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Bitstamp has been a consistent player in the crypto exchange market, ranking among the top exchanges globally. Founded in 2011, it has over a decade of experience in the industry.
Bitstamp's trading volume has been steadily increasing over the years, reaching a high of $1.5 billion in 2020. This growth is a testament to the exchange's reliability and trustworthiness among traders.
With a strong presence in Europe and the Americas, Bitstamp has managed to establish itself as a major player in the global crypto market. Its user base is spread across 100+ countries worldwide.
Bitstamp's strong security features, including two-factor authentication and cold storage, have earned it a reputation as a secure exchange. This is reflected in its high ranking among exchanges in terms of security.
Founders and History
Bitstamp was founded by Damian Merlak and Nejc Kodrič in August 2011 in Kranj, Slovenia. They brought a strong foundation in computer science and economics to the company.
Damian Merlak graduated from the University of Ljubljana with a degree in Computer and Information Science, and later served as Bitstamp's CTO until 2015.
Njc Kodric co-founded a computer hardware and IT consulting firm before launching Bitstamp, where he brought his knowledge of economics and information science to the table.
Founders
Damian Merlak and Nejc Kodrič founded Bitstamp in August 2011 in Kranj, Slovenia.
Damian Merlak graduated from the University of Ljubljana with a degree in Computer and Information Science.
Njc Kodric obtained degrees in Economics and Information Science from the University in Kranj, Slovenia.
Before launching Bitstamp, Nejc Kodric co-founded a computer hardware and IT consulting firm.
Damian Merlak served as Bitstamp's CTO until 2015 and director until 2018.
In 2018, NXMH acquired 80% of the Bitstamp shares, a Brussels-based holding company with over €2 billion in assets under management.
When Did Launch?
Bitstamp was founded and launched in 2011. This marked the beginning of the company's journey in the cryptocurrency space.
Bitstamp was founded and launched in 2011.
Exchange Features
Bitstamp offers a variety of exchange features that make it a popular choice among traders.
One of the notable features is the ability to trade with leverage, allowing users to amplify their potential gains or losses.
The exchange also supports multiple order types, including market, limit, and stop-loss orders.
Bitstamp's user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate and execute trades quickly.
The exchange's mobile app is also available for on-the-go trading, providing a seamless experience across devices.
Deposit Methods
Bitstamp offers a variety of deposit methods to suit your needs. You can deposit funds using cryptocurrency, bank transfer, debit card, credit card, or wire transfer.
For bank transfers, Bitstamp doesn't charge any fees, but bank fees may apply. This is true for both depositing and withdrawing funds via bank transfer.
If you're using a debit card to deposit funds, be prepared to pay a 5% fee. Credit card transfers also incur a 5% fee.
Wire transfers are another option, with a fee of 0.05% for deposits and 0.01% for withdrawals.
Exchange Evaluation
Bitstamp is a trusted platform with low trading fees, making it an attractive option for traders. It supports over 70 crypto assets and has a reputation for reliability and performance.
The sign-up process with Bitstamp is similar to other exchanges, but its advanced trading features and high security set it apart. The exchange is known for its compliance with regulatory bodies, including the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network in the US.
Here are some key benefits of using Bitstamp:
- Great customer support, including phone and email support
- Over a decade of experience supporting crypto investors
- Compliance with FinCEN regulations in the US
- Ability to trade with multiple fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, and GBP
- Direct deposit and withdrawal of USD to and from a bank account in the US
Fees
Fees are an essential aspect of any exchange, and Bitstamp is no exception. They have a maker-taker model, which means the fees vary depending on whether you're a maker or a taker.
For those who are new to trading, a maker fee is charged when you propose an order for other traders to take, while a taker fee is charged when you place a market buy order. The good news is that Bitstamp has no trading fees for the first $1,000 in trading volume over a 30-day rolling period.
If you're trading volumes under $10,000, the maker-taker fees start at 0.3% to 0.4% and decrease as trading volume increases. On fiat/stablecoin trades, the fees are 80% lower than on all other crypto pairs.
Bitstamp also charges a flat 15% commission on staking rewards for Ether (ETH) and Algorand (ALGO). This is a one-time fee, and it's worth noting that this is a competitive rate compared to other exchanges.
To give you a better idea of the fees, here's a breakdown of the deposit and withdrawal fees:
In comparison to other exchanges, Bitstamp's fees are within the competitive range. For example, Coinbase charges a taker fee of $0.25 and a maker fee of $0.15 if the amount is less than $200K, while Bitstamp charges 0.22% in both cases. Credit and debit card purchases are also lower with Coinbase, charged at 3.99%, while Bitstamp requires a 5% fee.
Our Verdict
Bitstamp is one of the oldest and most reputable exchanges in the cryptocurrency industry, supporting over 70 crypto assets.
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Its trading portal can be overwhelming for beginners, but the interface is suitable for those just starting out in crypto.
The Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process can be tedious, and the platform offers fewer trading pairs than some of its competitors.
Here are some key pros and cons to consider:
- Top-notch reliability and well-polished platform
- 2015 hack in which over $5 million in Bitcoin (BTC) was stolen
- Not available to all US residents, including Alabama, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wyoming
- Comparatively high trading fees, with maker/taker fees of 0.3/0.4% on the spot market
Pros
Bitstamp has a number of advantages that make it a solid choice for cryptocurrency traders.
One of the standout features is its great customer support. If you have trouble using Bitstamp, you can contact a customer service representative for support via phone or email.
The exchange has over a decade of experience supporting crypto investors, having been founded in 2011. It has served customers without major issues aside from a hack in 2015, during which customers who lost funds were reimbursed.
Bitstamp also complies with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network regulations in the US, which provides certain protections for users.
You can trade with multiple fiat currencies on Bitstamp, including USD, EUR, and GBP.
One of the most convenient features is the ability to deposit and withdraw USD directly to your bank account in the US.
Bitstamp's security features and regulatory compliance make it a trustworthy platform for traders.
Here are some of the key pros of using Bitstamp:
- Great customer support via phone or email.
- Over a decade of experience supporting crypto investors.
- Complies with Financial Crimes Enforcement Network regulations in the US.
- Trade with multiple fiat currencies (USD, EUR, GBP).
- Deposit and withdraw USD directly to your bank account in the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 5 crypto exchanges?
The top 5 crypto exchanges are Binance, Coinbase Exchange, Kraken, KuCoin, and Gemini, which are among the most popular and widely used platforms for buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies. These exchanges offer a range of features, fees, and security measures that cater to different user needs and preferences.
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