<p>Even though it seems simple, this question is actually too complicated to answer.  It is also ill-defined, because the answer depends on who you are and what types of accounts you have access to, in which currencies, and in which countries.</p>

<p>Right now, I have accounts with all the major Bitcoin exchanges, and I have bank and brokerage accounts in many different countries and currencies.  Some exchanges refuse to do business with U.S. residents, while others require U.S. residency.  Some exchanges always convert the currency, others don't.  </p>

<p>At present, I have found all the exchanges to be severely lacking in maturity, disclosure, and documentation.  The only exchange I deal with is Localbitcoins, because it is actually clear what the rules are and how it works.</p>

<p>I am sure everyone will vote this answer down, but the answer depends on who you are, what types of accounts you have access to, and what capabilities to transfer money those banks/brokerage houses have.  And where you live.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-22T16:01:18.220Z
Thanks for the comment.  In order to evaluate the exchanges, I have opened an account, verified my identity and address, and attempted to use the services.

The services are:  Bitstamp, BTC-E, CampBX, Coinbase, Coinmama, Coinsetter, ItBit, Localbitcoins, Mt. Gox, and Bitbargain.

In all cases, the services are immature and inadequate, except for LocalBitcoins and Bitbargain.  I use LocalBitcoins because it is cheaper than Bitbargain.

I live in the UK, and the UK national bank system offers instantaneous transfer.  As I said, your situation may differ.
zkilnbqi
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-22T16:05:11.673Z
That is true too.  Over the years, I have opened many bank and brokerage accounts, but I really only use a small number of them, depending on what I am trying to accomplish.
zkilnbqi
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-22T12:29:18.400Z
2013-11-22T12:29:18.400Z
zkilnbqi
<p>If I live in the USA, and buy/sell bitcoins from a Japanese exchange, are their any advantages/disadvantages for doing this, instead of buying bitcoins from a USA exchange?</p>

<exchanges>
Bitcoin exchange, local or foreign?
oshirowanen
# Bitcoin exchange, local or foreign?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-11-22)

If I live in the USA, and buy/sell bitcoins from a Japanese exchange, are their any advantages/disadvantages for doing this, instead of buying bitcoins from a USA exchange?

**Tags:** exchanges


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-11-22. Score: 1

Even though it seems simple, this question is actually too complicated to answer. It is also ill-defined, because the answer depends on who you are and what types of accounts you have access to, in which currencies, and in which countries.

Right now, I have accounts with all the major Bitcoin exchanges, and I have bank and brokerage accounts in many different countries and currencies. Some exchanges refuse to do business with U.S. residents, while others require U.S. residency. Some exchanges always convert the currency, others don't.

At present, I have found all the exchanges to be severely lacking in maturity, disclosure, and documentation. The only exchange I deal with is Localbitcoins, because it is actually clear what the rules are and how it works.

I am sure everyone will vote this answer down, but the answer depends on who you are, what types of accounts you have access to, and what capabilities to transfer money those banks/brokerage houses have. And where you live.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Thanks for the comment.  In order to evaluate the exchanges, I have opened an account, verified my identity and address, and attempted to use the services.  The services are:  Bitstamp, BTC-E, CampBX, Coinbase, Coinmama, Coinsetter, ItBit, Localbitcoins, Mt. Gox, and Bitbargain.  In all cases, the services are immature and inadequate, except for LocalBitcoins and Bitbargain.  I use LocalBitcoins because it is cheaper than Bitbargain.  I live in the UK, and the UK national bank system offers instantaneous transfer.  As I said, your situation may differ.  
> **username_1**: That is true too.  Over the years, I have opened many bank and brokerage accounts, but I really only use a small number of them, depending on what I am trying to accomplish.  

---

