I have been interested in getting into small amounts of Bitcoin for a while now and finally decided to begin today. Looking at exchanges I was going to settle on Coinbase but so far they want my phone number; drivers license info; address; and who knows what else if I get past that. Is this normal ? I feel like it’s going to want to a DNA swab next and I haven’t even gotten to make a single trade yet. I’m in Canada if that matters.
All major exchanges have this, it’s required by law in many countries. The only way to get shitcoins more or less anonymously is by buying them in private. If you don’t know anyone then you can buy them from slightly shady people (relative to exchanges, who are completely shady, every single one) at sites like localmonero.