Bitstamp and Plus500 sit at opposite ends of the crypto trading spectrum. One leans on a native exchange with deep asset coverage, the other on a regulated CFD experience.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose Bitstamp if you want a native exchange with cold storage and transparent pricing.
Choose if…
Choose Plus500 if you want 24/5 live chat and regulated CFD exposure with negative balance protection.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads From | N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Taker Fee | 0.40% | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Bitstamp | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Pass | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Fail |
Bitstamp rates 4.2/5 versus 3.7/5 for Plus500. Bitstamp edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Plus500 lists a spread from 0.6. 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 Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes Bitstamp more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Plus500 holds top-tier regulation (CMA, MAS, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. Bitstamp may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Bitstamp has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and Plus500 provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Plus500 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 on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Plus500 are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. 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.
Bitstamp supports Bitstamp, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Bitstamp has exclusive access to Bitstamp. Plus500 has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Bitstamp is favored for security due to cold storage and broad regulation.
Plus500 wins for beginners due to a beginner-friendly platform.
Equally matched; neither supports DeFi or Web3 features.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month (after 12 months) | $10/month (after 3 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free (crypto/SEPA/bank); card up to 5% | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | CryptoBank transferWire transferSEPACredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | CryptoBank transferWire transferSEPACredit card | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Network fee for crypto; free SEPA | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FinCEN MiCA FCA | CMA MAS CySEC FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Cold Storage | Yes | No |
|---|
| 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 | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Bitstamp edges Plus500 on the editorial score due to its longer history and broader regulator coverage.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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