Bitstamp vs Interactive Brokers — Head-to-Head Custody Comparison

An independent, data-driven comparison of Bitstamp and Interactive Brokers across security, insurance, fees, regulatory compliance, and more.

Verdict

Quick Verdict

Bitstamp scores 7.5 vs Interactive Brokers's 6.9. Bitstamp leads in 5 of 8 categories.

Bitstamp is better suited for European investors, Institutional traders, Long-term exchange users. Interactive Brokers is better suited for Professional traders, Multi-asset investors, RIAs adding crypto.

7.5

GoodCustody Score

Bitstamp

6.9

FairCustody Score

Interactive Brokers

Scores

Score Comparison

Weighted scores across all 8 custody criteria.

Criterion	Weight	Bitstamp	Interactive Brokers	Winner
Security	20%	7.5	6.5	Bitstamp
Insurance	15%	6.5	5.0	Bitstamp
Regulatory	15%	8.5	9.0	Interactive Brokers
Fee Transparency	10%	8.0	7.0	Bitstamp
Track Record	15%	8.0	9.5	Interactive Brokers
Withdrawal Flexibility	10%	8.0	5.0	Bitstamp
Reporting & Audit	10%	7.5	8.0	Interactive Brokers
Counterparty Diversification	5%	3.0	2.0	Bitstamp
Overall Score	100%	7.5	6.9	Bitstamp

Visual

Score Radar

Visual overlay of Bitstamp and Interactive Brokers across all categories.

BitstampInteractive Brokers

Deep Dive

Category-by-Category Analysis

A deeper look at how each provider performs in every scoring criterion.

Security (7.5 vs 6.5)

Bitstamp uses BitGo custody partnership key management with 95%+ in cold storage and regular penetration testing. Compliance: SOC 2 Type 2. Incident history: 2015 hot wallet breach (19,000 BTC). Fully repaid users..

Interactive Brokers uses Paxos custody partnership key management with Via Paxos in cold storage and regular penetration testing. Compliance: SOC 2 Type 2. Incident history: No major incidents in 45+ year history.

Insurance (6.5 vs 5.0)

Bitstamp offers BitGo custody insurance for cold storage via Via BitGo. Cold storage through BitGo with insurance coverage.

Interactive Brokers offers SIPC up to $500K for securities (NOT crypto) via SIPC + excess. World-class securities insurance. Crypto is NOT insured.

Regulatory (8.5 vs 9.0)

Bitstamp holds Luxembourg payment institution license, FCA registered (UK), Multiple EU licenses and is not a qualified custodian operating in Luxembourg / EU / Global. Luxembourg-licensed. One of the most established exchanges globally.

Interactive Brokers holds SEC registered, FINRA member, SIPC member, Global regulatory licenses and is a qualified custodian operating in United States / Global. One of the most regulated brokerages globally.

Fee Transparency (8.0 vs 7.0)

Bitstamp charges None in annual custody fees with 0.0-0.4% tiered per transaction. Competitive tiered fee structure. One of Europe's most established exchanges.

Interactive Brokers charges None in annual custody fees with 0.12-0.18% tiered per transaction. Among lowest crypto trading fees. But no crypto withdrawals — must sell to withdraw.

Track Record (8.0 vs 9.5)

Bitstamp was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Luxembourg. AUM: $5B+ trading volume. Incident history: 2015 hot wallet breach (19,000 BTC). Fully repaid users..

Interactive Brokers was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Greenwich, CT. AUM: $400B+ client equity. Incident history: No major incidents in 45+ year history.

Withdrawal Flexibility (8.0 vs 5.0)

Bitstamp withdrawal fees: Network fees. Minimum account: $10 minimum. Supported assets: Bitcoin, Ethereum, 80+ cryptocurrencies.

Interactive Brokers withdrawal fees: Not available (no crypto transfers out). Minimum account: No minimum for crypto. Supported assets: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Limited crypto selection.

Reporting & Audit (7.5 vs 8.0)

Bitstamp: SOC compliance is SOC 2 Type 2. Not classified as a qualified custodian.

Interactive Brokers: SOC compliance is SOC 2 Type 2. As a qualified custodian, it meets SEC reporting requirements.

Counterparty Diversification (3.0 vs 2.0)

Bitstamp is a exchange custody provider. Key management: Exchange-managed custody with BitGo partnership for cold storage..

Interactive Brokers is a exchange custody provider. Key management: Exchange-managed custody via Paxos partnership..

Fees

Fee Comparison

Side-by-side fee breakdown for Bitstamp and Interactive Brokers.

Fee Type	Bitstamp	Interactive Brokers
Setup Fee	Free	Free
Annual Custody	None	None
Transaction	0.0-0.4% tiered	0.12-0.18% tiered
Withdrawal	Network fees	Not available (no crypto transfers out)

Bitstamp: Competitive tiered fee structure. One of Europe's most established exchanges.

Interactive Brokers: Among lowest crypto trading fees. But no crypto withdrawals — must sell to withdraw.

Features

Feature Comparison

Checklist of features across both providers.

Feature	Bitstamp	Interactive Brokers
13+ year track record	✓	✗
45+ year track record	✗	✓
BitGo custody partnership	✓	✗
Crypto alongside stocks/bonds/options	✗	✓
Global presence	✗	✓
Institutional API	✓	✗
Institutional-grade execution	✗	✓
Low trading fees	✓	✗
Lowest crypto trading fees	✗	✓
Luxembourg banking license	✓	✗
Professional trading tools	✗	✓
SEPA/SWIFT support	✓	✗

Recommendation

Who Should Choose Which?

Bitstamp is better if you…

✓Are a european investors
✓Are a institutional traders
✓Are a long-term exchange users
✓Are a fiat gateway seekers
✓Want: 13+ year track record — among oldest exchanges
✓Want: Luxembourg banking license
✓Want: Competitive fee structure

Interactive Brokers is better if you…

✓Are a professional traders
✓Are a multi-asset investors
✓Are a rias adding crypto
✓Are a institutional traders
✓Want: 45+ year track record — most established broker
✓Want: Lowest crypto trading fees (0.12-0.18%)
✓Want: Crypto alongside stocks/bonds/options

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bitstamp or Interactive Brokers better for Bitcoin custody?

Bitstamp scores 7.5 vs 6.9 in our weighted Custody Score. Bitstamp leads in 5 of 8 scoring categories. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs: Bitstamp is best for European investors and Institutional traders, while Interactive Brokers suits Professional traders and Multi-asset investors.

What is the difference between Bitstamp and Interactive Brokers?

Bitstamp is a exchange custody provider, while Interactive Brokers is a exchange custody provider. Bitstamp excels in Regulatory, whereas Interactive Brokers is strongest in Track Record.

How do Bitstamp and Interactive Brokers fees compare?

Bitstamp charges None annual custody fees with 0.0-0.4% tiered transaction fees. Interactive Brokers charges None annual custody fees with 0.12-0.18% tiered transaction fees.

Which is more secure, Bitstamp or Interactive Brokers?

Bitstamp scores 7.5/10 for security while Interactive Brokers scores 6.5/10. Bitstamp uses BitGo custody partnership key management, and Interactive Brokers uses Paxos custody partnership.