bitcoin and Lightning. Compatible with Android, Apple and Mac. (NB: as of 30 April 2023, Blue Wallet will end its custodial wallet service on Lightning).
Mobile application for iOS and Android to send and receive Lightning payments. Wallet of Satoshi is a custodial wallet (i.e. you do not hold the private key controlling the funds associated with the wallet), with no configuration required and a focus on simplicity.
A self-custodial wallet (you alone hold the key controlling the funds associated with the wallet), Phoenix is very easy to use and enables rapid payments on the Bitcoin and Lightning networks.
The most popular wallet for users who prioritize the confidentiality of their transactions.
Mobile app for iOS and Android to send and receive Lightning payments. Breez is also a Podcast 2.0 player (check also Fountain.fm), so you can stream sats while listening to your favourite shows. It also offers a point-of-sale solution for accepting Lightning payments.
Desktop Solutions
A Bitcoin wallet for the desktop (Windows, OS. Linux) designed for users wishing to maximise their financial sovereignty. Wasabi focuses on security, confidentiality and ease of use.
A Bitcoin desktop wallet (Windows, OS. Linux) designed for users wishing to maximise their financial sovereignty. Wasabi focuses on security, confidentiality and ease of use.
Cold wallets/ Hardware wallets - Seedsigners
Use this type of solution to store safely the private keys of accounts where you keep larger sums – the type of amount you would keep in a bank account. Bear in mind that your bitcoins are associated with a “private key/public key” pair. They do not physically exist on any device and on any wallet, not even on a hardware/cold wallet. With such solution you become the custodian of your sats and bitcoins.
Ledger offers a whole range of products. The simplest solutions are perfectly suitable for Bitcoin use. “Recover” is an optional (but irrevocable) private key backup service which provides users the ability to request a backup of their key from affiliated partners. This implies a detailed Know Your Customer (KYC) process. This option may be appropriate for you depending on your profile, but it does not maximize your sovereignty over your bitcoin.
Trezor wallets secure your Bitcoin offline, never exposing your digital asset information to an unsecured environment connected to the internet.
Another device very popular with long-time bitcoiners. Coldcard is more complex and less intuitive to use than its competitors but provides additional capacities.
A physical wallet developed and manufactured in Switzerland, featuring an OLED screen, invisible touch sensors, USB-C and USB-A support, offline back-up on microSD card and the BIP39 mnemonic.
Blockstream Jade is an easy-to-use, fully open-source physical wallet offering advanced security for your bitcoins and Liquid assets.
Seed Storage Solutions
The seed is a series of 12 or 24 words that you generate when you install your wallet. This phrase enables you to restore your private key and regain access to your funds, even if your wallet or seed-signer is lost or damaged. Sometimes accompanied by an additional passphrase, your seed should be kept very carefully (never on your computer).
There are plenty of options: a bank safe, a relative or trusted person, fireproof paper hidden in an unlikely hiding place, etc. You can also engrave this seed on metal surfaces that are resistant to fire, crushing, corrosion, etc. Here are a few examples, from a wide range of solutions of this type:
Stand-alone offline storage solution for valuable data. Designed to survive extreme conditions.
Stand-alone offline storage solution for valuable data. Designed to survive extreme conditions.
Stand-alone offline storage solution for valuable data. Designed to survive extreme conditions.
A wide range of high-quality do-it-yourself solutions.
Run your own node
Running your own Bitcoin node allows you to: a) contribute to the security of the network by verifying and transmitting transactions and blocks; b) have greater control over your own security and c) transaction fees; d) have full access to network data.
NB: Running your own node can be quite technical and costly in terms of time, energy and money. This is not necessary for most Bitcoin users.
The easiest way to run a Lightning node at home is to use a turnkey solution. Most complete Bitcoin node packages also run Lightning Network, and it all fits into a small box that you just plug in.
Bring your old computer (desktop or laptop) back to life by installing Bitcoin Core!
Complete plug-and-play node for users who want to maximise confidentiality. High-quality components guarantee performance and durability.
Join the Bitcoin network by assembling your own complete node. You’ll install the Umbrel OS operating system (free, open source) on a Raspberry Pi 4 by following a few simple instructions. Everything is designed to make it easy for you.