Bitstamp review: availability, registrations, custody, and fees
Bitstamp is one of the oldest crypto exchanges and is now owned by Robinhood. It holds a MiCA licence in Luxembourg for the European Economic Area, operates in the United States, and holds registrations across many regions. Availability of individual products still varies by country.
Information, not advice. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and it is not a recommendation to use any platform. Verify the current rules with a qualified local professional and the official regulator before acting.
Bitstamp is a custodial crypto exchange founded in 2011, making it one of the longest running platforms in the sector, and as of May 2026 it is owned by Robinhood, which completed its acquisition in June 2025. It holds a MiCA licence from Luxembourg's Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier covering the European Economic Area, operates in the United States with registrations including a New York BitLicense, and holds approvals across many regions. Fees are competitive for active traders. Whether you can use it legally still depends on your own country, so check that first.
What Bitstamp is
Bitstamp was founded in 2011 and is one of the oldest continuously operating crypto exchanges. It offers spot trading, a straightforward buy experience, staking where permitted, and institutional services, with a focus on a clean and stable trading product rather than a very wide list of assets. The platform is custodial, meaning Bitstamp holds the assets in your account on your behalf rather than handing you the private keys.
In June 2025 Robinhood Markets completed its acquisition of Bitstamp, bringing the exchange and its portfolio of licences into the Robinhood group while keeping the Bitstamp brand. Bitstamp has long emphasised a regulation first approach, holding a large number of licences and registrations worldwide, which is relevant context for anyone assessing where it can legally operate (as of May 2026).
Where Bitstamp is available
As of May 2026 Bitstamp is available in many countries across Europe, the Americas, and beyond. Across the European Economic Area it serves clients through a MiCA licence held by its Luxembourg entity, authorised by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier, giving it a settled European position ahead of the 1 July 2026 transitional deadline. In the United States it operates with registrations including a New York BitLicense, though its United States presence is more limited than its European one, and some products and states can vary.
As with any platform, supported assets and products vary by country, and a set of jurisdictions is restricted, typically those under sanctions. The country pages on this site track the position market by market, so confirm what is offered in your location before you sign up.
Registrations and licences
- European Economic Area. A Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) crypto asset service provider licence from Luxembourg's Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier, used through passporting to serve clients across the European Economic Area (as of May 2026).
- United States. Operates with United States registrations including a New York BitLicense, with a more limited presence than in Europe and some products varying by state (as of May 2026).
- Other markets. Bitstamp holds a large number of further registrations and approvals across multiple regions and publishes its licences on its own site, which is the most current reference (as of May 2026).
Each registration is stated as of 21 June 2026. Licences and registrations change. Confirm the current position on the regulator register and the licences page of the platform before acting.
Custody, fees, strengths, and limitations
Bitstamp is custodial by default, holding your assets in its own wallets, and it provides institutional custody services. Users who want to control their own private keys move funds to a separate self custody wallet. Bitstamp has a long operating history and emphasises its security and compliance posture, although no platform can be described as risk free, so this is context to weigh rather than a guarantee.
On fees, Bitstamp uses a tiered maker and taker schedule that is generally competitive for active traders, while small instant purchases can carry higher costs. Exact pricing changes over time and varies by product and region, so confirm the current schedule on the platform before trading.
In plain terms, the strengths are longevity, a regulation first reputation, a settled European licence, broad availability, and competitive trader fees. The limitations are a narrower asset selection than some rivals, a more limited United States presence than its European one, and the custodial default. None of this is a recommendation to use or avoid the platform, only the factual picture to weigh against your own country and needs.
Bitstamp is one of several platforms available in many countries. Availability still depends on where you live, so compare the exchanges that are genuinely available in your country before you choose.
Regulator and sources
The relevant regulators differ by market: Luxembourg's Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier for the MiCA licence used across the European Economic Area, and the New York Department of Financial Services for the BitLicense in the United States.
- Bitstamp, official blog posts on its MiCA crypto asset service provider licence and its licences and registrations page.
- Robinhood, official newsroom announcement confirming completion of its acquisition of Bitstamp in June 2025.
- Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier and New York Department of Financial Services public registers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bitstamp legal to use?
In most countries where it operates Bitstamp is a registered or licensed provider rather than a banned service. As of May 2026 it holds a MiCA licence from Luxembourg's financial regulator covering the European Economic Area, along with registrations in the United States and other regions. Legality of using it still depends on your own country, so check your local rules.
Who owns Bitstamp?
Robinhood. As of May 2026 Bitstamp is owned by Robinhood Markets, which completed its acquisition of Bitstamp in June 2025. Bitstamp continues to operate as a crypto exchange under its own brand within the Robinhood group. This is information, not advice.
Does Bitstamp hold a MiCA licence?
Yes. As of May 2026 Bitstamp holds a Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) crypto asset service provider licence from Luxembourg's Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier, used to serve clients across the European Economic Area through passporting.
Can United States residents use Bitstamp?
In general yes, though with a more limited presence than in Europe. As of May 2026 Bitstamp operates in the United States with registrations including a New York BitLicense, while some products and states can vary. Check availability for your state. This is information, not advice.
What are Bitstamp fees like?
Bitstamp uses a tiered maker and taker schedule that is generally competitive for active traders, while small instant purchases can carry higher costs. Exact pricing changes over time and varies by product and region, so check the current fee schedule on the platform before trading (as of May 2026).
Rules change frequently. Exchange availability, registrations, and the rules that govern them can change at short notice and vary by region. The position on this page is dated 21 June 2026. Confirm the current status with the named regulator and the platform before you act.
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