Bitstamp by Robinhood: licences, security, fees and reviews
Centralized exchange
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Key facts
- Type
- Centralized exchange
- Exchange launched
- 2011
- Country of registration
- United Kingdom
- Operator
- Bitstamp Ltd
- Official site
- links.bitstamp.net/c/2223866/1100037/14006
Key facts checked on 29 October 2026 against official sources and regulator registers.
What is Bitstamp by Robinhood
Bitstamp, now branded Bitstamp by Robinhood, is a centralised crypto exchange running since 2011. Its group company Bitstamp Ltd (London) has been owned by Robinhood Markets, Inc. since 2 June 2025. Customers are served by regional entities in the EU, UK, US, Singapore and the British Virgin Islands.
Good to know
- The Bitstamp entity serving a customer depends on their country of residence; each entity has its own licence, terms and protections. The account profile shows which entity applies. ↗
- In the EU, Bitstamp Europe S.A. holds a MiCA licence from Luxembourg's CSSF, dated 15 May 2025 in the ESMA register, for custody, a trading platform, crypto exchange, order execution, order transmission and transfers. ↗
- In the UK, Bitstamp UK Limited is registered with the FCA only for anti-money-laundering purposes (since 13 June 2023). The FCA register says the Financial Services Compensation Scheme does not cover claims against it. ↗
- Bitstamp says Bitstamp USA, Inc. also holds a New York money transmitter licence. The NYDFS list of virtual currency businesses shows a Virtual Currency License (April 2019) for the company. ↗
- Crypto derivatives come from a separate Slovenian investment firm, Bitstamp Financial Services Ltd., which does not provide crypto-asset services; derivatives are not offered in the US, Canada, Japan and some other countries. ↗
- The Basic Trading (instant buy/sell) price includes a fixed spread of 0.5% for stablecoins and 1.8% for other crypto, plus up to 0.5% in volatile markets, so it can cost more than an order-book trade. ↗
- UK clients of Bitstamp UK Limited who use Bitstamp through the Robinhood app are not charged the fees in the Bitstamp fee schedule; third-party fees still apply. ↗
- For clients outside the US, a fiat balance below 25 EUR/USD is not returned when the account is closed. ↗
- A customer who opts out of staking rewards does not get them back: Bitstamp keeps those rewards as a fee for the opt-out. ↗
- EU sanctions law bars EU providers such as Bitstamp Europe S.A. from offering crypto wallet, account or custody services to Russian nationals and residents, with exceptions (for example, nationals of EU/EEA states or Switzerland and holders of an EU residence permit). ↗
Services
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Spot trading | Order-book trading in crypto, FX and stablecoin pairs with maker-taker fees, plus Basic Trading at a quoted price with a spread. |
| Derivatives | Crypto derivatives through Bitstamp Financial Services Ltd., a MiFID investment firm in Slovenia; not available in the US, Canada, Japan and some other countries. |
| Staking / Earn | Earn Stake and Earn Lend products; Bitstamp keeps a commission on staking rewards (15% for ETH, 25% for ADA). |
| Fiat deposits | Deposits and withdrawals in EUR, USD, GBP and SGD by SEPA, ACH, Faster Payments, PayNow and international wire. |
| Card | Instant Purchase with debit or credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay for a 4% fee. |
Licences and registrations
| Jurisdiction | Entity | Licence / registration | Regulator |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | Bitstamp Europe S.A. | MiCA crypto-asset service provider, authorised 15 May 2025 (ESMA register; licence N00000003 per Bitstamp), passported to the other EEA countries | Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Luxembourg |
| European Union | Bitstamp Europe S.A. | Payment institution, licence Z00000012 | Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Luxembourg |
| European Union (Slovenia) | Bitstamp Financial Services Ltd. | MiFID investment firm for crypto derivatives | Slovenian Securities Market Agency (ATVP) |
| France | Bitstamp Europe S.A. | MiCA crypto-asset service provider from 15 May 2025, serving France under the freedom to provide services (AMF white list) | Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), France; home regulator CSSF |
| Germany | Bitstamp Financial Services Ltd. (listed as Bitstamp financne storitve d.o.o., Dalmatinova ulica 2, Ljubljana) | Cross-border investment services under § 74 WpIG, first notified 8 January 2025; supervised by Slovenia's ATVP, not by BaFin (BaFin database) | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), notification register |
| United Kingdom | Bitstamp UK Limited | Cryptoasset registration under the Money Laundering Regulations since 13 June 2023, FRN 978690 | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| United States (New York) | Bitstamp USA, Inc. | Virtual Currency License since April 2019 (NYDFS list); Bitstamp also states a New York money transmitter licence, NMLS 1905429 | New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) |
| United States (federal) | Bitstamp USA Inc. | Money services business registration as a money transmitter, 85 Willow Rd, Menlo Park; latest filing received 30 July 2025 (FinCEN MSB list) | Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) |
| Singapore | Bitstamp Asia Pte. Ltd. | Major payment institution for digital payment token and cross-border money transfer services (licence PS20200667 per Bitstamp) | Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) |
| British Virgin Islands | Bitstamp Global Ltd. | Virtual Asset Service Provider registration | British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC) |
Status in the United States and the United Kingdom
- In the UK, Bitstamp UK Limited (FCA reference 978690) has been registered for certain cryptoasset activities under the Money Laundering Regulations since 13 June 2023, according to the FCA Register (checked 29 October 2026). FCA Financial Services Register
- Under the MLRs, cryptoasset businesses must register with the FCA before offering in-scope services in the UK. The FCA notes that this registration does not give customers access to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the FSCS; the Register entry for Bitstamp UK Limited says the same. FCA, cryptoasset AML/CTF regime
- New York’s Department of Financial Services lists Bitstamp USA, Inc. among its regulated entities, holding a virtual currency licence (BitLicense) granted in April 2019. NYDFS, virtual currency businesses
- FinCEN’s Money Services Business list (checked 29 October 2026) includes Bitstamp USA Inc. as a money transmitter at 85 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, with a filing received on 30 July 2025. A separate entry for Bitstamp Ltd. in London covers Nevada only. FinCEN MSB Registrant Search
Checked on 29 October 2026 against regulator registers and the text of the law.
Security and audits
- As of May 2025, Bitstamp said all customer funds and crypto were backed 100% and held in accounts separate from its corporate assets.
- As of May 2025, Bitstamp said a big four accounting firm had audited it every year since 2016.
- As of May 2025, Bitstamp said its financial controls were reviewed every year by external parties and regularly by internal audit.
- As of May 2025 Bitstamp said about 180 people, roughly 29% of its staff, worked in compliance, regulation, legal, risk, security and internal audit.
- MAS states that a major payment institution such as Bitstamp Asia Pte. Ltd. must comply with requirements to protect customer money.
Fees
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Spot maker | 0.30% (30-day volume under $10,000); 0.060% for FX/stablecoin pairs, 0.030% for USDT pairs |
| Spot taker | 0.40% (30-day volume under $10,000); 0.080% for FX/stablecoin pairs, 0.040% for USDT pairs |
| Basic Trading spread | 0.5% for stablecoins, 1.8% for other crypto, plus 0% to 0.5% in volatile markets |
| Deposits | Crypto deposits free; SEPA, ACH, Faster Payments and PayNow deposits free; card purchase 4% |
| Withdrawals | Crypto: variable fee shown before confirming; SEPA 3.00 EUR; Faster Payments 2.00 GBP |
| Staking | Commission on rewards: 15% for ETH, 25% for ADA |
| Volume discounts | Spot taker fees fall from 0.40% to 0.03% and maker fees from 0.30% to 0.00% as 30-day volume rises |
| International wire | Deposit 0.05% (min 7.5 USD/EUR/SGD, max 300); withdrawal 0.1% (min 25 USD/EUR/GBP) |
| Transaction recovery | 10% of the value of lost crypto, at least 1,000 USD/EUR |
Who can use it
- Crypto derivatives are not available to customers in the US, Canada, Japan and some other countries. The serving entity depends on the customer's country of residence.
History
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2011 | The Bitstamp exchange launches. |
| 25 July 2012 | Bitstamp Ltd is incorporated in England and Wales (company number 08157033). |
| 2016 | Yearly audits by a big four accounting firm begin, according to Bitstamp. |
| April 2019 | Bitstamp USA, Inc. receives a New York Virtual Currency License from NYDFS. |
| 15 June 2022 | Bitstamp UK Ltd is incorporated in England and Wales as Bitstamp Exchange UK Limited; it takes its current name on 4 July 2022. |
| 7 November 2022 | Bitstamp Europe S.A. enters the Bank of Spain register of virtual currency exchange and custody providers (code D725). |
| 7 February 2023 | Bitstamp Europe S.A. is registered in France as a digital asset service provider (PSAN E2023-064). |
| 13 June 2023 | Bitstamp UK Limited is registered with the FCA as a cryptoasset firm. |
| 15 May 2025 | Bitstamp Europe S.A. is authorised under MiCA by Luxembourg's CSSF. |
| 15 May 2025 | With the MiCA authorisation, the French PSAN registration lapses and the Bank of Spain entry is removed. |
| 2 June 2025 | Robinhood Markets, Inc. completes its acquisition of Bitstamp Ltd. |
Risks and caveats
- Bitstamp warns that trading crypto derivatives carries significant risks and may result in substantial losses.
- Services, products and legal protections differ by entity, which is assigned by the customer's country of residence.
- The FCA register states that UK customers of Bitstamp UK Limited cannot claim from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
- Crypto derivatives are not offered in the US, Canada, Japan and some other countries.
- For clients outside the US, fiat balances under 25 EUR/USD are not returned when an account is closed.
About the company
- Legal entity
- Bitstamp Ltd, 5 New Street Square, London EC4A 3TW, United Kingdom (company number 08157033)
- Founded
- Exchange running since 2011; Bitstamp Ltd incorporated in the UK on 25 July 2012
- Parent company
- Robinhood Markets, Inc. (since 2 June 2025)
- Headquarters
- London, United Kingdom; offices in Luxembourg, Slovenia, Singapore and the US
- Regional entities
- Bitstamp Limited, Bitstamp Europe S.A., Bitstamp USA Inc., Bitstamp Global Ltd., Bitstamp UK Ltd., Bitstamp Financial Services Ltd., Bitstamp Asia Pte. Ltd.
- UK operating entity
- Bitstamp UK Ltd, company number 14174243, incorporated 15 June 2022, formerly Bitstamp Exchange UK Limited
- CEO
- Jean-Baptiste (JB) Graftieaux, CEO of Bitstamp at the time of the Robinhood acquisition (June 2025)
Official links
- Website: www.bitstamp.net
- Fees: www.bitstamp.net/fee-schedule
- Licences: www.bitstamp.net/legal
Questions and answers
Is Bitstamp regulated?
Yes. Its entities are licensed or registered with Luxembourg's CSSF (MiCA), Slovenia's ATVP, the UK FCA (anti-money-laundering registration), New York's NYDFS, the US FinCEN, Singapore's MAS and the BVI FSC.
Does Bitstamp publish proof of reserves?
No proof-of-reserves report was found on the Bitstamp pages reviewed (checked 29 October 2026). As of May 2025, Bitstamp said customer assets were backed 100%, kept apart from company assets, and audited yearly by a big four firm.
What are Bitstamp's fees?
Under the schedule valid from 9 July 2026, spot fees start at 0.30% maker and 0.40% taker below $10,000 in 30-day trading volume and fall with volume; FX, stablecoin and USDT pairs are cheaper.
Who owns Bitstamp?
Robinhood Markets, Inc. completed its acquisition of Bitstamp Ltd on 2 June 2025.
Is Bitstamp available in the US and EU?
Yes. US residents are served by Bitstamp USA, Inc. and EU residents by Bitstamp Europe S.A.; crypto derivatives are not offered in the US.
Is Bitstamp available in the UK?
Yes. UK residents are served by Bitstamp UK Ltd, registered with the FCA for cryptoasset activities since 13 June 2023; the FSCS and the Financial Ombudsman Service do not cover it.
Who provides Bitstamp's crypto derivatives?
Bitstamp Financial Services Ltd., a Slovenian MiFID investment firm supervised by the ATVP. Derivatives are not offered in the US, Canada, Japan and some other countries.
Is Bitstamp authorised in France and Germany?
Bitstamp Europe S.A.'s MiCA authorisation of 15 May 2025 is passported to France and Germany; the AMF white list shows it for France. BaFin lists the Slovenian derivatives entity as a cross-border provider supervised in Slovenia.
Sources
- Bitstamp — Legal and privacy (regulatory footer)
- Bitstamp — Fee schedule (valid from 9 July 2026)
- Bitstamp — About us
- Robinhood — Robinhood Completes Acquisition of Bitstamp (2 June 2025)
- ESMA — Interim MiCA register, crypto-asset service providers
- FCA Register — firm detail page, Bitstamp UK Limited (FRN 978690)
- NYDFS — Virtual currency businesses
- MAS Financial Institutions Directory — Bitstamp Asia Pte. Ltd.
- Companies House — Bitstamp Ltd (08157033)
- Companies House — Bitstamp UK Ltd (14174243)
- FinCEN — MSB Registrant Search (state list download; activity key 409 = money transmitter)
- BaFin — Company database, Bitstamp financne storitve d.o.o.
- AMF — White list of crypto-asset service providers (export)
- AMF — Deregistered digital asset service providers (PSAN radiés)
- Banco de España — Former register of virtual currency providers
- EUR-Lex — Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1904
- EU Publications Office — Council Regulation (EU) 2022/576 (Article 5b(3) exemptions)
- FCA Financial Services Register
- FCA, cryptoasset AML/CTF regime
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