Is Bitstamp safe and worth using? Yes. This Bitstamp review finds one of the most regulated exchanges in the world, live since 2011 and now owned by Robinhood. You pay for that safety with higher fees and a short coin list.
I have history with this one. Long before AirdropAlert, Bitstamp was the exchange my business ran on.
Why Bitstamp Was My Go-To Exchange
In 2014, I launched a fiat gateway for Bitcoin. I shared that story in an earlier post.
Here is the part I left out. Every time a customer bought Bitcoin on our platform, an automated tool rebought that BTC on Bitstamp. No manual orders, no delays. Bitstamp was the engine behind the whole operation.
This was the pre-2017 era. As a European, I had few serious options back then. Bitstamp had euro banking, real liquidity, and an API that simply worked. For years it was my default.
So I come to this review with a bias worth stating. Bitstamp earned my trust when trust was rare in crypto.
What Is Bitstamp?
Bitstamp launched in 2011 in Slovenia and later moved its base to Luxembourg. That makes it the longest-running crypto exchange still operating.
Its pitch never changed much. Buy and sell major coins against euros, dollars, and pounds on a clean order book. No casino features, no token of its own.
Institutions like that approach. Banks, brokers, and fintech apps have routed orders through Bitstamp for over a decade.
Bitstamp by Robinhood: What Changed
In June 2025, Robinhood completed its purchase of Bitstamp for roughly $200 million. The platform now carries the “Bitstamp by Robinhood” brand.
For users, daily trading looks the same. Behind the scenes, Bitstamp now powers part of Robinhood’s crypto order routing. We explained that side in our Robinhood review.
The deal also adds weight. A Nasdaq-listed parent with audited accounts now stands behind the exchange.
Bitstamp Fees
Pricing is transparent but not cheap for small accounts.
Pro Trading Fees
| 30-day volume | Maker | Taker |
|---|---|---|
| Under $10,000 | 0.30% | 0.40% |
| Top tier | 0.00% | 0.03% |
Rates fall in steps as your monthly volume grows. Most retail traders stay in the first tier. That is three to four times what Binance or OKX charge at entry level.
Instant Buy
Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal purchases cost about 4%. Skip this route. Fund by bank transfer and trade on Pro instead.
Deposits and Withdrawals
SEPA and ACH deposits are free. A SEPA withdrawal costs €3. Crypto withdrawals only carry the network fee.
Buying your first coins this way? Our guide to buying Bitcoin for the first time walks through the steps.
Coins and Products
Expect around 100 to 130 coins. Majors, large caps, and stablecoins are covered. Fresh listings arrive slowly and only after compliance checks.
Meme hunters will find almost nothing here. That crowd is better served onchain, as our FOMO app review shows.
Staking exists for a handful of assets, including ETH and ADA. Bitstamp keeps a 15% commission on rewards. Availability depends on your country.
Leverage and derivatives are limited and region-bound. Copy trading, bots, and launchpads are absent. Bitstamp is a spot exchange first.
Is Bitstamp Safe?
Regulation is where Bitstamp leads. It holds more than 50 licenses and registrations worldwide. That list includes a New York BitLicense and authorization under Europe’s MiCA rules.
One breach marks its record. In January 2015, attackers stole about 19,000 BTC from a hot wallet. Bitstamp covered every customer loss and rebuilt its security afterwards.
Nothing comparable has happened since. Most assets now sit in cold storage, and the company has used outside auditors for years.
No exchange removes risk completely. For long-term holdings, read our take on exchange custody versus your own wallet.
Who Should Use Bitstamp?
Bitstamp fits a specific user well:
- Europeans who want cheap euro deposits through SEPA
- Americans who need a licensed venue in all the strict states
- Long-term buyers of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other majors
- Businesses and API traders who value uptime over features
Active altcoin traders should look elsewhere. So should anyone chasing airdrops, bonuses, or high leverage.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Operating since 2011
- Licensed in Europe, the US, and beyond
- Backed by a public parent company
- Strong fiat rails for EUR, USD, and GBP
- Reliable API and deep liquidity on majors
- Clear fee schedule without hidden charges
Cons
- Entry-level fees of 0.30% and 0.40%
- Instant buys cost about 4%
- Small coin selection
- Few extras beyond spot and staking
- Hacked once, back in 2015
Bitstamp Alternatives
The most direct competitor is another veteran, covered in our Kraken review. It offers more coins and lower Pro fees.
American beginners often start with the exchange from our Coinbase review. Europeans who want derivatives and rewards can read the Bybit review, which covers its licensed EU platform.
Keep This Content Free
Bitstamp has no deal with us, so this verdict is ours alone. You can support reviews like this by opening an account through our partners:
Final Words
Bitstamp is boring in the best way. It was dependable when I ran a business on it, and it remains dependable today.
Choose it for fiat, majors, and peace of mind. Pick another venue for cheap trading or small caps.
Check out our last review, the Gate.com review, for an exchange built on the opposite idea. All our reviews and comparisons live in the exchange reviews hub.
FAQ
Is Bitstamp safe?
Yes. It has operated since 2011, holds more than 50 licenses, and keeps most assets in cold storage. Its only major hack was in 2015.
Who owns Bitstamp?
Robinhood. The acquisition closed in June 2025, and the exchange now trades as Bitstamp by Robinhood.
What are Bitstamp’s fees?
Pro trading starts at 0.30% maker and 0.40% taker. High-volume tiers drop to 0.00% and 0.03%. Instant buys cost about 4%.
How many coins does Bitstamp support?
Roughly 100 to 130, focused on majors and large caps.
Can US residents use Bitstamp?
Yes. Bitstamp is licensed in the United States, including New York.
Does Bitstamp offer staking?
Yes, for a few assets such as ETH and ADA. Bitstamp takes a 15% commission, and access varies by region.
Is Bitstamp good for beginners?
It is safe and simple. Beginners should deposit by bank transfer and avoid the 4% instant buy fee.
