Bitstamp review: score, licensing and risks
76/100SCORE · BTrusted
Grade B, very good
Bitstamp is the longest running exchange in crypto, founded in 2011 and now part of Robinhood. It holds MiCA authorisation, has a clean record since a 2015 breach it covered itself, and is deliberately conservative. The cost of that conservatism is a short asset list and a plain platform. For holding rather than trading exotic pairs, that is not much of a cost.
The facts
- FOUNDED
- 2011
- HEADQUARTERS
- Luxembourg
- CUSTODY
- Custodial.
- MiCA / EEA
- Authorised. Holds a MiCA CASP licence.
- US ACCESS
- Yes.
- PROOF OF RESERVES
- Audited reserves, and now backed by a publicly listed parent.
- FEES
- Around 0.30 percent at entry tier, falling with volume.
- ASSETS
- 85 plus
How the score breaks down
Each dimension is explained on the methodology page.
Where it is strong and where it is not
✓ Strengths
- The oldest continuously operating exchange in the industry
- Now owned by Robinhood, so it sits inside a listed group
- Properly MiCA licensed
- Conservative and boring, which is a compliment for a custodian
✗ Weaknesses
- Far fewer assets than any competitor
- Basic platform with limited advanced features
- Fees are mid table rather than cheap
Incident history
2015
Lost around 19,000 BTC in a hot wallet breach. Covered the loss and resumed trading within days.
Our read
Running since 2011, handled its one breach properly a decade ago, MiCA licensed, and now inside a publicly listed group after the Robinhood acquisition. Boring in the way you want a custodian to be. Marked down only on asset coverage and platform features.
COMPARE
RISK WARNING
Crypto assets are highly volatile and largely unregulated. You can lose everything you put in.
Nothing on this page is financial, investment or tax advice, and nothing here is a recommendation
to buy or sell any asset. Do your own research and never commit money you cannot afford to lose.