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Bitstamp Ltd
Bitstamp, co-founded by Nejc Kodrič in 2011, is one of the oldest regulated crypto exchanges with a Luxembourg license and global offices.
Bitstamp Ltd
Bitstamp was founded in 2011 in Slovenia by Nejc Kodrič and Damijan Merlak, initially as a simple Bitcoin exchange before becoming one of the few legacy platforms to survive the 2014 Mt. Gox collapse and subsequent regulatory cycles. It moved its headquarters to London and secured a Luxembourg-based EU payment institution license in 2016, setting it apart from less regulated peers. The firm operates across spot exchange, OTC trading, and stablecoin infrastructure, serving both retail and institutional clients. It lists around 80 digital assets and has partnered with banks and fintech firms for custody and settlement. Bitstamp's geographic footprint spans Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, with licensed operations in the UK, Luxembourg, the US (via Bitstamp USA), and Singapore. The exchange has never suffered a major security breach — a differentiating fact in an industry scarred by hacks. In recent years, Bitstamp has focused on expanding its institutional product suite, including staking, margin trading, and white-label services. In 2023, it announced plans to strengthen its US presence through a partnership with a major custody provider. Bitstamp's structural differentiator is its regulatory-first approach in a sector where many competitors operate in gray zones first and seek licenses later. The firm holds multiple regulated licenses across jurisdictions, a model that has allowed it to survive market downturns while less compliant rivals folded.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
2011
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
City
London
Corporate office
London, United Kingdom
Additional offices
Luxembourg · New York · Singapore · Ljubljana
Principals
Nejc Kodrič
CEO and Co-Founder
Damijan Merlak
Co-Founder
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Bitstamp?
CEO and co-founder Nejc Kodrič leads strategic direction, while the executive team oversees trading, custody, and regulatory compliance. The firm does not have an external CIO; investment allocation decisions are made internally by the management team (per public record).
How does Bitstamp source proprietary deal flow?
Bitstamp does not operate as an investment firm sourcing deal flow; it is a digital asset exchange. Its revenue comes from trading fees, spreads on OTC transactions, and custody services (per public record).
Is Bitstamp structured as a family office or a venture firm?
Neither. Bitstamp is a regulated financial institution classified as a cryptocurrency exchange. It is owned by its founders and private investors, but does not function as a family office or venture capital firm (per public record).
Does Bitstamp accept fund commitments or direct investments?
Bitstamp does not accept capital commitments or operate any pooled investment vehicle. It provides trading and custody services for institutional and retail clients (per public record).
What investment stages does Bitstamp typically target?
Bitstamp does not target investment stages. It serves clients at all stages of digital asset ownership — from initial acquisition through trading and long-term custody (per public record).
Which sectors does Bitstamp explicitly avoid?
Bitstamp does not actively trade or offer assets in sectors like fiat currencies, securities, or derivatives (beyond CFDs where permitted). Its focus remains on liquid digital assets (per public record).
How is Bitstamp related to other crypto entities?
Bitstamp is a standalone entity with no disclosed ownership by larger financial groups or family offices. It has operated independently since its founding, though it has raised venture funding from external backers (per public record).
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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