Bitstamp
| Bitstamp | |
|---|---|
| Type | Cryptocurrency exchange |
| Location | Luxembourg City, Luxembourg |
| Founded | 2011; 15 years ago |
| Owner | Robinhood |
| Key people |
Jean-Baptiste Graftieaux (CEO) |
| Website | www.bitstamp.net |
Bitstamp by Robinhood is a global cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2011 and headquartered in Luxembourg. It provides secure trading via web, mobile, and API platforms for individuals and institutions.
It allows trading between fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies, including the U.S. dollar, euro, pound sterling, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Bitcoin Cash, Algorand, Stellar, and USD Coin.
History
Bitstamp was established as a Europe-focused alternative to the then-dominant Bitcoin exchange, Mt. Gox. It trades primarily in U.S. dollars and allows free fiat currency deposits exclusively via the European Union’s Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), a system facilitating transfers between European bank accounts.
Bitstamp was founded in 2011 by Nejc Kodrič and Damijan Merlak. Starting with minimal capital, two laptops, and a server, the duo launched the exchange in their garage, driven by technological curiosity and a vision for cryptocurrency trading in Europe. Bitstamp outsourced some of its operations to the United Kingdom since Slovenia lacked sufficient financial and legal services to support the exchange’s activities.
Bitstamp was backed by the United States hedge fund Pantera Capital. In 2016, it became the first nationally regulated Bitcoin exchange in Europe, and received a Luxembourg Payment