Bitvavo
Amsterdam crypto exchange with AFM MiCA authorisation, 400+ assets and volume-tiered fees from 0.15% maker and 0.25% taker
Quick Overview
| Company | Bitvavo B.V. |
|---|---|
| Category | Crypto Exchanges |
| Headquarters | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Founded | 2018 |
| EU Presence | Yes - Netherlands (EU) |
| Data Location | Not stated on the pages we read |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Spot trading, Pro mode, staking (Earn), Web3 wallet, API, institutional services, proof of reserves |
| Pricing | Maker 0.15% and taker 0.25% at the lowest volume tier, lower fees at higher 30-day volume (fee page, 28 Oct 2026) |
| Best For | Euro-based retail traders who want a large asset list on an EU-licensed exchange |
| Replaces | Coinbase, Coinbase Advanced |
Detailed Review
Bitvavo describes itself as founded in Amsterdam in 2018 and lists 400+ cryptocurrencies, with a trading platform that has a simple view for newcomers and a Pro mode for order-book trading.
Its terms name Bitvavo B.V. (Dutch chamber of commerce number 68743424) as the contracting party and state an AFM registration under MiCA for operating a trading platform, custody and transfer services.
Licence and contracting entity
The user terms (version of 15 July 2025) identify Bitvavo B.V. and Bitvavo Custody B.V., both registered at Keizersgracht 281 in Amsterdam. The terms state AFM registration number 41000010 as a crypto-asset service provider under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114.
That makes the legal counterparty a Dutch company supervised in the EU, which is the main structural difference with a US exchange group.
Fees you can read in advance
The fee page is rendered on the server and shows a volume ladder based on the previous 30 days. At the lowest tier the maker fee is 0.15% and the taker fee is 0.25%, and the about page gives 0.25% as the maximum.
Buying can start from as little as 5 euros according to the about page, which suits small recurring purchases.
Beyond spot trading
Bitvavo also offers staking under its Earn programme, a Web3 wallet, an API and an institutional service. Its security page describes mostly offline multi-signature cold storage with two custody providers.
These extras are described on separate pages, so check which of them are open to your country before relying on them.
Limitations to Consider
Bitvavo is a trading platform, not a bank, and the pages we read describe crypto services only, so there is no place to hold shares or ETFs here (compare Bitpanda). The 0.25% taker fee is charged on every market order at the base tier. We did not find a statement on where its servers are located, and the terms are a long document with Dutch governing law, which matters if you want a dispute handled outside the Netherlands.
Who Should Use Bitvavo
Euro account holders who trade actively, want many assets in one place and prefer a Dutch AFM-supervised counterparty.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Dutch company with AFM registration stated in its terms
- 400+ assets listed
- Fee ladder published on a server-rendered page
- Pro mode and API for active traders
- Starts from 5 euros per purchase
Cons
- Percentage fee on every trade at the base tier
- Crypto only on the pages we read
- Hosting location not stated
- Staking is a separate product with its own terms
Alternatives to Bitvavo
Other European crypto exchanges worth comparing before you decide:
Finst
Netherlands · Flat 0.15% fee per trade with no added spread
Bitpanda
Austria · Crypto, stocks, ETFs and metals in one app
Coinfinity
Austria · Bitcoin platform with savings plans and Lightning
BISON
Germany · Boerse Stuttgart Group app without transaction fees
See all European crypto exchanges or compare them directly against Coinbase on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Its terms state registration with the Dutch AFM under number 41000010 as a crypto-asset service provider under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (MiCA), and its about page says the licence is valid throughout the EU.
At the lowest 30-day volume tier the fee is 0.15% for makers and 0.25% for takers, and it falls as volume rises. The fee page lists the full ladder.
Bitvavo B.V., a Dutch private limited company at Keizersgracht 281 in Amsterdam, together with Bitvavo Custody B.V. for custody.