Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Bitstamp vs Changelly
Bitstamp
Higher score in this comparison
Changelly
Bitstamp vs Changelly: the differences
| Compare | BitstampReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | ChangellyReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.4% | 0.25%Lower |
| Coins listed | 98Higher | 32 |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, ACH, Apple pay, Bank | Card, Bank, SEPA, Apple pay |
| Proof of reserves | YesHas it | No |
| Withdrawal fee | 0.09% international wire transfer (minimum 15.00 USD/EUR); BTC free or 0.1% via BitGo Instant | Variable network fee set by the partner exchanges and shown to the user when the transaction is created |
| Regulators | MiCA CASP authorisation (EU), Payment institution (PI) authorisation (EU), MiFID authorisation (EU), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) MLR registration, New York State Department of Financial Services (BitLicense), FinCEN Money Services Business (MSB) registration, Monetary Authority of Singapore Major Payment Institution licence, Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) | Not confirmed |
| Maker fee | 0.3% | Not confirmed |
| Derivatives | No | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Exchange type (Cex).
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Key differences
- Bitstamp scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 8.7.
- Proof of reserves: only Bitstamp.
- Founded is lower at Bitstamp: 2011 vs 2020.
- Taker fee is lower at Changelly: 0.25% vs 0.4%.
- Coins listed is higher at Bitstamp: 98 vs 32.
- Fiat deposit methods: only Bitstamp offers ACH.
- Fiat deposit methods: only Changelly offers SEPA.
- Support channels: only Changelly offers Help centre.
- Features: only Bitstamp offers Custodial, Staking.
- Features: only Changelly offers Self custody.
Our verdict on each
Bitstamp
Bitstamp suits crypto buyers who prefer a custodial exchange with proof of reserves, several fiat deposit routes and regulation in the EU, UK, US and Singapore. The trade-off is cost: a taker fee of 0.4% sits above the buy-crypto median of 0.25%, so frequent traders should weigh it.
Changelly
Changelly suits buyers who want to swap coins quickly and keep self-custody, with a taker fee of 0.25% and a coin list of 32. The narrow coin list and the missing proof of reserves make it a weaker fit for long term holders.
Score breakdown
| Area | Bitstamp | Changelly |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4The custodial account charges a taker fee of 0.4% and a maker fee of 0.3% on spot trading. | 8.7HigherA taker fee of 0.25% sits at the category level of 0.25%, with a network charge on withdrawal on top. |
| Offer | 9.2The exchange lists 98 coins, adds staking to its custodial features and funds accounts through card, ach and apple pay. | 9.4HigherCoins listed reach 32 against a category level of 60, self-custody is on, and proof of reserves is not. |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 8.3 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Bitstamp | Changelly |
|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg | Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) MiCA CASP 549300XIBGTJ0PLIEO72 | Not confirmed |
| Singapore | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed |
Sources behind this comparison
Bitstamp
- coinmarketcap.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coingecko.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- defillama.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Changelly
- changelly.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coingecko.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Bitstamp | Changelly |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto exchanges | 76 of 297 | 160 of 297 |
| Where to buy crypto | 58 of 177 | 129 of 177 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Bitstamp | Changelly |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Custodial, Staking | Self custody |
| Legal entity | Bitstamp Europe S.A. | Marella |
| Headquarters | Luxembourg | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2011Lower | 2020 |
| Support channels | Chat, Email, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Bitstamp | Changelly | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.4%above the median | 0.25%above the median | 0.15% |
| Coins listed | 98above the median | 32below the median | 76 |
| Maker fee | 0.3%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.1% |
Median across 219 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Bitstamp
Pros
- Proof of reserves: yes, so listed holdings can be set against published balances.
- The regulatory record spans the EU, UK, US and Singapore: MiCA CASP authorisation (EU), Payment institution (PI) authorisation (EU) and MiFID authorisation (EU).
- Fiat deposits run through card, ach and apple pay, giving several funding routes.
Cons
- The taker fee of 0.4% is above the buy-crypto median of 0.25%.
- Derivatives: no.
- Support runs on chat, email and community only, with no phone line listed.
Changelly
Pros
- A taker fee of 0.25% sits at the category level of 0.25%
- Self-custody is offered, a feature carried by 13.8% of services in the same category
- Fiat deposits run through card, bank and sepa, covering card and bank transfer alongside a mobile wallet route
Cons
- Proof of reserves is not offered, so there is no published attestation of balances to check
- The coin list of 32 sits under the category level of 60
- Withdrawal costs follow a network charge that moves with the partner exchange, so each send can differ
Who each suits
Bitstamp
Who it suits
- Buyers who want a range of fiat deposit routes, card, ach and apple pay.
- Traders who put regulated status and proof of reserves ahead of the lowest possible fee.
- Holders comfortable letting a custodial exchange hold the coins, one of the features in custodial and staking.
Who should look elsewhere
- ActivTrades, where a taker fee of 0% suits traders focused on cost alone.
- bunq, whose taker fees run 0.25% to 1.99% for a different fee band.
- Bitpanda, if a coin list of from 650 matters more than an exchange with staking.
Changelly
Who it suits
- Occasional buyers who want to pay by card or bank transfer and then move on
- Coin movers who prefer to hold coins in self-custody rather than on a platform balance
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants published proof of reserves: Changelly does not offer it, so Bitpanda or bunq are the ones to weigh
- Active traders who need a deeper coin list than 32, where Bitpanda lists from from 650
Current offers
Changelly
Current offer
Bonus
Welcome bonus in the Changelly mobile app
Offered in the Changelly app; no amount published on the page
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Bitstamp
What are Bitstamp's trading fees?+
On the standard custodial account, the taker fee is 0.4% and the maker fee is 0.3% on spot trading. That taker fee is above the buy-crypto median of 0.25%, so regular trading costs more here than at the cheaper end of the market.
How many coins are listed on Bitstamp?+
Bitstamp lists 98 coins, which sits above the buy-crypto median of 60 but well under the category maximum of 20,000. Buyers chasing long-tail tokens will find a shorter list than the largest venues on the comparison.
Changelly
What does Changelly charge to swap coins?+
The taker fee is 0.25%, close to the category level of 0.25%. Above that, withdrawals add a network charge that moves with the partner exchange, so the full cost of a round trip runs past the headline fee. Fees run 0.25% to 1.99% at bunq for comparison.
Does Changelly publish proof of reserves?+
Proof of reserves is not offered, so there is no published attestation of customer balances to check against. That matters more for anyone holding a balance on the platform for a long stretch, and it is a reason to look at services that do publish the figure. Buying and sending out promptly keeps the exposure short.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Bitstamp
Changelly