Onramp vs Bitstamp — Head-to-Head Custody Comparison

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

Verdict

Quick Verdict

Onramp scores 8.7 vs Bitstamp's 7.5. Onramp leads in 5 of 8 categories.

Onramp is better suited for Family offices, RIAs, HNW individuals. Bitstamp is better suited for European investors, Institutional traders, Long-term exchange users.

8.7

Very GoodCustody Score

Onramp

7.5

GoodCustody Score

Bitstamp

Scores

Score Comparison

Weighted scores across all 8 custody criteria.

Criterion	Weight	Onramp	Bitstamp	Winner
Security	20%	9.5	7.5	Onramp
Insurance	15%	9.0	6.5	Onramp
Regulatory	15%	8.5	8.5	Tie
Fee Transparency	10%	7.5	8.0	Bitstamp
Track Record	15%	8.0	8.0	Tie
Withdrawal Flexibility	10%	8.5	8.0	Onramp
Reporting & Audit	10%	8.5	7.5	Onramp
Counterparty Diversification	5%	10.0	3.0	Onramp
Overall Score	100%	8.7	7.5	Onramp

Visual

Score Radar

Visual overlay of Onramp and Bitstamp across all categories.

OnrampBitstamp

Deep Dive

Category-by-Category Analysis

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

Security (9.5 vs 7.5)

Onramp uses Multi-institution distributed key management with Varies by underlying custodian in cold storage and regular penetration testing. Compliance: Via underlying custodians (SOC 1 & SOC 2). Incident history: No incidents.

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..

Insurance (9.0 vs 6.5)

Onramp offers Aggregate coverage across multiple custodian insurance policies via Multiple (via underlying custodians). Each underlying custodian maintains their own insurance. Combined coverage exceeds single-custodian limits.

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

Regulatory (8.5 vs 8.5)

Onramp holds State money transmitter licenses and is a qualified custodian operating in United States. Regulated through underlying custodian partnerships with qualified custodians

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.

Fee Transparency (7.5 vs 8.0)

Onramp charges Contact for pricing in annual custody fees with 0.50% per trade (brokerage) per transaction. Also offers Onramp Finance: lowest-cost Bitcoin brokerage at 50bps, 5% APY on cash, 1.5% cashback card

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.

Track Record (8.0 vs 8.0)

Onramp was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in Austin, TX. AUM: $1B+. Incident history: No incidents.

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..

Withdrawal Flexibility (8.5 vs 8.0)

Onramp withdrawal fees: Contact for pricing. Minimum account: $100,000. Supported assets: Bitcoin.

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

Reporting & Audit (8.5 vs 7.5)

Onramp: SOC compliance is Via underlying custodians (SOC 1 & SOC 2). As a qualified custodian, it meets SEC reporting requirements.

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

Counterparty Diversification (10.0 vs 3.0)

Onramp is a multi-institution custody provider. Key management: Multi-institution distributed custody — keys and assets spread across multiple independent regulated custodians (BitGo, Coinbase, Fidelity, etc.).

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

Fees

Fee Comparison

Side-by-side fee breakdown for Onramp and Bitstamp.

Fee Type	Onramp	Bitstamp
Setup Fee	Contact for pricing	Free
Annual Custody	Contact for pricing	None
Transaction	0.50% per trade (brokerage)	0.0-0.4% tiered
Withdrawal	Contact for pricing	Network fees

Onramp: Also offers Onramp Finance: lowest-cost Bitcoin brokerage at 50bps, 5% APY on cash, 1.5% cashback card

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

Features

Feature Comparison

Checklist of features across both providers.

Feature	Onramp	Bitstamp
1.5% cashback card	✓	✗
13+ year track record	✗	✓
5% APY on cash balances	✓	✗
BitGo custody partnership	✗	✓
Bitcoin brokerage services (Onramp Finance)	✓	✗
Institutional API	✗	✓
Institutional-grade security and compliance	✓	✗
Low trading fees	✗	✓
Luxembourg banking license	✗	✓
Multi-Institution Custody across multiple regulated custodians	✓	✗
No single point of failure	✓	✗
SEPA/SWIFT support	✗	✓
White-glove onboarding for institutions	✓	✗

Recommendation

Who Should Choose Which?

Onramp is better if you…

✓Are a family offices
✓Are a rias
✓Are a hnw individuals
✓Are a institutions
✓Want: Only provider offering true multi-institution custody — no single point of failure
✓Want: Aggregated insurance coverage exceeds any single custodian
✓Want: $1B+ in assets under custody demonstrates institutional trust

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

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Onramp or Bitstamp better for Bitcoin custody?

Onramp scores 8.7 vs 7.5 in our weighted Custody Score. Onramp leads in 5 of 8 scoring categories. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs: Onramp is best for Family offices and RIAs, while Bitstamp suits European investors and Institutional traders.

What is the difference between Onramp and Bitstamp?

Onramp is a multi-institution custody provider, while Bitstamp is a exchange custody provider. Onramp excels in Counterparty Diversification, whereas Bitstamp is strongest in Regulatory.

How do Onramp and Bitstamp fees compare?

Onramp charges Contact for pricing annual custody fees with 0.50% per trade (brokerage) transaction fees. Bitstamp charges None annual custody fees with 0.0-0.4% tiered transaction fees.

Which is more secure, Onramp or Bitstamp?

Onramp scores 9.5/10 for security while Bitstamp scores 7.5/10. Onramp uses Multi-institution distributed key management, and Bitstamp uses BitGo custody partnership.