BTC Direct charges a 2% fee for buying Bitcoin and a 1.5% commission for selling the asset. The cost is higher at 3% for buying other tokens/coins. The minimum trading amount on this exchange is 30 EUR.
BTC Direct Information + Regulation
BTC Direct is a cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2013 in Nijmegen, Netherlands, by entrepreneurs Davy Stevens and Mike Hutting. Here are the key points:
- Team Size: Over 30 people
- Mission: To increase the acceptance of Bitcoin in Europe
- Last Funding Type: Series A
- Legal Name: BTC Direct Europe B.V.
- Address: Kerkenbos 1025, 6546 BB Nijmegen, Netherlands
- User Base: 1M+ traders
BTC Direct is among the earliest crypto brokers in Europe. Over the years, it has built a strong reputation with a large European user base.
The new model now focuses on ease-of-use for beginners, providing built-in wallets and listing only major cryptocurrencies.
BTC Direct Key Features and Specifics
This company, like any other crypto exchange, operates based on a set of specifications. Here is a summary of the key features:
Exchange | BTC Direct |
Launch Date | 2013 |
Levels | None |
Trading Fees | 2% for Buying Bitcoin, 1.5% for Selling Bitcoin 3% for Buying Other Assets, 2% for Selling Other Assets |
Restricted Countries | Any Countries or Regions Outside of SEPA |
Supported Coins | 14 |
Futures Trading | No |
Minimum Deposit | N/A |
Deposit Methods | Bank Transfers (SEPA), Bancontact, iDEAL, Credit/Debit Cards, giropay, Sofort, Apple Pay |
Withdrawal Methods | Bank Transfers (SEPA), Bancontact, iDEAL, Credit/Debit Cards, giropay, Sofort, Apple Pay |
Maximum Leverage | None |
Minimum Trade Amount | 30 EUR |
Security Factors | 2FA |
Services | None |
Customer Support Ways | Ticket, Email |
Customer Support Hours | 09:00-22:00 During Weekdays 10:00-18:00 Over Weekends and Bank Holidays |
Fiat Deposit | Yes |
Affiliate Program | Yes |
Orders Execution | N/A |
Native Token | None |
Benefits and Drawbacks
Like any financial company, BTC Direct has its strengths and weaknesses. We will mention the worthy advantages and disadvantages in the table below:
Benefits | Drawbacks |
Fiat Deposits | Limited Number of Tradable Cryptocurrencies |
Long History in the Industry | No Advanced Trading Features Like Futures Market |
Multiple Payment Options | No Copy Trading or Passive Income Options |
User Levels Structure on BTC Direct Exchange
The mentioned platform does not operate with a traditional exchange model that typically includes various user levels. Instead, it functions more as a brokerage service, providing a straightforward platform for buying and selling cryptocurrencies.
BTC Direct’s entry-level users can buy up to €2,500 and sell up to €10,000 daily. Higher tiers, Satoshi and Trader, allow trading up to €10,000 and €25,000 respectively, requiring address verification and a Skype interview.
Commissions And Costs
Understanding the fee structure is crucial when choosing a cryptocurrency platform. BTC Direct's fee structure is straightforward but tends to be higher than some competitors:
Cryptocurrency | Fee | |
Buy | Sell | |
BTC | 2% | 1.5% |
ETH | 3% | 2% |
LTC | 3% | 2% |
BCH | 3% | 2% |
XRP | 3% | 2% |
Unfortunately, the website does not provide any information on commissions for trading other assets. This company recommends traders to use its "Private Trading Service" for €50,000+ orders for reduced fees.
Which Coins/Tokens Are Tradable on BTC Direct?
The exchange offers a limited list of cryptocurrencies for buying/selling. At the time of writing this article, users can trade14 cryptocurrencies on the platform. Some of those include:
- Bitcoin [BTC]
- Ethereum [ETH]
- Ripple [XRP]
- Litecoin [LTC]
- Bitcoin Cash [BCH]
- Cardano [ADA]
- Basic Attention Token [BAT]
- Monero [XMR]
The platform focuses on mainstream coins rather than niche tokens and NFTs. All assets are purchasable using built-in wallets, and users must sell them back on the same platform since crypto withdrawals are not available.
Futures Trading and Margin Options
Futures trading is a way to earn amplified profit on trading assets in financial markets. BTC Direct does not offer futures markets or margin trading options, and if you are looking for these services, we recommend that you use other exchanges.
Registration and Verification Tutorial
BTC Direct offers a simple onboarding process for crypto investors. To access trading and wallet features securely, users must complete account creation and identity verification (KYC). Registration requires just basic personal details and email confirmation.
#1 Create Your Account
Visit the BTC Direct website and click “Create Account”. Fill in the following details:
- Full name
- Email address
- Nationality
- Password
Agree to the terms of service and privacy policy.
Clicking on the specified button will lead you to the registration with BTC Direct
#2 Confirm Your Email
An email with a verification code will be sent to your inbox. Enter the code to activate your account.
#3 Verify Your Identity (KYC)
To unlock full access, upload a valid government-issued ID (passport or ID card) through your account dashboard.
Once verified, you can start buying, selling, or storing cryptocurrencies on the BTC Direct platform.
Which Trading Platforms Are Employed By BTC Direct?
This exchange offers a proprietary terminal designed for ease of use with a set of trading tools. The platform is available only through web browser; therefore,no mobile applications are available. This platform provides buying/selling assets directly via the exchange, and no P2P trading is offered.
Security and Safety Measurements
BTC Direct platform, similar to many other crypto exchanges, does not provide much detail about its security measures on its website; the only known thing regarding the matter is users can enable two-factor authentication for higher safety of their accounts.
Options for Depositing/Withdrawing on the Platform
BTC Direct offers a decent range of 8 payment methods. Available options include:
- Bank Transfers (SEPA)
- Bancontact
- iDEAL
- Credit/Debit Cards (Visa and MasterCard)
- Giropay
- Sofort
- Apple Pay
As it seems, based on the funding methods, the exchange accepts fiat deposits. Note that some of these payment methods might not be available depending on your location.
This variety caters to users across Europe, but payment method fees may apply depending on the option selected.
BTC Direct provides integrated wallets for all supported coins. However, users cannot withdraw crypto to external wallets. This design ensures simple custody for beginners but limits flexibility for advanced users who prefer self-custody or participation in DeFi and staking.
Trust Scores and Evaluation Ratings
BTC Direct has garnered positive reviews and trust scores from users and third-party review sites:
- Trustpilot: 4.4/5 stars based on over 10,000 reviews
- BTC Direct ScamAdviser: 100/100 Trustscore, with a 4.4/5 rating based on 21,000+ user opinions
Many crypto exchanges have low scores on relevant sources across the web, but the mentioned platform is in a different situation.
BTC Direct Crypto Services
Does BTC Direct offer copy trading, crypto staking, or other special services?
Staking | No |
Yield Farming | No |
Social Trading | No |
Liquidity Pool | No |
Crypto Cards | No |
Support Department Contact Channels and Opening Hours in BTC Direct
This exchange offers customer support through limited contact channels:
- Email Address: support@btcdirect.eu
- Ticket System: Available on the website
This company does notprovide any live chat options with support agents, unlike most other crypto platforms.
As stated on the website, the customer services team works from 09:00 to 22:00 during weekdays and from 10:00 to 18:00over weekends and bank holidays.
Are Any Copy Trading / Investment Services Offered?
Unfortunately for those looking to earn passive income, BTC Direct does not currently offer copy trading or investment options such as staking or lending. These services have become popular as a means of earning additional profits besides trading.
Banned Countries and Regions
BTC Direct serves customers within theSEPA (Single Euro Payments Area), which means all countries in the European Union, in addition to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Monaco, and San Marino.
Therefore, clients from any region outside the EU and the mentioned countries are not accepted. Restricted regions include:
- United States
- Canada
- Japan
- China
- Iran
- North Korea
- Argentina
- Brazil
- And so on
BTC Direct Compared to Other Exchanges
The table below compares BTC Direct features with other crypto exchanges:
Features | BTC Direct Exchange | Binance Exchange | Bybit Exchange | OKX Exchange |
Number of Assets | 14 | 400+ | 1300+ | 7800+ |
Maximum Leverage | 1:1 | 1:125 | 1:100 | 1:12 |
Minimum Deposit | N/A | $1 | Varies by Cryptocurrency | N/A |
Spot Maker Fee | From 1.5% | 0.02% - 0.1% | 0.005% - 0.1% | -0.01% - 0.14% |
Spot Taker Fee | From 1.5% | 0.04% - 0.1% | 0.015% - 0.1% | 0.03% - 0.23% |
Mandatory KYC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Futures Trading | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Application | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Fiat Payment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Staking | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Copy Trading | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Writer's Opinion And Conclusion
BTC Direct provides a list of 14 digital assets available for buying/selling with 2 support channels [email, ticket].
The company has received a 4.4/5 score on the Trustpilot platform, based on more than 10,000 user reviews, in addition to another 4.4/5 on "ScamAdviser" with21,000+ user ratings.