Bitstamp and Tickmill clash in a battle between a native crypto exchange and a regulated CFD broker. The matchup tests asset depth, fees, and platform capabilities.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose Bitstamp if you want a native exchange with an in-house platform and a broad asset set. Bitstamp operates its own exchange and hosts 80 coins, plus a proprietary trading platform and cold storage for funds.
Choose if…
Choose Tickmill if you value regulated oversight with direct phone support and ECN execution. Tickmill provides top tier regulation, advanced charting, and compensation schemes through FCA and CySEC.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads From | N/A | 0 pips |
| Taker Fee | 0.40%▼ lower | 6.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Bitstamp | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: Bitstamp rates 4.2/5 and Tickmill rates 3.9/5. Bitstamp has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Tickmill 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 Tickmill requires at least $100. This makes Bitstamp more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Tickmill holds top-tier regulation (CySEC, FSCA, FCA), 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 Tickmill provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Tickmill 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 Tickmill'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.
Bitstamp supports Bitstamp, while Tickmill supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Bitstamp has exclusive access to Bitstamp. Tickmill has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
Bitstamp wins on security with cold storage and segregated funds.
Tickmill offers among the lowest ECN commissions; Bitstamp charges no deposit fees but higher base fees.
Bitstamp lists 80 coins, while Tickmill lists 4, making Bitstamp stronger for coin selection.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi access or Web3 features.
| N/A |
| 0.6 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free (crypto/SEPA/bank); card up to 5% | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | CryptoBank transferWire transferSEPACredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | CryptoBank transferWire transferSEPACredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Network fee for crypto; free SEPA | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FinCEN MiCA FCA | CySEC FSCA FCA |
|---|
| 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 Tickmill on the editorial score, reflecting its longer track record and larger asset base. Tickmill remains competitive on fees and regulation, but Bitstamp wins overall.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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