BitSkins.com is SHUTTING DOWN!
For the next 9
BitSkins has been open since 2015 originally focusing on the trade of virtual goods with cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin and Ethereum) for games with items to trade on steam.
Popular Games Include:
- Counter-Strike 2
- DotA 2
- H1Z1
- Team Fortress 2
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
- Unturned
Over time the website remained the most popular website to sell virtual game skins for games on steam. In June 2019 however they removed the option to use cryptocurrencies along with bank transfers on their website. Making some people skeptical
The website is now shutting down after a user or criminal organization committed substantial payment fraud using BitSkins as a way to get money out. The person or organization purchased massive amounts of the Berlin Major Souvenirs with a stolen credit card, then sold them on BitSkins. Steam took notice of the massive amount and restricted the trade on multiple BitSkins steam accounts.
Luckily the restriction has been removed but they’ve been reminded that their steam accounts cannot be used for commercial use and next time the trade restriction on the steam account will not be removed.
However because BitSkins is unable to validate if a game item has been acquired by fraud or is a genuine skin they cannot proceed with their service without being trade banned by steam, breaking their terms and conditions, and taking losses on stolen items bought on their website.
There is no twitter post on their official Twitter page, nor one by their CEO Atif Nazir, only a small notice on their website and the Reddit post below.
Alternatives to BitSkins.com
Now that BitSkins can’t be used to sell items many people will be looking for alternative website to use as a marketplace to sell their game items.
Skinport was always the next in line to sell virtual game items such as CS2 Weapon Skins. This website supports all of the popular games just like BitSkins but has a much better filtering system so you can find exactly what you need. With people able to withdraw the money after they sell the item unlike on the steam marketplace.
SkinBaron.de is also similar to BitSkins however it trades in euros instead of dollars.
If you are just looking to trade item game skins though
So make sure you get all of your items out of BitSkins as soon as possible before they cease their operations. If you still want to sell your skins or trade them check the links just above. It’s a sad time for all of us who use these services to see the biggest player disappear but hopefully it brings with it new and better competition.
Update:
Bitskins.com has changed ownership, with the new owners saying they are being back crypto-currencies such as bitcoins. This new comes on October 4th, 2019 only a few days of its closure announcement. There is no new information about the new team, they say that everything should be back to normal within a month.
You can read the full twitter long post here:
Although it’s open again, be is best to be cautious when using the website. They need to re-verify everyone again as private information was not shared with them.
References:
- https://www.reddit.com/r/GlobalOffensiveTrade/comments/daa7pn/psa_bitskins_is_ramping_down_its_operations/
- https://bitskins.com/faq
