Bitstamp vs Blocktrade: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Bitstamp and Blocktrade This side-by-side comparison reveals total cost (fees + spreads), security & licenses, coins/derivatives, deposits/withdrawals, and app quality. In 2 minutes you’ll see who wins for beginners, active traders, and long-term holders. Clear pros/cons, a quick verdict, and safe links to get started.

Last updated on August 16, 2025

Bitstamp

Blocktrade

⚠️ We look for what’s best for you.

₿ Getting into crypto? With eToro you can start in minutes: buy/sell top coins, set recurring buys, track markets, and use Social/CopyTrader features.

👉 Start here and explore the crypto offer.

Available Countries

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Latin America

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

Thinking about starting with crypto? This is for you.

In select regions, eToro offers a $10 welcome bonus when you open an account today.*

🎯 An account built to help you start with crypto—without the hassle.

➕ Buy and sell top cryptocurrencies in minutes

➕ Recurring buys, price alerts, and advanced charts

➕ Social/CopyTrader™ to follow experienced investors

➕ One of the largest and most trusted platforms worldwide

Limited-time promotion — still available.

*Offer subject to terms, eligibility and regional availability. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.

Bitstamp is ideal if:

Institution-ready platform – Streamlined KYC, global licensing, and institutional-grade protocols make Bitstamp a solid match if you're seeking a dependable and scalable exchange experience.
Strong fiat infrastructure – Supports core currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP with smooth bank transfer options, ideal if you prefer converting between crypto and traditional money effortlessly.
Focused and straightforward interface – Delivers a clean, no-frills trading environment with essential tools, making it a great option if you value simplicity over flashy extras.

Blocktrade is ideal if:

Perfect for active traders seeking a playful experience: Blocktrade blends trading with gamified elements like XP, levels, and NFT avatars, delivering a more engaging trading environment.
Well-suited if you value European regulation and security: Fully registered as a VASP under EU rules, it offers peace of mind through strong compliance, clear interface, and robust custody protections.
Great for those who prefer simplicity without passive features: Easy to use with fiat and crypto access and competitive pricing—but without staking, margin trading, or income-generating tools.

Bitstamp isn’t ideal if:

Limited crypto variety – With a modest selection of cryptocurrencies, it might not satisfy those looking for niche or emerging altcoins.
No advanced or leveraged trading – The platform is spot-only and lacks support for features like margin, derivatives, or leverage strategies.
Slower support and processes – Some users report that identity verification, wire transfers, or customer support can feel slow or cumbersome.

Blocktrade isn’t ideal if:

Not for altcoin hunters: Only a small crypto selection is available—too limited if you’re after niche or emerging tokens.
Not for income-driven users: No support for staking, yield-earning programs, or referral bonuses means passive crypto income opportunities are absent.
Not for advanced traders: Lacking leverage, margin, or derivatives tools makes it unsuitable if you're looking for sophisticated or leveraged trading options.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Bitstamp uses a tiered maker/taker model where both fees decrease as your 30-day trading volume rises—from modest percentages at low volumes down to nearly zero for very high volumes.

Blocktrade applies a flat trading fee—typically around 0.3% of the trade volume—with slightly lower fees (e.g., 0.25%) on certain native tokens like BTEX or ECS; there are no volume tiers or loyalty-based discounts beyond this.

Futures/Derivatives

Bitstamp’s perpetual futures follow a maker/taker structure along with periodic funding payments every 8 hours, where long or short trade

Blocktrade currently does not offer futures or derivative trading products, so there are no applicable maker, taker, or funding costs to detail.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

Spreads for highly liquid pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT remain tight and competitive, ensuring cost-effective trading for standard market participants.

Blocktrade offers “Marketplace” trades with no explicit trading fees, but users may face slightly wider real-time spreads compared to order-book transactions, especially on popular pairs like BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Fiat can be deposited via bank transfers or cards and withdrawn with standard methods; timing varies from instant to a few days, depending on the channel.

Users can deposit and withdraw euros via methods like SEPA transfers or credit/debit cards; fees are modest (e.g., a low-percentage fee for SEPA and a small surcharge for cards), with processing and confirmation typically taking between minutes to a few business days depending on method and verification status.

On-chain Withdrawals

Withdrawals in crypto are charged based on actual network fees per coin—typically variable and reflecting blockchain congestion—without additional hidden markup.

Crypto withdrawals incur fixed fees specific to each asset and network (e.g., a set amount of BTC, ETH, USDT, etc.), meaning costs are predetermined and transparent rather than dynamically calculated by network congestion.

Hidden Costs

There are no surprise fees such as inactivity charges or forced express KYC costs; however, currency conversion may incur a minor spread if needed.

There are generally no hidden charges like inactivity or expedited verification fees; however, currency conversions (e.g., between fiat or crypto pairs) may include slight margins, and external bank or card fees may apply without being controlled by the platform.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you buy €500 worth of BTC, you’d incur a small trading fee, experience a narrow market spread, and pay a standard crypto network withdrawal fee—all adding up to a small, predictable total cost.

If you purchase €500 worth of BTC via the Marketplace, you’ll face a modest trading spread plus any applicable SEPA or card deposit fee, followed by the fixed on-chain BTC withdrawal fee—resulting in an all-in cost that blends spread, deposit surcharge, and withdrawal fee into one clear total.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Bitstamp lists around 85–90 cryptocurrencies, covering all major top 20 volume pairs and delivering a curated, dependable selection focused on the most traded digital assets.

Blocktrade supports just over 50 cryptocurrencies, with trading pairs concentrated around well-known assets like BTC, ETH, USDC, and a handful of altcoins; the top 20 by trading volume are the most popular blue-chip tokens, making up the vast majority of available pairs.

Product Range

Bitstamp offers straightforward spot trading, with additional services including crypto-backed lending and staking (where available), but it does not extend into advanced features like futures, options, margin, ETFs, copy-trading, grid bots, or automated DCA strategies.

Blocktrade currently offers spot trading only—no margin, derivatives, options, crypto ETFs, lending, copy-trading, trading bots, or automated DCA are available on the platform at this time.

Liquidity

For liquid markets such as BTC and ETH, Bitstamp maintains robust 24-hour trading volume and solid order book depth that supports efficient execution at competitive spreads for most routine trades.

Blocktrade maintains a modest but stable liquidity base; while specific figures aren’t published, liquidity is sufficient to execute spot trades without extreme slippage, particularly on BTC/EUR and ETH/EUR pairs.

Tools

The platform supports functional essentials—limit and stop orders—alongside API and WebSocket for automated access; while it may offer real-time charts, advanced options such as OCO, alert triggers, or integrated TradingView remain limited.

Users benefit from basic functionality including market and limit orders, full TradingView-powered charts, real-time price data, and an open API for integration, though there’s no advanced alert system via the interface.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Though spot trading is broadly available, specialized offerings like staking or institutional lending may be withheld in certain jurisdictions due to regulatory constraints, meaning product access can vary by country.

Because Blocktrade doesn’t offer derivatives or leverage, there are no region-based product restrictions beyond general country eligibility; only spot services are available in approved jurisdictions.

Innovation

Bitstamp maintains a conservative innovation path—it does not run launchpads or launchpools, and while traditional staking or earn functions may exist, differentiated flexible versus locked yield options are not a core part of its product suite.

Blocktrade continues to push its gamified ecosystem forward with features like XP, avatars, and merchant payments, but it does not yet offer launchpad, launchpool, or flexible vs locked yield-earning products (staking and earn programs remain limited or on hold).

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Bitstamp is operated by Bitstamp Ltd., founded in 2011, and headquartered in Luxembourg; it also maintains European registration as an EU payment institution and a UK-registered entity for broader reach.

Blocktrade is operated by Blocktrade SA, established in 2018 and headquartered in Luxembourg, functioning through licensed subsidiaries in Italy (Blocktrade S.r.l.) and Slovenia (BlocktradeOperations OÜ) to provide services under EU legal frameworks.

Licenses/Registration

The exchange holds a Luxembourg-based CASP license under EU MiCA, enabling compliant crypto services across Europe, and also operates under formal BitLicense regulation in New York, reinforcing its regulatory credibility.

The platform is registered as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Slovenia, complying with EU anti-money laundering standards (AML5), and is actively preparing for broader MiCA (EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) compliance across its operations.

Custody

Bitstamp retains full control of its custodial infrastructure, with annual major-audit transparency by a Big Four firm since 2016—including proof of liabilities—and holds customer assets 1:1 securely, with a large portion maintained in cold storage.

Blocktrade’s custodial framework combines in-house infrastructure, including cold and hot wallets, with partnerships for custody solutions; while specific percentages of cold storage or proof-of-reserve disclosures aren’t public, the system is regularly audited and backed by recognized security providers.

Insurance & Protection Funds

While Bitstamp emphasizes full asset backing and strong security measures, it does not currently highlight an insurance fund or formal compensation scheme for user losses, instead relying on robust audits and governance practices.

There is no explicit mention of an exchange-held insurance fund; however, asset security is enhanced through robust infrastructure and institutional-grade custodial practices—though no proprietary insurance or user fund protection scheme is publicly advertised.

Incident History

The platform experienced a DDoS attack in 2014 and a hack in early 2015, which led to service interruptions and loss of funds, but it has since rebuilt its infrastructure and security frameworks to solid industry standards.

Blocktrade has maintained a clean operational record with no reported hacks, platform suspensions, account freezes, or regulatory penalties, reflecting its emphasis on security and compliance.

Risk Controls

Bitstamp enforces comprehensive risk safeguards, including mandatory two-factor authentication, anti-phishing measures, API permissions, and (in select cases) whitelisting of address withdrawals for enhanced account protection.

User accounts are safeguarded with mandatory 2FA, encrypted infrastructure, phishing-awareness measures, secure servers located in GDPR-compliant data centers, and API access governed by granular permission settings to mitigate unauthorized access.

Transparency

The exchange maintains strong operational openness, including routine global audits, public proof-of-reserves exercises, a high security governance score, and a compliance-first culture, even though it does not publish live wallet addresses or formal SLAs.

Operational transparency includes audited infrastructure, GDPR-compliant data handling, and governance under EU regulations; although there are no regular public reports or service-level agreements (SLA) available, the platform emphasizes openness through its licensing disclosures and audit-ready security posture.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

Bitstamp supports deposits via bank transfers (SEPA, SWIFT, ACH Express), credit/debit cards, and in some regions e-wallets; minimums begin around €/ $10 or more, and processing ranges from near-instant (cards or SEPA Instant) to several business days (standard bank transfers).

Blocktrade allows fiat deposits via EUR-only SEPA bank transfers and Visa/Mastercard card payments (including Apple Pay/Google Pay through the app). There’s a minimum trade threshold of around €10, but no official platform-imposed deposit minimums or maximum exposures are specified. SEPA transfers typically clear within 1–5 business days, while card deposits may occur almost instantly.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Bitstamp requires KYC with at least two tiers

There appear to be two user levels

Withdrawals

Withdrawals are available via bank transfer, card reimbursement, or crypto transfers on networks like ERC-20 or others; limits and speeds vary by KYC level and method—crypto tends to be quickest, bank options may take 1–3 business days.

Crypto withdrawals follow a standard process

Customer Support

Support includes an email/helpdesk and a knowledge base; availability is broad (chat or phone support based on region), with response times ranging from a few hours to a day depending on the channel.

Support is available via web/app chat for immediate issues, and a ticket/email system for detailed inquiries. The team operates Monday to Friday, 08

Languages & Localization

Bitstamp’s interface is available primarily in English, displays balances in €/USD/GBP, and adapts to local regulatory norms in supported jurisdictions.

The platform uses English as its interface language, with all fees shown in EUR. While regulated in EU jurisdictions, there’s limited localization for non-European users, including lack of native support for other fiat currencies or region-specific compliance.

App Quality & Stability

The Bitstamp mobile app for iOS and Android delivers a stable trading experience with regular updates and rare crashes, reflecting a mature, dependable app platform.

The mobile app presents a sleek, gamified interface and supports core functions like deposits, trading, and security features. With a moderate rating (around 2.9 on Google Play), there are mixed reviews—some citing stability issues or difficulty with deposits. Recent updates continue to evolve the app experience.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

Bitstamp now offers two tailored interfaces—Bitstamp Go, designed with interactive flows and a friendly UX ideal for newcomers, and Bitstamp Pro, packed with advanced tools and metrics for experienced users, striking a smooth balance between ease and capability.

Blocktrade’s interface is intuitive and engaging thanks to its gamified design featuring XP levels and avatars; while it doesn’t offer distinct “Lite” or “Pro” modes, the clean, mobile-first layout is accessible to both newcomers and seasoned users without overwhelming complexity.

Performance

The platform delivers consistent performance with low order latency even during high-volume moments; falling-back issues or KYC bottlenecks during bull markets are rare, thanks to its robust tech infrastructure and scalable verification processes.

Performance tends to be smooth, with orders executing promptly under normal conditions; although during high-activity spikes the platform may encounter minor slowdowns, the streamlined onboarding helps minimize KYC bottlenecks even during bull markets.

Education

While Bitstamp includes helpful in-app guidance and a well-organized knowledge base, it lacks a full demo or simulator environment, and Spanish-language educational materials are limited, focusing more on global core content.

Blocktrade offers a friendly Academy with short beginner courses and articles that explain crypto basics; however, there’s no interactive demo or simulator, and content in Spanish is limited or absent at this time.

Community

Bitstamp encourages community engagement through helpdesk support and knowledge articles, though it doesn’t maintain public forums, Discord, or Telegram channels—its platform leverages a referral system as the main peer-sharing feature.

The platform encourages community interaction via its official Telegram group, and has a referral program that rewards both parties for inviting friends—but it doesn’t currently run public forums or a Discord channel.

Integrations

Bitstamp integrates natively with TradingView for seamless charting and order execution and supports connection with external bot platforms through its API—but it does not offer built-in tax tools or accounting integrations.

Blocktrade includes TradingView-powered charts and a public API, enabling integrations with external tools, but it lacks built-in support for bot setups, tax-reporting tools, or accounting features.

Who Each One Is Best For

Bitstamp is ideal for users seeking a clean, secure, and regulated exchange—Go mode for beginners looking for clarity, and Pro for more advanced individuals wanting control without noise—though those craving hands-on automation or rich educational tooling may look elsewhere.

Blocktrade shines for users who enjoy a playful, uncomplicated crypto experience with gamified rewards and a user-friendly app—but it may not appeal to advanced traders seeking sophisticated tools, educational depth, or broad ecosystem integrations.