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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nBitpanda launched its application with a fully English interface<\/strong> early on. Additionally, it’s smooth and very intuitive, which partly explains its success with English-speaking users.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
In January 2025<\/strong>, Bitpanda became the first to secure a MiCAR license<\/strong> from Germany\u2019s BaFin<\/strong>, enabling unified operations across all EU countries<\/strong>. The platform is also registered with the UK\u2019s FCA<\/strong>, making it available to UK residents<\/strong> \u2014 though it remains unavailable in the United States and Canada<\/strong> due to regulatory restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, the platform is managed by a team of 160 employees<\/strong> who continuously work to develop the Bitpanda ecosystem and its various services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To facilitate the functioning of its ecosystem, Bitpanda has developed its own utility token<\/strong>. This is BEST (Bitpanda Ecosystem Token<\/em>), a token that provides 20% reduction<\/strong> on trading fees and access to certain exclusive benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bitpanda : Is it a Broker or an Exchange ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bitpanda employs an ambiguous communication strategy<\/strong> that oscillates between two distinct identities :<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- The innovative neobroker<\/strong> : In its official communications and blog, it primarily presents itself as a “leading European neobroker” with a mission to “democratize the complex world of investing.”<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The cryptocurrency exchange<\/strong> : In some communications and comparisons, Bitpanda is presented as a “fully licensed cryptocurrency exchange.”<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
This duality is not trivial and raises important questions about the true nature of the services offered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s the Difference Between a Broker and an Exchange ?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To understand this ambiguity, it’s essential to clarify the fundamental difference between these two types of platforms :<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- A crypto broker<\/strong> acts as an intermediary between the investor and the market. It typically offers fixed prices and allows investing in the price of assets, often without the user actually owning the underlying cryptocurrencies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A crypto exchange<\/strong> is a platform where buyers and sellers can directly exchange their cryptocurrencies. Users actually own their assets and can generally transfer them to external wallets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bitpanda’s Different Services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Behind a smooth interface, Bitpanda combines several investment approaches based on very distinct logics. Broker, derivative products, spot exchange… everything is united under a single platform, but the mechanisms differ. Here’s an overview of the main services offered by Bitpanda:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bitpanda (Standard Platform) : A Disguised Broker<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bitpanda’s standard platform essentially functions as a broker. On this platform, users “invest in the price of the most well-known cryptocurrencies<\/a> without really owning them.” This formulation is revealing: users don’t actually own the underlying assets but take positions on their price evolution, which corresponds to the very definition of a CFD (Contract for Difference).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bitpanda Stocks : CFDs in Disguise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The “Bitpanda Stocks<\/strong>” product perfectly illustrates the ambiguity of the offering. According to Bitpanda’s official blog:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“Bitpanda Stocks are not shares, but a contract that allows participation in the price movements of certain stocks, including dividend distributions.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Although Bitpanda explicitly states that these products are not CFDs, they share all the essential characteristics :<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- They are derivative contracts based on an underlying asset<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They allow speculation on price movements without owning the asset<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They are not tradable on traditional markets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bitpanda Leverage : An Acknowledged CFD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unlike Bitpanda Stocks, the “Bitpanda Leverage<\/strong>” product is explicitly presented as a CFD:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nBit panda Leverage is a CFD, or contract for difference. This derivative product functions as an agreement between an investor and a broker, in this case Bitpanda.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
This product allows taking long or short positions on cryptocurrencies with leverage effect<\/strong>, involving overnight fees typical of CFD products. It is therefore unambiguously a speculative trading product, characteristic of CFD brokers and not traditional exchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bitpanda Pro : The Real Exchange<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Only the Bitpanda Pro<\/strong> platform seems to correspond to the traditional definition of a cryptocurrency exchange. On Bitpanda Pro<\/strong>, users “actually acquire the assets” and can “directly trade currencies and cryptocurrencies.” This distinction is crucial but often minimized in Bitpanda’s overall communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Financial Products Are Available on Bitpanda ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bit panda is determined to position itself as a first-class “neo-broker”<\/strong> in the market and offers a wide range of offerings<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cryptocurrencies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It provides access to dozens of cryptocurrencies, from essentials like Bitcoin<\/a><\/strong>, Ethereum<\/a><\/strong>, Solana<\/strong> or XRP<\/a><\/strong>, to more speculative memecoins<\/strong> like Shiba Inu<\/a><\/strong>. The offering is regularly updated, with new tokens listed according to market trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Investment-wise, entry starts from just $1<\/strong>, but conditions vary depending on the platform used. On the standard version, the user is exposed to the price of the asset without actually owning it<\/strong>, like a derivative product<\/strong>. On Bitpanda Pro<\/strong>, however, purchases are made spot<\/strong>, with actual ownership<\/strong> and the ability to withdraw funds to an external wallet<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stocks and ETFs via Bitpanda Stocks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bitpanda allows investing in fractional shares<\/strong> of major international companies, as well as a selection of ETFs<\/strong> covering various sectors and stock indices. The offering is designed to allow diversified exposure, with accessible amounts, directly from the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But beware: these are not real securities. Bitpanda Stocks<\/strong> are based on derivative contracts<\/strong> that replicate the price of underlying stocks. The user therefore does not own the asset itself, but still benefits from dividend replication<\/strong> for eligible stocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Digitized Precious Metals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bitpanda also offers exposure to precious metals<\/strong> with the ability to invest in gold<\/strong>, silver<\/strong>, platinum<\/strong> or palladium<\/strong>. These assets are available directly from the platform, just like cryptos or stocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each position is backed by physical reserves<\/strong> stored in secure vaults, which guarantees a certain transparency on the underlying asset. Investment is accessible from small amounts<\/strong>, allowing portfolio diversification without significant commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leveraged Products via Bitpanda Leverage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bitpanda also offers access to leveraged trading via its Bitpanda Leverage<\/strong> product. This is a CFD<\/strong> allowing speculation on cryptocurrency price movements, both upward and downward. This product is aimed at a more experienced audience, familiar with risk mechanics and leverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Main features :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Long or short positions on major cryptos<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Integrated leverage effect (with amplification of gains and losses)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Daily leverage rebalancing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Overnight fees of 0.1% on the exposed amount<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Several fiat currencies are accepted (EUR, USD, GBP, CHF, TRY), and purchases can be made directly by credit card for European users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCryptocurrency purchases are made directly with your credit card if you are a European resident, which significantly simplifies the investment process.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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