@ Handshake
2025-03-10 17:52:27
In order to acquire Handshake names, you first need to purchase Handshake coins. The true value of the Handshake network is in the names, but coins are necessary since they act as a utility token. As with Bitcoin, mining blocks rewards HNS coins, and these monetary rewards incentivize miners to enforce network security.
There are a few general exchanges where you can get HNS coins (Gate.io, MEXC, CoinEx). But if you don't want to deal with general exchanges, and as long as you have Bitcoin, you can use two specific exchanges:
1. [namebase.io](https://www.namebase.io)
2. [https://🤝](https://🤝) (only accessible with a Handshake resolver, such as [Fingertip](https://impervious.com/fingertip))
Both work great, and if you don't already have an account with any of the previously mentioned general exchanges, I would definitely recommend using one of these two to get HNS coins, or even both.
**1. Getting HNS coins on Namebase**
Namebase is the most well-known Handshake registrar, where you can bid on, buy, sell, and manage Handshake domains effortlessly. Besides that, you can also deposit Bitcoin and exchange it for HNS coins easily. It is probably the easiest way.
You can use the "Buy" option from the "Buy/Sell HNS" menu. This option allows you to:
1. Set a specific amount of Bitcoin to send, which will be converted into an approximate amount of HNS coins.
2. Add your Bitcoin address in case a refund is needed.
3. Proceed with the payment to the displayed address.
You can also use "Namebase Pro", found in the same drop-down menu. Simply click the "Deposit" button, select "BTC", and send the desired amount of Bitcoin to the displayed address. Once it arrives, you can exchange it in the trading terminal whenever you want.
The advantage of this option is that Bitcoin is not instantly traded into HNS; instead, you receive Bitcoin and can exchange it for HNS whenever you like, or resend the Bitcoin back to your address.
**2. Getting HNS coins on** 🤝
The 🤝 platform is a trading site developed by the same creator of [ShakeStation.io](http://ShakeStation.io) (a great alternative to Namebase that you should also try). Getting Handshake with this option takes a bit more steps than Namebase, but it offers greater privacy if that’s important to you. Also, keep in mind that it is only accessible if you have a Handshake resolver.
Once you have created your account, go to the "Listings" section on the site. There are a few trading pairs and combinations, but for our case, we need to select "Handshake" under "Offering" since that's what we want to get, and "Bitcoin" under "Accepting" since that's what we are giving. You will see several offers and the amount of BTC you need to send.
Go to the "Account" menu, then "Deposit," and send the desired amount of BTC to the displayed address.
Once your Bitcoin is already in your account, you just need to purchase the desired listing:
After receiving the HNS coins, you now can send your HNS coins to your wallet of choice to store them or use them (buying domains, renewing...).
Before withdrawing from 🤝, you will need to set up the two-factor option. Click the "setup" button, and enter any password in the field. Then, to withdraw, you will need to enter the password you wrote. There is an standard fee of $1 for withdrawals.
A few more things about 🤝:
* **Create Listings**: In the previous example, we purchased an already existing listing, but you can create your own. The advantage is that you decide the price ratio; the disadvantage is that you have to wait until someone buys it. Meanwhile, buying a listing is more straightforward.
* **You can't purchase listings partially**: Keep in mind that you must buy a full listing. For example, if someone is offering 10,000 HNS in exchange for Bitcoin, you cannot buy just 5,000—you have to buy the full 10,000 HNS listing.
* **Public or Private Listings**: If you want your offer to be public, it must appear without the lock symbol. If you see a lock symbol, it means the listing is private. You need to edit the listing, leave the password field blank, and save. Once this is done, your listing will be publicly available.
[https://preview.redd.it/quick-guide-how-to-get-hns-coins-so-you-can-get-handshake-v0-0br485m6thne1.png]?width=764&format=png&auto=webp&s=7e15129f0eb4095e73408d3770a10475dbfe9559)
**And that’s it!** 🎉
**Whatever path you have chosen, once you have acquired HNS coins, you are now ready to buy HNS names and use them to be part of a self-sovereign DNS root zone.**
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*Final notes about acquiring domains:*
There are essentially 3 options to acquire names: one fully self-custodial (Bob Wallet) and two custodial (Namebase.io and Shakestation.io).
The two custodial options are great since make things easier, but I believe users must be also encouraged to try Bob Wallet, which is a fully functional Handshake wallet where beside storing coins and names, you can also bid on Handshake domains directly on-chain. Here's a great tutorial on how to do it: [https://skyinclude.com/bobwallet](https://skyinclude.com/bobwallet)
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