# Bitstamp

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/bitstamp
> research date 2026-06-01 · extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

Specifications:
- [Bitstamp — official](https://www.bitstamp.net/)

## Key details

- **Launch:** 2011

## Overview
**Bitstamp** is **one of the world's longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges + a Luxembourg/EU-licensed spot trading venue now owned by Robinhood** <sup>[1][1], [2][2], [United Kingdom report](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/GB)</sup>. Founded in 2011, it predates most of today's major exchanges and built a reputation as a compliance-first venue serving both retail and institutional clients across Europe, the UK, the US and Asia.

## History
**2011 — Bitstamp founded** in Ljubljana, Slovenia by Nejc Kodrič and Damijan Merlak as a European alternative to Mt. Gox.
**2013 — relocates operations to the UK**, scaling into one of the largest BTC/USD and BTC/EUR venues.
**2016 — obtains a Luxembourg payment institution licence**, becoming one of the first fully regulated crypto exchanges in the EU.
**2018 — acquired by Belgium-based investment firm NXMH** (a subsidiary of NXC).
**2023 — majority stake acquired by Galaxy Digital-linked / institutional investors** as it expanded institutional services.
**June 2025 — acquired by Robinhood Markets for ~$200M**, becoming Robinhood's institutional and EU crypto backbone.

## Ownership & operator
**Operating entity**: **Bitstamp Ltd** (UK / Luxembourg).
**Major shareholders**: **Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOD)** following the 2025 acquisition.
**Regulators**: **Luxembourg CSSF**, **UK FCA** (registration), **EU MiCA** framework, and **US state money transmitter licences**.

## Technical integration
Web and mobile apps plus a professional REST/WebSocket API. Supports major assets across Bitcoin, Ethereum and other chains, with crypto deposit/withdrawal addresses, fiat on/off-ramps (SEPA, wire, card) and institutional custody and trading services.

## Implementations & partners
**Major competitors**: [Kraken](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/kraken) (global spot exchange) + [Coinbase](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/coinbase) (US-listed exchange) + [Bitpanda](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/bitpanda) (EU retail broker).

## Status
**Active, now operating as Robinhood's EU/institutional crypto exchange backbone** <sup>[1][1], [2][2]</sup>.

## Sources

[1]: https://www.bitstamp.net/ "Bitstamp — official"
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitstamp "Bitstamp — Wikipedia"
[gb-cro]: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/GB

- [1] [Bitstamp — official][1]
- [2] [Bitstamp — Wikipedia][2]
- <sup>[United Kingdom report](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/GB)</sup> In-corpus: `reports/countries/GB-united-kingdom.md`

## Source

Biography extracted from [bitstamp.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/source/wallets/bitstamp). See `matrix.md` for standards-support matrix if present.