Amsterdam crypto exchange with a MiCA licence from the AFM.
- Headquarters
Netherlands- Founded
- 2018
- Type
- Crypto platforms (MiCA)
- Licences on record
- 1 (1 European)
- EU client entity
- Bitvavo B.V. (AFM; MiCA)
- Platforms
- Own platform
- Products
- Crypto
- Website
- bitvavo.com
Strengths
- One of Europe's largest crypto exchanges by users
- MiCA-licensed in the Netherlands
- Low trading fees and recurring buys
Watch-outs
- Crypto only
- No compensation scheme for crypto-assets
Overview
Bitvavo was founded in Amsterdam in 2018 and grew into one of the largest euro crypto exchanges. It holds a MiCA licence from the AFM and serves clients across the EU.
Our view
A straightforward, regulated venue for buying and holding crypto in euro. Read our guide on MiCA.
Licences on record
Brands often operate several companies. The one that onboards you depends on where you live, and that company's regulator decides your protection. Confirm the entity on the official register before you deposit.
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Type | Check it |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFM Autoriteit Financiële Markten | Netherlands |
EU/EEA – passportable | Official register |
What protection would you get?
If you are a retail client of Bitvavo's European entity, these safeguards apply by law. Which one applies to you depends on the entity you sign with.
- Investor compensation: Up to €20,000 per investor (€40,000 for a joint account) – Investor compensation scheme (beleggerscompensatiestelsel), run by DNB
- Leverage for retail clients: capped at 30:1 on major currency pairs, down to 2:1 on crypto. Details
- Negative balance protection: you cannot lose more than the money in your account.
- Margin close-out: positions are closed when equity falls to 50% of required margin.
- Complaints: Kifid
- Best forex brokers in Netherlands
Verify Bitvavo yourself
- Find the exact company name in the footer of the website and in the client agreement you are asked to sign.
- Search that name on the register of the regulator listed for your country (links above). Make sure the register shows the same website domain.
- Check warning lists for look-alike names: IOSCO I-SCAN covers alerts from regulators worldwide.
- Never download remote-access software or move money because someone "from the broker" phoned you. How clone-firm scams work.
Protection Score breakdown
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Holds at least one European licence (EU/EEA, UK or Swiss) | +40 |
| ESMA/FCA retail protections available (leverage caps, negative balance protection, compensation scheme) | +15 |
| Operating for 8 years | +4 |
| Total | 59/100 |
The score measures structural protection from licences and corporate facts, not costs, service or platform quality. A high score does not mean a firm is right for you. Methodology.
Trader experiences
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About this data
Profile type: reviewed profile. Licence data is from our research and has not yet been re-checked against every register; confirm it on the official register before relying on it. Last updated 30 September 2026.