Bitstamp Complaints and Mixed Experiences Revealed

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Bitstamp has been around since 2011, making it a veteran in the cryptocurrency exchange market.

Some users have reported issues with customer support, citing long wait times and unhelpful responses.

The exchange has a reputation for being reliable and secure, with a strong track record of protecting user funds.

However, a few users have reported difficulties with withdrawing their funds, citing delays and bureaucratic red tape.

Bitstamp's fees are competitive with other exchanges, but some users feel that they could be lower.

Despite these complaints, many users have reported positive experiences with the exchange, citing ease of use and a user-friendly interface.

Negative Reviews

Bitstamp has received several complaints about its app, with one user calling it the "worst app ever" due to issues with fund deposits and withdrawals taking over a week to process.

Traders have also reported difficulty with customer support, with some claiming to have waited weeks for responses to their tickets.

Credit: youtube.com, Bitstamp Crypto Review - Watch This Before You Choose

Some users have reported being unable to withdraw funds due to a $20 minimum withdrawal requirement, which they claim is a scam.

One user lost $2600 to Bitstamp after they withheld their account credit, and another user had their account terminated without explanation.

A corporate account was frozen for withdrawal, with the CEO of an exchange claiming to have waited 5 months for resolution.

Bitstamp's customer support has also been criticized for being limited and unresponsive, with some users being asked to use a translator to communicate with the call center.

Users have also reported being asked to provide identification and record themselves to verify their identity, which one user described as a "waste of time".

Several users have reported losing large sums of money to Bitstamp, with one user claiming to have lost £7600 in bitcoin.

One user even went so far as to report Bitstamp to the bank, claiming that the company is fraudulent.

It's worth noting that these complaints are just a few examples of the many negative reviews Bitstamp has received.

Security Concerns

Credit: youtube.com, I'm comfortable cryptocurrencies can be 'custodied' safely and securely, says Bitstamp USA CEO

Security Concerns have been raised by some Bitstamp users, citing instances of unauthorized account access and suspicious transaction activity.

Some users have reported receiving emails from Bitstamp claiming to be from the exchange, but these emails were later revealed to be phishing attempts.

A notable case involved a user who reported that their account was accessed without their consent, resulting in a significant loss of funds.

In response to these concerns, Bitstamp has stated that it takes the security of its users' accounts very seriously and has implemented various measures to prevent unauthorized access, including two-factor authentication.

Criminals

I've had my own share of frustrating experiences with online security, and one thing that really gets my blood boiling is encountering "criminals" who claim to offer help but are actually causing more harm.

Some scammers may pose as representatives of a legitimate platform, like Bitstamp, and promise to assist with withdrawals, but in reality, they're just trying to steal your money.

Credit: youtube.com, Crime: The Real Internet Security Problem

Coinbase, on the other hand, is known for its fast and reliable verification process, taking only minutes to verify users.

These scammers often use Twitter to provide support, but their responses are often repetitive and unhelpful, simply telling users to email their support team without offering any real solutions.

It's shocking to see how some companies can be so incompetent, leaving their clients in the dark and without any real assistance.

Account Blocked for 5 Weeks

Bitstamp has been known to block accounts for extended periods of time, with one user experiencing a 5-week block after submitting a KYC document.

Support doesn't help, and agents often give ready-made answers instead of providing real solutions.

One user had to hire a lawyer after their account was blocked, and another user was left with no choice but to involve a third-party firm, Enverra capital, to track and retrieve their assets.

The company's excuse for blocking accounts is often "security reasons", but users have reported being unable to withdraw their funds or access their accounts despite providing all necessary documents.

In one case, a user's account was blocked for nearly a month, and they were unable to get their €15,000 back.

Bank Deposit Scam

Credit: youtube.com, Possibility for fraud in mobile check deposits

Bitstamp's exchange rates can be unfavorable, instantly losing you 5-6% of your money. They claim that bank transfers are "free of charge", but the reality is that you'll be charged according to their fee schedule.

Be aware that Bitstamp will automatically convert your fiat to USD using their unfavorable exchange rate. This can happen even if you send a large amount, like 1,000 EUR.

You might think that you can avoid this by selecting a different currency when initiating a deposit, but unfortunately, that's not the case. Bitstamp's response to customer concerns is to point to their fee schedule, which is available on their website.

It's also worth noting that Bitstamp claims to prioritize security, transparency, and regulation, but their practices don't quite live up to those promises.

Avoid Fraudulent

Be cautious of companies that lock your account for extended periods, like Bitstamp, which locked one user's account for over two weeks after their 2-step verification code stopped working.

Credit: youtube.com, Cyber Security Matters: Avoid Falling Victim to Fraud (w/ Steve Wilson, The Digital Society Org)

Some companies may ask you to book a video call to resolve issues, but have no availability, making you wait for a slot that may never come. This can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience.

Bitstamp has a $20 minimum withdrawal amount, which can be a significant barrier for users trying to access their funds. Anything under that amount may be lost to the company.

Users may be asked to complete lengthy and repetitive verification processes, such as providing identification documents and recording themselves on camera, only to have the process fail or be rejected.

Security

Bitstamp has two-factor authentication in place, requiring users to enter their password and a second verification code before accessing their account.

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access to user accounts.

The exchange stores its digital assets in cold storage, which is hosted by Amazon Web Services.

However, Bitstamp still holds onto users' private keys, which is a security risk, as it's not highly recommended in the market.

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Despite this, Bitstamp has taken steps to operate professionally and comply with consumer protection laws and digital asset regulations.

The exchange even went through two back-to-back hacks, losing nearly 19,000 Bitcoins after refusing a ransom of 75 Bitcoins.

Fortunately, Bitstamp's US dollar accounts are insured by the FDIC, providing an added layer of protection for users.

Mixed Experiences

Some users have reported mixed experiences with Bitstamp. They find it stable and easy to understand, with a solid and stable platform that offers withdrawals in various currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP.

However, others have expressed frustration with the limited variety of coins available for trading. This lack of choice is a major con for some users.

One user specifically mentioned that the KYC/AML process is overly invasive, requiring personal information such as a birth certificate. This has led some to question the legitimacy of the platform.

Could Be Better

Bitstamp's KYC/AML process can be overwhelming, requiring up to a birth certificate for verification. This is a major turn-off for some users.

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The variety of coins available for trading on Bitstamp is limited, which may not be ideal for investors looking for a broader range of options.

Some users have reported a lack of responsiveness from customer support, with one user waiting 6 weeks for a response to their ticket. Another user had to send over 60 emails to get help with a issue.

The inactivity fee policy for accounts below 200€ can be seen as a way to discourage small investors from using the platform.

The process to unlock the Withdraw Funds feature can be intrusive, requiring personal information such as a friend's email address.

The app is technically competent, but the business model can be seen as draconian, holding accounts hostage until users figure out the rules.

Brief History

The Bitstamp exchange has a pretty interesting history. It was founded in 2011 by Nejc Kodric and Damijan Merlak.

They created Bitstamp as an alternative to Mt. Gox, a massive Tokyo-based exchange that used to handle 70% of Bitcoin transactions.

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Mt. Gox got hacked and lost over 850,000 Bitcoins, which led to its downfall.

Bitstamp, on the other hand, has expanded to London and New York, setting up offices in the UK and Luxembourg around 2016.

It's been a successful move for the exchange, and it's now the first fully licensed exchange platform in the world.

Precautions and Warnings

Be cautious when using Bitstamp, as some users have experienced issues with deposit processing, with one user's small deposits getting locked up for 7 days.

Fees to move certain cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, can be high, which may not be suitable for users looking for simple, low-cost transactions.

It's also worth noting that Bitstamp has a $20 minimum for withdrawals, which can be a significant hurdle for users with smaller balances.

Use with Caution

Be cautious of Bitstamp's withdrawal policies, as some users have reported being unable to withdraw their funds for extended periods of time, with one user waiting 10 days and another waiting 6 weeks.

Exterior of a building featuring a prominent BTC and exchange sign, indicating a cryptocurrency location.
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Bitstamp has a $20 minimum withdrawal requirement, which can be a significant barrier for users who want to access their funds. This policy can lead to users feeling like they're losing control over their own money.

Users have reported lengthy wait times for customer support, with one user waiting 50 days and another waiting 8 weeks to resolve their issue. This can be frustrating and demotivating, especially for users who are trying to manage their finances.

Some users have reported being asked to provide excessive documentation and undergo lengthy verification processes, which can be time-consuming and intrusive.

It's essential to carefully review Bitstamp's policies and procedures before using their services, as they can change without notice.

Customer Service Responsiveness

Customer service responsiveness is a major concern for some users.

A user had issues trying to buy crypto with a debit card, receiving the same error message with two different cards.

They raised a ticket on the website but received no acknowledgement or reply.

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The lack of response was frustrating, with no reply after sending an acknowledgement email saying "we will get back to you very soon".

It took multiple follow-up emails, including one on December 6th, before any response was received.

The issue of unresponsive customer service has made some users think twice about investing on the platform in the future.

Comparison and Information

Bitstamp has a reputation for being a secure exchange, with two-factor authentication available for all users.

The exchange also offers a range of fees, including a maker fee of 0.5% and a taker fee of 0.5%.

Bitstamp's fees are competitive with other exchanges, but some users have reported issues with the exchange's customer support.

Some users have reported waiting up to 24 hours for a response to their support ticket.

Bitstamp has a mobile app available for both iOS and Android devices, allowing users to trade on the go.

The app has a 4-star rating in the App Store and a 4.5-star rating in Google Play.

Suggestion: Fees Bitstamp

Matthew McKenzie

Lead Writer

Matthew McKenzie is a seasoned writer with a passion for finance and technology. He has honed his skills in crafting engaging content that educates and informs readers on various topics related to the stock market. Matthew's expertise lies in breaking down complex concepts into easily digestible information, making him a sought-after writer in the finance niche.

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