Buying bitcoin through an exchange is mainly for those who use a buy-and-hold bitcoin strategy. This is because buying through an exchange means that you’re taking direct ownership of bitcoin – with the expectation that its price will rise.
That said, there are some problems with buying bitcoin through an exchange:
- Bitcoin exchanges often lack proper regulation and the infrastructure needed to respond quickly to support requests
- The matching engines and servers on bitcoin exchanges are often unreliable, which can result in the suspension of markets or reduced execution accuracy
- Bitcoin exchanges often impose fees and restrictions on funding and withdrawing from your exchange account, while accounts themselves can take days to open