Bitstamp
exchangeBitstamp is a Luxembourg-based exchange founded in 2011, now owned by Robinhood, with MiCA CASP licensing, 95% cold storage, and no breaches since 2015.
Platform Information
Founded
Headquarters
Two-Factor Authentication
An extra login step that protects your account even if your password is stolen.
Custodial
The platform holds your crypto on your behalf — you don't control the private keys.
KYC Required
Know Your Customer — you must verify your identity before trading or withdrawing.
Proof of Reserves
The platform publicly proves it holds enough assets to cover all customer funds.
Insurance
Customer funds are covered by insurance in the event of a hack or platform failure.
Supported Chains
About Bitstamp
Bitstamp is a cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2011 in Slovenia and incorporated in Luxembourg. Widely cited as one of the world's longest-running crypto exchanges still in operation, it supports over 115 digital assets tradeable against USD, EUR, and GBP. Bitstamp was acquired by Robinhood Markets for $200 million in June 2025 and now operates as Robinhood's institutional crypto business.
Security
- Custodial exchange: Bitstamp holds customer assets on behalf of users
- Over 95% of customer digital assets held in offline cold storage via third-party custodians BitGo and Copper
- Remaining ~5% in hot wallets for active withdrawals
- Security features include two-factor authentication, withdrawal confirmation emails, and IP whitelisting
- Crime insurance policy covering theft and fraud, underwritten through the Lloyd's of London market
- No cryptographic proof-of-reserves audit; Bitstamp undergoes annual financial audits by a Big Four accounting firm and holds ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications
- No SAFU-style emergency reserve fund
Regulation
- Licensed as a Payment Institution by the Luxembourg CSSF since 2016 — the first nationally licensed bitcoin exchange at the time
- Granted a MiCA CASP licence by the CSSF in May 2025, the first exchange to receive this licence in Luxembourg, passporting across all 27 EU member states
- Holds a MiFID MTF licence from Slovenia's ATVP (October 2024)
- Registered as a cryptoasset business with the UK FCA (FRN 978690)
- Registered with FinCEN as a Money Services Business and holds a New York BitLicense
- Holds 50+ active licences and registrations globally; no enforcement actions from major financial regulators on record
Incident History
- January 2015: Bitstamp's hot wallet was compromised via a multi-month spear-phishing campaign targeting employees. Approximately 18,866 BTC (worth around $5.3 million at the time) were stolen. Bitstamp covered all customer losses from its own reserves and rebuilt its platform from scratch.
- No security breaches have been publicly reported since 2015.
Availability
Bitstamp operates in 39 US states; it is unavailable in Alabama, California, Hawaii, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and several other states. Staking and lending products are restricted for US, UK, Canadian, and Japanese residents.
Security & Score
Platform Safety Score
Based on incident history, security features, and track record
Security Features
Regulatory Information
Regulated In
Jurisdictions where this platform is officially licensed and subject to financial oversight.
Area Served
Countries or regions where this platform is available to users.
Notes
Licensed as a Payment Institution by the Luxembourg CSSF since 2016 — one of the first exchanges to obtain EU regulatory approval. Acquired by Robinhood in 2024.
Incident History
No incidents recorded for this platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
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