Bitvavo vs KuCoin Comparison
In our overall rating KuCoin leads with 3.9 out of 5 points, ahead of Bitvavo with 3.3. Our table lists the trading fee as “0.25 %” for Bitvavo and “0.1% maker/taker (spot)” for KuCoin. KuCoin has the better score in all five sub-ratings. KuCoin has been on the market longer, founded in 2017, while Bitvavo followed in 2018.
| 0.25 % | Fees | 0.1% maker/taker (spot) |
| € 2.50 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | — |
| 428 | Cryptos | — |
| iDEAL | Wero, Bancontact, SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay | Payment Methods | — |
| MiCA license via Netherlands AFM | Regulation | MiCA licence from the FMA (Austria) since 27 Nov 2025, FMA does not yet permit commencement of operations |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, calculated from the disclosed trading fee. A price markup in the spread is not included, because most providers do not publish it.
| € 2.50 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | — |
| 0.25 % | Fees | 0.1% maker/taker (spot) |
| € 1.31 | Wallet transfer | — |
| Yes | Cost transparency | — |
| € 5 | Minimum Amount | €10 per order (BTC/EUR) |
| iDEAL | Wero, Bancontact, SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay | Payment Methods | — |
Bitvavo charges maker and taker fees that fall with your trading volume over the last 30 days. SEPA deposits and crypto deposits are free, and all 427 coins trade directly against the euro.
| Transaction | Cost at Bitvavo |
|---|---|
| Crypto against euro, entry tier | 0.15% maker, 0.25% taker |
| Trading from EUR 100,000 volume in 30 days | 0.10% maker, 0.20% taker, falling further to 0.00% and 0.02% from EUR 100 million |
| Trading on USDC markets | 0.05% maker and taker |
| Stablecoin pairs such as USDC/EUR | 0.10% maker and taker, EURC/EUR 0.00% maker and 0.01% taker |
| Deposit via SEPA, iDEAL or Bancontact | free |
| Deposit via credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal | 1% |
| Deposit via EPS transfer | 1.75%, up to EUR 1,000 |
| EUR withdrawal via SEPA | free |
| Crypto deposit | free |
| Crypto withdrawal | fixed fee per coin, e.g. 0.000018 BTC (about EUR 1.25) or 0.00035 ETH (about EUR 0.71) |
| Margin trading | borrowing fee 0.0023% per hour, liquidation fee 2% |
| Recovery of crypto deposited incorrectly | EUR 50 administration fee |
How to save: Trading as a maker, i.e. placing a limit order on the order book, costs EUR 1.50 instead of EUR 2.50 as a taker on EUR 1,000. Deposit via SEPA instead of by card, which saves EUR 10 on EUR 1,000. Bundle crypto withdrawals, since the fee applies per withdrawal. We compare other exchanges with maker and taker fees in our crypto exchange comparison.
As of 1 November 2026 according to the Bitvavo fee page (accessed from Germany, deposit fees may differ by country) and the Bitvavo API (coin count, withdrawal fees; euro values at the 1 November 2026 rate).
Bitvavo bonus and referral programme
Bitvavo runs a referral programme: if you open your account through an existing customer's personal link, you both receive a benefit whose type and amount Bitvavo sets per campaign. The conditions are part of Bitvavo's user agreement (version of 15 July 2025). As of 24 October 2026.
Note, as of 1 November 2026: KuCoin EU states on its website that trading and deposits have been suspended since 4 February 2026. The table shows the rates KuCoin EU lists in its fee schedule.
| Transaction | Cost at KuCoin EU |
|---|---|
| Spot trading, base tier VIP 0 | 0.1% maker, 0.1% taker |
| Spot trading, VIP 3 | 0.075% maker, 0.09% taker |
| Spot trading, VIP 6 | 0.025% maker, 0.05% taker |
| Spot trading, VIP 12 | 0% maker, 0.025% taker |
| EUR deposits and withdrawals | via SEPA and SEPA Instant, fee shown before the withdrawal |
| Crypto withdrawals | network fee per coin |
How to save: Rates fall as your VIP tier rises. Users who already hold VIP status at another exchange can apply at KuCoin EU for a tier two levels higher for 60 days. We compare MiCA-licensed exchanges that are open for trading in our crypto exchange comparison.
Fees as of 1 November 2026 according to KuCoin EU VIP tiers and fees.
Pros & Cons
- MiCA licence from the AFM since 26 June 2025, valid across the EU
- All 427 coins tradable directly against the euro, no detour via a stablecoin
- Trading from 0.15% maker and 0.25% taker, falling to 0.00% and 0.02% with volume
- Free SEPA deposits and free euro withdrawals
- Account guarantee of up to €100,000 for unauthorised account access
- Savings plan, staking and leverage of up to ten times on 20 coins
- Credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal cost 1% each
- Staking and lending currently outside MiCA supervision, according to Bitvavo
- Euro balances held as e-tokens, without a statutory deposit guarantee
- Crypto withdrawals carry a fixed fee per coin, 0.000018 BTC for Bitcoin
- More than 800 coins worldwide, one of the largest altcoin selections
- Spot fees from 0.1% maker and taker, 0% maker from VIP 8
- MiCA licence from the FMA for KuCoin EU since 27 November 2025, valid across the EEA
- Futures, trading bots and earn products in the international offering
- Trading and deposits at KuCoin EU paused since 4 February 2026 (as of 1 November 2026)
- According to the FMA, operations may only start once further governance and management requirements are met
- Guilty plea in the US in January 2025, $297 million penalty
Score Comparison
User Experiences
AI AnalysisUsers generally report mostly positive experiences with Bitvavo, especially regarding usability and costs. In the reviews, the clear app and low fees are often praised, while support and technical reliability are also mentioned more critically.
Provider details (fees, licences, pros and cons) editorially reviewed: November 2026. This analysis is based on 606 user reviews from Apple App Store, Trustpilot, and Google Play Store evaluated with AI. The total number of reviews on the respective platforms may be higher; the platform ratings shown (star ratings) refer to all reviews available there. The reviews presented reflect user experiences and do not represent the site operator’s own assessment. All information is provided without guarantee. Status: April 2026. This comparison does not constitute investment advice.
Features
| available | Savings plan | not specified |
| available | Staking | not specified |
| available | Wallet transfer | not specified |
| available | Cost transparency | not specified |
| available | 2FA security | not specified |
| available | Anti-phishing code | not specified |
| available | SEPA instant transfer | not specified |
| available | Credit card | not specified |
| available | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | not specified |
| available | Web platform | not specified |
- MiCA licence from the AFM, valid in 30 EEA countries
- 427 coins, all directly against the euro
- Trading from 0.15% maker and 0.25% taker
- Account guarantee of up to €100,000 and cold-wallet custody
- Free SEPA deposits
- Altcoin exchange with more than 800 coins worldwide
- MiCA licence from the FMA for KuCoin EU, trading there paused since February 2026
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
Users particularly highlight Bitvavo's low and affordable fees. According to reviews, the costs are often mentioned positively. Critical remarks about fees play only a minor role in the available user opinions.
Spot at KuCoin EU: 0.1% maker and 0.1% taker in the base tier, falling with the VIP tier to 0% maker and 0.025% taker. According to KuCoin EU, trading and deposits have been suspended since 4 February 2026 (as of 1 November 2026).
Usability & User Experience
Users particularly praise Bitvavo for its clear design and intuitive app. According to reviews, the platform is often described as easy to use, which makes getting started especially simple. In some cases, users also report errors when launching the app or problems while using it.
Not enough reviews available.
Features & Offering
When it comes to features and the offering, users especially want a profit/loss display in percentages, portfolio analysis, and information on the average purchase price or buy-in at Bitvavo. A larger selection of coins and a dollar view are also occasionally requested in the reviews.
Not enough reviews available.
Stability & Security
When it comes to stability and reliability, users report connection issues, technical problems, and an app that occasionally crashes according to reviews. Errors on startup are also mentioned, which is why some users view this area critically.
Not enough reviews available.
Customer Support
Experiences with support are mixed according to reviews. Some users report fast support, while other feedback describes customer service as less easy to reach or notes that replies can take some time. Overall, users perceive support differently.
Not enough reviews available.
Details
| Bitvavo B.V. | Company | KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH |
| 2018 | Founded | 2017 |
| MiCA license via Netherlands AFM | Regulation | MiCA licence from the FMA (Austria) since 27 Nov 2025, FMA does not yet permit commencement of operations |
| € 5 | Minimum Amount | €10 per order (BTC/EUR) |
| Photo ID | KYC | — |
Verdict
In our overall rating KuCoin leads with 3.9 against 3.3 for Bitvavo.
Neither provider reaches 4.0 out of 5 in our rating, so we do not give an unreserved recommendation here.
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.
In short: KuCoin is popular with altcoin traders: more than 800 coins worldwide, spot trading from 0.1%, plus futures, trading bots and earn products. For investors in the EU, KuCoin EU is responsible, the European company with a MiCA licence from Austria. Trading and deposits there have been paused since 4 February 2026. If you are looking for an account to trade today, choose an exchange that is fully operating.
Is KuCoin safe and licensed in the EU?
The licence is in place, trading at KuCoin EU is paused. KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH, based in Vienna, has been authorised as a crypto-asset service provider under Article 63 of MiCA since 27 November 2025, granted by Austria's Financial Market Authority (FMA). Through the EU passport the licence covers 29 EEA countries, including Germany, France and Spain (ESMA register, file of 30 October 2026). It covers custody, exchanging crypto-assets for funds and for other crypto-assets, placing and transfers.
Why trading is paused: On its website, KuCoin EU states that trading and deposits have been suspended since 4 February 2026 (as of 1 November 2026). The FMA ordered a ban on new business on 19 February 2026 because the money laundering and sanctions officer posts were no longer filled, and lifted it on 18 May 2026. Under a decision of 18 February 2026, however, KuCoin EU may only start operating once all supervisory requirements are met, in particular on governance and on filling further key positions in management (FMA notice). The FMA had not published any newer decision by 1 November 2026.
Track record: In January 2025, KuCoin's parent company Peken Global pleaded guilty in the US to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, paid $297 million and withdrew from the US for at least two years (our report). In October 2026 South Korea blocked access to KuCoin because the exchange is not registered there (South Korea blocks 27 exchanges).
What you can do yourself: if you still hold funds at KuCoin, read the notices in your account, turn on two-factor authentication and a withdrawal address whitelist, and keep larger amounts in your own wallet, for example a hardware wallet.
Who is KuCoin for?
KuCoin suits experienced altcoin traders who want a very large choice of small coins and who live in a country where KuCoin accepts customers. For trading from the EU, exchanges with a MiCA licence and full operations are the better fit, such as Bybit EU, OKX, Kraken or Bitvavo. All licensed providers are listed in our comparison of regulated crypto exchanges.