BITSTAMP

    Bitstamp is the longest running cryptocurrency exchange where traders can trade in fiat currency, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and around 80 other cryptocurrencies. Bitstamp offers cryptocurrency that can be bought, sold and traded through specified country currency from US Dollar, Pound, Sterling, Euro, Ripple, Ethereum, USD coin and many more. It's a straightforward and secure platform suits both new and experienced traders, making crypto trading accessible and safe.

    History and Background

    In 2011, Nejc Kodrič and Damijan Merlak started Bitstamp in Slovenia as a European rival to Mt. Gox. It shifted its base to the UK in 2013 and later to Luxembourg in 2016. In June 2024, Robinhood agreed to buy Bitstamp for $200 million, with the purchase expected to close in early 2025. After a 2015 hack that stole 19,000 BTC, Bitstamp bounced back and improved its security.

    Bitstamp’s Global Presence and Reputation

    Bitstamp is highly trusted for its reliability and clear operations, ranking among top crypto exchanges with about $295 million in daily trades as of April 2025. Headquartered in Luxembourg with an office in Ljubljana, Slovenia, it holds 50 global licenses, including New York’s BitLicense. Available in 150 countries, with some limits in the USA, Bitstamp received a perfect 10/10 for transparency from Forbes in February 2025, showing its dedication to honesty and trust.

    Why is Bitstamp One of the Top Exchanges?

    Bitstamp offers a clean, transparent, low fees, top-tier security and smooth experience. With a user-friendly design for beginners or the advanced/pro traders they curated the exchange to fulfill everybody’s needs. With a focus on regulatory compliance and educational content, it’s a trusted platform for crypto trading, especially as it prepares for regulated derivatives trading in Europe.

    Key Features of Bitstamp

    Bitstamp provides features to suit different users:

    • Variety of Cryptocurrencies: Trade around 80 coins, including global dominant coins such as BTC, ETH, XRP, Litecoin, and stablecoins like USDT and USDC.
    • Affordable Fees: For a first time beginner it has no trading fees for $1,000 in 30 days, later maker/taker fees start at 0.3%/0.4%.
    • Trading Tools: Offers “Crypto Pulse” for market sentiment analysis with live charts and order books.
    • Staking Options: Earn rewards by holding certain coins (not available in the USA).
    • Bitstamp Pro: Advanced platform with lower fees and professional tools.
    • Educational Content: Bitstamp’s Learn Center offers guides and market insights.
    • Mobile and Web Apps: Trade easily on any device.
    • 24/7 Support: Help via email, phone, or the Help Center.

    Getting Started on Bitstamp

    Creating an Account

    • Visit official bitstamp.net and click “Register.” 
    • Enter the email
    • set a password, and provide specific country details. 
    • After receiving an email verification link, confirm their account and log in to the dashboard.

    Completing KYC/Verification

    Bitstamp requires Know Your Customer (KYC) verification:

    • Basic: Allows crypto trading with minimal info.
    • Advanced: Enables fiat deposits/withdrawals (requires ID, proof of address, and a short video).
    • Verification takes a few hours to a day, with advanced levels needed for full features.

    Enabling Security Features

    Users need to protect their accounts by:

    • Activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) with apps like Google Authenticator (avoiding SMS).
    • Setting a strong, unique password.
    • Using withdrawal address whitelisting for added safety.

    Overview of the Dashboard

    Bitstamp’s dashboard is simple and organized. There are tabs for trading, funding, staking, and account settings. The “Trade” section handles buying/selling, while “Deposit/Withdraw” manages funds. A basic mode keeps things easy for beginners.

    Funding a Bitstamp Account

    Depositing Fiat Currency

    Bitstamp supports USD, EUR, and GBP. Deposit options include:

    • Bank Transfer: Free via SEPA (EUR) or low-cost for USD/GBP (1-5 days).
    • Credit/Debit Card: Instant but higher fees (up to 5%).
    • Google Pay/Apple Pay/PayPal: Convenient with variable fees.

    Depositing Crypto

    To deposit crypto from an external wallet:

    • A user needs to go to “Deposit” in the dashboard.
    • Then select a coin (e.g., BTC, ETH).
    • Choose the right network (e.g., Bitcoin for BTC, ERC20 for ETH).
    • Copy the wallet address or scan the QR code and send crypto.
    • Tip: Using the correct network prevents fund loss.

    Understanding Deposit Networks

    Cryptocurrencies use specific networks, like ERC20 for Ethereum. Bitstamp lists supported networks for each coin, and users must match them during deposits to avoid errors.

    Buying and Selling Crypto

    Using “Buy Crypto” Options

    Bitstamp’s “Buy Crypto” feature is simple for beginners:

    • Credit/Debit Card: Instant purchases with up to 5% fees.
    • Bank Transfer: Cheaper but takes 1-5 days.
    • Google Pay/Apple Pay/PayPal: Easy with variable fees.

    Trading on the Spot Market

    To trade crypto pairs (e.g., BTC/USD), a user has to: 

    • Visit the “Trade” tab and select “Spot.”
    • Pick a pair and choose “Basic” for simple trades or “Pro” for advanced options.
    • After selecting a pair - click on Place an order.

    Market, Limit, and Stop-Limit Orders

    • Market Order: Buy/sell instantly at the current price.
    • Limit Order: Sets a specific price to buy/sell.
    • Stop-Limit Order: Triggers a limit order when a price is reached.

    Converting Small Balances (Dust)

    Bitstamp allows users to trade small balances manually on the spot market to combine into one coin, but there’s no automatic “dust” conversion tool.

    Bitstamp Wallets Explained

    Bitstamp uses wallets for different purposes:

    • Trading Wallet: Holds assets for buying/selling.
    • Funding Wallet: Manages deposits/withdrawals.
    • Staking Wallet: Stores coins for earning rewards (not in the USA).

    Transferring Between Wallets

    To move funds, a user need to follow the below steps 

    • Visit the “Wallets” tab.
    • Select “Transfer” and pick the source/destination wallet.
    • Enter the amount and confirm.
    • Bitstamp holds 95% of assets in cold storage, but users can transfer to external wallets for extra security.

    Withdrawing Funds from Bitstamp

    Withdrawing Crypto

    To send crypto to an external wallet, a user has to follow the below steps:

    • Go to “Withdraw” and select the coin.
    • Add a withdrawal address (verified via email).
    • Enter the amount, confirm it with 2FA, and pay the network fee (varies by coin).

    Withdrawing Fiat

    To withdraw to a bank account, a user needs to follow the instructions as below: 

    • Select “Withdraw” and choose USD, EUR, or GBP.
    • Add bank details and enter the amount.
    • Pay a small fee (e.g., 0.09% for SEPA).
    • Note: Advanced KYC is required for fiat withdrawals.

    Common Withdrawal Errors

    • Wrong Network: The withdrawal network must match the destination wallet.
    • Unverified Account: Fiat withdrawals need full verification.
    • Address Whitelisting: New addresses require confirmation.

    Bitstamp Earn: Making Passive Income

    Bitstamp offers staking for earning rewards by holding coins like Ethereum (not available in the USA). A 15% commission is charged on rewards. To start, a user has to:

    • Go to the “Earn” section.
    • Select a coin and staking amount.
    • Confirm and begin earning.
    • Note: Bitstamp phased out Algorand (ALGO) staking in April 2025 due to protocol changes.

    Advanced Features (Optional for Beginners)

    • Bitstamp Pro: Advanced charting and order types for pros.
    • Derivatives Trading: Planned for 2025 in Europe under MiFID II license (perpetual swaps).
    • API Access: For building custom trading tools.
      Beginners can focus on basic trading before exploring these.

    Bitstamp Mobile App Overview

    Bitstamp offers iOS and Android apps with two modes:

    • Basic Mode: Simple for beginners to buy/sell.
    • Pro Mode: Advanced tools for experienced traders.

    Key Features of Mobile App 

    • Trade crypto on the go.
    • Check prices and balances.
    • Manage deposits/withdrawals.
    • Access support and market insights.

    Pros of the App

    • Easy-to-use interface.
    • Secure with 256-bit SSL encryption.
    • Over 1 million downloads.
    • Note: Some users report slow email support via the app.

    Safety, Security & Support

    Bitstamp Security

    Bitstamp prioritizes safety with:

    • Cold Storage: 95% of funds offline.
    • 2FA and Whitelisting: Protects accounts and withdrawals.
    • Crime Insurance: Covers losses from hacks.
    • ISO 27001 Certification: Ensures top security standards.

    Tips to Secure an Account

    Users should:

    • Enable 2FA with an authenticator app (not SMS).
    • Use a strong, unique password.
    • Be cautious of phishing emails and fake websites.

    Accessing Support

    Bitstamp offers 24/7 support via:

    • Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).
    • Phone: +1 800 712 5702 or +352 20 88 10 96.
    • Help Center: Guides on trading and security.
    • Note: No live chat, and some users report slow email responses.

    Pros and Cons of Bitstamp

    Pros

    • Low fees (free for first $1,000 in 30 days).
    • Strong security with 95% cold storage and insurance.
    • User-friendly for beginners and pros.
    • Trusted with 50 global licenses and Forbes’ 10/10 rating.
    • Planned derivatives trading in 2025.

    Cons

    • Limited coin selection (80 vs. 300+ on competitors).
    • No staking or lending for US users.
    • No live chat support.
    • Higher fees for card purchases (up to 5%).

    Bitstamp for Different User Types

    • Beginners: Basic mode and Learn Center make it easy to start.
    • Traders: Bitstamp Pro offers advanced tools and low fees.
    • Investors: Staking available in some regions for passive income.
    • Institutions: MiFID II license and custody solutions suit businesses.

    Final Thoughts + Useful Resources

    Is Bitstamp Right for Users?

    Bitstamp is a great choice for users wanting a secure, regulated exchange with low fees and a simple interface. It’s ideal for beginners and pros but may not suit those needing a wider coin selection or US-based staking.

    What to Explore Next

    Users can:

    • Try Bitstamp’s Basic mode for easy trading.
    • Explore the Learn Center for crypto tips.
    • Monitor updates on derivatives trading.

    Resources

    • Bitstamp Learn Center: Free guides (bitstamp.net/learn).
    • Bitstamp Blog: Market news (blog.bitstamp.net).
    • YouTube: Search “Bitstamp tutorial” for videos.

    FAQs

    1. Is Bitstamp available globally?

    Bitstamp operates globally in 150 countries, including the USA, UK, and EU, but some features (e.g., staking) are restricted in the USA. Check bitstamp.net for more details.

    2. How long does verification take? 

    Verification takes a few hours to a day, depending on document quality.

    3. Why is my deposit/withdrawal delayed?

    Delays may occur due to bank processing, network issues, or incomplete KYC. Contact [email protected] 

    4. Can I recover funds sent to the wrong address?

    Crypto transactions are irreversible. Always verify addresses and networks before sending funds. 

    5. Bitstamp vs. Other Exchanges?

    Compared to Coinbase, Bitstamp has lower fees but fewer coins. Compared to Binance, it offers stronger regulatory compliance but no margin trading.