Bitstamp is a European exchange that also operates globally. It was launched in 2011 and remains one of the oldest cryptocurrency exchange platforms in the world.

The exchange offers 78 cryptocurrencies for trading and a reasonable fee schedule. There is an easy buy/sell interface for beginner traders, and more experienced users can use the active trader platform. 

In this Bitstamp review, we’ll discuss all the features of the exchange and the pros and cons of using the platform.

Pros & Cons of Bitstamp Exchange

Pros

• Reputable and regulated exchange
• Beginner friendly
• Competitive fees
• Staking for select digital assets

Cons

• A limited number of supported cryptocurrencies
• No margin trading or other crypto derivatives

About Bitstamp

Bitstamp was founded in 2011 in Slovenia. The exchange opened offices in Luxembourg, Singapore, the UK, and United States and operates in over 100 countries.

Bitstamp is one of the top cryptocurrency exchanges in the world by CoinMarketCap’s rankings. It doesn’t offer as many features as global crypto giants like Binance or Coinbase but provides a good spot market with deep liquidity and many trading pairs. 

The trading platform has a basic trade feature for crypto beginners and an active trader interface for experienced traders.

Crypto Assets Available on Bitstamp

Bitstamp supports around 78 digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, USD Coin, Cardano, Polkadot, Polygon, Solana, Shiba Inu, DAI, and Uniswap.

Bitstamp Europe also supports Ripple, but it’s not available to US-based customers.

Fiat Currencies Supported on Bitstamp Cryptocurrency Exchange

Bitstamp accepts British Pounds, Euros, and American Dollars. You can buy cryptocurrency via credit cards and debit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

You can also deposit fiat currency to your account via bank transfers using ACH, instant SEPA transfers, or international wire transfers.

Countries Supported on Bitstamp

Bitstamp is available in over 100 countries, including the US and Europe. Bitstamp is also available to New York state residents. 

Bitstamp Trading Fees

Bitstamp trading fees are quite reasonable, especially for retail buyers who want to make small cryptocurrency investments. The platform has a tiered maker/taker fee schedule but doesn’t charge fees if your 30-day USD volume is less than 1,000 USD.

Trading Fees

The starting maker/taker fee is zero-percent. If your 30-day USD volume is over 1,000 USD, the fees start at 0.3% and 0.4% for makers and takers, respectively. 

The fee percentage goes down as you move up in tiers.

Deposit Fees

Fiat deposits via ACH, Faster Payments, and SEPA bank transfers are free of charge. 

Instant purchases via credit and debit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Paypal cost a 4% deposit fee. Your card issuer may charge extra fees as well.

International bank wire deposits cost a 0.05% fee. The minimum fee is calculated as 7.5 USD/EUR (or 5 GBP), and the maximum fee is 300 USD/EUR (or 250 GBP).

Crypto deposits are free of charge.

Withdrawal Fees

The SEPA withdrawal fee is 3 EUR, Faster Payments withdrawals cost 2 GBP, while ACH withdrawals are free.

International wire transfers cost a 0.1% fee, but the minimum fee is 25 USD/EUR/GBP. 

Crypto withdrawal fees vary by cryptocurrency. For example, the withdrawal fee for Bitcoin is 0.0005 BTC, and the withdrawal fee for Ether is 0.006 ETH.

You can check all the relevant fees, including crypto withdrawal rates, on the Bitstamp fees page.

Main Features of the Bitstamp Crypto Exchange

Bitstamp doesn’t have many bells and whistles. The exchange offers professional trading experience via the Tradeview-powered charts and its advanced trading platform. You can place different order types and use analytical tools to chart a strategy for your trades.

The exchange also offers FIX, HTTP, and WebSocket APIs with real-time data streams for a better trading experience.

Finally, there is also the Bitstamp Earn program. You can stake Ether (ETH) and Algoraland (ALGO) to earn passive income from your assets. The exchange charges a 15% commission on your staking activities. 

The expected APY is 3.42% for Ether and 1.6% for Algorand.

How Easy Is It to Open a Bitstamp Account?

Opening a Bitstamp account is easy. Visit the official website and register with your email, making sure you set up a strong password. Bitstamp will prompt you to enable two-factor authentication.

Once you sign in, go to the “Personal Account Verification” tab, fill out the KYC verification form, and provide the necessary documents. This includes a high-quality photo of an official ID (passport or driver’s license) and proof of residency (bank statement, utility bill, or state-issued documents).

Once you complete the KYC verification, you’ll be able to deposit funds into your account and start trading.

How Secure Is Bitstamp?

Bitstamp uses industry-standard security practices, such as keeping only a small portion of cryptocurrency in its hot wallet. The hot wallet is also protected by multi-sig technology to keep the assets safe.

Bitstamp also claims that the company is regularly audited by trusted third-party auditors. The funds are insured by BitGo in case of theft or hacking.

Has Bitstamp Ever Been Hacked?

Bitstamp was hacked in early 2015, losing around $5 million worth of crypto to hackers. Attackers targeted their hot wallet, stealing around 19,000 BTC thanks to an extended phishing attack.

Bitstamp announced they rebuilt their entire trading platform and security systems after the attack.

Is Bitstamp a Regulated Exchange?

Bitstamp is registered in the US and Europe. It holds a Bitlicense to operate in the state of New York.

How Does Bitstamp Compare to Other Crypto Exchanges?

Let’s see how Bitstamp compares to Coinbase. You can also check out our Coinbase review for more information.

Fees

Bitstamp fees range from 0 to 0.5%, while Coinbase spot trading fees start at 0.40% (maker fees) and 0.60% (taker fees). 

Bitstamp doesn’t charge trading fees if your 30-day trading volume is less than 1,000 USD, whereas small purchases on the Coinbase exchange incur relatively high fees. If you’re a beginner or a cautious investor who wants to purchase small amounts of crypto, Bitstamp can be the cheaper option.

Features

Bitstamp supports 78 crypto assets, whereas Coinbase offers more than 150 cryptocurrencies. Both platforms support major-cap coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum, but you have more options with Coinbase. 

Both platforms provide earning programs, but Coinbase offers more staking opportunities. The US platform also offers a debit card and more features, including a wallet and an educational program that gives away small amounts of crypto.

Finally, Bitstamps offers phone support, whereas Coinbase only provides email and chatbot customer support.

Overall, it may come down to your location. Coinbase is based in the US and offers more comprehensive features for US-based users. European users may prefer Bitstamp.

Does Bitstamp Have an App?

Yes, Bitstamp has a mobile app. The mobile app offers all the website functionalities, allowing you to place orders, view price charts, manage funds, and trade crypto. You can download it from the App Store or the Google Play Store. 

Bitstamp Review: Final Thoughts

Bitstamp launched in 2011 and became one of the biggest European exchanges in just a few years. 

However, if you’re looking for exposure to low-cap altcoins or staking opportunities, Bitstamp may not fulfill your expectations. The exchange offers around 78 cryptocurrencies and staking for Ether and Algoraland (though it plans to increase the list).

The fee schedule is industry standard but offers perks for beginners and those who plan to make small purchases.

The platform lost funds to hackers back in 2015 but hasn’t had a major security breach since then. As a regulated platform, it employs KYC verification strictly. The company also holds a BitLicence and can operate in the state of New York.

If you want to explore other cryptocurrency exchange platforms, check out our post on the Best 22 Crypto Exchanges.

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