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Bitstamp has been running since 2011, which makes it one of the oldest cryptocurrency exchanges still operating — and in June 2025, Robinhood closed its $200 million acquisition of the company, folding it in as a wholly-owned subsidiary now marketed as “Bitstamp by Robinhood.” If you want an exchange built around regulatory compliance and custody discipline rather than the widest coin list or the lowest possible fee, Bitstamp is one of the more credible options on the market. If you're price-sensitive or want deep altcoin access, it's not the pick.
What the Robinhood Deal Actually Changes
Bitstamp continues to operate under its own existing regulatory licenses — more than 50 across the US, EU, UK, Singapore, and other jurisdictions — rather than being folded directly into Robinhood's crypto product. For now, that means Bitstamp still functions as a standalone exchange with its own account system, not a feature bolted onto the Robinhood app. Expect gradual integration over time, but don't assume a Robinhood account automatically gives you Bitstamp access (or vice versa) as of this review.
Fees: Higher Than the Cheapest Exchanges, Not the Most Expensive
Bitstamp uses a maker-taker fee schedule: 0.30% maker and 0.40% taker for monthly trading volume under $10,000, sliding down as your volume climbs. Instant/simple buys carry a flatter ~0.50% fee for convenience. That's meaningfully higher than Kraken Pro's advanced order book (as low as 0.16% maker), but it's not in the same expensive tier as pure convenience apps. Bank funding is a genuine strength: SEPA, ACH, and UK Faster Payments deposits are free, which matters if you're moving larger amounts and want to avoid card-processing surcharges.
Security and Compliance Track Record
This is where Bitstamp actually earns its “veteran” reputation. The exchange keeps roughly 95% of user assets in cold storage, holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications, and has undergone Big 4 audits since 2016 — a longer independent audit history than most competitors can claim. Combined with its licensing footprint across five-plus jurisdictions, this is a genuinely compliance-first operation rather than one that added certifications after a breach forced the issue.
Staking: Available, But Check Your State First
Bitstamp offers staking on select proof-of-stake assets including Ethereum, Cardano, Polkadot, and Solana, with typical yields in the 3–8% APY range depending on the asset and network conditions, minus a 15% commission Bitstamp takes on the rewards themselves (so a quoted 5% network yield nets you roughly 4.25%). Worth flagging honestly: Bitstamp has previously suspended specific staking products for US customers over SEC concerns, then reinstated versions of them as the regulatory picture shifted. Given that history, check the current in-app staking availability for your exact state before assuming a specific coin's staking is live — don't take a general “staking available” claim at face value.
US Availability
Bitstamp is available in every US state except Hawaii and Nevada, though its “Earn” products (staking among them) carry additional state-by-state restrictions on top of that baseline. If you're outside the US, availability runs considerably broader thanks to Bitstamp's EU/UK/Singapore licensing.
Onboarding and Account Verification
Signing up requires the standard identity-verification steps for a licensed exchange — government ID, a selfie/liveness check, and proof of address for larger limits — which takes longer than a card-only convenience app but is consistent with Bitstamp's compliance-first positioning. Support is available via email ticket and an in-app help center; there's no 24/7 live chat with a human in the way some newer exchanges advertise, which is worth knowing if you expect same-hour support during a market-volatility spike. Bitstamp also offers a separate institutional arm for larger custody and OTC needs, but that's a distinct product from the retail account most readers will actually be signing up for.
Bitstamp vs Kraken vs Coinbase
| Bitstamp | Kraken | Coinbase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard trading fee | 0.30–0.50% | 0.16–0.26% (Pro) | 0.5–4.5% (spread-dependent) |
| Free bank deposits | SEPA/ACH/UK Faster Payments | ACH (US) | ACH (US) |
| Cold storage | ~95% of assets | Majority, not publicly quantified the same way | Majority, insured hot wallet portion |
| Founded | 2011 | 2011 | 2012 |
| Owner | Robinhood (since June 2025) | Independent | Publicly traded (Coinbase Global) |
| Best for | Compliance-focused, bank-funded buyers | Active/advanced traders | Simplicity-first beginners |
Honest Pros and Cons
Pros:
- One of the longest continuous operating histories in crypto, with a genuinely deep independent-audit trail
- Free SEPA/ACH/UK Faster Payments deposits, useful for larger bank-funded purchases
- 50+ regulatory licenses and ~95% cold storage — a real compliance and custody edge over newer platforms
- Now backed by Robinhood's balance sheet post-acquisition
Cons:
- Fees are noticeably higher than Kraken Pro's advanced order book
- Coin selection is thinner than Binance, KuCoin, or even Coinbase
- Staking availability has flip-flopped for US customers on specific assets before — don't assume it's permanent
- Robinhood integration is still early; expect account-structure changes as the two platforms merge features over the coming year
Verdict
Bitstamp is a solid pick if you value a long compliance track record and bank-transfer funding over the rock-bottom fees of Kraken Pro or the coin breadth of Binance. The Robinhood acquisition adds financial backing without (yet) changing the day-to-day product much. If your priority is the cheapest possible trading fee or the widest altcoin list, look at Kraken or Binance instead.
AFFILIATE CTA: Bitstamp Referral Program
FAQ
Is Bitstamp still independent after the Robinhood acquisition?
It operates as a wholly-owned Robinhood subsidiary as of June 2025, but currently runs under its own licenses and account system rather than being merged directly into the Robinhood app.
What are Bitstamp's trading fees in 2026?
0.30% maker / 0.40% taker under $10,000 in monthly volume (sliding lower with more volume), or about 0.50% for instant/simple buys — higher than Kraken Pro, lower than most convenience-first apps.
Can I stake crypto on Bitstamp in the US?
Staking is offered on assets like Ethereum, Cardano, Polkadot, and Solana with a 15% commission on rewards, but US availability has changed before due to regulatory pressure — verify current availability for your state in-app before relying on it.
Is Bitstamp available in every US state?
All US states except Hawaii and Nevada support standard trading; Earn/staking products carry additional state restrictions beyond that.