Cryptocurrency & Blockchain · head to head
Bitstamp vs FTX
Bitstamp
Cryptocurrency & Blockchain
The original crypto exchange since 2011
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Bitstamp trading fees are higher than some competitors; FTX the exchange collapsed and FTX Trading Ltd filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 11 November 2022
- They diverge on capability: Bitstamp covers Staking, FTX covers Futures Trading.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Bitstamp and FTX actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cryptocurrency & Blockchain).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Bitstamp
- Staking
- Instant Orders
- API Trading
- SEPA
- SWIFT
- Credit Card
Only in FTX
- Futures Trading
- Options
- Leveraged Tokens
- FTT Token
- Serum DEX
Both cover
- Spot Trading
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Bitstamp
- Exchanges
- Trading
- Compliancenot FTX
FTX
- Exchanges
- Derivativesnot Bitstamp
- Trading
Both are used for exchanges, trading, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Bitstamp
- Trading fees are higher than some competitors
- Limited selection of newer or smaller altcoins compared to larger exchanges
- Customer service response times can be slow during high-volume periods
FTX
- The exchange collapsed and FTX Trading Ltd filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 11 November 2022
- Around 130 affiliated companies including Alameda Research entered the same proceedings, with more than 100,000 creditors and assets and liabilities each between $10 billion and $50 billion
- Founder Sam Bankman-Fried resigned as CEO on the filing and was replaced by John J. Ray III
- It is not a service anyone can sign up for; the estate exists to repay creditors
Pricing, plan by plan
Bitstamp
Free- StandardFree
- Spot trading
- Staking
- Instant orders
FTX
Free- StandardFree
- Spot trading
- Futures
- Options
Which should you pick?
Choose Bitstamp if
- You need staking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile iOS, Mobile Android.
- You also want instant orders.
Choose FTX if
- You need futures trading.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want options.
Questions people ask
- Is Bitstamp or FTX better?
- Neither clearly leads. Bitstamp starts at Free and FTX at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Bitstamp or FTX?
- Bitstamp starts at Free and FTX at Free.
- Does Bitstamp or FTX run on more platforms?
- Bitstamp runs on Web, Mobile iOS, Mobile Android. FTX runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- Can I use Bitstamp for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Bitstamp best used for?
- Bitstamp is most often used for exchanges, trading, compliance. Of those, compliance is not what FTX is typically brought in for.
- What can Bitstamp do that FTX cannot?
- Bitstamp covers Staking, Instant Orders, API Trading, SEPA. FTX covers Futures Trading, Options, Leveraged Tokens, FTT Token. Both handle Spot Trading, Web support, Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Bitstamp: When was Bitstamp founded?
Bitstamp was founded in August 2011 in Slovenia by Nejc Kodrič and Damjan Merlak.
SourceFTX: What happened to FTX?
FTX filed for bankruptcy on November 11, 2022, after revelations about Alameda Research's massive holdings of FTX's token (FTT) triggered a liquidity crisis. The platform collapsed within days as a competing rescue deal fell through.
SourceBitstamp: Where is Bitstamp registered?
Bitstamp is registered in Luxembourg and was recognized by Luxembourg as a virtual currency exchange in 2016.
SourceFTX: Can I recover funds from FTX bankruptcy?
FTX has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings since November 11, 2022. Customer funds have been subject to claims through the bankruptcy process, with asset recovery efforts ongoing.
SourceBitstamp: How many cryptocurrencies does Bitstamp list?
Bitstamp lists approximately 107 cryptocurrencies with close to 230 spot trading pairs including USD, EUR, GBP, and stablecoin base currencies.
SourceBitstamp: Who owns Bitstamp?
Bitstamp is owned by Robinhood, which acquired the exchange to expand its cryptocurrency trading capabilities.
SourceBitstamp: How many customers does Bitstamp have?
Bitstamp is trusted by more than 5 million customers worldwide.
SourceBitstamp: How does Bitstamp store customer cryptocurrencies?
Bitstamp keeps most client crypto in cold storage for security and offers additional security features including 2FA and withdrawal-address whitelisting.
Source