How To Send and Receive Bitcoin
Sending and receiving Bitcoin is easy when you know how. Because Bitcoin is digital and valuable, however, it makes transacting BTC a little nerve-wracking, especially if you’ve never done it before.
Bitcoin is the future of money, and the programs to be built on it will become the infrastructure of the financial world.
However, right now it can be a little bit clunky and technical to send Bitcoin. And receiving it isn’t much easier, especially if you’re not a techy.
If you’re new to Bitcoin and you’ve never sent any, or need some advice on how to receive Bitcoin, read on.
How To Send and Receive Bitcoin
The first thing you should get is a Bitcoin wallet. This will be your easiest connection to the Bitcoin blockchain and will host your private and public keys.
You can get many different types of wallets, but the most common types are software wallets downloaded onto your desktop, or a specially built hardware wallet that cryptographically secures your Bitcoin.
Software wallets are very secure. Hardware wallets are more secure, however, and I would recommend using them instead of a software wallet.
Software wallets are free, however, and if you don’t think spending $50-100 on a hardware wallet is worth it, then the software wallet will probably be ok. I just prefer the extra level of security the hardware wallets offer.
If you do prefer to use a software wallet, I recommend Blockstream Green wallet.
Blockstream Green wallet was created by some Bitcoin Core developers – the people behind many Bitcoin innovations.
The wallet uses multi-signature innovation and timelock smart contracts, ensuring it is the most secure of software wallets. It also connects to hardware wallets.
All wallets allow you send Bitcoin easily, and receiving Bitcoin is also easy. Once you have a wallet it will keep track of your Bitcoin balance, which might be held on several different addresses.
Your Bitcoin wallet will show you your transaction history, and although the interface is different on all wallets, they pretty much follow the same pattern.
How to Buy Bitcoin From Your Wallet
Some wallets allow you to buy Bitcoin from within the wallet application. It is usually a little more expensive this way, as like everything you pay for convenience.
To do so, your wallet will have a ‘Buy Bitcoin’ tab, which you just press, and follow the instructions to purchase the Bitcoin.
Some wallets will automatically send it to your wallet address, but some will ask you to generate an address and copy paste it into the receive Bitcoin page.
If this is the case, simply follow the instructions.
How To Receive Bitcoins In Your Wallet
Most people buy Bitcoin from an exchange such as Kraken or CEX, which automatically give you an exchange wallet when you sign up with the exchange.
Once you’ve bought some Bitcoin, it will be stored in the exchange wallet you bought it at. It’s not advisable to store your Bitcoin in these exchange wallets for long as they’re susceptible to being hacked.
Receiving Bitcoin is easy. Whether you’re sending it yourself or somebody else is sending it to you, just give the sender the public address and they can send Bitcoin to you, and it will arrive.
Remember Bitcoin transactions are irreversible, so if you copy paste the public address, treble check it’s correct, because if it’s wrong your Bitcoin could go missing forever.
If it’s right, which it should be, the Bitcoin will definitely arrive in your wallet interface.
Sending Bitcoin From Your Wallet
Sending Bitcoin is a similar process to receiving Bitcoin. Make sure the person gives you the correct public address. Ask them to check again, once they verifiy it, click ‘Send’ and then copy paste the public address into the ‘Receiving Address’ tab, type in the amount you wish to send, and click send.
Depending on your wallet, it might ask you to verify on your hardware wallet device, or if it uses a 2FA etcetera. Carry out the procedure, verify the address matches on your device (2FA), and confirm.
The Bitcoin will then go to the address you sent it to.
Send and Receive Bitcoin From Your Smartphone Wallet
You can get smartphone wallets, of course, and these are probably the easiest way to send and receive Bitcoin. However, remember your Bitcoin is valuable, and your smartphone is more susceptible to a hack.
If you choose to use a smartphone wallet, don’t keep too much on it, and always use 2FA.
Bitcoin Doesn’t Need Third Party Verification Because It Can’t Not Go To Destination
Bitcoin is a financial revolution. There I said it. Many people don’t like to use the word revolution, but Bitcoin is going to disrupt the financial industry no end.
Sending and storing value has always taken a long time and cost a lot of money, but with Bitcoin set to change all that, it’s a good idea to get ahead of the curve.
Sending and receiving Bitcoin isn’t difficult, but can be nerve-wracking. It’s not as straightforward as sending an email, yet.
And because there’s no expensive third party, it’s critical you treble check everything, every time, even when you’re comfortable sending and receiving Bitcoin.
Anyway, I hope this helped, and welcome to the Bitcoin Revolution.
