want to get in the bitcoin game? It used to be that you could only buy bitcoins on exchanges, but those days are long gone. you can now buy them on a variety of peer-to-peer platforms and they’re even sold at local retail stores.
that’s right, you can finally pick them up at walmart.
Reading: Buy bitcoin at walmart
can be a confusing process if you are new to the game. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Below is a step-by-step guide to making your first purchase risk-free.
when you’re ready to try buying bitcoins at walmart, read on.
related: how to buy bitcoin cash
1. configure your wallet
you need a special wallet to carry your cryptocurrency. in this case, it is a bitcoin (btc) wallet. and is not a physical object.
it is a virtual wallet.
Cryptocurrencies are a revolutionary idea because they decentralize money. in other words, they take banks (and other intermediaries) out of the equation. transactions become a peer-to-peer process.
Instead, they rely on special algorithms called “blockchains” that keep track of transactions. these blockchains ensure that money is transferred from one party to another without risk. this decentralization is one of the main benefits of buying btc.
well, your virtual wallet stores information that is critical to this blockchain. without it, you cannot buy, sell or store your cryptocurrency. the wallet is actually a software program that stores your public and private cryptographic keys.
These are the types of wallets available on the market today:
desktop: downloaded directly to your pc or laptop. accessible only from that device.
online: available in the cloud. it can be accessed from any pc or laptop.
mobile: Runs through an app on your mobile device. accessible anywhere, as long as you have an internet signal.
hardware: Stored on a removable drive, such as a usb drive. accessible anywhere you can find a pc or laptop.
See also: Top 20+ apple hardware subscriptions best, you should know
paper: cryptographic keys that are stored or printed on a physical medium, such as paper. Please note that most wallets contain the most popular cryptocurrencies, but not all. double check to make sure your wallet contains btc.
Interested in getting started with bitcoin? see blockcard for more information
2. check peer-to-peer sharing
before you head to walmart, make sure you get a good deal. check the best times to buy bitcoins to make sure you get a good deal.
You will also need to find a BTC seller who is willing to work through Walmart. many sellers are simply not willing to go through the trouble. requires additional steps and walmart charges a small fee.
You need to jump into a peer-to-peer (p2p) exchange. There is a wide variety of p2p services. look around you to determine which one best suits your needs.
Locate a seller who is willing to work through money transfer services.
in this case, it will be a walmart2walmart money transfer. It is a unique service provided by Walmart. through it, you can send cash from one walmart location to any other walmart location.
works like a western join.
you put money. Walmart charges you for the service. then someone picks up the rest from another walmart location.
- $4 fee for a $0 – $50 transfer
- $8 fee for a $50 – $1,000 transfer
- $16 fee for a $1,000 – $2,500 transfer
once you find a seller on your p2p exchange, choose the amount of btc coins you want to buy. Be sure to check the most current cryptocurrency prices for current rates. then you and the seller will need to enter your email addresses to register.
then select your payment method. in this case, it will be a cash deposit. then a list of payment options will appear on the left side of the screen.
choose the walmart2walmart option.
Finally, your p2p will give you some details you’ll need when you head to Walmart. write them down or take a quick snapshot with your smartphone, so they’re close at hand.
related: how to pay with bitcoin
3. buy bitcoin at walmart
Finally, it’s time to go to the store. remember to bring the information we mentioned in the last section. If you’re wondering where to buy bitcoin when you arrive, head to the Walmart Money Center or customer service desk. they are usually found at the front of the store.
See also: Intel Ships Blockscale ASIC Chips To Selected Bitcoin Mining Companies
Once there, give the cashier the information you copied from your p2p. then pay the cashier and save the receipt. you will need it for the next step.
You will also need a valid government-issued photo ID. it cannot be damaged or expired.
- US Driver’s License (Puerto Rico also accepted)
- State ID (Puerto Rico also accepted)
- US Passport
- Card U.S. Permanent Resident ID
- International Passport
- Military ID
- Tribal ID
- Mexican Consular ID
You may also be interested to know that you can use a walmart2walmart money transfer to Puerto Rico. If your seller is in the United States or Puerto Rico, you’re in luck.
see blockcard for more information on bitcoin and cryptocurrencies
4. upload details
Next, you need to allow your btc seller to verify that you have completed your end of the deal. send him the details on your receipt.
He will receive cash from your BTC exchange at the Walmart location of his choice. the money will be available in just 10 minutes.
If you wish, you can track the transfer using Walmart’s Track a Transfer tool. all you will need is your last name and the reference number from your receipt. you’ll find the tool on the walmart website.
a quick review
here is a quick reference of what we discussed:
- choose a cryptocurrency wallet
- set up your wallet
- choose a p2p exchange
- find a seller willing to use the money transfer service money walmart2walmart
- write down the details
- go to walmart
- give the details to the cashier
- pay the cashier
- send your btc seller the information
- wait to receive your btc
remember you can also pay the cashier with your walmart gift cards. They accept a variety of forms of payment. that’s one of the benefits of walmart’s transfer service bitcoin.
need a crypto credit card? blockcard can help you today
what’s next?
Buying bitcoins at walmart is a simple process. you only need to do it once to pin down the details. now they even offer a walmart app that can handle your money transfers.
Buying, selling and spending cryptocurrencies gets easier every year. Some companies even offer crypto credit cards that work like debit cards from your bank. For more information, see visa cards for your cryptocurrencies.
See you later and good luck!
Related: Everything you need to know about how to sell bitcoin
See also: Does Bitcoin work for international money transfers? | finder.com
