Bitstamp vs Swan Bitcoin — Head-to-Head Custody Comparison

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

Verdict

Quick Verdict

Bitstamp scores 7.5 vs Swan Bitcoin's 6.7. Bitstamp leads in 5 of 8 categories.

Bitstamp is better suited for European investors, Institutional traders, Long-term exchange users. Swan Bitcoin is better suited for Bitcoin savers (DCA), IRA investors, Bitcoin education seekers.

7.5

GoodCustody Score

Bitstamp

6.7

FairCustody Score

Swan Bitcoin

Scores

Score Comparison

Weighted scores across all 8 custody criteria.

Criterion	Weight	Bitstamp	Swan Bitcoin	Winner
Security	20%	7.5	7.0	Bitstamp
Insurance	15%	6.5	5.5	Bitstamp
Regulatory	15%	8.5	7.0	Bitstamp
Fee Transparency	10%	8.0	8.0	Tie
Track Record	15%	8.0	6.5	Bitstamp
Withdrawal Flexibility	10%	8.0	8.5	Swan Bitcoin
Reporting & Audit	10%	7.5	6.0	Bitstamp
Counterparty Diversification	5%	3.0	3.5	Swan Bitcoin
Overall Score	100%	7.5	6.7	Bitstamp

Visual

Score Radar

Visual overlay of Bitstamp and Swan Bitcoin across all categories.

BitstampSwan Bitcoin

Deep Dive

Category-by-Category Analysis

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

Security (7.5 vs 7.0)

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..

Swan Bitcoin uses Fortress Trust / BitGo custody key management with Majority cold (via partners) in cold storage and regular penetration testing. Compliance: Via partners. Incident history: No incidents.

Insurance (6.5 vs 5.5)

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

Swan Bitcoin offers Via Fortress Trust / BitGo custody partners via Via custody partners. Custody through regulated partners with their own insurance.

Regulatory (8.5 vs 7.0)

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.

Swan Bitcoin holds FinCEN MSB, State licenses via partners and is not a qualified custodian operating in United States. US-based. Custody through Fortress Trust (regulated trust company).

Fee Transparency (8.0 vs 8.0)

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.

Swan Bitcoin charges None (exchange) / 0.39% (IRA) in annual custody fees with 0.99% (instant) / 0.49% (auto-DCA) per transaction. Automated DCA with competitive fees. IRA available. Free auto-withdrawal to own wallet.

Track Record (8.0 vs 6.5)

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..

Swan Bitcoin was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. AUM: Not publicly disclosed. Incident history: No incidents.

Withdrawal Flexibility (8.0 vs 8.5)

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

Swan Bitcoin withdrawal fees: Free auto-withdrawals. Minimum account: $10 minimum. Supported assets: Bitcoin only.

Reporting & Audit (7.5 vs 6.0)

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

Swan Bitcoin: SOC compliance is Via partners. Not classified as a qualified custodian.

Counterparty Diversification (3.0 vs 3.5)

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

Swan Bitcoin is a exchange custody provider. Key management: Bitcoin savings platform with Fortress Trust / BitGo custody partnership..

Fees

Fee Comparison

Side-by-side fee breakdown for Bitstamp and Swan Bitcoin.

Fee Type	Bitstamp	Swan Bitcoin
Setup Fee	Free	Free
Annual Custody	None	None (exchange) / 0.39% (IRA)
Transaction	0.0-0.4% tiered	0.99% (instant) / 0.49% (auto-DCA)
Withdrawal	Network fees	Free auto-withdrawals

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

Swan Bitcoin: Automated DCA with competitive fees. IRA available. Free auto-withdrawal to own wallet.

Features

Feature Comparison

Checklist of features across both providers.

Feature	Bitstamp	Swan Bitcoin
13+ year track record	✓	✗
Advisor services	✗	✓
Automated DCA	✗	✓
BitGo custody	✗	✓
BitGo custody partnership	✓	✗
Bitcoin IRA	✗	✓
Bitcoin education	✗	✓
Free auto-withdrawal to own wallet	✗	✓
Institutional API	✓	✗
Low trading fees	✓	✗
Luxembourg banking license	✓	✗
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

Swan Bitcoin is better if you…

✓Are a bitcoin savers (dca)
✓Are a ira investors
✓Are a bitcoin education seekers
✓Are a long-term accumulators
✓Want: Best Bitcoin DCA platform
✓Want: Free auto-withdrawal to own wallet
✓Want: Bitcoin IRA offering

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bitstamp or Swan Bitcoin better for Bitcoin custody?

Bitstamp scores 7.5 vs 6.7 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 Swan Bitcoin suits Bitcoin savers (DCA) and IRA investors.

What is the difference between Bitstamp and Swan Bitcoin?

Bitstamp is a exchange custody provider, while Swan Bitcoin is a exchange custody provider. Bitstamp excels in Regulatory, whereas Swan Bitcoin is strongest in Withdrawal Flexibility.

How do Bitstamp and Swan Bitcoin fees compare?

Bitstamp charges None annual custody fees with 0.0-0.4% tiered transaction fees. Swan Bitcoin charges None (exchange) / 0.39% (IRA) annual custody fees with 0.99% (instant) / 0.49% (auto-DCA) transaction fees.

Which is more secure, Bitstamp or Swan Bitcoin?

Bitstamp scores 7.5/10 for security while Swan Bitcoin scores 7.0/10. Bitstamp uses BitGo custody partnership key management, and Swan Bitcoin uses Fortress Trust / BitGo custody.