<p>I am not a lawyer but I think this <a href="http://bitcoinmagazine.net/a-recap-of-mega-corporate-and-government-attention-on-bitcoin-this-past-year/" rel="nofollow">Bitcoin Magazine Article</a> should be informative. As far as case-law goes I would check out the <a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/08/bitcoinica-users-sue-for-342qw-in-lost-bitcoins/" rel="nofollow">bitcoinica bankruptcy suit</a> as well as the <a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/03/lawsuit-illustrates-bitcoins-chargeback-problem/" rel="nofollow">tradehill bankruptcy suit</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-31T01:10:59.353Z
2012-12-31T01:10:59.353Z
Kinnard Hockenhull
<p>Please help me identify any laws that would be potential blockers to selling and buying bitcoins in person.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-25T15:15:33.283Z
I think California should be the same as anywhere else. See this: http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/337/what-are-the-legal-processes-that-someone-would-have-to-go-through-in-order-to-g?rq=1
Joseph Havens
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-24T21:06:56.810Z
As a commercial, for-profit service, or, for instance, trading them to and from just friends, relatives, coworkers, etc on an infrequent basis?  (There's a difference, so that's why I ask.}
Stephen Gornick
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-25T10:12:48.763Z
Assume a for-profit service.
Sam Weinberg
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-27T08:13:43.273Z
Hey, are you still there?
Sam Weinberg
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-28T16:40:21.840Z
I am, but I don't know the answer.  I am not a lawyer and if this is a for-profit service I'ld recommend you get legal advice.  California is not a state that is necessarily friendly to money transmitters (see https://www.facecash.com/legal/ca.html for an example) but whether buying and selling Bitcoins makes you a money transmitter requiring licensing is not something I can answer.
Stephen Gornick
<legal><buy-bitcoins><sell-bitcoins>
What laws apply to selling / buying bitcoins for USD in California?
Sam Weinberg
# What laws apply to selling / buying bitcoins for USD in California?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-09-24)

Please help me identify any laws that would be potential blockers to selling and buying bitcoins in person.

**Tags:** legal, buy-bitcoins, sell-bitcoins

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: As a commercial, for-profit service, or, for instance, trading them to and from just friends, relatives, coworkers, etc on an infrequent basis?  (There's a difference, so that's why I ask.}  
> **username_0**: Assume a for-profit service.  
> **username_0**: Hey, are you still there?  
> **username_2**: I am, but I don't know the answer.  I am not a lawyer and if this is a for-profit service I'ld recommend you get legal advice.  California is not a state that is necessarily friendly to money transmitters (see https://www.facecash.com/legal/ca.html for an example) but whether buying and selling Bitcoins makes you a money transmitter requiring licensing is not something I can answer.  
> **username_1**: I think California should be the same as anywhere else. See this: http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/337/what-are-the-legal-processes-that-someone-would-have-to-go-through-in-order-to-g?rq=1  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2012-12-31. Score: 2

I am not a lawyer but I think this [Bitcoin Magazine Article](http://bitcoinmagazine.net/a-recap-of-mega-corporate-and-government-attention-on-bitcoin-this-past-year/) should be informative. As far as case-law goes I would check out the [bitcoinica bankruptcy suit](http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/08/bitcoinica-users-sue-for-342qw-in-lost-bitcoins/) as well as the [tradehill bankruptcy suit](http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/03/lawsuit-illustrates-bitcoins-chargeback-problem/)


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