Purchase Bitcoin (BTC) with Chilean peso (CLP) easily at Switchere and benefit from fast, secure transactions.
Bitcoin (BTC), the pioneering cryptocurrency, has transformed the financial landscape with its decentralized nature, allowing users to perform transactions without intermediaries like banks. Powered by blockchain technology, Bitcoin's ecosystem consists of a distributed ledger that records all transactions transparently and securely, maintained by a global network of miners who validate blocks of transactions through a proof-of-work mechanism. Bitcoin's scarcity, capped at 21 million coins, positions it as a digital asset with deflationary characteristics, often seen as a hedge against inflation. The ecosystem supports a diverse range of applications, from peer-to-peer payments and remittances to decentralized finance (DeFi) projects, attracting widespread interest as both a store of value and a medium of exchange. Key features like security, transparency, and resistance to censorship make Bitcoin a robust and revolutionary asset in the world of finance, serving as the foundation for the broader cryptocurrency market and influencing the design and development of subsequent digital currencies.
The most common method to buy Bitcoin with CLP is through a regulated cryptocurrency exchange that serves as a fiat on-ramp in Chile. Users typically complete a KYC/AML verification process, then fund their accounts using local payment methods like a bank transfer via Transbank or WebPay. Once the CLP is deposited, you can place an order on the CLP/BTC order book to acquire the digital asset.
Storing digital assets on an exchange means you don't control the private keys; the exchange does. For true ownership and security, you must transfer your BTC to a personal digital wallet where you exclusively hold the private keys. This practice, often summarized as 'not your keys, not your coins,' protects your assets from exchange-related risks like hacks or freezes. It's a fundamental step in secure trading.
Yes. The initial CLP-to-BTC purchase is a fiat on-ramp transaction that settles on Bitcoin's main Proof-of-Work blockchain. Once you own the BTC in a compatible digital wallet, you can open a channel on the Lightning Network. This Layer-2 solution is ideal for fast, low-cost micro-transactions, allowing you to use your BTC for smaller payments without waiting for slow on-chain confirmations.
When you convert CLP to BTC, there are several fees. First, the exchange charges a trading fee (maker/taker) on the order book. Second, when you withdraw your BTC to a private digital wallet, you must pay a Bitcoin network fee. This fee, paid to miners processing the Proof-of-Work consensus, is priced in satoshis per byte and varies based on network congestion. It is unrelated to the CLP amount.
Unlike account-based systems, Bitcoin uses the Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO) model. When you purchase BTC with CLP, your digital wallet receives one or more UTXOs, which are like individual pieces of bitcoin. When you later send BTC, your wallet consumes these UTXOs as inputs and creates new ones for the recipient and yourself (as change). This design is fundamental to the Bitcoin network's security and transparency, verified by the SHA-256 hashing algorithm.
The CLP/BTC pair provides a direct gateway for Chilean residents to convert their local currency into a globally recognized digital store of value. This is crucial for hedging against local currency devaluation and accessing a permissionless financial system. High trading volume on local Chilean exchanges ensures good liquidity, making it an efficient fiat on-ramp compared to pairs that require first converting CLP to USD.