Introduction
Bitvavo and Finst are both Dutch providers holding a MiCAR licence via the AFM, both spot-only and both built for euro users. Still, there are relevant differences in fees, ancillary costs and security. Reference date: July 2026.
Head-to-head
| Bitvavo | Finst | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | MiCAR (AFM, Netherlands) | MiCAR (AFM, Netherlands, granted July 2025) |
| Spot fees (maker/taker) | 0.10% / 0.25% | 0.15% / 0.15% (flat, all volumes) |
| Range | Spot crypto, broad selection | Spot crypto, 340+ assets, EUR pairs only |
| Proof of reserves | Quarterly attestation | None |
| Hack/loss history | Genesis exposure (2022), clients compensated | No incidents |
| Exchange score | 4.8 / 10 | 6.0 / 10 |
Costs
The structures differ: Finst charges a flat 0.15% for maker and taker; Bitvavo 0.10% maker / 0.25% taker. Limit-order users (maker) are cheaper at Bitvavo; instant buyers (taker) at Finst. Do mind Finst’s withdrawal fees, which can eat the advantage on small amounts — we flag this in the Finst profile too. Finst keeps it flat and predictable; at Bitvavo your order type matters.
Security and oversight
Same supervisor, different track record. Finst has no incidents but publishes no proof-of-reserves attestations. Bitvavo does publish quarterly PoR, but carries the 2022 Genesis loss in our security pillar (clients were compensated). On balance Finst scores higher here — a clean history weighs more than attestation frequency in our methodology.
Products
Both are spot-only; neither offers derivatives or stocks. Finst lists EUR pairs exclusively; Bitvavo has a broader set of trading pairs. If you ever want perpetuals or stocks, look at MiFID II venues — see the perpetuals comparison.
The scores explained
Finst scores 6.0, Bitvavo 4.8. Finst wins on security (no loss history); Bitvavo wins on PoR transparency but loses that advantage to the Genesis loss. Full breakdown per pillar: methodology.
Who should pick which?
Finst for the lowest flat fee and a clean history, if EUR pairs are enough. Bitvavo for a broader range and PoR reporting. Trading bigger volume? Compare beyond the Netherlands too — the comparison tool lines everything up.
Frequently asked questions
Is Finst cheaper than Bitvavo?
It depends on your order type: as a taker (instant buy) Finst is cheaper (0.15% vs 0.25%); as a maker Bitvavo is (0.10% vs 0.15%). On small amounts Finst’s withdrawal fees can tilt the picture further.
Is Finst reliable?
Finst holds an AFM MiCAR licence (July 2025), has no incident history and passports to 30 EU countries. What’s missing are proof-of-reserves attestations — which factors into its 6.0 score.
Why does Bitvavo score lower than Finst?
Mainly the security pillar: the 2022 Genesis loss counts regardless of compensation. On costs and PoR transparency they are close.