Two contrasting crypto brokers face off: an offshore CFD broker and a regulated native exchange. The tension centers on regulation, asset depth, and pricing clarity.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose AMarkets if you prefer crypto CFDs on MT4/MT5 or cTrader with copy trading. You accept offshore SVG/FSA regulation and a max leverage of 2:1.
Choose if…
Choose Bitstamp if you want a regulated native exchange with broad asset coverage. It also offers an institutional-grade OTC desk and transparent pricing.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | 6.00% | 0.40%▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AMarkets | Bitstamp |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Fail | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Bitstamp rates 4.2/5 versus 3.3/5 for AMarkets. Bitstamp edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
AMarkets lists a spread from 0. Current spread data is not available for Bitstamp. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Bitstamp has no minimum deposit, while AMarkets requires at least $100. This makes Bitstamp more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
AMarkets is regulated by SVGFSA. Bitstamp is regulated by FCA, FinCEN. Confirm a exchange's current regulatory status on the relevant regulator's public register before opening an account.
For beginners, Bitstamp has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely. Both exchanges otherwise share similar beginner-facing criteria in our data. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchanges's site.
AMarkets supports margin or futures trading with up to 2:1 leverage. Bitstamp appears to be spot-only based on our data; confirm current product availability on each exchange's website.
Bitstamp charges $0.4 per trade, lower than AMarkets's $6 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
AMarkets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Bitstamp supports Bitstamp. AMarkets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Bitstamp has exclusive access to Bitstamp.
Bitstamp scores higher on security criteria, with cold storage and segregated client funds. For crypto, cold storage and proof of reserves are key indicators that client assets are protected against exchange failure or hacks.
Bitstamp benefits from multiple regulators and segregated client funds.
AMarkets wins for low fees due to low spreads on standard and ECN accounts.
Bitstamp wins for beginners with zero minimum deposit and regulated environment.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi or Web3 functionality.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | $10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free (crypto/SEPA/bank); card up to 5% |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | CryptoBank transferWire transferSEPACredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | CryptoBank transferWire transferSEPACredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee for crypto; free SEPA |
|---|
| Regulators | SVGFSA | FCA FinCEN MiCA |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | Yes |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Bitstamp wins overall on editorial score, reflecting stronger regulation and broader asset selection than AMarkets.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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