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

Trying to choose between Bitstamp and Exmo 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

Exmo

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Available Countries

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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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.

Exmo is ideal if:

Effortless for beginners — EXMO shines with a clean and intuitive interface that makes entering the crypto world straightforward, even for newcomers.
Strong foundational tools — It offers essential order types (market, limit, stop), solid security layers, and mobile access—delivering the essentials without overcomplicating things.
Reward-friendly experience — If you enjoy added incentives, EXMO’s ecosystem includes perks via its native token and Earn program, enriching your engagement beyond standard trading.

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.

Exmo isn’t ideal if:

If you need advanced trading tools, EXMO may feel limiting due to the absence of high-end features favored by professional traders.
If rapid customer support matters, response times can lag behind competitors, which might frustrate users seeking instant help.
If you're after aggressive margin use, EXMO offers modest leverage, so it’s not the best choice for high-risk, high-reward strategies.

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.

EXMO applies a tiered fee structure where both maker and taker fees decrease as your 30-day trading volume rises—from standard spot levels down to zero or even negative rates at very high volumes—while EXMO-Coin-backed Premium packages offer additional, fixed discounts ranging from modest savings to full fee waivers.

Futures/Derivatives

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

EXMO currently focuses exclusively on spot and margin trading and does not support futures or derivative products, so maker/taker and funding fees for such instruments are not applicable.

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.

While precise spreads aren’t publicly listed, EXMO’s tight pairing on major BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT markets suggests they remain competitive in line with typical centralized exchange benchmarks.

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.

You can deposit and withdraw fiat by card, bank transfers (SEPA, wire), and e-channels; deposit fees and limits depend on your chosen method, with processing times ranging from under an hour to up to three business days for traditional transfers.

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 follow dynamic, network-based fees—varying by coin and network congestion—rather than flat fees, and the specific fee for each asset is shown at the time of withdrawal.

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.

Although EXMO avoids surprise charges, users should note possible currency conversion margins, low inactive-account charges, and potential priority processing fees for expedited verification or transfers, depending on circumstances.

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.

Suppose you buy €500 worth of BTC via fiat—your cost includes a starting trading fee (based on spot or fiat tiers), the market spread embedded in the execution price, and a dynamic crypto withdrawal charge when you transfer BTC out—which together form the total effective cost of the transaction.

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.

EXMO supports around 90–100 different cryptocurrency assets and approximately 150–235 trading pairs, while its top 20 by volume include major names like BTC, ETH, ADA, DOT, LINK, XRP, SOL, LTC, AAVE, UNI, XLM, BCH, EOS, ATOM, FIL, VET, ZEC, XMR, TRX, and more.

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.

The platform offers spot trading (including margin with up to ~30× leverage), staking via the Earn program, OTC services, and automated features like copy-trading and third-party grid or trading bots—however, it does not support derivatives such as perpetuals, options, ETFs, or crypto loans.

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.

EXMO’s daily trading volume generally ranges from tens to a few tens of millions of dollars, with BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT among its most liquid pairs—indicative of a mid-tier liquidity exchange offering reasonable depth for retail and many pro traders.

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.

Traders can place market, limit, and stop orders; enjoy basic charting and alerts; and leverage web and mobile APIs—and while advanced tools like native TradingView charts aren’t built in, external integrations via API are possible.

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.

While spot and staking are widely available, margin trading may be restricted or unavailable in certain jurisdictions—particularly the US and other regions where regulations limit leverage products.

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.

EXMO’s Earn offering includes flexible staking that allows daily rewards and instant withdrawals, enabling compounding without locking funds; though it doesn’t currently offer launchpad or launchpool-style token launch features, its flexible earn model is a standout.

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.

EXMO operates under its legal entity EXMO EXCHANGE LTD., established around 2013–2014 and headquartered in the UK, functioning within British jurisdictional frameworks including AML/KYC mandates and the EU’s Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD).

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.

While EXMO is registered in the UK and complies with AML and KYC obligations, it does not hold formal licenses such as VASP or MiCA—operating without formal regulatory approvals from major bodies like the FCA or SEC, though it aligns with regional compliance best practices.

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.

The platform uses a hybrid custody model—hot wallets for daily transactions and cold storage for the bulk of assets—with routine security audits to bolster safety; however, there’s no public proof of reserves or explicit percentage breakdown of cold vs. hot holdings.

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.

EXMO maintains an internal insurance fund to provide some level of user asset protection against unforeseen events, though this is not comparable to coverage offered by major traditional financial insurers.

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.

EXMO has experienced operational challenges—such as platform downtimes and withdrawal delays—and notable events like the 2017 kidnapping of its Managing Director, leading to heightened scrutiny; no major security breaches have been publicly confirmed since.

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.

The platform offers strong security tools like 2FA (now moving toward Google Authenticator and passkeys), trusted IP whitelisting, anti-phishing email measures, and granular notification settings, enhancing account protection and risk mitigation.

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.

EXMO emphasizes user data security and transaction integrity but does not offer frequent public reports like monthly transparency statements or live wallet addresses, and it lacks a formally published SLA for uptime or service levels.

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).

You can deposit fiat via bank transfers (SEPA, wire), Visa/Mastercard cards, and various e-wallets; minimum and maximum limits vary by method and currency, can be found in your account, and deposits typically arrive within 1 minute to around an hour depending on the channel.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Bitstamp requires KYC with at least two tiers

New users must complete identity verification to access core features; additional levels like address or card verification unlock higher deposit/withdrawal methods and limits, with processing typically done within a few hours.

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 depend on the network chosen (e.g. TRC20, ERC20) and are subject to dynamic network fees; there are high upper limits (e.g. up to $500k or £10k) and actual processing times vary with method and network congestion.

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.

EXMO offers 24/7 support via chat, email, and ticketing, though response times may vary; there’s also a comprehensive knowledge base to help with common questions.

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 fully supports English and displays fees in major currencies like EUR and USD; localization extends to fiat support and regulatory considerations in regions where it operates.

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.

EXMO provides both mobile and web apps for trading, with a long-standing reputation, though users sometimes report downtimes and slower support responses—indicating a solid but not flawless user 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.

EXMO delivers an intuitive and beginner-friendly interface with a “Simple” or “Advanced” trading view that lets users choose between a clean, streamlined flow or a more detailed layout—facilitating a smooth learning curve from novice to experienced levels.

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.

Users note that EXMO handles typical order latency well under normal conditions, although heavy volatility can slow response times, and during crypto bull runs, KYC queues can lead to delays in verification that hold up trading access.

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.

While EXMO doesn’t offer a full-fledged demo account, it does provide educational material—including guides and blog posts—and supports Spanish-language resources to help users learn trading basics and platform features.

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.

EXMO maintains an active presence on channels like Telegram and focuses on referral incentives to build community engagement, though it lacks a dedicated forum or Discord server for deeper user interaction.

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.

EXMO has embedded native TradingView charting directly into its platform for technical analysis, and supports external bot integrations via API—but does not yet offer formal integration with tax reporting or accounting tools.

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.

EXMO is ideal for traders seeking a user-friendly, approachable platform with flexible UX modes and integrated charting—especially beginners and casual users—while power-user traders may find it less adequate due to limited simulator tools and backend integrations.