Bitcoin to rocket to $4000 as blockchain infrastructure sets agenda for cryptocurrencies ANALYSTS say the cryptocurrency Bitcoin could hit values of $4000 within the year after a new player entered the market.| UPDATED: The introduction of Litecoin, another electronic online currency, is adding to investor appetite as the rolling out of blockchain infrastructure gets set to revolutionise the future of the financial sector.Bitcoin has been making gains since April and is rallying in London having risen over 33 per cent in 30 days, according to the Coindesk bitcoin price index.It comes after Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) and the World Economic Forum looked at how cryptocurrencies can be aided by distributed ledger technologies.GETTY It is better than currency because you don't have to be in the same place and of course for large transactions currency can be inconvenient Global regulatory challenges continue to affect the market with a test case before The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) throwing up some new challenges.A bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) proposed by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss was declined by the US sector watchdog as Donald Trump looks at deregulating markets.However, the sector is gaining appeal, particularly in Japan, which legalised cryptocurrency as a payment method recently and is helping to get the yen involved.GETTYAurelien Menant, founder and CEO of Gatecoin, a regulated blockchain assets exchange based in Hong Kong says confidence is strong in Asia.Meanwhile, Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates is keen on distributed ledger technology.He said: "Bitcoin is exciting because it shows how cheap it can be, it is better than currency because you don't have to be in the same place and of course for large transactions currency can be inconvenient.”Bitcoin was created in 2009 and has a current Market Capitalization of $29,753,633,028.

How much is your money worth?New five pound notes could make you a whopping £20,000.This is what you should be looking out for in your wallet.Play slideshow 17 Five pound notes with low serial numbers, especially those beginning with AA01, can be worth £200 The 24h Volume of trades stands at $2,739,044,558 with Bitcoin up 9.48 per cent.The other major gain of the day was Steem which has gained a whopping 43.37 per cent on the day.ethereum classic twitterLast updated: 5th January 2016 So, you've heard all about the advantages of this amazing new financial technology called bitcoin, but how do you go about buying it in the British Isles?ethereum wallet reviewWhile bitcoin makes sending payments between countries – or even continents – quick, cheap and easy, traditional banking systems have yet catch up.asociacion bitcoin argentina

As a result, users buying bitcoin through a bank account report frustration with complex procedures, delays while funds arrive and high fees for international transfers.Credit and debit cards will often incur charges too, and not all companies will accept them due to the risk of fraudulent chargebacks.bitcoin price vs difficultyAs a result, if you're not paying with cash at a bitcoin ATM or from an individual at a meetup, buying bitcoin is best done by fast and free domestic bank transfer – if you can find a bitcoin business offering that option, that is.litecoin 3 year chartThe problem is, British banks are reluctant to service bitcoin companies so many exchanges are having to bank elsewhere in the EU.bitcoin in euro auszahlenIn these cases, you'll have to put up with charges on international transfers like SEPA and often wait 2–5 days for your funds to arrive.

The British government has made some noises about turning the country into a cryptocurrency-friendly environment.However, as it stands, a UK exchange providing SEPA bank transfers offers few advantages over any exchange in the EU – apart from being able to deposit in GBP, perhaps.However, new banking partnerships are being forged that allow bitcoin exchanges add local deposit options for UK customers.Bitcoin is notoriously volatile – that is, the value can climb and drop significantly over short timeframes.As a result, bitcoin buyers would do well to keep an eye on the price charts in order to make, hopefully, a timely purchase when the value is low.Indeed, many people earn money trading bitcoin, making the most of its volatility.CoinDesk's guide to understanding price charts can be found here.All that aside, for would-be owners of the digital currency, where can you buy bitcoin in the UK?Cryptocurrency exchanges offer a way to buy (and sell) bitcoin – and sometimes other digital currencies such as litecoin and dogecoin.

First things first, you'll need to register and provide proof of residency (a copy of recent utility bill) and identity (a photo ID scan) for anti-money laundering (AML)/know-your-customer (KYC) compliance procedures before you can use the platform's services.Once that's done, you'll need to set up a bank payment using the details provided by the exchange, at which point you can fund your account and buy some bitcoin.Note that it's worth avoiding using the word 'bitcoin' in the payment reference too.While this may sound odd, jittery banks have been known to balk at anything to do with the digital currency, even closing some accounts in the past.A Slovenia-based exchange that allows cash deposits via SEPA and eCheck.It announced that it will also accept Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards for UK customers in January 2016.A London-based bitcoin exchange with an emphasis on security, claiming 100% multi-signature cold (offline) storage for all its bitcoin holdings.Notably, Coinfloor is an HMRC-approved bureau de change.

Currently, sterling deposits can be made only via SEPA bank transfer.Charges £5 to deposit GBP and £10 to withdraw.Fees for other currencies can be found here.An Isle of Man-based exchange that is something between a full exchange and a peer-to-peer (p2p) marketplace.Users deposit funds in a CoinCorner account and then buy and sell bitcoin, litecoin and dogecoin with other users.The exchange started accepting 3D Secure-enabled Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards on 23rd October.Otherwise, fiat currency deposits are made via SEPA bank transfer.No fees are charged on deposits, but there is a £10 fee for GBP withdrawals.The exchange recently introduced a mobile wallet app for iOS and Android devices.Popular exchange and wallet  provider Coinbase, now has a facility for UK users to purchase bitcoin using 3D secure-enabled credit and debit cards.Although based in the US, Kraken recently partnered with a bank in Luxembourg to bring customers the option to deposit in pounds sterling, while dollars and euros are also accepted.

Deposits are made via SEPA or wire transfer.Safello is a European bitcoin exchange that offers multiple payment options in a variety of currencies including GBP.Circle is also US-based and currently only offers bank transfers from that country.However, the company caters to the global bitcoin market by allowing users to pay with debit or credit cards.Another option is the Australian based Coinjar, which allows UK customers to buy bitcoin with a credit or debit card.For other options, see our general guide to buying bitcoin.A London-based bitcoin brokerage enabling you to buy or sell bitcoins in any amount.Deposits can be made by UK Faster Payments or cash deposit at a bank.Also provides a bitcoin ATM at The Vape Lab, 232 Shoreditch High Street.For larger volumes (£2,000+), Quickbitcoin also runs an OTC marketplace.Accepts EUR and USD, as well as GBP, for larger amounts.These are peer-to-peer platforms that match individuals who wish to buy, sell or trade bitcoin and altcoins.They do not buy, sell or necessarily even hold cryptocurrencies themselves, unless as part of an escrow service.

Provides a peer-to-peer platform for individuals to buy, sell or trade bitcoin and 11 altcoins, such as dogecoin, litecoin and feathercoin.Payments can be made via instant UK bank transfer, mobile payments such as PayM, PingIt and PYC, Visa/Mastercard, cash at UK corner stores or SEPA bank transfers.Facilitates purchases of bitcoin and litecoin between individuals.A number of domestic banking transfer options are available, including: standard UK bank transfers, Barclays Pingit mobile payments, RBS Pay Your Contact, and Paym mobile payments (this is possible because transactions are between individuals and do not involve a bitcoin company).Fees are only charged on 'extras' like SMS messages.Matches bitcoin buyers and sellers to facilitate over-the-counter deals, offering an escrow service to protect the buyer.Users are charged small fees for wallet use and bitcoin transfers only.UK bitcoin exchange Coinfloor released a P2P marketplace in July 2015, which only features pre-approved bitcoin brokers.

If you have an approved Coinfloor account, it can be fairly quick to get the coins you need, as the market utilises the UK Faster Payments system.Cyptomate allows users in the UK to buy bitcoin, litecoin, ripple, dogecoin and many other cryptocurrencies.The service works using UK bank transfers (Faster Payments) and coins are sent once the order has been processed.The service aims to send currencies within 1 hour of purchase.Non-verified users are limited to £250 in purchases per day and once verified this is increased to a £1,000 daily limit.A price comparison website that is updated every five minutes to show online traders from UK bitcoin merchants and marketplaces.Displays information such as the rating of the buyers and sellers, and the payment types accepted.Over the last year a number of bitcoin ATMs have appeared in the UK, mostly in London, with others popping up in Bristol, Brighton, Glasgow and the Isle of Man.All these machines allow you to insert cash and receive bitcoin in your digital wallet (buying BTC).