Getting started into crypto can seem a bit overwhelming to most new users especially when it comes to getting verified so you can purchase crypto. In order for exchanges to comply with KYC (know your customer) and AML (anit-money laundering) regulations some personal information has to be verified. This is the same info you have to provide when you go to the bank to open an account. This guide is designed to help beginners quickly get started and be safe while doing it.
First go to https://protonmail.com/ and get a free email address to “ONLY” use with your crypto accounts and NEVER ANY OTHER USE. The reason is personal emails and email addresses used when purchasing goods or services are often given out to mass distribution lists. Hackers use these lists to attempt to phish information from you to gain access to your account. Getting a new account that you only use for a handful of sites and nothing more than account related communications will drastically increase the security of your accounts.
Next get a VPN to protect your privacy for all files and communications online. I recommend getting a paid VPN subscription such as PureVPN but if you have to choose a free VPN service I recommend https://protonvpn.com/pricing Keep in mind that free VPN’s are typically slow but they can work. ProtonVPN is one of the most trusted and secure free VPN’s on the market.
SAFETY & SECURITY MUSTS
- Always hand write your login info and your passphrase on paper or a ColdTi: Cryptocurrency Seed Storage and never on any digital device. These are the keys to your account. Even printing this info off can make a digital copy within your printer or network.
- Keep a copy in a fireproof safe and another copy either in a safe deposit box or another fireproof safe at a second location.
- A good secure email account is also highly recommended and protonmail.com leads the way in this industry. Also like any other service you can set up a totally FREE account to use!
- Always use a VPN
- Also, always remember to log out of your accounts after accessing them on any computer or mobile device.
- STAY AWAY FROM SCAMS! Nobody is gonna send you crypto back after you send yours period. For more info about scams and what they look like see our post here.
cloLet’s get some crypto now! To do this I recommend getting verified at three different sites. Get verified at http://bit.ly/celsius-stache to keep your crypto safe and draw compound interest while you hodl (that’s crypto talk for hold). Get weekly payouts in crypto just for holding crypto.
Next get verified at http://bit.ly/buycrypto-stache at this site will allow you to be verified at one payment processor and send to any wallet address you want. Finally get verified at an exchange.
(Optional) I highly recommend Kraken at http://bit.ly/kraken-stache This exchange is probably one of the most powerful trading platforms available and has the option to use trade interfaces for beginner, intermediate, or expert simplifying the process for beginners or giving pro traders all the options they want.
***Also consider getting a hardware wallet https://bit.ly/safepal-stache Secure and completely offline allowing you to store large amounts of crypto and even trade crypto quickly, easily, and with low trade fees. No more worries about hackers taking control of your computer or cloning your phone and stealing your crypto.
Let’s go through the verification process of SwitchHere step by step. You will be transmitting your personal information such as a picture of your license or passport so you should make sure you are connected to your VPN so everything you send is encrypted.
First register your account with your new protonmail address you made just for your accounts. Go through the steps of verifying your email and phone.
Once you are logged in you can click on “Account” in the top right to open a menu and then select “Verification”.
Next select to verify your identity. This will require you to upload you identification. The front, back, and possibly a selfie with you holding the ID.
After submitting your ID when you return to the verification screen you should see that your ID is pending. You can go ahead while that is processing and verify a debit or credit card to use.
Pay close attention to the instructions and make sure the pictures you take of your card have the numbers covered as instructed and that your card is signed.
Congratulations you should now have all you need completed and your verification will most likely be pending approval. Once your images have been reviewed you will either be approved or if there is an issue with one of the pics you sent they will request another image to review. The review process normally completes within 24 hours. However if you have to submitt more pictures because of blurry, cropped, or obstructed images you will have to submitt valid replacement images and wait for review again.