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There are a lot of alternative payment methods that are becoming popular in the world of online poker and cryptocurrencies are definitely one of the most well-liked options besides cash and credit cards. The casinos listed here are considered the best Bitcoin gambling sites, so we decided to take a look through them and evaluate which is the best payment method for players to use.
That has a lot to do with its emphasis on questions like safety, potential costs and other differences that paying with cryptocurrency has from cash/cards payment when playing poker online.
Security is a huge part of cryptocurrencies and a few of them, such as Bitcoin, use Blockchain technology to provide even more security as well as transparency during financial transactions. Compared to conventional payment methods, using cryptocurrencies is safer and provides less chance for any fraud or hacking to happen.
With cash and credit cards, there are a number of security concerns that can make people feel insecure, especially when you consider the estimated amount of debit/credit card fraud in 2022 came to just under $9 billion. Card information can be taken through online transactions or exposed to different websites which may allow people to access accounts without the proper authorization.
Most online poker websites will require the users to reveal private banking information which comes with its own risks, such as fraud or identity theft.
Anonymity is another key factor when making cryptocurrency transactions as using cash or credit card on poker sites will require the submission of personal information which can be avoided by using cryptocurrency. That’s because cryptocurrency transactions are mostly anonymous as they are linked to wallet addresses rather than to personally identifying information.
Cash and credit will leave a digital trace that can be easy to connect to a player’s identity. That can be an issue for players who live in countries where online poker is limited or regulated as this can expose them to privacy issues or legal requirements.
Another distinction between conventional payment methods and cryptocurrency transactions is the processing time. Cryptocurrencies provide a faster processing time as players will be able to easily access their money. That can be very helpful to people who play a lot of online poker tournaments.
Processing time for cash and card transactions may be longer, especially withdrawals as most websites have verification procedures and there may be several delays depending on the bank the player uses, which will lengthen the time players will have to wait before being able to access their winnings of the game.
Another benefit of using cryptocurrency in online poker is the decrease in fees and processing costs which happens because of the lack of banks or payment processors when dealing with cryptocurrency. This can be really advantageous to people who want to participate in international games without having to deal with taxes and currency conversion.
Foreign transfers and withdrawals for cash or credit card transactions can have a bigger cost which may reduce the overall value of the wins made online.
Even with all the benefits that cryptocurrency has, it still is prone to market volatility which will affect those who use it to play poker online. When the market of cryptocurrencies fluctuates, it can be very impactful as the value can change aggressively in short spans of time.
On the other hand, cash and card transactions carry less risk as they are made in fiat currencies like US dollars or euros. That ensures a more consistent value for transactions in the world of online poker and avoids the volatility of current cryptocurrencies.
That’s why every player should weigh carefully the pros and cons of using cryptocurrencies and conventional payment methods. There’s a lot to consider with transaction speed, fees, and currency risk being some of the most important factors.
While cryptocurrencies provide more security, anonymity, and quicker transactions, they also have a volatile market and will require some familiarity from the user with digital wallets and blockchain technology. Cash and card transactions will come with higher costs and may be more susceptible to security hazards.
In the end, the decision will always have to come down to personal preference as well as risk tolerance. Some players may improve their online poker experience by using cryptocurrency while others may prefer the comfort of conventional payment options, either way, the world of online poker is always advancing as technology progresses and will continue to attract new generations of players.