Bitvavo Review (2026)

Bitvavo is a Dutch crypto exchange for buying, selling, storing and trading cryptocurrencies. The platform targets both beginners and active traders by combining a simple app with Pro Mode, low trading fees, staking and margin trading with up to 10x leverage.

In this Bitvavo review, we assess the current asset selection, fees, payment methods, regulation, security, customer support and trading features. We use Bitvavo ourselves and regularly compare the platform with other European exchanges.

Bitvavo review summary

Bitvavo is one of the largest crypto exchanges in Europe and the largest exchange for euro spot trading. The platform has more than 2 million users and currently supports 453 cryptocurrencies.

On regular EUR markets, trading fees are capped at 0.25% for takers and 0.15% for makers. These fees decrease as your trading volume over the previous 30 days increases. Separate, often lower, fee schedules apply to USDC markets and stablecoin pairs.

Bitvavo stands out because it combines accessibility with a wide range of features. Beginners can buy crypto directly through the dashboard or app. More experienced traders can use Pro Mode for order books, TradingView charts, limit orders, stop limit orders and other trading tools.

Bitvavo also offers staking for more than 70 cryptocurrencies. Active traders can use Trading Power to open short positions on 20 major cryptocurrencies with up to 10x leverage. Leveraged long positions have been announced, but they are not available yet.

What is Bitvavo?

Bitvavo is an Amsterdam based crypto exchange that launched in 2018. The company is located at Keizersgracht 281 in Amsterdam and is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under number 68743424.

The platform allows users to buy, sell, store and trade cryptocurrencies from a single account. It combines the simplicity of a broker with the lower fees and more advanced order options of an exchange.

Beginners do not need to work with an order book or advanced charts immediately. A purchase can be completed directly from the dashboard. Once you want more control over pricing and execution, you can switch to Pro Mode without opening another account.

453 cryptocurrencies available

Bitvavo supports 453 cryptocurrencies. The selection includes major assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana and Cardano, as well as stablecoins, smaller projects and newer market segments.

The exact number can change when Bitvavo adds or removes assets. The broad selection is particularly useful for users who want to manage several cryptocurrencies through a single account. It reduces the need to use a second exchange for smaller coins.

Bitvavo supports direct trading in euros. This means you do not need to convert your euro balance into USDC or another stablecoin first. Alongside EUR markets, the platform also offers USDC markets and separate stablecoin pairs.

Is Bitvavo reliable and regulated?

Bitvavo holds a MiCA licence from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets, the AFM. This licence allows Bitvavo to provide regulated crypto services, including custody, operating a trading platform and executing crypto transfers.

The MiCA licence can be passported throughout the European Economic Area. Bitvavo therefore does not need a completely separate crypto licence in every individual EU country.

Bitvavo is also listed in the register of De Nederlandsche Bank for payment services. The older description that Bitvavo only has a DNB crypto registration is no longer complete. Since MiCA was introduced, the AFM supervises the licensed crypto services.

Client assets are generally held through Stichting Bitvavo Payments. This foundation is separate from Bitvavo B.V. and is designed to legally separate user assets from the exchange’s operating activities.

Security of client assets

Most stored cryptocurrencies are kept in cold storage with specialised custody providers. Bitvavo works with providers including Coinbase Custody International and Copper. The insurance policies linked to these custody solutions provide combined maximum coverage of $755 million.

This does not mean that each individual user is personally insured for $755 million. The amount relates to insurance held by the external custody providers for specific risks within their custody arrangements.

Bitvavo also offers an Account Guarantee of up to €100,000. If an unauthorised third party gains access to your account and withdraws funds, you may qualify for compensation subject to the terms. The guarantee is not a deposit guarantee scheme and is not a standard insurance policy.

Important conditions include having a fully verified account, using authenticator app based 2FA for at least 30 days and not having acted negligently. Losses caused by transactions you authorised yourself, incorrectly sent crypto or scams where you gave permission are not automatically covered.

Even with these measures, you should still use a unique password, authenticator app based 2FA, an anti phishing code and withdrawal restrictions. For large balances and long term storage, a hardware wallet can provide more direct control.

Depositing euros and payment methods

English speaking users can deposit through methods including Wero, SEPA bank transfer, debit card, credit card, Apple Pay and PayPal. Availability can vary by country.

Wero, SEPA bank transfer and Apple Pay do not carry deposit fees. Card deposits cost 1% and PayPal deposits cost 2%.

Apple Pay is useful for users with a supported Apple device. Google Pay is not currently listed as an available payment method and has therefore not been included in this review.

A deposit made through PayPal, Apple Pay or a payment card does not verify your bank account. Before withdrawing euros, you may therefore need to use a payment method that allows Bitvavo to verify your personal IBAN.

Buying crypto through the simple interface

The standard dashboard lets you buy cryptocurrency without using an order book. You select the asset, enter the amount and confirm the transaction.

Trading fees are not determined by the interface you use. The previous distinction where the basic interface supposedly cost 0.25% and the advanced interface automatically cost 0.15% was incorrect. Your actual fee depends on your 30 day trading volume and on whether your order is executed as a maker or taker order.

Bitvavo Pro Mode

Pro Mode is designed for users who want more control over their orders. It provides access to an order book, advanced charts and several order types.

The charts are powered by TradingView. You can use indicators, compare different timeframes and analyse price movements. The order book shows the buy and sell orders currently available.

The main order types are:

• Market order: the order is executed immediately at the best available market price.
• Limit order: you set the maximum purchase price or minimum sale price in advance.
• Stop limit order: once the stop price is reached, a limit order is placed.
• Good Til Canceled: the limit order remains active until it is filled or cancelled by you.
• Immediate Or Cancel: the available part is filled immediately and the remainder is cancelled.
• Fill Or Kill: the full order must be executed immediately, otherwise it is cancelled.

A market order removes liquidity from the order book and is therefore charged at the taker rate. A limit order that is not executed immediately adds liquidity and may qualify for the maker rate.

Trading Power, short positions and 10x leverage

Bitvavo offers Trading Power for 20 major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana. It allows you to open a larger market position than the amount you provide as collateral, with leverage of up to 10x.

With €100 and 10x leverage, for example, you receive €1,000 in market exposure. Price movements therefore have a much larger effect on both your potential profit and your potential loss.

Trading Power currently supports short positions. You borrow a cryptocurrency, sell it and later buy it back. If the price falls, the difference may result in a profit after costs. If the price rises, the position generates a loss.

Bitvavo has also announced leveraged long positions with up to 10x leverage. These are not available yet and should not be presented as an existing feature.

Margin trading involves borrowing costs in addition to standard trading fees for as long as the position remains open. If your position is closed automatically because the collateral is no longer sufficient, a liquidation fee may apply.

Bitvavo shows information such as the entry price, liquidation price and risk level of a position. You can also set levels to take profit or limit losses. These tools do not remove the risk. Leverage can cause you to lose your full collateral.

Staking on Bitvavo

Bitvavo offers staking for more than 70 cryptocurrencies. There are two main options:

• Flex Staking: you earn rewards without locking your assets for a fixed period.
• Fixed Staking: you lock supported assets for an agreed period and generally receive a higher reward.

The available cryptocurrencies and reward rates can change regularly. Always check the current APY and terms before activating staking.

Staking and lending are not covered by the MiCA protections that apply to the regulated trading and custody services. This distinction should be considered when assessing the risks.

Bitvavo fees and costs

Opening a Bitvavo account is free. Trading fees apply when a buy or sell order is executed.

On EUR markets, the starting rate is 0.15% for maker orders and 0.25% for taker orders. The fees decrease as your crypto trading volume over the previous 30 days increases.

A maker order adds liquidity to the order book. A taker order is matched immediately with an existing order and removes liquidity. Market orders are always taker orders. A limit order may be a maker order, but only when it is not executed immediately.

USDC markets use a separate fee schedule with rates starting at 0.05%. Stablecoin pairs such as USDC/EUR and EURC/EUR also have their own pricing structure.

Withdrawing euros from Bitvavo

Withdrawing euros to a linked bank account is free. Bitvavo processes the withdrawal immediately, but the final transfer time depends on the bank and payment network. Many withdrawals are credited quickly through instant payments, although a standard bank transfer can take longer.

A standard cumulative withdrawal limit of €25,000 per 24 hours applies to euro and crypto withdrawals combined. Bitvavo may request additional information about the source of funds before approving higher limits.

Verification and KYC

Bitvavo must verify the identity of its users. When opening an account, you will be asked for personal details and a valid identity document. Bitvavo may also request information about the purpose of the account, individual transactions or the source of funds.

A bank account can be verified by making a payment through a method that shares your IBAN, such as a SEPA bank transfer or Wero. The name of the bank account holder must match the name on the Bitvavo account.

Verification is more than a formality. Bitvavo must comply with European regulation, anti money laundering rules and the Travel Rule for crypto transfers.

Bitvavo wallet

Bitvavo provides a built in wallet for supported cryptocurrencies. You can therefore store purchased crypto within your account without immediately installing a separate wallet.

An exchange wallet is convenient, but you do not control the private keys yourself. Bitvavo and its custody providers manage the technical storage. Users who want full independent control can withdraw crypto to a software wallet or hardware wallet.

External wallet withdrawals may be subject to address verification, security checks and regulatory controls. Always check a wallet address carefully, because a crypto transaction usually cannot be reversed.

Bitvavo app

The Bitvavo app is available for iOS and Android. It allows you to buy and sell crypto, deposit and withdraw euros, monitor your portfolio, set price alerts and manage staking.

Pro Mode is also available in the app. Active traders can access Trading Power, short positions and risk management features such as automatic position closure.

The app remains accessible for beginners, although it now contains more advanced trading tools than it did several years ago. New users should only use margin trading and leverage after fully understanding how they work and what the risks are.

Customer support

Bitvavo support is available by email and live chat. There is no public phone number, but you can request a telephone appointment through email or chat.

Human support agents are available every day. Chat and email are initially supported by the Vavo AI assistant. When a question cannot be resolved automatically, it can be forwarded to a support agent.

This is an improvement over the previous situation where telephone support was not available at all. It remains a drawback that users cannot directly call a general support number.

Bitvavo company details

Bitvavo B.V. is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under number 68743424. Its current business address is:

Bitvavo B.V.
Keizersgracht 281
1016 ED Amsterdam
The Netherlands

The previous address at Herengracht 450 was still mentioned in the old review, but it is no longer the current contact address.

The combination of a MiCA licence, supervision by the AFM, registration for payment services with DNB, separated client assets and extensive security measures makes Bitvavo a relatively strongly regulated European crypto exchange.

This does not remove the usual crypto risks. Prices can move sharply, staking and lending are not protected under MiCA and the Account Guarantee is subject to conditions.

Conclusion of our Bitvavo review

Bitvavo is one of the most complete choices for European users who want to buy and trade crypto in euros. The exchange combines 453 cryptocurrencies with low trading fees, a simple app, Pro Mode, staking and Trading Power with up to 10x leverage.

For beginners, the simple interface, Wero support and low maximum trading fees are particularly attractive. Active traders gain access to deep EUR markets, multiple order types and an expanding set of professional trading features.

The main disadvantages are the surcharges for PayPal and card deposits, the lack of a direct public phone number and the additional risks and costs of margin trading. Leveraged long positions are also not available yet, even though Bitvavo has already announced the feature.

Our rating remains 4.6 out of 5. Bitvavo performs particularly well on fees, ease of use, asset selection, regulation and euro payments. The exchange is suitable for both beginners and experienced traders, provided that higher risk features such as leverage are used carefully and with a full understanding of the risks.