We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Bitstamp and Coinbase are cryptocurrency exchanges available to U.S. and international investors. Both offer a digital hot wallet and follow strict security standards. Plus, they’ve been around for years. Bitstamp was founded in 2011 with headquarters in London. Coinbase began in 2012 and went public through a direct listing in 2021 (Nasdaq: COIN). The company recently announced the closure of its California headquarters. Coinbase supports 150+ cryptocurrencies versus Bitstamp’s 65+, but the differences don’t end there. While Bitstamp caters to experienced, active traders, Coinbase is geared to beginners. However, Coinbase also offers the Coinbase Pro platform, which is a good fit for intermediate and advanced investors. We compared the crypto exchanges by looking at their features, supported currencies, and ease of use. Additionally, we reviewed fees for trading and withdrawing funds, mobile apps, and digital wallets. Investing in cryptocurrencies, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), and other Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) is highly risky and speculative, and the markets can be extremely volatile. Consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. This article is not a recommendation by Investopedia or the writer to invest in cryptocurrencies nor can the accuracy or timeliness of the information be guaranteed. Pros Competitive fees Advanced trading options Pay by card or bank account Cons Limited rewards and staking Not for beginners Fewer supported cryptocurrencies Pros Crypto rewards and staking Interest-bearing crypto accounts Easy for beginners to use Cons Advanced features only available on Coinbase Pro Higher fees than Bitstamp Not for Hawaii residents Bitstamp vs. Coinbase Bitstamp vs. Coinbase At a Glance Features Currencies Security Fees Ease of Use Mobile App Access Final Verdict Methodology Although both cryptocurrency exchanges let users buy and sell altcoins, they’re geared toward different groups of people. Coinbase is recommended for beginners, thanks to its user-friendly platform and limited transaction types. Bitstamp, however, targets users familiar with cryptocurrency. Bitstamp features include: In comparison, Coinbase also makes it easy to add funds by supporting credit or debit, wire transfers, ACH, and PayPal. However, it also offers several features ideal for new investors, such as: Users of both platforms can trade fractions of coins and deposit fiat funds, with Bitstamp supporting EUR, GBP, and USD, and Coinbase supporting more than 20 fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and SGD. Bitstamp supports 65+ currencies, whereas Coinbase offers 150+. Investors will find popular coins and stablecoins on both exchanges, such as: In contrast, Coinbase offers more than 90 coins not found on Bitstamp, including: Both platforms abide by strict U.S. regulations, including know your customer (KYC). The exchanges offer two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-signature protections on their hot wallets. Additionally, each service holds 98% of account assets offline in cold storage and maintains a crime insurance policy covering funds on the exchange from theft or fraud. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures USD deposits on the Coinbase platform. The cryptocurrency exchanges meet or exceed industry standards. However, the Coinbase website provides a detailed account of most security measures, whereas Bitstamp only references security through its frequently asked questions. Although Bitstamp was hacked in 2015, resulting in the theft of roughly $5 million in Bitcoin, no recent breaches have occurred. While Coinbase hasn’t had its exchange hacked, many users have been targets of various phishing schemes, leading to stolen funds. The beginner Coinbase exchange charges higher fees than found on Bitstamp. However, Coinbase Pro users pay about the same as Bitstamp traders. Bitstamp uses a tiered fee schedule based on total trading volume over the past 30 days, with $10,000 or less incurring a 0.40% transaction fee. Higher trading volumes reduce expenses. Meanwhile, the Coinbase fee structure is more complex. Users pay either a flat rate or variable fee, depending on their funding method, and incur a spread of about 0.60%. In most cases, traders using Coinbase will pay more than those on Bitstamp. However, the Coinbase Pro platform uses a maker-taker model with a 0.60% transaction fee for investors trading $10,000 or less over the trailing 30-day period. Additionally, credit or debit card users will pay 3.99% on Coinbase versus 5% on Bitstamp. Both offer free ACH transactions, making this payment method the best way to save on fees. Bitstamp and Coinbase are web-based platforms offering mobile apps. The initial account signup and verification processes are similar. Moreover, each makes it easy to buy or sell crypto through their exchange by offering simple website or app navigational tools. However, Coinbase is better for beginners. It provides an array of instructional materials and guides. Its knowledge base and FAQs are comprehensive and cover nearly every topic a new investor would want to learn about. In contrast, Bitstamp provides a basic FAQ section to help users navigate website functions but doesn’t offer a complete database. Plus, some of the advanced features may be unfamiliar to new users, making it harder to know which transaction type to select. However, Bitstamp earns a slightly higher rating, as customer service is more responsive than Coinbase. Neither service offers customer support by telephone, but you can contact the companies through email, or Twitter for Coinbase users. Bitstamp and Coinbase provide mobile apps for Android and iOS users. The Bitstamp app offers complete trading functionality, including four order types, analytical tools, and real-time charts through Tradeview. Users can also view their crypto holds and trade right from the mobile app. The Coinbase crypto app features a clean dashboard where investors can get automatic price alerts, view portfolio value, and buy crypto on the exchange. Both mobile apps receive high ratings for ease of use, but advanced users will find more features on the Bitstamp app. Bitstamp and Coinbase operate in about or over 100 countries. While Bitstamp may work in all 50 states, Coinbase isn’t available to Hawaii users. U.S. residents using Bitstamp can’t buy Ripple (XRP), while New Yorkers using Coinbase can’t buy many other coins using fiat currency, such as CTSI, RLC, MIR and TRB. CTSI, MIR and TRB. Coinbase and Bitstamp are well-known, trusted cryptocurrency exchanges used by people across the globe. Both offer hot wallets, mobile apps, and store 98% of account funds in cold storage. However, Coinbase is a great fit for beginners and provides an advanced platform for active traders, whereas Bitstamp works for mature investors but may confuse people new to trading. For many users, Coinbase is the better option. The beginner platform does have high fees, but it’s easy to trade crypto, stake coins, and earn rewards. Plus, when users are ready to move into advanced trading, the Coinbase Pro platform offers a fee schedule similar to Bitstamp’s while still giving users access to perks like the crypto Visa card. Bitstamp and Coinbase are centralized cryptocurrency exchange platforms where users go to buy and sell cryptocurrency. Investors can view market prices, deposit fiat funds, and access their accounts through a web browser or mobile app. Additionally, Coinbase users may take advantage of rewards features to earn crypto, stake cryptocurrencies, or earn interest on certain stablecoins. The company also offers a Visa debit card, allowing investors to spend crypto at millions of online and retail locations worldwide. Both platforms are centralized exchanges, meaning they verify accounts and transactions on behalf of investors. Users deposit fiat funds into Bitstamp and Coinbase hot wallets, which means the exchanges have more control over your assets than traders have when using decentralized exchanges. Bitstamp and Coinbase support funding types like ACH, credit or debit card, and wire transfer. However, Coinbase offers much more information about getting started with trading, their security levels, and their features. Yes, investors can transfer crypto from Bitstamp to Coinbase. Simply select “Withdrawal” from the main menu, enter your Coinbase wallet address, and choose the amount to send. Find your Coinbase wallet address by logging into your Coinbase account and tapping the “Receive” button. From there, you can choose your cryptocurrency type and view the address and quick response (QR) code. People new to investing or cryptocurrency should start with Coinbase, as it’s convenient and straightforward. The platform rewards users for learning about crypto and offers basic transaction types. Furthermore, once a beginner learns their way around, they can move up to the advanced Coinbase Pro platform for more features, such as advanced trading options and lower fees. On the other hand, Bitstamp is good for active traders and not as suitable for new investors. It offers several transaction types that require investing experience and doesn’t offer a large database of instructional guides and tutorials. We reviewed Bitstamp and Coinbase by checking out features offered on both platforms, including unique offerings, and assessing accessibility for U.S. and international traders. We looked at the overall number of cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and fiat currencies supported; the amount and types of fees; and security levels. Moreover, we checked out the mobile apps and web-based exchanges to evaluate each one for ease of use and functionality. Article Sources Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in oureditorial policy. Related ArticlesBitstamp
Coinbase
At a Glance
Bitstamp Coinbase Fees 0.00% to 0.40% 0.00%-0.60% Currencies 65+ 150+ Security 98% of assets stored offline, crime insurance against theft or fraud, and 2FA 98% of assets stored offline, 2FA, FDIC-insured USD balances, insurance against fraud or theft, and a bug bounty program Wallet Allowlisting, multi-signature, AES-256 encryption Allowlisting, multi-signature, AES-256 encryption Transactions Supported Instant, limit, market, stop, trailing stop, and fill-or-kill orders, withdraw Buy, sell, exchange, send, withdraw, and receive Max. Trading Amount Varies by payment method Varies by location and payment method Mobile App iOS and Android iOS and Android Bitstamp vs. Coinbase: Features
Bitstamp vs. Coinbase: Currencies
Bitstamp vs. Coinbase: Security
Bitstamp vs. Coinbase: Fees
Bitstamp Coinbase Bank Account Purchase N/A 1.49% SEPA Deposits: Free Withdrawals: 3 EUR Deposits and Withdrawals: 0.15 EUR Debit/Credit Cards 5% 3.99% ACH Transfer Free Free Wire Transfer Deposits: 0.05% or $7.50 minimum Withdrawals: 0.1% or $25 minimum Deposits: $10 Withdrawals: $25 Crypto Conversion Varies by currency Up to 1% Trades 0% to 0.40% based on 30-day trading volume Up to 0.60% spread, plus a variable or fixed fee of $0.99 to $2.99 or variable fee, based on amount and payment method Bitstamp vs. Coinbase: Ease of Use
Bitstamp vs. Coinbase: Mobile App
Bitstamp vs. Coinbase: Access
Final Verdict
What Are Bitstamp and Coinbase?
How Do Bitstamp and Coinbase Work?
Can You Transfer Crypto From Bitstamp to Coinbase?
Who Should Use Bitstamp vs. Coinbase?
Methodology
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FAQs
Which is better Bitstamp or Coinbase? ›
Both offer hot wallets, mobile apps, and store 98% of account funds in cold storage. However, Coinbase is a great fit for beginners and provides an advanced platform for active traders, whereas Bitstamp works for mature investors but may confuse people new to trading. For many users, Coinbase is the better option.
Why should I choose Coinbase? ›Coinbase is one of the few crypto exchanges to allow users to withdraw crypto immediately after they purchase it using fiat currency, rather than waiting several days for the payment transaction to clear. This can be a big help for users who want to use cryptocurrency in decentralized apps and other external services.
Why choose Bitstamp? ›Bitstamp is a good option for beginner and intermediate traders and those with a more casual approach to crypto trading because it is secure, easy to use, and has reasonable fees. However, its lack of options and features may not be a fit for more serious traders.
Can US citizens use Bitstamp? ›Available everywhere. Deposit and withdraw funds easily from anywhere in the world. US customers can use ACH for instant deposits.
Are Bitstamp fees high? ›Competitive trading fees
It has a straightforward fee structure, in which your trading fees are based on your 30-day trading volume. The highest trading fee on Bitstamp is just 0.50% for those with under $10,000 in 30-day trading volume.
One of the US crypto platforms, Bitstamp, charges high fees to its users. Here's a quick and detailed breakdown of all the different types of fees charged by Bitstamp and alternatives you can choose from.
What are the disadvantages of Coinbase? ›High fees on simple trades and staking
There are a few areas where Coinbase's fees are expensive. Simple trades have high fees, especially for smaller transactions (below $200). Advanced trades are much cheaper, so you can at least save money using that option.
Yes, Coinbase reports to the IRS. It sends Forms 1099-MISC to the IRS for U.S. traders who made more than $600 in crypto rewards or staking. $600 is the Coinbase IRS reporting threshold for tax year 2022.
What is the best crypto trading platform? ›- Coinbase: Best for crypto exchanges.
- Robinhood Crypto: Best for online brokers.
- Webull Crypto: Best for online brokers.
- TradeStation Crypto: Best for online brokers.
- eToro: Best for crypto exchanges.
- SoFi Active Investing Crypto: Best for online brokers.
While you can use the deposited funds for trading as soon as they have been credited to your Bitstamp account, you are unable to withdraw the deposited amount in any currency, as the funds are reserved for 7 business days (weekends and holidays excluded) due to deposit processing.
Is Bitstamp any good? ›
Bitstamp's Disadvantages
Bitstamp offers a decent selection of cryptocurrencies for most beginners. It also offers staking for a couple of these coins—namely Ethereum (ETH) and Algorand (ALGO). However, the platform lacks many more advanced trading features. There is no margin trading available on Bitstamp.
All customer funds held on Bitstamp are 100% backed and available for withdrawal at any time. They are held 1:1 in custody, meaning for each coin our customers hold with us, that coin is safely held with a fully licensed, qualified custodian.
Does Bitstamp report to IRS? ›If you met the reporting threshold (detailed above) in 2022, Bitstamp will issue you a Form 1099-K and/or Form 1099-MISC.
How much cash can I withdrawal from Bitstamp? ›Please also note that: ACH withdrawals are only available for personal accounts. ACH withdrawals have an upper limit of 50,000 USD per transaction.
How do I get my money from Bitstamp? ›Go to the official Bitstamp website and click on ''Wallet'' at the bottom of the screen. Select the cryptocurrency you want to withdraw, specify the amount, and click or tap ''Withdraw.
Is it safe to keep crypto on Bitstamp? ›Storing crypto at an exchange
Bitstamp keeps approximately 95% of all crypto assets in cold storage and uses a MultiSig online wallet for the remaining 2%. Bitstamp has been around since 2011 and has established itself as a safe and reliable venue for over four million customers worldwide.
| Deposit fees | Withdrawal fees | |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | - | 0.0005 BTC |
| Ethereum | - | 0.0035 ETH |
| XRP | - | 0.02 XRP |
| Uniswap | - | 0.2 UNI |
International wire transfer: 3–5 business days. Domestic USD transfer: 1–2 business days. ACH transfer: 1–2 business days. FPS transfer: 1 business day.
How much does Bitstamp charge for USD deposit? ›0.1% (min fee = 25 USD/EUR/GBP. Your bank may charge additional fees.)
How many people use Bitstamp? ›The Bitstamp Way since 2011. Security, transparency and regulation are the pillars on which we have made crypto securely accessible to everyone, and on which we now serve over 4 million customers globally.
Who owns Bitstamp? ›
Nejc Kodrič, a widely known member of the bitcoin community, co-founded the company in August 2011 with Damijan Merlak in his native Slovenia, but later moved its registration to the UK in April 2013, then to Luxembourg in 2016.
Should I not use Coinbase? ›Coinbase is generally a safe investment and is a secure platform for buying, trading, and storing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. It's one of the most trusted ways to exchange cash, and it employs strong security measures to protect users, including AES-256 encryption, 2FA, and cold (offline) asset storage.
How do I avoid Coinbase fees? ›If you want to buy Bitcoin with a debit card, you will receive your Bitcoin instantly, but there's a buying fee associated with it. But if you are willing to wait for the transfer, use your bank account to avoid the associated fees. Coinbase offers ACH transfer, free wire transfers and bank account transfers.
How much is Coinbase withdrawal fee? ›Why do I have to pay a network fee to withdraw? There is a 1% fee to convert and withdraw your crypto to cash in addition to standard network fees. A network fee is necessary in order to have your transaction processed by the decentralized cryptocurrency network.
Do I have to pay taxes on crypto if I don't cash out? ›If you buy crypto, there's nothing to report until you sell. If you earned crypto through staking, a hard fork, an airdrop or via any method other than buying it, you'll likely need to report it, even if you haven't sold it.
Do I need a 1099 from Coinbase? ›Did you stake any crypto or earn crypto rewards this year using Coinbase? If you earned more than $600 in crypto, we're required to report your transactions to the IRS as “miscellaneous income,” using Form 1099-MISC — and so are you.
Will I get a 1099 from Coinbase? ›Coinbase issues an IRS form called 1099-MISC to report miscellaneous income rewards to US customers that meet certain criteria.
What's the safest crypto exchange? ›- Coinbase - Best for Beginners.
- Bitstamp - Best for Low Fees.
- Kraken - Best for Security.
- Pionex.US - Best for Automated Trading.
- Bisq - Best Decentralized Exchange.
- Public - Best $0 Commission Platform.
- Trading platform and crypto selection: Coinbase.
- Diversified investing needs: Robinhood.
- Membership ecosystem: SoFi Active Investing.
- Investing simplicity and high interest rates: Gemini Exchange.
- Finding new cryptocurrency investing strategies: eToro.
Kraken's professional-grade trading platform, Kraken Pro, is our pick for the best low-fee exchange because it charges some of the lowest fees in the crypto exchange landscape. It's also our top choice for experienced traders, as it offers advanced order types and supports margin and futures trading.
Why is Coinbase not letting me withdraw my money? ›
If you are unable to sell or withdraw from Coinbase, it could be due to one of a few reasons: There are restrictions in your region. You are a new account holder. You haven't completed the verification.
Why can't i sell my XRP on Bitstamp? ›In light of the recent SEC filing against Ripple Labs Inc., which alleges that XRP is a security, we are going to halt all trading and deposits of XRP for our US customers on 8 January 2021 at 9 PM UTC. Our US customers will still be able to withdraw XRP from Bitstamp.
What is the minimum deposit for Bitstamp? ›The minimum amount to open a transaction on Bitstamp is 20 USD or the equivalent in other currencies and cryptocurrencies. Also, the cryptocurrency exchange charges a fee for withdrawing funds.
Does the IRS know I sold Bitcoin? ›Yes, the IRS can track crypto as the agency has ordered crypto exchanges and trading platforms to report tax forms such as 1099-B and 1099-K to them. Also, in recent years, several exchanges have received several subpoenas directing them to reveal some of the user accounts.
Can the IRS see my Bitcoin? ›Yes, the IRS can track cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, Ether and a huge variety of other cryptocurrencies. The IRS does this by collecting KYC data from centralized exchanges.
Does IRS audit Bitcoin? ›Even if you haven't received a letter and you've not used an exchange that has been summoned by the IRS, the IRS may still audit your crypto investments.
What is the daily buy limit on Bitstamp? ›Daily: 2500 USD/EUR/GBP.
What is the max money to withdraw? ›Most often, ATM cash withdrawal limits range from $300 to $1,000 per day. Again, this is determined by the bank or credit union—there is no standard daily ATM withdrawal limit. Your personal bank ATM withdrawal limit also may depend on the types of accounts you have and your banking history.
What is proof of residence for Bitstamp? ›We accept the following documents: a bank account statement; a utility bill (electricity, water, internet, etc.);
How long does a Bitstamp bank transfer take? ›Bank transfers take up to five business days (weekends excluded) to reach your Bitstamp account. You can credit your account with EUR, GBP or USD. If you are depositing funds in a different currency, the deposit will be converted to EUR, GBP or USD before it's credited to your account.
Is Bitstamp a Bitcoin wallet? ›
Note that Bitstamp is not a wallet provider, but rather a platform that allows users to trade cryptocurrencies with each other in a safe environment.
How do I transfer Bitstamp to wallet? ›To send BTC from your Bitstamp account to your external wallet, log in to your Bitstamp account and go to Withdrawal→Cryptocurrency. Enter the address of your external wallet and click “Authenticate and withdraw.” Once again, make sure to double-check the receiving address before you initiate any transaction.
Is there a better platform than Coinbase? ›Binance is the no. 1 global crypto-currency exchange situated all over the world. Categories in common with Coinbase Exchange: Cryptocurrency Exchanges.
What crypto exchange is better than Coinbase? ›| Company | Transaction Fees |
|---|---|
| Kraken Best for Low Fees & Experienced Traders | 0.00% to 0.26% |
| Coinbase Best for Beginners | 0.00% to 0.60% |
| Crypto.com Best Mobile App | 0.00% to 0.075% |
| Gemini Best for Security | 0.0% to 0.40% for active trader, 1.49% for most transactions on regular platform |
| Name of exchange | Why Better than Coinbase | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pionex | Low risk investment strategy. | 5/5 |
| Bitstamp | Cheaper (between 0.05% to 0.0% fees) trading than Coinbase. Almost same as Coinbase Pro. | 5/5 |
| Crypto.com | Crypto.com Visa card – 4 tiers. Higher crypto staking yields. | 4.5/5 |
Crypto.com: One stop for everything crypto
They offer even more currencies to trade than Coinbase—currently over 250 cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. They also offer a full range of rewards credit cards, as well as benefits with Spotify, Netflix, Amazon, and more. Key Features: Trading commissions: 0.04% to 0.16%
Coinbase is one of the most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges today. It secures cash on FDIC-secured accounts, lets you securely connect and trade crypto via your bank account, and blocks suspicious accounts to ensure user safety.
Is Coinbase the most secure? ›Coinbase is generally a safe investment and is a secure platform for buying, trading, and storing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. It's one of the most trusted ways to exchange cash, and it employs strong security measures to protect users, including AES-256 encryption, 2FA, and cold (offline) asset storage.
How do I get crypto out of Coinbase wallet? ›- Click My Assets.
- Click the asset you'd like to cash out.
- From the Cash out tab, enter the amount you want to cash out and click Continue.
- Choose your cash out destination and click Continue.
- Click Cash out now to complete your transfer.
- Coinbase: Best for crypto exchanges.
- Robinhood Crypto: Best for online brokers.
- Webull Crypto: Best for online brokers.
- TradeStation Crypto: Best for online brokers.
- eToro: Best for crypto exchanges.
- SoFi Active Investing Crypto: Best for online brokers.
What is the safest crypto exchange overall? ›
- Coinbase - Best for Beginners.
- Bitstamp - Best for Low Fees.
- Kraken - Best for Security.
- Pionex.US - Best for Automated Trading.
- Bisq - Best Decentralized Exchange.
- Public - Best $0 Commission Platform.
Coinbase Wallet is one of the best crypto wallets for people just starting out with cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Coinbase's crypto wallet allows users to hold hundreds of thousands of coins, tokens, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and other digital assets.
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