Bitstamp is a Luxembourg-based centralized cryptocurrency exchange (CEX). The Bitstamp spot market offers more than 70 different assets for individual and institutional trading. It supports both crypto-crypto and crypto-fiat transactions. The service is accessible on web and mobile devices.
The Bitstamp crypto exchange is KYC-compliant and requires customers to provide ID verification. The platform is available in all EU countries. It's one of the few exchanges that was granted the license to operate in New York State. Additionally, it blocks VPN access from countries outside the service range.
Markets
The Bitstamp crypto exchange supports two types of accounts – personal and corporate. Supported institutional traders include brokers, neo banks, and hedge funds. The platform's primary service is the Bitstamp spot market. It doesn't provide margin trading or derivatives markets.
There are over 160 Bitstamp trading pairs available. Due to local regulations, some trading pairs and assets may be region-restricted. All Bitstamp crypto prices can be previewed in fiat currencies, such as USD, EUR, and AUD.
Bitstamp exchange fees are based on the maker-taker model and grouped into 10 tiers. The fee tier is determined by the 30-day Bitstamp trade volume in USD. At tier 1, the volume does not exceed $1,000, and neither makers nor takers have to pay any fees.
Tier 2 required a 30-day Bitstamp volume under $10,000. In this case, the maker-taker fees are 0.30% and 0.40%, respectively. At tier 10, the 30-day volume exceeds $1 billion. The taker fees are 0.05%, while the Bitstamp crypto price for makers is without any fees.
As an EU-based company, the Bitstamp crypto exchange supports free fiat deposits via the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) system. Customers that wish to withdraw via SEPA must pay a €3 fee. For US-based customers, free ACH deposits and withdrawals are enabled.
The Bitstamp cryptocurrency exchange supports other payment methods, including card purchases, Apple Pay, international wire, and other cryptocurrencies. Other Bitstamp exchange fees may vary depending on the payment method.
The platform provides an up-to-date fiat exchange rate in all available markets to ensure transparent and accurate Bitstamp crypto price listings. Exchange rates are subject to market conditions.
Other Services
Bitstamp Earn is the platform's staking platform. It enables users to stake their crypto assets and earn passive rewards. At the time of writing, the two currencies that can be staked are Ethereum (ETH) and Algorant (ALGO).
There are no direct Bitstamp crypto fees for staking. However, customers must pay a 15% commission, which is later distributed as the total reward pool. The rewarded Bitstamp crypto price for staking is calculated as 4.19% APR for Ethereum and 5% APY for Algorant.
Developers can use Bitstamp API. This service provides them with access to their account management via custom software. The WebSocket API provides data streaming in real-time. Bitstamp also provides Crypto-as-a-Service for financial institutions.
About the Company
The Bitstamp cryptocurrency exchange was founded by Nejc Kodrič and Damian Merlak in Slovenia in 2011, making it one of the longest-running bitcoin exchanges. It was initially developed as a competitor against the then-popular Mt. Gox bitcoin exchange.
In 2013, the company was registered in the UK. In 2016, the Bitstamp crypto exchange was relocated to Luxembourg, where the current headquarters are. That same year, it became the first licensed cryptocurrency exchange in Europe. In 2019, Bitstamp was granted permission to operate in New York State.
Bitstamp has suffered several malicious attacks which affected its service. In 2014, withdrawals were temporarily suspended as the Bitstamp crypto exchange platform was hit by DDoS attacks. In January 2015, the company was hacked. During this attack, around 19,000 BTC were stolen.
In 2021, Bitstamp recorded significant growth in the USA, as its userbase increased by 570% compared to 2020. Around the same time, it was also recorded that the global monthly average Bitstamp trade volume was around $28 billion.
In March 2022, Bitstamp conducted its first research study. More than 28,000 respondents participated, of which 23,000 were retail customers, and 5,000 were institutional respondents. The survey was conducted to determine the general crypto trends and societal perceptions.
In July 2022, the Bitstamp cryptocurrency exchange announced plans to introduce a monthly inactivity fee for idle users. Inactive users are those that haven't traded, staked, withdrawn, or deposited their assets within a year and hold a balance below €200.
Nejc Kodrič is the former CEO at Bitstamp. Until February 2022, he also served as the company's Board Member. He's currently part of the board for Standard Custody & Trust Company, a company that provides digital asset custody services.
Damian Merlak is the former CTO of Bitstamp. Prior to founding the company, he worked as a software developer on various projects. In 2018, he founded Tokens, a now-defunct European cryptocurrency exchange.
In 2022, Jean-Baptiste "JB" Graftieaux was appointed as the global CEO of Bitstamp. He initially joined the company in 2014 as the Chief Compliance Officer, and in 2021 he was made the Bitstamp Europe CEO. He has more than two decades of experience in traditional and decentralized finance.
