ABOUT BITSTAMP
Bitstamp is the world’s longest-running cryptocurrency exchange, continuously supporting the crypto economy since 2011. With a proven track record and mature approach to the industry, Bitstamp provides a secure and transparent trading venue to over four million individuals and enables a range of institutional partners to enter crypto markets through their time-proven infrastructure. Whether it’s through their intuitive web and mobile apps or arsenal of industry-leading APIs, Bitstamp is where crypto enters the world of finance. Safe, simple and secure to use, Bitstamp always puts its customers first, and that’s why it gets the stamp of approval from over 4 million traders throughout the world.
HISTORY
The company was established in Slovenia in 2011 and it has been one of the few crypto exchanges that have stayed the course since the industry began. Their longevity can be explained by the platform’s early focus on prudence and oversight. After opening its UK office in 2012, it became the first exchange to successfully perform a BTC audit the following year. Their responsible approach was duly rewarded in the form of USD 10 million in venture capital investment from Pantera, paving the way for the platform’s expansion into the United States and the incorporation of Bitstamp USA Inc. Consolidating on its growing reputation, Bitstamp won Best Virtual Currency Startup at the 2014 Europa Awards, before making headlines again by becoming the first bitcoin exchange to implement multi-sig wallets. In 2016 Bitstamp incorporated Bitstamp Europe SA in Luxembourg and opening its’ New York office.
PAYMENT INSTITUTION LICENSE
Bitstamp Group is composed of Bitstamp Europe S.A. (Luxembourg), Bitstamp Limited and Bitstamp USA Inc. Bitstamp Europe S.A. was authorized as a payment institution in Luxembourg, back in April 2016.
The Luxembourg entity was the first nationally licensed bitcoin exchange in the EU and was registered in the Netherlands as the first registered VASP with its seat outside the Netherlands. It may offer cryptocurrency exchange services based on its prompt notification, submission of registration files to the regulator, and compliance with professional obligations and the conditions described in Luxembourg Anti-Money Laundering Law. Bitstamp Limited applied for registration in the UK and may offer its services based on the Temporary Registration Regime, which was set for existing crypto-asset businesses, which are allowed to continue to trade whilst their applications are being assessed.
The same rigorous standards are upheld for not only its UK and Luxembourg entity, which handles all of the platform’s trading pairs, including full support for more than 30 cryptocurrencies, but also its New York entity, which has been incorporated in preparation for the platform’s expansion to the US.
