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

Trying to choose between Bitstamp and Mexc 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

Mexc

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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

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.

Mexc is ideal if:

You’re seeking wide token access and early listings: MEXC regularly lists emerging altcoins—often before other major exchanges—so it’s great if you're hunting for fresh or niche projects.
You value advanced trading tools and fast execution: With spot, futures, margin, copy trading, and leveraged ETFs, plus a high-performance engine, it’s built for active and experienced traders.
You want low-cost, globally accessible trading: It offers zero maker fees and deep liquidity across 170+ countries, making it efficient and budget-friendly worldwide.

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.

Mexc isn’t ideal if:

You prefer ultra-clear, fast customer support: Some users report delayed responses and unclear communication during risk control or account reviews.
You’re new to crypto platforms: MEXC’s breadth of tools and features may feel overwhelming if you’re a beginner seeking simplicity.
You highly value unrestricted global access: Risk-control flags or restrictions—particularly when accessing via VPN or from certain regions—can unexpectedly limit account usability.

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.

Maker fees start at zero and taker fees around 0.05%, with improved discounts (up to 20–50%) when using the native MX token or meeting volume-based holding thresholds—perfect for high-volume traders.

Futures/Derivatives

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

Futures also offer 0% maker and about 0.02% taker rates, while funding fees are paid peer-to-peer every 8 hours and vary (typically ±0.01–0.03%), impacting your position cost depending on market sentiment.

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.

Although not officially posted, spreads on highly liquid pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT tend to be very tight—typically just a few basis points—due to the platform’s deep order book and high trading volume.

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 fiat via bank transfers, credit/debit cards, or third-party providers like Banxa and Simplex; fees and processing times vary by provider, while fiat withdrawals require advanced KYC and proceed via P2P or SEPA methods, usually completing within two business days.

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.

MEXC charges withdrawal fees that vary by cryptocurrency and network—like fixed rates for Bitcoin or Ethereum—and the amount changes based on network congestion and chosen blockchain.

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.

While most platform fees are transparent, additional costs can arise from automatic currency conversions, inactivity penalties, expedited KYC services, or optional tools—so it’s wise to review your account settings periodically.

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.

Buying €500 worth of BTC involves a taker-style execution fee (a small percentage), a minimal spread due to liquidity, and any later withdrawal cost depends on the chosen crypto network—altogether forming the total outlay beyond just token value.

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.

MEXC offers access to nearly 3,000 spot trading pairs and over 1,100 futures pairs, ensuring you can trade a wide variety of digital assets beyond just the most popular ones—while the top 20 by volume typically include major coins like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, along with trending altcoins.

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.

MEXC delivers a full suite of products—spot trading, margin, perpetual futures, crypto ETF-like instruments, staking and earning programs, loan services, copy trading, grid trading bots, and automated DCA setups—to cater to diverse trading and investment needs.

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.

With daily futures volume reportedly exceeding $25 billion, MEXC provides substantial liquidity, and its BTC/USDT order book depth within ±5 basis points of mid-price can reach around $82 million, offering notably tighter execution than many competitors.

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.

MEXC equips traders with a full toolkit, including limit, stop, and OCO orders, real-time price alerts, rich charting features, direct TradingView integration, and robust API/websocket support for automated or advanced trading strategies.

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.

Certain advanced features like futures and derivatives may be restricted in specific jurisdictions due to regional regulations, so availability can vary depending on your location despite global platform reach.

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.

MEXC drives innovation with launchpad-style token offerings and frequent airdrop events, while offering both flexible and locked earn products that allow users to choose between liquidity or potentially higher yield locked structures.

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.

MEXC was originally registered as MEXC Global Limited in Seychelles in 2020, but the entity was dissolved in December 2024, reflecting a shift in its legal presence and raising questions about its official operational jurisdiction.

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 operates without formal licensing in major financial jurisdictions and does not comply with frameworks like MiCA, FCA, or VASP regimes, leaving it largely unregulated despite being flagged by multiple authorities for its unlicensed status.

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.

MEXC holds users’ assets primarily in-house, employs cold-hot wallet separation, supports multi-signature protection, and publishes bi-monthly proof-of-reserves audits demonstrating full backing (often above 100%) for major cryptocurrencies.

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.

MEXC has an established insurance fund designed to absorb losses from forced liquidations or extreme market events, enhancing overall risk resilience on its trading platform.

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.

There are no widely reported hacks or major security breaches involving MEXC, and it has not been subject to known regulatory penalties, though ongoing scrutiny due to its unlicensed operations persists.

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 robust security controls, including SSL encryption, mandatory two-factor authentication, address whitelisting, anti-phishing codes, support for sub-accounts, and fine-grained API permission settings to enhance user protection.

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.

MEXC promotes transparency via regular proof-of-reserves disclosures, external security audits, and public wallet data, though it does not currently provide formal service level agreements or detailed monthly financial reporting.

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).

MEXC supports fiat deposits via bank transfers (like SEPA), credit/debit cards, and third-party gateways; limits (e.g., up to €20,000 per transaction and €200,000 per day via SEPA) apply, with processing ranging from near-instant with SEPA Instant to up to 2 business days for standard transfers.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Bitstamp requires KYC with at least two tiers

MEXC operates with tiered verification: no KYC allows basic access with a 10 BTC daily withdrawal limit; Primary KYC lifts that to around 80 BTC per day; Advanced KYC further increases it to roughly 200 BTC or about $20,000 in fiat, unlocking full platform privileges.

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.

On-chain withdrawals are enabled across multiple networks (like ERC-20, TRC-20, BEP-20), with network-dependent limits (up to ~200 BTC/day for verified users), and typical processing times depending on blockchain 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.

MEXC offers around-the-clock customer support via live chat and email, complemented by a comprehensive help center and documentation for self-service needs, though official average response times aren’t publicly stated.

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’s interface is available in English and other languages, with fees displayed in EUR and USD depending on region; however, it does not emphasize localized regulatory disclosures per jurisdiction.

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.

MEXC’s mobile app is widely regarded as fast and intuitive, offering demo trading and smooth performance; while official crash rate metrics or update logs aren’t published, regular updates and a stable experience are implied by user reviews.

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.

MEXC’s interface offers customizable layouts—like standard, horizontal, or vertical arrangement of charts and order panels—allowing users to tailor the view to their preferences, though it doesn’t offer distinct “Lite” or “Pro” modes; this flexibility helps both novices and pro traders adapt the dashboard to their learning curve.

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.

The platform generally delivers fast order execution thanks to its high-performance engine, but during extreme volatility it has previously experienced system slowdowns affecting spot trades; there’s little public reporting on KYC queues during bull runs, though swift identity processing is generally emphasized.

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.

MEXC hosts an extensive Learning Hub with guides on trading strategies, futures, grid bots, and copy trading—though it lacks dedicated demo accounts or simulators, and while content spans multiple languages, Spanish-language materials are still limited in depth.

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.

While MEXC promotes engagement through active Telegram and Discord channels and offers referral incentives, its own web platform doesn’t include built-in forums, encouraging users to connect via those external community hubs.

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.

The platform provides native TradingView chart integration and API/websocket support for automating strategies or connection with bots, but it does not natively integrate with tax reporting or accounting tools—i.e., users rely on external services for portfolio tracking.

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.

MEXC is ideal for seasoned traders who value interface customization, deep liquidity, and strategy flexibility; newcomers who prioritize guided learning or simulator tools may find the learning curve steeper and tools more limited.