Pesamill is a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies using a variety of payment methods. The platform seeks to offer investors easier access to cryptocurrency exchange services by incorporating a variety of local fiat currency trading options.
In this Pesamill review, we will explore the features that make the exchange unique and how you can go about buying and selling cryptocurrency on this newly-launched digital asset exchange.
Introduction
Pesamill is a Kenya-based digital asset exchange that was launched in 2018 to solve some of the challenges faced by cryptocurrency users when accessing global cryptocurrency exchanges.
To begin with, the exchange has simplified the signing up process and kept KYC (Know-Your-Customer) requirements for users to a minimum. The KYC process is custom built to cater to a variety of users across different markets.
The platform incorporates a number of payment options which include mobile money, Visa, Mastercard, and bank transfers, and has a friendly user interface that is easy to navigate together with a customer care chat functionality to guide users.
How To Trade Bitcoin on Pesamill?
New users have to sign up for an account on the website’s landing page. Registration requires you to input your name, email address, password, country of residence and currency of choice. Once you have read and acknowledged the terms of use and privacy policy, you can proceed to sign up. A verification message is then sent to your email.
Once you have verified your email address then you can proceed to the Pesamill dashboard. On the top left corner of the dashboard, there is a tab that offers you the option to switch between different operational layouts. Quick mode offers you a simple layout with the list of cryptocurrencies supported, and their retail prices in USD.
For instance, if you click on the bitcoin column you can choose to buy either $50, $100, $200 and $500 worth of BTC. To buy a different amount you can input the figure directly at the bottom of the page and execute a USD/BTC trade. To keep track of your trade there is a ‘my order’ tab which shows you the status of your order and account history.
The advanced mode offers you more specialised trading tools whereas quick mode is simpler and user-friendlier but it limits you to buying cryptocurrency only.
Advanced mode allows you to both buy and sell cryptocurrency. The minimum amount you need to place an order is $15 while the maximum amount you can place an order for is $10,000.99. It is important to note that these limits can sometimes change slightly from one session to another.
In addition, you can track trading patterns on the platform, the volumes of different buy and sell orders, as well as the status of your orders. The advanced mode also incorporates charts to view the price activity of the cryptocurrency you want to trade.
Registration and KYC
Upon signing up to Pesamill and securing your account, the next step is to update your details. This stage is crucial since you can only start trading once the KYC process has been completed. To begin the process you will click on the ‘Update Your Details’ tab on the top right corner of the dashboard after the ‘My Wallet’ tab.
The first step in the process requires you to establish your profile. You will need to provide extra details such as your date of birth, address and phone number. A confirmation code will be sent to your phone to verify the number. The next step will need you to upload two important documents namely, your identity card, and passport size photograph. The last option will require you to input your bank details though it is optional.
Once the whole process has been completed the Pesamill team will verify your KYC application and revert to you once the process is successful.
Trading Options, Deposits, and Withdrawals
Pesamill enables you to trade in Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), Ether (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), and EOS (EOS).
Upon creating your account you will receive emails containing your wallet address for each of the listed cryptocurrencies. You can deposit money into your account using the fiat currency option you selected when signing up and it will automatically be converted to USD. The funds deposited should reflect almost immediately into your account.
To withdraw money from your account all you need to do is enter your bank details on your profile, click on the ‘Withdraw’ tab and input the necessary amount to withdraw. You can only withdraw from your account and not from any of the individual cryptocurrency wallets you possess. Also, cryptocurrency coins cannot be withdrawn directly as fiat currency. Instead, you will need to sell your cryptocurrency to convert it to fiat money. Once the purchaser has sent the money to your account then you can withdraw.
The prices of the listed cryptocurrencies are updated every ten seconds to enable traders to keep track of volatility in the market. If you are looking to transfer digital currency from your online wallet to your personal wallet or to another recipient the process is straightforward.
For example, to send bitcoin you will click on the ‘My Wallet’ tab on the dashboard. Proceed to the bitcoin wallet tab on the left-hand corner and click on it to view your balance. You will notice the ‘Send’ and ‘Receive’ tab at the centre column in the page.
To send BTC, click on the ‘Send’ tab and input the value and recipient wallet address on the pop-up window. To receive BTC click on the ‘Receive’ tab and copy the public key on the pop-up window and provide it to the sender. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code and provide the same to the other party.
Fees and Security
Pesamill is yet to release a comprehensive breakdown of their fees though it is stated in the FAQs that use of conventional payment methods when buying cryptocurrency will attract higher charges to mitigate against the risk of transactions being reversed. If you are sending or receiving cryptocurrency then normal network charges will apply and this varies between different coins.
The exchange has strong security protocols in place to safeguard sensitive user information and funds. Information such as personal details, account numbers, routing numbers is stored using bank-level AES-256 encryption. Also, all traffic is transmitted over SSL “(Secure Socket Layer) to prevent third-parties from accessing your connection.
Pesamill also deploys a two-factor authentication system to ensure they are no unauthorised or fraudulent logins. In addition, the exchange has very strict AML (Anti Money Laundering) procedures in place to ensure the platform is not used to launder money, finance illegal activities or support terrorism. They include:
- You must undergo the KYC process before being allowed to trade.
- You can only withdraw fiat currency to a bank account with the same name as your Pesamill account.
- You can only deposit fiat currency from a bank account with the same name as your Pesamill account.
- Pesamill will not hesitate to report any illegal activity to the relevant authorities.
Conclusion (UPDATED)
While Pesamill had everything a new bitcoin exchange would need to become a popular platform for digital currency traders, it has been inactive for months.
There is, therefore, no point attempting to access the platform today. Should this change, we will update this review accordingly.