Bitcoin.de vs Bitvavo Comparison

Bitcoin.de is regarded as a pioneer among German crypto marketplaces and has been active since 2011, making the platform one of the oldest providers in the German-speaking market; it says it has more than 1.1 million customers. The principle that euro balances remain in the user’s own bank account is viewed positively by security-conscious users.

Trading has largely been suspended since 12 June 2026, and deposits are paused as well. On 6 October 2026 the parent company Bitcoin Group SE announced that BaFin had not granted the application futurum bank AG filed on 27 June 2025 for authorisation as a crypto-asset service provider under MiCAR; this also ends the toleration under which its crypto services had been running. The bank can lodge an objection within one month of notification. For the restart, bitcoin.de is preparing a cooperation with two regulated partners based in Germany, an institution acting as trading partner and a custodian; the provider has not given a date (customer notice dated 7 October 2026). Until the transfer, futurum bank AG continues to hold the crypto assets, and withdrawals to your own wallets remain possible.

The selection of just 10 cryptocurrencies is clearly room for improvement compared with modern exchanges. The limitation to SEPA as the only payment method, the lack of a mobile app, and 2FA protection only via SMS are also occasionally criticized. Some users consider the interface in need of modernization. According to the provider, the new platform with apps for iOS and Android, more than 100 cryptocurrencies, savings plans, swaps and staking is technically complete, but it will only launch with the new operating model.

As long as trading is paused, Bitcoin.de is not an option for new purchases; existing customers can withdraw their crypto assets to their own wallets. After the announced restart, the platform will mainly appeal to investors who want to rely on a long-established German provider; fees and coin selection under the new model have not yet been published.

In short: Bitvavo is one of the cheapest crypto exchanges for investors who trade in euros: 427 coins, all directly against the euro, trading from 0.15% as a maker and 0.25% as a taker, free SEPA deposits. The exchange holds a MiCA licence from the Dutch regulator AFM and serves customers across the EU, including Germany. A savings plan, staking and leveraged trading of up to ten times complement spot trading.

Is Bitvavo safe and licensed in the EU?

Yes, Bitvavo may serve customers across the EU. Bitvavo B.V., based in Amsterdam, has been authorised as a crypto-asset service provider under Article 63 MiCA since 26 June 2025, licensed by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). Through the EU passport the licence covers 30 EEA countries, including Germany, France and Spain (ESMA register, file of 30 October 2026). It covers custody, operating the trading platform and transfers of crypto assets. Customers resident in Germany have their own country annex to the user agreement (version of 15 July 2025). In early 2024 Bitvavo temporarily stopped onboarding new customers from Germany; today the exchange lists Germany among its supported countries.

Custody and account guarantee: Bitvavo keeps most crypto assets offline in cold wallets with two custody providers, which according to the exchange are insured for up to $755 million; larger transfers require approval by several people. If a third party gains unauthorised access to your account and withdraws crypto, Bitvavo's account guarantee refunds up to €100,000 per incident, once per user. Transfers you send to scammers yourself are not covered (Bitvavo security page).

Euro balances, staking and lending: Bitvavo holds euros on your account as e-tokens in a separate e-token wallet. According to the user agreement it is not a deposit or investment account, and no statutory deposit guarantee applies. Staking and lending currently fall outside MiCA supervision, as Bitvavo states; lending is provided by the sister company Bitvavo Custody B.V.

What you can do yourself: turn on two-factor authentication, an anti-phishing code and a withdrawal address whitelist, keep larger amounts on your own hardware wallet and watch delisting dates. Bitvavo removes individual coins from trading, most recently Across Protocol on 27 October 2026, with Portal To Bitcoin (PTB) to follow on 6 November 2026.

Who is Bitvavo for?

Bitvavo suits investors in the EU who want to trade cheaply against the euro, deposit by SEPA and pick from a large range of coins without a detour via stablecoins; a savings plan and staking are included. If you want crypto, stocks and ETFs in one app, look at Bitpanda; for order-book trading with professional tools, Kraken Pro. An alternative with a listed parent company is Coinbase. All licensed providers are listed in our comparison of regulated crypto exchanges.