The volume of transactions with Bitcoin on the Paxful P2P platform for the first week in dollar terms for the first time turned out to be higher than that of the competitor Localbitcoins - $ 42.8 million versus $ 41.7 million. These data were cited by Matt Alborg, founder of the Usefultulips analytical service.
The indicator of bitcoin trading in peer-to-peer networks around the world since the beginning of the year continues to grow at a record pace. Residents of the USA and Canada continue to make the greatest contribution. In these countries, according to the results of the last week, bitcoins with a total value of $ 29.85 million changed their owners. This almost corresponded to the record of two years ago at $ 30.21 million. Of this amount, $ 24.12 million fell to Paxful, the rest - to Localbitcoins.
The US dollar for the first time in more than a year set a new record at $ 28.78 million in such transactions. The main driver remains Paxful gift cards denominated in US currency.
New records were also set in India ($ 3 million), Nigeria ($ 8.95 million), Kenya ($ 1.76 million) and Ghana ($ 1.22 million). Argentina was also close to the record ($ 536,000).
In general, sub-Saharan Africa was the second-largest weekly trading volume on P2P platforms after the United States - $ 13.72 million versus $ 29.85 million. Latin America, with an indicator of $ 11.57 million, where Venezuela leads ($ 5.16 million), took third line.
“P2P exchanges in general have shown incredible comebacks since last fall, when new compliance standards were introduced. This indicates not only the adaptability of the platforms, but also the insatiable hunger for bitcoin among residents of developing countries, ”said Matt Alborg.
In eastern Europe, the weekly trading volume rose to $ 9.21 million, but remained significantly lower than the $ 28.75 million shown in December 2017. $ 8.28 million of this value fell to Russia, $ 367,000 to Ukraine, $ 220,000 to Belarus.
Earlier the Paxful platform launched the Paxful Peer affiliate program for Russian-speaking users. Its members can earn money, get bonuses and apply for a job at Paxful.
