Introduction
If you have been wondering how to buy Bitcoin in Kenya with M-Pesa, here is a thorough guide to the process. In cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin has remained the reigning king for as long as Cryptos have existed. Bitcoin is the single largest cryptocurrency in the world and continues to grow in both size and usage. With a growing trend since its inception, Bitcoin came from being worth a few dollars to its current price of over $30,000. People can get Bitcoins primarily by buying them and through mining. To get Bitcoins through M-Pesa is an easy process as long s you get the right platforms. But first, let’s get into Bitcoins, the best digital wallets to save them on, and how to buy Bitcoin in Kenya through M-Pesa.
What Is Bitcoin
Bitcoin is the invention of an unknown person called Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009. It was created using blockchain technology which uses peer-to-peer services. The uses for Bitcoin are broad, given that a Bitcoin owner can use it as a digital currency to buy goods and services and for smart contracts.
Being a digital currency, it comes with several benefits, like it is a decentralized unit. Any government or organization does not own it, and therefore it cannot be controlled by either of them. It does not require any bank fees, given that it’s not transacted on any bank. Users can buy and sell Bitcoins anonymously, and even when transacting internationally, the transactional costs are lower.
With so many organizations accepting Bitcoin as a payment method, Bitcoin is becoming a universally accepted cryptocurrency.
In as much as Bitcoins have their benefits, several reasons have brought Bitcoins and pretty much every other cryptocurrency under tight scrutinization. For example, Bitcoin being a decentralized unit that is not controlled by one single entity makes it a highly volatile currency. It is subjected to the ripples on its pricing from time to time depending on the condition of the market. It also received no regulation from any government or private agencies and therefore those owning Bitcoins could easily be exposed for fraud and malpractice.
Finally, the uses of Bitcoins so far are very limited given that it has not been accepted on a global level. But as time progresses on, more businesses will accept Bitcoin as a form of payment. Also, even though it is volatility might be a disadvantage, to most investors, this has played quite well to their advantage.
First Bitcoin investors got them for free and others got it when it was either $1 or $100. The price now stands at over $39,000. That’s a lot of profit made.
Does Bitcoin Work With M-Pesa
This is the biggest question that most Kenyan investors interested in Bitcoins are asking themselves. Does Bitcoin work with M-Pesa? Well, the answer is yes. In case you are wondering, what do you need for you to be able to buy Bitcoins through M-Pesa? We will provide a complete guide on how to Buy Bitcoin in Kenya With M-Pesa. But for this to happen, there are several things that you need to make the process, such as a Bitcoin wallet and a platform for this.
There are two ways that you can change Bitcoin to M-Pesa. First, you can choose to convert them by selling them through your Paypal account and then getting the money straight to your M-Pesa or you can find the platforms that allow for you to change your Bitcoins to your M-Pesa.
The first method is a bit tedious to do and somehow longer because in both methods you need a platform that can change your Bitcoins to M-Pesa. The number of platforms that trade with Bitcoin is many but few can accept M-Pesa, with most of them being locally owned.
They include Paxful, LocalBitcoins, XM Forex, Scope Markets Kenya, and FX Pesa.
To buy Bitcoins you will need the following things:
- A platform that suits your needs by focusing on the spread and payment methods available. ( These platforms also act as brokers for trading with Bitcoin). Create an account with your preferred platform and go through the verification process.
- A Wallet. This is where all your Bitcoins will be deposited after making your purchase. It’s important to keep your wallet pin a secret and your address ready to receive any incoming transaction.
- Have money ready that you will use to buy these Bitcoins.
What is the Best Bitcoin Wallet in Kenya
A Bitcoin wallet is a digital wallet that allows the user to store his/her Bitcoin. For beginners, the best Bitcoin wallet is Exodus known for its easy-to-use functional design. The best one to use on your mobile phone is the Mycelium wallet, known for its privacy and security. The best Bitcoin wallet for advanced users who are interested in just Bitcoins is the wallet Electrum. It’s known for its complexity and some unique feature like the Cold Storage feature. It can also check on all your transactions, verifying them through the use of an SPV. Depending on your need, your device, and expertise, Spectrum, Mycellum, and Exodus wallets are the best Bitcoin wallets in the market.
How Can I Invest in Bitcoin in Kenya?
Most Kenyans remain skeptical about investing in Bitcoins, but it remains among one of the most lucrative deals in the market. After getting your wallet, the next step should be to buy Bitcoins, which the more you have, the better. You can become a Bitcoin trader by selling Bitcoins in marketplaces such as localbitcoins.com, etoro.com, or coinmama.com.
These are well-recognized platforms that will help you find a place to sell your Bitcoins given that there is a heavy presence of online buyers. Also, you could trade Bitcoins through online stock trading applications such as Binance or Metatrader. This could be done through trading Bitcoins as a stock or, you probably heard of this term, Forex.
By determining the flow of the Bitcoin prices for some time, you could win PiPs that can transform into more Bitcoins for you if you get the right flow pattern. The third option is sitting back and waiting for it to gain more value and later on withdrawing them through your M-Pesa.
Remember that Bitcoin is a currency experiencing high volatility hence price fluctuation. So far, many people have gained more money through Bitcoins volatility than any other method.
How to Buy Bitcoins in Kenya
You can buy Bitcoins in Kenya through M-Pesa by following these steps. We will stick to the localbitcoin.com site because it’s one of the well-known sites where you can quickly get Bitcoin through M-Pesa.
- Create an account with Local Bitcoin at localbitcoin.com for free.
- Go to the homepage, and you will find a list of Bitcoin sellers who use M-Pesa. Pick one who meets all your requirements, given that they have different selling rates. Enter information in the present fields.
- Click on the buy option, and you will be directed to a page where you will see the T&A of the trader, read and understand then agree. If you don’t agree, pick another trader.
- You are then supposed to pay up for the Bitcoins, and they will be deposited into your wallet.
Remember that several platforms can also allow you to get buy Bitcoins through M-Pesa. Always watch out for the payment options when looking for such platforms and you won’t be disappointed.
How to Withdraw Bitcoins to M-Pesa
If you want to change your Bitcoins into actual KES, follow these steps. (Again, we will use LocalBitcoins).
- Go to your Local Bitcoin account and transfer the money to the platform.
- Since you are selling, search for all available selling options and ad your payment method use M-Pesa.
- Tap on the sell button, and you will find interested buyers. Hit the sell button, enter the number of Bitcoins you will be selling, and then read through the T&A of the buyer.
The buyer has a 1-hour window to confirm the transaction and pay for it, then the funds are deposited to your M-Pesa account.
There is another option of turning your Bitcoin to actual KES in your M-Pesa. The second option revolves around you finding groups and forums that will link you to sellers. Several people prefer this method because it is more intimate. Here you find buyers you can sell your Bitcoins to without the need of platforms such as Paxful and LocalBitcoins. You can find them on sites like Facebook.
Is Bitcoin Trading Illegal In Kenya?
Bitcoin trading is not an illegal activity in Kenya, even with all the skepticism surrounding it. Kenya deals with Bitcoin a lot, to the extent that the total value of Bitcoins in Kenya is two-thirds of the country’s GDP. The Central Bank of Kenya is among the institutions that keep warning Kenyans against dealing with digital currencies. In as much as Bitcoin is an excellent investment plan, every investment has its risks, risks that a Bitcoin trader has to face while dealing with the crypto.