Is Bitcoin Legal in the UK 2023? Can You Buy Bitcoin Legally in the UK?
Hi, Zeply here, giving you all the information you need on Bitcoin and its history. Today, we’re taking a look at the legality of Bitcoin, specifically if you want to buy cryptocurrency UK. By the time we’re finished, you’ll be under no illusions on whether you can call Bitcoin legal or not. Are you based in the UK, or hoping to buy Bitcoin UK or even sell Bitcoin UK? Then you’ll need to read this guide to get started.
But first, a bit about us. We’re one of the most vibrant Bitcoin companies around. Our team are excited for the continued improvements in Bitcoin technology and intend to be right at the forefront. In short, we’re passionate about Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency world. If there’s something worth knowing about Bitcoin, we’ll know it, and we even have written a Bitcoin review that you can check out. We wanted to create this guide for you to help you discover what’s so great about Bitcoin and why you should jump in on this cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin: What Is It, Why Do I Need It And Is Bitcoin Legal in the UK?
So, if you want to know how to get Bitcoins, the first step is to learn what Bitcoin is. Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency – a currency that is bought, sold, traded and transferred online using cryptography. It’s fast becoming one of the most-traded currencies in the world. It’s even growing faster than gold trading. Part of its success is down to its simplicity. Bitcoin can be moved in seconds all over the world, making it the perfect currency to send to your friends or family in their time of need. Many are also investing in it, keen to see a financial future with Bitcoin in it.
Bitcoin was first created in 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto, so it’s been around for a while now. It’s only in the past few years that it has become mainstream, thanks to interest from well-known industry brands such as Tesla and Mastercard. Trading has also become more common, with Bitcoin available to purchase through many brokers alongside other cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin is undoubtedly the most popular, as demonstrated by the steep incline in price the currency has received since 2013. Statista, a leading global survey and statistics company reported the price of Bitcoin to be 196.02 in October 2013. Compare this to early 2021 where prices rose to above 50,000 and you can see the way the wind is blowing. Furthermore, the popularity of Bitcoin has increased the willingness of people to buy cryptocurrency in general.
Key Bitcoin Takeaways
- The most popular cryptocurrency in the world
- Can be moved between Bitcoin wallets instantly
- 100% Legal in the UK
- Can be traded using CFDs if you can’t afford to own full Bitcoin
- Implemented scarcity has made it less desirable the sell Bitcoin than to buy it.
- No fees are added to transactions when using Zeply
Safety And Security When Buying Bitcoin in the UK
Bitcoin is the original cryptocurrency, formed in 2007. It is used in place of fiat currency (physical coin and note currency) to purchase goods and services. It can also be exchanged, bought, sold and traded throughout the world, providing it is within the laws of your residing country.
We’re based in Estonia, where we hold a license from the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (EFIU) who are working to counteract money laundering and terrorist financing both here and overseas. This license also allows us to operate throughout the world, including in the UK.
For Zeply customers in the UK, you’ll be reassured to know that we accept payments using VISA and Mastercard. Every one of these payments are protected using Verified by VISA or Mastercard SecureCode to keep your funds secure.
Bitcoin UK Regulations
In the UK, legislation has been slow-arriving. But in 2020, the FCA set out some guidelines to advise what can – and can’t – be done with Bitcoin. So is Bitcoin Legal?
Bitcoin is legal in the UK, with some restrictions around the sale of Exchange Traded Notes only. Compliance with these rules are important to protect less-experienced traders from purchasing cryptocurrency products without understanding the risks. Bitcoin trading and ownership may also be subject to taxes. Check with the tax office to see if this affects you.
These UK restrictions are safer than those in Japan, who have held off on setting any specific rules on whether Bitcoin can be traded in their country.
How To Purchase Bitcoin in the UK
Each Bitcoin business has their own method of purchasing Bitcoin. At Zeply, we pride ourselves on making the process as easy as possible. Also, we know that many people ask themselves, “is Bitcoin safe?” The short answer is that with us, it is.
The first thing you need to do is register with us. To do this, you need to fill in a brief registration form. We’ll ask for your personal details such as email, date of birth and address. Once the registration form is completed you’ll need to verify your identity. We know that other platforms may allow you to buy Bitcoin without ID, but we do this to ensure compliance with EFIU and FCA guidelines on protecting our customers.
Verifying Your Identity
To verify your identity, we ask for a national ID and a photo of the front and back of your payment card. Don’t worry, we don’t need all your card details, and any details you give us will be encrypted for use in our verification processes. Once a card has been added you’re welcome to buy, send, trade, exchange or store your Bitcoin.
You can purchase Bitcoin directly using your card details. To do this you’ll need to have a card added to your account and press the ‘Buy’ button. You can then store your bought funds in an existing Bitcoin wallet or create up to three Bitcoin wallets with us for additional storage.
Transaction Fees
Oh, we know you dread added fees as much as we do. That’s why we’ve eliminated them from our website. Yup, that’s right. No fees whether you’re buying, trading, exchanging, storing or sending Bitcoin to another person. The only added charges are exchange rate costs, which are standard in the financial industry.
After reading this article, if you want to learn how to make money with Bitcoin, we have you covered.
To find out more about our Bitcoin buying, selling and exchange services contact us today!
