Amid a country-wide financial crisis, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have found popularity in Lebanon. The digital currency offers a solution to a number of problems that plague the region, including hyperinflation and distrust in the banking sector. For Lebanese, who often struggle to open foreign bank accounts due to international regulations, cryptocurrency is a secure way to hold and transact money. It also serves as a hedge against rising inflation.

 

In the past, most of the cryptocurrency trades in Lebanon took place on a crypto exchange, which is a marketplace where people can buy and sell Bitcoin. To purchase cryptocurrencies on an exchange, one must first sign up for an account with the site. This process typically requires providing personal details, such as a photo ID and a home address, to confirm one's identity. Once the account is verified, one can start trading on the site.

 

Some of the best crypto lebanon platforms offer a variety of features to make the process of buying and selling easier for their users. These may include educational tools, such as a demo account and trading tutorials. Others may provide more advanced trading tools, such as adjustable charts that can be used to track technical indicators and identify patterns. In addition, many of the top crypto exchanges in Lebanon have mobile apps that allow users to access their account and trade on-the-go.

 

Several banks in Lebanon now offer crypto debit cards, which allow users to spend their digital currencies at select businesses. However, the cards often come with higher fees than traditional options. In addition, these cards require users to have a crypto wallet in order to use them.

 

For those who want to avoid the hassle of having to manage multiple wallets and transfer funds between them, a crypto exchange that offers a prepaid card can be a great option.

 

While a lot of the crypto trading in Lebanon takes place on an exchange, there are also OTC (over-the-counter) systems where individuals can buy and sell BTC with cash. Traders like Reda Hussein run an OTC app called Sinbad that allows its users to store, pay for, and transfer money for free. While other cryptocurrencies are prone to high volatility, Hussein and his team have chosen to offer Tether, a stablecoin pegged to the dollar, on their platform.

 

The OTC system in Lebanon can be difficult to navigate, as buyers must find sellers on their own through Facebook groups or other online forums and then meet them in person to conduct the transaction. This can expose buyers and sellers to the risk of scams or untrustworthy individuals, so it's important to research sellers before making a deal. For added security, a buyer can ask an OTC dealer to use a p2p platform like Paxful or HodlHodl to complete the transaction. This can protect both parties from fraudulent activity by allowing the platform to act as an arbitrator in case of a dispute. The platform also escrows the BTC to ensure that both parties have received their goods or services.