How to sell Bitcoin: a comprehensive guide

Learn how to sell Bitcoin (BTC) with our comprehensive guide, covering strategies, considerations, and top selling avenues for maximizing returns.

Cryptocurrencies have experienced a remarkable rebound in 2024, enticing many traders with substantial gains. Some of them, including Bitcoin, have even surpassed previous all-time highs and are selling at unprecedented prices. 

As such, many crypto enthusiasts may be eager to explore avenues for converting their digital assets into cash. If you’re wondering how to sell Bitcoin and when the optimal time is to do so, this guide is tailored to answer your questions.

Understanding the need to sell Bitcoin

Selling Bitcoin is often driven by specific objectives, such as securing profits, diversifying investments, or addressing market sentiments. Here are some common reasons why people may choose to sell their Bitcoins even as some insist on hodling:

Locking in your gains

Putting your crypto on the market may allow you to lock in profits, especially during periods of price volatility. While cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin can experience significant price surges, these gains are not guaranteed to be sustained. By selling a portion of your holdings, you can safeguard your profits and mitigate potential losses in the event of a market downturn.

Cutting your losses

The price fluctuations suffered by Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can result in losses for investors. Rather than waiting for a price recovery that may not materialize, selling your Bitcoin holdings can be a prudent strategy to minimize losses and reallocate funds to more promising investments.

Diversifying your investments

Diversification is a critical principle in investment management. Selling your Bitcoin may provide you with enough liquidity to invest in a diverse range of assets, thus reducing your exposure to the risks associated with a single asset class. 

Whether you’re interested in other cryptocurrencies or traditional assets, diversifying your portfolio can enhance your long-term financial stability.

Exchanging for fiat currency

While Bitcoin was envisioned as a digital alternative to fiat currency, its widespread adoption as a means of payment remains limited. Therefore, selling it may allow you to access fiat currency, enabling you to make purchases and transactions that require traditional money.

Considerations before selling Bitcoin

Before selling your Bitcoin, it’s important to consider several factors that can impact your decision and overall returns:

Bitcoin value: Make sure to monitor Bitcoin’s price fluctuations and market trends to assess the optimal selling time.

Crypto market sentiment: It is also important to understand market sentiment, whether bullish or bearish, to gauge investor confidence and prevailing market dynamics.

Projected profits: Try and use current market conditions to evaluate your potential returns in the event of selling your Bitcoins and to determine if it meets your profit objectives.

Tax implications: With cryptocurrencies increasingly falling under the ambit of tax authorities, it is important that even as you sell your Bitcoin, you familiarize yourself with tax regulations regarding cryptocurrency sales in your jurisdiction. In that way, you can ensure compliance and minimize your tax liabilities.

How to sell Bitcoins: a step-by-step guide

There are several ways you can sell your Bitcoin as we shall see later on, but regardless of which method you choose, you will generally take the following steps:

Choose where to sell your Bitcoin: First, think about deposit fees, trading costs, and withdrawal charges to your bank account. It’s smart to find a method to sell your Bitcoin that is both convenient, fast, and charges the lowest fees.

Set up an account: Make sure to give your email or phone number, make a password, and agree to the terms, for those platforms requiring you to first open an account or confirm your identity.

Put your Bitcoin into the platform: Go to the Bitcoin wallet or balances page of the platform you are using, locate “Bitcoin,” and tap on “Deposit.” Copy the given Bitcoin wallet address and send your BTC from an external digital wallet. Wait for the deposit to be confirmed.

Sell your Bitcoin: Once your Bitcoin is in the platform’s account, you can sell it or trade for other cryptocurrencies. However, keep in mind that each platform might have different withdrawal fees.

Where to sell Bitcoin: choosing a selling platform

For those asking themselves, “where can I sell my Bitcoin?” you have several ways to choose from, each with its own advantages and considerations. Here are some of the more common ways you can sell your cryptocurrency:

Bitcoin wallets

Bitcoin wallets, whether online platforms or offline devices, serve as convenient tools for storing, managing, and converting Bitcoin into fiat currency directly within the app interface. 

However, while these apps are typically user-friendly and accessible, some may not offer the advanced trading features available on dedicated crypto exchanges. 

Selling Bitcoin using a wallet is straightforward: First, you open the wallet app and import your Bitcoin. Then, you select the ‘sell’ option and specify the amount of Bitcoin you want to sell. Finally, you confirm the transaction and transfer the funds to your linked bank account.

This method comes with a few advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

• It gives you full control over your Bitcoins, allowing you to directly manage them without the need for intermediaries.
• Bitcoin wallets are accessible at all times, unlike some selling methods such as Bitcoin ATM or in-person trading.

Cons

• For those unfamiliar with crypto wallets, using some of them may be complex and frustrating.
• For more advanced users, some of the wallets may lack key trading features.

Cryptocurrency exchanges

Crypto exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase can provide you with a comprehensive trading interface for buying and selling digital assets, along with support for fiat withdrawals and access to a diverse range of cryptocurrencies. 

So, how do you sell Bitcoin on a crypto exchange? You must first choose a reputable exchange and complete the registration and verification process. 

Once registered, you input your Bitcoin wallet address and transfer the desired amount of Bitcoin to the exchange. 

Afterward, you select the currency you wish to receive in exchange for your Bitcoin. You’ll then confirm the transaction and wait for it to be processed. Once completed, you can transfer the received fiat currency to your digital wallet or bank account.

Advantages

• Many crypto exchanges are user-friendly and accessible to novices.
• Exchanges usually offer greater liquidity, allowing for quicker trades and relatively better prices.
• Many exchanges also offer advanced options for seasoned traders.
• Exchanges operate within regulated environments, which can offer a measure of security and transparency

Disadvantages

• Centralized exchanges may require you to provide personal information in order to transact on them.
• Even with strong security measures, exchanges are vulnerable to hacks and exploits, which may lead to the loss of your cryptocurrency.
• Exchanges require you to entrust custody of your crypto to third parties, which may come with risks.

Peer-to-Peer exchanges

Peer-to-peer (P2P) exchanges like Paxful and OpenPeer can facilitate direct crypto trading between individual buyers and sellers. These platforms often provide flexible and competitive terms, but engaging in transactions on them requires you to exercise great caution and diligence to avoid potential scams. 

This is how to sell Bitcoins on a peer-to-peer exchange: you begin by registering an account on the P2P exchange and completing the verification process if needed. Next, browse through the available purchase offers and select a suitable buyer based on your preferences. Afterward, verify the buyer’s profile and come to an agreement on the sale terms. 

Once the terms are agreed upon, transfer your Bitcoin to the platform’s escrow service for added security during the transaction. Finally, complete the trade according to the agreed terms and receive payment from the buyer.

Pros

• P2P platforms offer relatively more privacy, with many of them not needing ID verification.
• They also have flexible payment methods including cash and bank transfer.

Cons

• The decentralized nature of P2P platforms makes their users more susceptible to scams and fraud.
• Some users may also find P2P interfaces clanky and less intuitive than those on centralized exchanges.
• There may also be a lack of high quality offers on peer-to-peer exchanges compared to their centralized counterparts. 

Bitcoin ATMs

Bitcoin ATMs, also known as Bitcoin teller machines (BTMs) or crypto ATMs, are electronic kiosks that let you deposit cash in exchange for Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. These machines offer a convenient way to buy and sell Bitcoin for fiat currency. 

How can you sell Bitcoin at an ATM? The first step is to locate one near you using an online ATM map such as Coin ATM Radar. Once you find one, you choose the “sell” option on the ATM interface and specify the amount of Bitcoin you want to sell. 

You may need to confirm your identity by entering your phone number or scanning a document. Additionally, you may need to create an account. 

Next, you use your Bitcoin wallet app to scan the QR code provided by the ATM. After scanning, you wait for the transaction to process, and once completed, you scan the receipt generated by the ATM to receive cash. 

Pros

• They offer a quick and convenient way to complete small transactions.
• You don’t need to have an online account or crypto wallet.

Cons

• Many Bitcoin ATMs often charge higher transaction fees than online exchanges.
• Some machines may require you to identify yourself if selling large amounts of Bitcoin.
• They are not as widespread as traditional bank ATMs, which may affect accessibility for some users.

Gift cards

You can convert your Bitcoin into retail vouchers suitable for online shopping, subscription services, or even in-game purchases. 

To start the process, you select a reputable platform that prioritizes liquidity, safety, and security. You then create an account on your chosen platform and complete the necessary identity verification steps to ensure compliance. 

Once registered, access the application dashboard and select “Buy Gift Cards,” specifying the type of gift card you wish to buy. Enter the desired quantity and opt for Bitcoin as your payment method. 

Upon confirming the rates, proceed to transfer your Bitcoin to the provided wallet address. Then, verify and confirm the transactions, allowing a few minutes for confirmation before enjoying the benefits of your newly acquired gift cards.

Advantages

• It widens your spending opportunities by opening access to a broader range of goods and services, as gift cards are a widely accepted digital payment method.
• Gift cards are ideal for gifting purposes due to their non-taxable nature and ease of transfer, making them a convenient choice for sharing Bitcoin value with others.
• Exchanging your Bitcoin for gift cards increases your liquidity, making your holdings more readily spendable across digital vendors and physical stores. 

Disadvantages

• The Bitcoin gift card market may have a limited buyer pool, which can make it more difficult to dispose of your cryptocurrency.
• There’s always the risk of fraud, since gift cards are much easier to use in financial crimes or scams as they are relatively difficult to trace once used.
• While selling Bitcoin for gift cards may be tax free, there could be tax implications for any subsequent purchases made with the gift card.