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Transferable to your own wallet
Self-custody of cryptocurrencies plays an important role for many users who want to manage their cryptocurrencies and thus their "private keys" themselves and not leave them in the hands of the exchange. Most exchanges offer the option of sending the purchased cryptocurrencies to their own wallet.
Deposit protection is a safeguard for the assets of users of a stock exchange or broker, which is intended to protect investors in the event of insolvency or a high loss due to a hacker attack. Service providers based in Germany are legally obliged to provide deposit protection of €100,000. In some cases, international exchanges have a special insurance policy that covers a certain portion of the assets instead of a deposit guarantee.
The overall rating is the average of our individual ratings. Our ratings do not constitute investment advice, but merely our personal opinion. You are welcome to use them as rough indicators and additional perspective. In the dynamic and fast-growing crypto sector, parameters can often change from one day to the next, so we cannot guarantee that the rating data is up to date. Therefore, please never use our ratings as an isolated basis for decision-making and not as a substitute for your own research.
This rating describes our personal assessment of the user-friendliness of the product. How easy is the onboarding process? How modern is the user interface and is it easy to use? Are all the important functions quick and easy to find? We ask ourselves all these questions in order to give a personal rating from 1 to 10 points.
This rating describes our assessment of the fee structure of a stock exchange or broker. It is not only the amount of fees that can differ, but also the type of fees. The most common type of fees for crypto exchanges are the "maker/taker" fees or spreads. In some cases, there are also hidden fees that are not recognizable to users at first glance.
For products or services in the crypto space, trust and security should be the biggest factors in the selection process. Since we could not seriously evaluate the technical security of a platform or product, we analyze publicly available factors such as security features, location, regulation, certifications, audits, team/company, general reputation and, of course, track record.
Crypto doesn't have to be cryptic. Especially for beginners, the first contact with the crypto world can be overwhelming. With this rating, we give our assessment of how easy it is for beginners to find their way around: from the onboarding process to using the most important functions.
Customer support is an important factor for many users. A long wait or no response at all in the event of problems can be frustrating, especially when it comes to sensitive topics such as finances. With this rating, we give our assessment of the quality of customer support. In order to provide as balanced an assessment as possible, we also include user opinions from other platforms in our evaluation.
Some exchanges and brokers are regulated by financial supervisory authorities in certain countries/states. This often entails strict financial regulatory requirements and compliance requirements to which the company must adhere. Regulatory clarity can contribute to greater transparency and thus also greater trustworthiness.
Bitfinex vs Bitstamp in comparison
Overview
Bitfinex, founded in 2012, is a crypto exchange for experienced traders. Its contracting company for non-US customers is BFXWW Inc., registered in the British Virgin Islands. It lists 68 crypto assets, charges 0% maker and taker fees and offers margin, perpetual swaps, lending and an OTC desk.
Bitstamp is a crypto exchange founded in 2011 and owned by Robinhood Markets, Inc. since June 2025. Bitstamp USA, Inc. serves US customers and holds a New York BitLicense; Bitstamp Europe S.A. serves the EEA under a MiCA authorization from Luxembourg's CSSF. The group parent, Bitstamp Ltd, has its registered office in London.
- 0% maker and taker fees on spot, margin and derivatives trades
- Margin up to 10x and perpetual swaps up to 100x
- Peer-to-peer margin funding, Bitfinex Borrow and an OTC desk
- Fixed bitcoin withdrawal fee of 0.00006 BTC, plus Lightning withdrawals
- In operation since 2012
- Might be complex for beginners
- No MiCA authorization; the BVI contracting entity is not in a regulator register
- Bank wire deposits cost 0.1%, with a minimum fee of 60 USD or EUR
- No proof of liabilities found
- The 2016 hack and settlements with the CFTC and the New York Attorney General
- Available in New York, where Bitstamp USA holds a BitLicense
- Entry-tier spot fees of 0.30% maker and 0.40% taker, below Kraken Pro and Coinbase Advanced
- Licensed or registered in the US, the EU, the UK and Singapore
- Free ACH transfers and free crypto deposits
- No staking, lending or derivatives for US customers
- 114 crypto assets, far fewer than Kraken or Coinbase
- Card purchases cost 4%, Basic Trading a 1.8% spread
- No proof-of-reserves report that we could find
Features Comparison
- Cryptocurrencies
- Cryptocurrencies
0
%
0.00%
0.00%
₿
0.00006
0.4
%
0.40%
0.30%
Varies
68
+
$
114
+
$
10
- Discount on P2P lending
- Advantages of the partner program
Exchange Rating
Functions
- OTC desk
- Advanced services for cryptocurrency traders and liquidity providers
- Bitfinex Borrow
- Bitstamp Earn
- Trading view
Company Details
Our Review
Bitfinex, in operation since 2012, charges 0% maker and taker fees on spot, margin and derivatives trades and offers margin up to 10x and perpetual swaps up to 100x. In our view, it suits experienced traders. Its record includes the 2016 hack and settlements with the CFTC and the New York Attorney General.
Bitstamp suits US residents in the states it serves, New York included, and traders in the EU and the UK who want a long-running, licensed exchange with low order-book fees: 0.30% maker and 0.40% taker at the entry tier. In our view, Kraken suits active traders who need margin or futures better.
Two Established Exchanges for Serious Traders
Bitfinex and Bitstamp both cater to experienced traders rather than beginners. Bitfinex emphasizes advanced trading tools and deep liquidity. Bitstamp emphasizes trust built over more than a decade of operation. Same target audience, different value propositions.
Track Record and Trust
Bitstamp's primary advantage is longevity—it's been operating since 2011, making it one of the oldest crypto exchanges still running. Users cite the "high level of trust through long-term existence" as a key reason for choosing it. It's a regulated provider with a solid reputation.
Bitfinex has been around since 2012 and rebuilt its reputation after earlier issues. It scores 8/10 on security and trust—matching Bitstamp's 9/10 score closely. Both are established, though Bitstamp has the longer track record.
Trading Features
Bitfinex offers an OTC desk for large trades, advanced services for liquidity providers, and Bitfinex Borrow for leverage. The platform is built for professional traders who need institutional-grade tools.
Bitstamp offers Bitstamp Earn and a separate trading view that experienced users appreciate. The feature set is solid but less specialized than Bitfinex's institutional focus.
Fee Comparison
Bitfinex charges no maker or taker fee on spot trades. Professional traders find the structure favorable.
Bitstamp starts at 0.30% maker and 0.40% taker, more expensive at base rates, though volume tiers help larger traders. Users note smaller trades face relatively higher costs.
Coin Selection
Bitfinex lists 68 cryptocurrencies. Bitstamp lists 114. For mainstream trading, both cover the essentials. For broader altcoin exposure, Bitstamp provides more options.
Your Choice
Bitstamp at 8.1 suits traders who prioritize proven reliability and regulated status over advanced features. Consistent and trustworthy.
Bitfinex at 8.1 suits traders who need OTC capabilities, deeper tools, and zero trading fees at any volume. More capable but with less regulatory clarity.
About the author
At Exchange Flow, Ethan is recognized as the resident crypto expert. With 10+years of experience navigating the waters of global crypto exchanges, Ethan is a trusted voice in the ever-evolving world of digital currencies. He tests and scrutinizes exchanges so you don’t have to, offering reviews and articles that newbies and seasoned traders alike find invaluable. When he’s not coding, Ethan likes to travel and play retro games. He uses his crypto earnings to fund his trip around the globe.
