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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.
Bitstamp vs Crypto.com in comparison
Overview
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.
Crypto.com was founded in 2016. It serves US customers mainly through Foris DAX, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and customers in the EEA through Foris DAX MT Limited in Malta, which holds a MiCA license from the MFSA. Its App covers buying, selling, staking, cards and, in the US, stocks, and the Crypto.com Exchange is its order book.
- 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
- Available in 49 US states, Washington, DC and the US territories
- Exchange spot fees from 0.25% maker and 0.50% taker, lower with volume or a CRO balance
- More than 12,000 commission-free stocks and ETFs for US customers
- MiCA license in the EEA through the MFSA
- No Crypto.com fee on ACH deposits from 1 USD
- Not available in New York
- App trades cost 0.8% plus a possible spread without a paid Level Up plan
- Bitcoin withdrawals cost 0.0004 BTC on the Exchange
- Latest published proof of reserves covers balances as of December 7, 2022
- Two separate apps with different fee models
Features Comparison
- Cryptocurrencies
- Cryptocurrencies
0.4
%
0.40%
0.30%
Varies
0.5
%
0.50%
0.25%
Varies
114
+
$
10
416
+
$
1
- Cashback program
- Discount on fees
- Earn interest through staking
- Further advantages & features
Exchange Rating
Functions
- Bitstamp Earn
- Trading view
- Crypto.com Visa Card
- Earn interest on crypto
- NFT marketplace
Company Details
Our Review
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.
Crypto.com suits buyers in 49 US states, Washington, DC and the US territories, the EEA and the UK who want crypto, a card and, in the US, stocks in one app. Its Exchange starts at 0.25% maker and 0.50% taker; App trades carry 0.8% plus a possible spread. In our view, active traders should look at Kraken, and New York residents at Coinbase.
Decade of Trust vs Ecosystem Innovation
Bitstamp represents old-school crypto reliability—operating since 2011 with a focus on doing one thing well. Crypto.com represents new-school crypto ecosystems—cards, earning, spending, all integrated. Different philosophies from different crypto eras.
Trust Through Time
Bitstamp's biggest asset is its track record. Operating since 2011 and regulated, it is not free of incidents: in 2020 it paid administrative penalties in Texas and Vermont for providing money transmission there without a state license. Users cite "high level of trust through long-term existence" as the key draw.
Crypto.com is newer but has built visibility through aggressive marketing and ecosystem development. Trustworthy enough, but can't match decade-plus reliability.
Platform Philosophy
Bitstamp focuses on trading. Beyond its trading view it offers Bitstamp Earn for staking and lending (neither for US customers), perpetual futures (not in the US, Canada or Japan), recurring buys, and purchases by card or, in the US and most of the EU, PayPal. Clean and focused.
Crypto.com builds everything—Visa card for spending, interest earning, NFTs, various DeFi integrations. An ecosystem play.
Fee Comparison
The Crypto.com Exchange starts at 0.25% maker and 0.50% taker. Bitstamp starts at 0.30% maker and 0.40% taker, so Crypto.com is cheaper for makers and Bitstamp for takers.
Coin Selection
Crypto.com lists over 400 cryptocurrencies. Bitstamp offers about 115. Crypto.com wins on selection by a wide margin.
Target Users
Bitstamp targets advanced users who prioritize reliability over features. It scores 8/10 for beginners—functional but not optimized for newcomers.
Crypto.com targets beginners with easy handling and ecosystem accessibility.
Your Choice
Bitstamp at 8.1 suits users who value proven reliability and don't need cards or a wider ecosystem. Reliable and straightforward.
Crypto.com at 8.0 suits users who want more coins and crypto lifestyle features. Modern and complete.
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.
