Bitvavo vs Coinbase (2026): fees, coins, and security compared

At a glance

Bitvavo and Coinbase are two of the most popular crypto exchanges available in the Netherlands and wider Europe. Bitvavo is a Dutch exchange registered with DNB, while Coinbase is a US-listed company with European licences from BaFin, DNB, and the Central Bank of Ireland. This comparison breaks down fees, supported coins, security, and usability to help you decide which exchange fits your needs. Last verified: 2026-03-24.

Quick comparison

Feature	Bitvavo	Coinbase
Maker fee	0.15%	0.40%
Taker fee	0.25%	0.60%
Supported coins	200+	250+
Staking	Yes	Yes
Deposit methods	Bank transfer, iDEAL, Bancontact	Bank transfer, credit card
Fiat currencies	EUR	EUR, GBP
Regulated by	DNB (Netherlands)	BaFin (DE), DNB (NL), CBI (IE)
Headquarters	Amsterdam, Netherlands	San Francisco, USA
Best for	Low-fee EUR trading	Broader ecosystem and fiat options

Introduction

Choosing a crypto exchange in Europe comes down to a few key factors: trading fees, the range of supported coins, how easy it is to deposit euros, and whether the platform is properly regulated. Bitvavo and Coinbase both tick the regulatory box and support euro deposits, but they differ significantly on fees and target audience.

Bitvavo was built for the European market from day one, with iDEAL integration and some of the lowest fees in the industry. Coinbase is a global player - publicly listed on the NASDAQ - with a larger coin selection and a broader product ecosystem including staking, an NFT marketplace, and Coinbase Wallet.

Bitvavo overview

Bitvavo is a Dutch cryptocurrency exchange registered with De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). It supports over 200 coins and tokens, with trading fees starting at 0.15% (maker) and 0.25% (taker). These are among the lowest in Europe for a regulated exchange.

Deposits via iDEAL are instant and free, making it extremely convenient for Dutch residents. Bitvavo also supports Bancontact for Belgian users and standard bank transfers for the rest of Europe. The platform is EUR-only, which keeps things simple but means GBP users need to convert first.

Security features include two-factor authentication, cold storage for the majority of funds, and address whitelisting for withdrawals. Staking is available for supported proof-of-stake coins directly on the platform.

Coinbase overview

Coinbase is one of the world's largest crypto exchanges, founded in 2012 and publicly traded on NASDAQ since 2021. In Europe, it holds licences from BaFin in Germany, DNB in the Netherlands, and the Central Bank of Ireland, giving it broad regulatory coverage across the EU.

Coinbase supports over 250 coins and tokens, with maker fees starting at 0.40% and taker fees at 0.60%. These are notably higher than Bitvavo's rates. SEPA deposits are free, but credit card purchases carry a 3.99% surcharge. SEPA withdrawals cost just EUR 0.15.

The platform offers a more extensive ecosystem than Bitvavo: Coinbase Wallet for self-custody, Coinbase Earn for learning rewards, staking, and advanced trading tools via the Coinbase Advanced interface. Security includes two-factor authentication, biometric login, cold storage, and insurance on custodial funds.

Fee comparison

Fee type	Bitvavo	Coinbase
Maker fee	0.15%	0.40%
Taker fee	0.25%	0.60%
SEPA deposit	Free	Free
iDEAL deposit	Free	Not available
Credit card deposit	Not available	3.99%
SEPA withdrawal	Free	EUR 0.15

On a EUR 1,000 trade, you would pay approximately EUR 2.50 in taker fees on Bitvavo compared to EUR 6.00 on Coinbase. Over a year of regular trading, this difference adds up significantly. Both platforms offer volume-based fee reductions for high-volume traders.

Supported coins and features

Feature	Bitvavo	Coinbase
Number of coins	200+	250+
Staking	Yes	Yes
Self-custody wallet	No	Yes (Coinbase Wallet)
Learn and earn	No	Yes (Coinbase Earn)
Advanced trading	Yes	Yes (Coinbase Advanced)
Mobile app	Yes	Yes
Recurring buys	Yes	Yes

Both exchanges cover all major cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and others). Coinbase has a slight edge in coin count and offers additional products like its self-custody wallet and educational rewards programme. Bitvavo keeps its feature set focused on trading, which some users prefer for simplicity.

Security comparison

Both platforms take security seriously, which is expected given their regulatory status:

Security feature	Bitvavo	Coinbase
Two-factor authentication	Yes	Yes
Cold storage	Yes	Yes
Address whitelisting	Yes	Not available
Biometric login	Yes	Yes
Insurance fund	No	Yes

Coinbase's insurance on custodial assets is a differentiator, though it covers losses from Coinbase security breaches, not from your own account being compromised. Bitvavo's address whitelisting adds an extra layer of protection for withdrawals.

Regulation

Bitvavo is registered with DNB (De Nederlandsche Bank) as a crypto service provider under Dutch anti-money laundering regulations. Coinbase holds registrations with DNB, BaFin in Germany, and the Central Bank of Ireland, reflecting its pan-European approach.

Both platforms comply with MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation as it rolls out across the EU. Neither is a bank, so crypto holdings are not covered by deposit guarantee schemes.

Who should consider which?

If you are primarily trading in euros and want the lowest possible fees, Bitvavo is the more cost-effective choice. Its iDEAL integration makes deposits instant for Dutch residents, and the fee structure is significantly cheaper than Coinbase for regular traders.

If you want a broader ecosystem with a self-custody wallet, educational features, and multi-currency support (EUR and GBP), Coinbase offers more beyond basic trading. Its global brand recognition and NASDAQ listing may also provide an extra layer of confidence for some users.

For occasional buyers making a few purchases per year, the fee difference is less impactful and the choice may come down to which interface you prefer. For active traders, the fee gap between 0.25% and 0.60% per trade makes Bitvavo the clear cost leader.

Explore more crypto platforms

These are two of the most popular exchanges in Europe, but there are others worth comparing. See the full list on the Capmap crypto directory, or read our Bitvavo vs Binance comparison for another perspective.

This article is educational content, not financial advice. Always do your own research before making financial decisions. Fees and features may change - verify current details on the platform's official website. Last verified: 2026-03-24.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. Capmap.eu is an independent comparison platform - we do not provide personal recommendations. Always verify current fees, rates, and regulations with the provider or a qualified adviser before making financial decisions. Information was accurate at the time of writing but may have changed.