Selling Bitcoin can seem daunting at first, but understanding your options makes things easier. Whether you're looking to trade quickly or get the best market rate, several avenues are available for you to consider.
Here's how you can navigate the choices to find the best fit for you.
1. Cryptocurrency exchanges
Cryptocurrency exchanges are the most common way to sell Bitcoin. They allow you to convert your Bitcoin to fiat currencies or other cryptocurrencies with ease.
Pros:
Convenient. Cryptocurrency exchanges provide a user-friendly platform for selling Bitcoin, often with intuitive interfaces that guide you through the selling process step by step.
Accessible. With internet access, you can trade from anywhere, anytime, making it one of the most accessible ways to sell Bitcoin. Most exchanges offer mobile apps, enhancing this accessibility.
Immediate liquidity. Exchanges offer a large pool of buyers and sellers, which typically ensures that you can sell your Bitcoin quickly and at current market rates, providing immediate liquidity.
Variety of trading options. Beyond simple selling, exchanges offer various trading options, such as spot trading, futures, and margin trading, giving sellers more strategies to capitalise on market movements.
Market information. Exchanges provide real-time market information, charts, and tools to help you make informed decisions on when to sell your Bitcoin.
Cons:
Fees. Most exchanges charge a fee for each transaction, which can vary widely between platforms. These fees can eat into your profits, especially if you are engaging in frequent trading or selling small amounts.
Security risks. While many exchanges have robust security measures, they are not immune to hacks and security breaches. Storing large amounts of Bitcoin on an exchange can pose a risk.
Regulatory concerns. Exchanges are subject to varying levels of regulation depending on their location, which can affect their operation and, by extension, your assets. Changes in regulations can impact your ability to sell when you want to.
Withdrawal limits. Some exchanges have limits on the amount of money you can withdraw at a time, which can be inconvenient if you need to access large sums of money quickly.
Market dependence. Your ability to sell and the price you get are directly affected by the exchange's liquidity and market depth. In highly volatile markets, you might not be able to sell at your preferred price if the market moves against you.
2. Bitcoin ATMs
Bitcoin ATMs allow you to deposit cash and convert it to Bitcoin. However, some of these ATMs also allow you to transact in the opposite direction – in other words, convert your BTC balance into fiat currency so you can withdraw cash.
These ATMs provide a convenient and straightforward way to sell your Bitcoin. They work similarly to traditional ATMs but are designed for Bitcoin transactions.
Pros:
Immediate access to cash. Bitcoin ATMs offer instant transactions and are one of the quickest ways to convert your Bitcoin to local currency.
Ease of use. The process is simple and user-friendly, requiring only your Bitcoin wallet and the amount you wish to sell.
Anonymity. Depending on the machine and location, you might not need to provide personal information, offering a degree of privacy.
Cons:
High fees. Bitcoin ATMs typically charge higher transaction fees compared to online exchanges, which can eat into your returns.
Limited availability. Not all areas have Bitcoin ATMs, and availability can be a significant limitation for some users.
Variable limits. Many ATMs have limits on how much Bitcoin you can sell at a time, which might not be suitable for large transactions.
3. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) transactions
Peer-to-peer or P2P marketplaces are one of the most popular alternative ways to sell Bitcoin. P2P exchanges require no identity verification and allow you to browse through buyers and see offers for each type of accepted payment method. They also do not require you to give up custody of your funds.
To sell your BTC on a P2P marketplace you just register and list what you have for sale, how much you want for it and acceptable payment methods. You will need to note any extra fees as well. Then you wait for a buyer to contact you. P2P sales are done using arbitrators and escrow and are surprisingly safe to do.
Note: Be sure to research any P2P marketplace before using it as fees for selling on P2P marketplaces vary.
Pros. Potentially lower fees and more control over the sale price.
Cons. Higher risk of scams and requires more effort to find a trustworthy buyer.
4. Online payments services
Online payment services such as PayPal or Venmo offer options to sell Bitcoin directly within their platforms. Users can quickly convert their Bitcoin into fiat currency, which can then be used for other transactions or withdrawn to a bank account.
Pros:
Integration. Seamlessly integrates with your existing online finance platforms, making it easy to manage funds.
User-Friendly. These services offer straightforward, intuitive interfaces that simplify the selling process.
Cons:
Transaction limits. There may be limits on how much Bitcoin you can sell at a time or withdrawal limits on the proceeds.
Market dependence. The exchange rates provided by these services may not always align with the market rates, potentially affecting the return on your sale.
5. Bitcoin Debit cards
Crypto debit cards link to your Bitcoin wallet, allowing you to use your Bitcoin for everyday purchases or withdraw cash at ATMs. The conversion from Bitcoin to fiat happens at the point of transaction, based on the current exchange rate.
Pros:
Versatility. Provides a direct way to use Bitcoin for real-world transactions, increasing its utility as a currency.
Instant Access. Enables immediate conversion of Bitcoin to fiat without needing a separate transaction or transfer.
Cons:
Dependent on Card Acceptance. Your ability to sell or spend Bitcoin is limited to places that accept card payments.
Potential for Market Volatility. The value of your Bitcoin could change significantly between the time you decide to transact and when the transaction is processed, affecting how much you get when you sell or spend.
Steps to sell your Bitcoin
The best way to sell Bitcoin is through a cryptocurrency exchange. If the assets are already on an exchange, then skip to step 4. Otherwise, you will need to deposit the coins or tokens on an exchange to sell on the market.
There are a variety of factors to consider when selling BTC. Before registering on an exchange, be sure to check that the asset is listed on the platform and that your desired fiat currency is supported for withdrawing to a bank account. Compare exchanges to find the lowest deposit fees, withdrawal fees and trading fees to maximise the fiat received.
Step 1: Choose where to sell Bitcoin
Choosing where to sell Bitcoin depends on a few main factors. Cryptocurrency exchanges offer different fees for depositing assets, but it should be free to deposit BTC apart from the Bitcoin network fee. You should take into account trading fees for selling BTC when choosing where to sell as well (Reasonable trading fees range from 0%-0.5% per trade.)
Selling your bitcoin with low fees is the best way to get the most return on your investment, which is why we've done the research of comparing 50+ crypto exchanges to help you find the best match.
So long as you have access to your private keys you can sell your bitcoin on any exchange you'd like. Compare exchanges using deposit methods, fiat currency support and accepted cryptocurrencies to find the best match for your needs.
How to sell a large amount of bitcoin?
If you're looking to sell a large amount of Bitcoin, such as $50,000 or more, conducting the transaction through an ordinary crypto exchange may not be the best way to go about it, because there may not be sufficient liquidity on a traditional exchange. This can result in slower processing times or "slippage" – which is when a large market sell order eats through the available buy orders, resulting in a price drop.
The transaction limits on these exchanges may also be too low for your needs, so anyone looking to sell a large amount of Bitcoin should consider an over-the-counter (OTC) trade. OTC trades are those that take place away from a conventional, regulated exchange, and they offer a simpler and more cost-effective way to buy and sell large amounts of Bitcoin.
Step 2: Create an account on a cryptocurrency exchange
Sign-Up. Navigate to the exchange's homepage, click the sign-up or register button, enter an email address or phone number, create a password, and verify your contact details through the code sent to you.
KYC process. Provide your personal information, including name, country of residence, and an ID number. Upload required documents: a clear photo or scan of your ID, a utility bill or bank statement for address verification, and a selfie with your name and the current date on a piece of paper.
Activate 2FA (optional but recommended). Enhance your account security by enabling two-factor authentication.
Step 3: Deposit Bitcoin into your exchange account
Navigate to Deposit: Find the 'wallets' or 'balances' page, select "Bitcoin", and click "Deposit".
Transfer BTC: Copy the provided BTC deposit address, paste it into your external Bitcoin wallet, double-check for accuracy, and send the transaction. Consider sending a small test amount first for peace of mind.
Wait for confirmation: Deposit times vary based on network congestion and exchange processing times.
Step 4: Sell your bitcoin
Choose Your Selling Method: Opt for an instant sell for speed and convenience, a market order for immediate sale at current prices, or a limit order to set your desired selling price.
Instant sell: Quick sale at market price directly to a linked bank account or withdrawal destination.
Market order: Sell immediately at the current market price.
Limit order: Set a specific price at which your Bitcoin sells.
Understand fees: Be aware of maker/taker fees which depend on whether your order adds or takes liquidity from the market. Market orders typically incur taker fees, while limit orders can be maker or taker, depending on how they're placed in relation to the current market price.
Withdrawing local currency
When trying to sell Bitcoin through a platform that permits fiat currency withdrawals, check to see what withdrawal methods are supported. Options may include the following:
PayID
BPAY
Osko
POLi
When choosing an exchange and withdrawal method, make sure to consider the following:
Fees. Many (but not all) platforms impose a withdrawal fee, and the fee charged usually varies depending on the withdrawal method selected.
Certain platforms allow you to sell Bitcoin or other assets directly for AUD at market price and deposit the funds directly into your account.
Limits. There are often minimum or maximum limits on how much you can transfer. They can differ between withdrawal methods. You can often increase these limits by providing additional verification or ID. Make sure the platform you choose won't be restrictive for your withdrawal needs.
Processing times. The time it takes for the AUD to arrive in your wallet or bank account is important to note. While cash withdrawals are instant, bank transfers can take several days to arrive.
Any other restrictions. Some exchanges may require you to withdraw funds using the same method with which you made your deposit.
Factors to consider when selling
The best way to sell Bitcoin is subjective and varies based on your circumstances. What works well for one person might not be a good fit for the next. Instead, it's about working out which option is the right choice for you. You can do this by asking yourself a few important questions:
Do you want to sell Bitcoin for fiat or another cryptocurrency?
How quickly do you want to sell your Bitcoin?
Are you willing to accept a price well below the market rate or do you want to negotiate the best price possible?
If selling for fiat, how do you want to receive payment?
These questions should help you decide how you want to sell your Bitcoin, and you can then figure out which platform has all the features you need. When comparing different cryptocurrency exchanges, make sure you consider the following:
Price. How does the exchange rate compare to those offered by other platforms?
Fees. Compare any trading fees that apply and whether there's a fee for withdrawing funds into your bank account or cryptocurrency wallet.
Trading and withdrawal limits. Is there any limit on the amount of Bitcoin you can sell, or on how much fiat currency you can withdraw from your account?
Security features. Are there any security measures in place to help protect your funds and your private data, for example, 2-factor authentication or a reputation system for buyers and sellers?
Customer support. If something goes wrong with your transaction, how can you contact customer support? During what hours is support available?
Reputation and reviews. Seek out online reviews and check crypto forum posts from other users to find out whether they recommend a particular exchange or trading platform.
There are several other important factors, such as where an exchange is regulated and the payment methods accepted by peer-to-peer trading sites. For a full breakdown of the features to look out for, check out Finder's cryptocurrency exchange guide and discover tips on how to choose the right platform.
Frequently asked questions
You can sell Bitcoin for cash by using a Bitcoin ATM that allows you to exchange your BTC for an AUD cash withdrawal. Alternatively, you could arrange to sell your Bitcoin through a peer-to-peer marketplace that accepts cash as a payment option, either meeting someone in person to accept payment or asking them to send a cash transfer through a payment service such as Western Union.
Bitcoin debit cards are linked to your cryptocurrency balance. They allow you to load your card with BTC, which is then converted into AUD by the card provider so you can use it to buy goods and services in-store and online, or withdraw cash from an ATM. Find out more in our Bitcoin debit cards guide.
Yes, there are several companies that specialise in facilitating bill payments in cryptocurrency. These services, such as HiveSpend and Living Room of Satoshi, convert your BTC into AUD to pay a BPAY bill or any bill that requires you to transfer funds to an Australian bank account. Check out our cryptocurrency bill payment services guide for more information.
You can sell Bitcoin through a peer-to-peer marketplace that accepts PayPal payments, such as LocalBitcoins or Paxful, or use an exchange like VirWox. Alternatively, some exchanges may also allow you to sell Bitcoin for AUD, then withdraw your AUD to the credit card or bank account linked to your PayPal account.
Yes, some multi-currency wallets (such as Coinomi and Jaxx) come with an in-built exchange service that allows you to quickly swap Bitcoin for another crypto within your wallet. However, this convenience usually comes at a price, as the exchange rate you’ll get will typically be lower than the price you could get on an open exchange.
Yes. If you make a capital gain when you sell BTC for AUD or exchange it for another crypto, a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) event occurs. For more details on the tax treatment of Bitcoin in Australia, check out our cryptocurrency tax guide.
Look at the current sell offers listed on your chosen platform to get an idea of the average price. However, remember that you’re competing with the other sellers on that platform and will need to make a compelling offer. The price you set could vary depending on what else you’re bringing to the table, such as being in a convenient location for buyers or accepting cash payments.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly
volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of
future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information.
You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory
requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators' websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may
have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.
Keegan Francis was a cryptocurrency writer for Finder. He has been invested in cryptocurrencies since 2013 and writing about them since 2018. He has written and edited for CryptoVantage. In 2020 he and his wife Mrugakshee Palwe opted entirely out of the world of traditional finance and went "full crypto", covering their experience in the Go Full Crypto podcast and via a Substack newsletter. Keegan holds a Bachelor of Computer Science from Acadia University, and has attained graduate certificates from Ivan On Tech's lightning network course and the Consensys Academy Ethereum bootcamp. When Keegan is not working on cryptocurrency, he enjoys travelling, rock climbing and playing piano.
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