Your cookie choices

We use necessary cookies to make this site work. With your permission, analytics cookies help us understand usage and marketing cookies support advertising.

You can reject non-essential cookies and still use the site. Change your choices anytime in Cookie settings.

Cookie settingsCookie policy

Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team

Bitstamp vs Kraken

Bitstamp scores 9.1 and Kraken 9.4 out of 10. Compare their differences and shared features below.
Kraken

Kraken

Higher score in this comparison

9.4/10
Visit
Bitstamp

Bitstamp

9.1/10
See alternatives

Bitstamp vs Kraken: the differences

Bitstamp vs Kraken
CompareBitstampBitstampReviewSee alternativesSee alternativesKrakenKrakenReviewVisitVisit
Taker fee0.4%0.05% to 0.8%Lower
Coins listed98728Higher
RegulatorsMiCA 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)Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)
Fiat deposit methodsCard, ACH, Apple pay, BankCard, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple payCovers more
Maker fee0.3%0% to 0.4%Lower
DerivativesNoYesHas it
Withdrawal fee0.09% international wire transfer (minimum 15.00 USD/EUR); BTC free or 0.1% via BitGo InstantNot confirmed

Same on both: Proof of reserves (Yes), Exchange type (Cex).

We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.

Key differences

  • Kraken scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.1.
  • Regulators: only Bitstamp offers MiCA CASP authorisation (EU), Payment institution (PI) authorisation (EU), MiFID authorisation (EU).
  • Regulators: only Kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
  • Bitstamp is licensed in 3 more countries.
  • Taker fee is lower at Kraken: 0.05% to 0.8% vs 0.4%.
  • Maker fee is lower at Kraken: 0% to 0.4% vs 0.3%.
  • Coins listed is higher at Kraken: 728 vs 98.
  • Fiat deposit methods: only Kraken offers SEPA.
  • Derivatives: only Kraken.
  • Features: only Bitstamp offers Custodial, Staking.

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.

Read the full Bitstamp review

Kraken

Kraken suits frequent crypto users who keep trading balances on exchange and want those balances spendable through a card without added card upkeep. It pairs a debit card on Mastercard with a monthly fee of €0 and conversion fees of 0%, which keeps routine spend predictable for cardholders.

Read the full Kraken review

Score breakdown

Bitstamp vs Kraken
AreaBitstampKraken
Cost8.4The custodial account charges a taker fee of 0.4% and a maker fee of 0.3% on spot trading.9.3HigherMonthly charge of €0 with conversion fees of 0% keeps routine card costs contained.
Offer9.2HigherThe exchange lists 98 coins, adds staking to its custodial features and funds accounts through card, ach and apple pay.9.0Card access to 728 with staking on ATOM, SCRT and KSM widens use beyond payments.
Trust9.79.7Supervision linked to Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network supports confidence in handling.

Feature by feature

Bitstamp vs Kraken
Fiat deposit methodsBitstampKraken
CardYesYes
BankYesYes
SEPANoYes
ACHYesYes
Apple payYesYes

Cost in a real example

Buy 1,000 of crypto and sell it again

Bitstamp

8

0.4% of 2,000

Kraken

1 to 16

0.05% to 0.8% of 2,000

Kraken comes out 7 lower in this example.

Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 28, 2026.

Where each is licensed and available

Bitstamp vs Kraken
CountryBitstampKraken
IrelandNot confirmed
Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458
IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020
LuxembourgNot confirmed
SingaporeNot confirmed
United KingdomNot confirmed
United StatesNot confirmed

Also worth a look

dYdX has maker fee at -0.011% to 0.01%, against 0.3% for Bitstamp and 0% to 0.4% for Kraken.

dYdX review

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

Kraken

  • kraken.com: 6 facts, checked September 28, 2026
  • support.kraken.com: 2 facts, checked September 28, 2026
  • coingecko.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026

How they place

Bitstamp vs Kraken
RankingBitstampKraken
Crypto exchanges76 of 2979 of 297
Where to buy crypto58 of 1775 of 177

Every fact side by side

Bitstamp vs Kraken
FactBitstampKraken
FeaturesCustodial, StakingMulti currency, Crypto, Virtual card, Travel
Legal entityBitstamp Europe S.A.Not confirmed
HeadquartersLuxembourgNot confirmed
Founded2011Not confirmed
Support channelsChat, Email, CommunityNot confirmed

Crypto wallets

Bitstamp vs Kraken
FactBitstampKraken
Wallet typeNot confirmedMobile
PriceNot confirmed$0
CustodyNot confirmedSelf custody
Coins supportedNot confirmed728
Backup optionsNot confirmedSeed

Where each stands against the rest

Bitstamp vs Kraken
FactBitstampKrakenMedian
Taker fee0.4%above the median0.05% to 0.8%below the median0.15%
Coins listed98above the median728highest quarter76
Maker fee0.3%highest quarter0% to 0.4%below the median0.1%

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.

Kraken

Pros

  • Monthly fee of €0 keeps ongoing card costs low for regular spenders
  • Conversion fees of 0% favour cross border card use versus Bit2Me at 0.95%
  • Cashback of 0.5% to 2% adds value on eligible card spending

Cons

  • Free ATM allowance of €0 restricts cash withdrawals for frequent ATM users
  • Support runs on chat and help centre only, which limits choice for people who prefer phone help
  • Cashback of 0.5% to 2% varies by activity, so returns depend on card use

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.

Kraken

Who it suits

  • Exchange holders who want trading balances spendable by card rather than moved off venue
  • Card payers who value low upkeep and who accept eToro instead where ATM needs dominate

Who should look elsewhere

  • Cash heavy users who may prefer eToro for its free ATM range of €2,500 to €12,000 over €0
  • Phone support seekers who may prefer bunq if assisted channels matter more than chat and help centre

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.

Kraken

What does the Kraken card cost to keep and use?+

The card carries a monthly fee of €0 and conversion fees of 0%. Cashback of 0.5% to 2% applies to eligible spend. Exchange trading uses maker fees of 0% to 0.4% and taker fees of 0.05% to 0.8%, so card costs stay distinct from trading costs.

Who regulates Kraken for this product?+

Kraken lists oversight connected to Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and holds registrations including MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458. The legal entity named is Payward Europe Solutions Limited. These permissions relate to crypto and payment services and vary by product and domicile.

Other options to compare

Kraken

Visit

Bitstamp

See alternatives