Pocket Bitcoin: Buy Bitcoin With SEPA

Description

Pocket is a non KYC exchange that automatically exchanges your bank transfers into bitcoin and sends them directly to your own bitcoin wallet with no account or registration. The exchange also supports automated recurring buys or dollar cost averaging (DCA). The currencies that are accepted on the exchange are EUR and CHF.

With the acquisition of BitKipi wallet, Pocket now provides its own non-custodial wallet app, making it easy for beginners to start with Bitcoin and self-custody.

How Pocket Bitcoin Works

It’s essential to note that on Pocket Bitcoin, you can only buy Bitcoin, not sell. The Pocket app is available on iOS and Android. To get started with the app:

• Download the app and sign in
• Create a new bitcoin wallet or import an existing one
• Generate a new order, whether it’s a one-time purchase or a recurring transaction.
• Make the payment from your bank account to the provided IBAN

When your payment arrives, it is converted into bitcoin and transferred to your bitcoin wallet automatically. You will be notified via email and will not have to do anything. You have the option of setting up a one-time or recurring payment.

Setting up recurring bitcoin purchases through dollar-cost-averaging (DCA) is easy with Pocket’s payment instructions. You can create a standing order and customize the frequency and amount according to your preferences. Moreover, you have the flexibility to stop and restart the standing order at any time.

You can receive bitcoin on your mobile wallet, hardware wallet (best for larger amounts), or Opendime USB stick using the platform. The USB stick is intended for beginners who want to get started with bitcoin right away. The Opendime stick will be delivered to your home address. Everything will be setup already so that you can receive your bitcoin instantly.

The exchange has recently introduced Lightning Network support, enabling you to send Bitcoin directly into your Lightning Node or your Breez or Phoenix wallet wallets. However, for the regular Bitcoin savings plan, it is recommended you use regular on-chain service.

Pocket allows you to share your xPub (Extended Public Key), i.e. all Bitcoin addresses from your wallet, in addition to a single Bitcoin address. This feature allows you to generate new and endless number of receiving addresses whenever you need them. This way, you will always get your bitcoin paid out to a new, unused Bitcoin address. It is also especially helpful for cold storage wallets.

Sharing your xPub with Pocket allows them to see your transaction history and balances without giving them access to your private keys. This can be useful for things like Bitcoin tax tracking or portfolio management. However, if you’re using Xpub, stick to using the wallet just for Pocket. Pocket can see all transactions in the wallet, and it’s recommended by Pocket to do so. They won’t accept Xpub from wallets that have been used before during setup.

The exchange supports the use of any wallet of your choice, but once you share your Bitcoin address with them, they require a signature from your wallet to confirm your access. For BlueWallet, Bitcoin Core, Electrum, and Sparrow, use the manual “sign message” function.

Pocket is one of the best options in Europe for one to buy bitcoin directly to hardware wallet. For the following hardware wallets, you can now use the following options to integrate with Pocket and sign:

• BitBoxApp for BitBox wallet
• Ledger Live for Ledger wallet
• Trezor Bridge for Trezor wallet
• SD card for Coldcard wallet

All of these options can be used directly within your Pocket account. However, some wallets like Muun, Cobo, Exodus, Edge, and Trust Wallet do not support message signing currently.

Pocket Bitcoin Limits

With Pocket, you can buy bitcoin without having to register, subject to the following purchase limits:

• CHF 1000 per transaction per day
• EUR 950 per transaction per day

Should you exceed these limits, Pocket will email you requesting that you verify your identity through a brief video call. Simply provide an identity document for this purpose. Note that Pocket may also require you to go through this identification process even if you haven’t exceeded the purchase limits.

There is no minimum amount when buying bitcoin with Pocket.

Pocket Bitcoin Fees

Pocket Bitcoin applies a standard service fee of 1.5%, which covers all their expenses and eliminates any hidden charges in the exchange rate. If you send 100 EUR to Pocket, 1.5% fee rate is applied and 98.5 EUR worth of bitcoin are sent to your wallet.

In the Bitcoin network, each payout incurs an additional network fee. To minimize these fees, Pocket combines as many payouts as possible into a single bitcoin transaction, spreading the network fee across multiple customers. On average, this fee is around 50-100 satoshis per payout, or approximately 2–4 cents. If you make multiple purchases to the same Bitcoin address in one day, you may only be charged the Bitcoin network fee once.

Supported Countries

Pocket Bitcoin is available for customers in the following countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

However, Pocket is unable to accept customers or process transactions from the following countries: Albania, Kosovo, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Ireland, Isle of Man, Malta, Monaco, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Disadvantages of Pocket Bitcoin

There are several potential limitations to using Pocket that users should be aware of. First, Pocket imposes daily purchase limits on buying bitcoin without identification, which could be a hindrance for users who want to buy more than the limit without KYC.

Second, Pocket’s service fee of 1.5% is considered standard in the industry, but it may be higher compared to other platforms.

Third, Pocket only supports bank transfers as a payment method, which may not be convenient for all users. Those who prefer other payment options, such as credit/debit cards or PayPal, may find Pocket’s limited payment options a drawback.

Fourth, Pocket is only available in Europe, which may limit its accessibility to some users. Users who are not located in one of these countries will not be able to use Pocket.

Fifth, Pocket cannot be used anonymously because even if you don’t have to identify yourself right away, you could theoretically be traced back through your bank payments.

Sixth, Pocket operates a deposit account in the UK, leading to drawbacks such as a two-day processing time for transfers and higher fees due to it being a non-EU transfer.

However, it’s important to note that these potential drawbacks may not apply to all users, and that some may find Pocket’s advantages outweigh any limitations.

Pocket Bitcoin Summary

The table below summarizes the key features, advantages, and limitations of the Pocket Bitcoin platform, providing an overview of its functionality and user experience.

Is Pocket Bitcoin Any Good?

Pocket Bitcoin is an excellent non-KYC platform for buying Bitcoin directly and securely. It is an ideal exchange if you prioritize privacy and simplicity. It allows you to convert your bank transfers into Bitcoin and have the funds sent directly to your non-custodial wallet without the need for registration or an account. With a focus on privacy, you can purchase up to EUR 950 or CHF 1000 per day without identity verification, making it an appealing option for those seeking anonymity in their transactions. Pocket also supports automated recurring buys through dollar-cost averaging (DCA), which is ideal for steadily building your Bitcoin holdings.

A standout feature is Pocket’s integration with its own non-custodial wallet app, acquired through its purchase of the BitKipi wallet. This makes it easy for beginners to start their Bitcoin journey while ensuring self-custody. For advanced users, Pocket supports xPub integration, allowing for automatic generation of new receiving addresses to enhance privacy. The platform also supports a wide range of hardware wallets, including Ledger, Trezor, Coldcard, and BitBox, ensuring seamless storage of Bitcoin. Additionally, Lightning Network support allows users to benefit from faster and more cost-effective transactions, and Bitcoin can even be received via innovative options like the Opendime USB stick.

Despite its strengths, Pocket has limitations. It only supports bank transfers as a payment method, excluding options like credit cards or PayPal. The service is available exclusively in Europe, and even within the region, several countries are not supported. While the 1.5% service fee is competitive, it might be higher than what some alternatives offer. Furthermore, while no upfront KYC is required, transactions can still be linked to users through bank payments, potentially affecting anonymity. Lastly, daily purchase limits without identification may be restrictive for those wanting to buy larger amounts.

Overall, Pocket Bitcoin is a highly reliable and private platform for users in supported regions who want a straightforward way to buy Bitcoin directly to their wallets. Its emphasis on privacy, self-custody, and ease of use makes it particularly suitable for both beginners and experienced users, though its limited payment options and regional restrictions might not meet everyone’s needs.

Pocket Bitcoin Alternatives for Buying Bitcoin With SEPA

More Information

• Pocket website
• How to integrate Coldcard wallet into Pocket account
• For updates, follow Pocket on Twitter