Exchanges

Bitstamp review 2026: the oldest exchange, now Robinhood-owned

Operating since 2011, never seriously hacked, now backed by Robinhood — with licensed EU perpetuals.

Overview

Bitstamp is one of the oldest crypto exchanges (2011), owned by Robinhood since 2024. Active in the EU with perpetuals via Slovenia (MiFID II) and a strong reliability track record.

Licences and regulation

Products

ProductStatusDetails
Spot cryptoLiveUnder MiCA
Crypto perpetualsLive13 pairs, USD-settled
Real stocksNoNot offered

Perpetuals specifics

13 pairs (incl. BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, PAXG), USD-settled, 10x leverage for retail and professional alike, 8-hour funding, and a unique 15-minute periodic settlement cycle.

Yield

No yield on collateral; cross collateral limited to USD/EUR/BTC.

Pros / cons

Pros: oldest surviving exchange; MiCA + MiFID II; Robinhood backing; licensed EU perpetuals; clean DNB record.

Cons: no pro-leverage advantage (10x = 10x); no real stocks; no collateral yield; 15-minute settlement can feel restrictive; narrower asset range; no unified wallet.

Best suited for

Traders valuing legacy reliability, perpetuals on a MiFID II-licensed venue, compliance-first users.

Frequently asked questions

What does 15-minute periodic settlement mean?
Positions settle every 15 minutes rather than continuously — unique to Bitstamp and relevant for some strategies.

Ready to compare exchanges?Open the cost calculator