Bitstamp

Bitstamp is a Bitcoin company in the Exchanges category, founded in 2011 by Nejc Kodric, Damijan Merlak.

The Idea

A European alternative to Mt. Gox. Founded in Slovenia on just 1,000 EUR, run from a garage with a single server and two laptops.

Early Traction

After Mt. Gox collapsed in 2014, Bitstamp emerged as one of the world's leading dollar-Bitcoin exchanges, a venue much of the market trusted its dollars to. In 2016, it became the first nationally licensed digital asset exchange in Europe (Luxembourg).

Peak Stats

Even as dozens of new exchanges launched, Bitstamp remained a consistent top-five global Bitcoin exchange by volume for years.

Status Today

Acquired by NXMH (Belgian private equity) in 2018, then acquired by Robinhood in 2024 for $200m in cash. Still operating as a brand under Robinhood.