Before we dive into the detailed analysis, here's a comparison of Finst and Binance that shows the most important information about both platforms at a glance.
Finst
Binance
Overview of Finst
Finst is a Dutch exchange founded in 2022 by the team behind DEGIRO, and in 2026 its business model is centered on maximum simplicity: a flat fee of 0.15 % with no distinction between makers and takers, no minimum deposit, and no hidden costs. In addition, it operates in 28 European countries under AFM regulation and has approximately 100,000 users.
Pros
0.15% fixed, no spreads or hidden costs
MiCA license granted by AFM
No minimum deposit or SEPA fees
Crypto Bundles and staking without block periods
Cons
No futures or derivatives
Only available in Europe
340 cryptos, more limited catalog
Deposits only by SEPA, no card
Finst operates under the supervision of the Dutch AFM and obtained its MiCA license in July 2025, which allows it to operate throughout the European Union with the same legal backing as any traditional financial institution. Its custody services are powered by Fireblocks and MPC technology, and it was the first Dutch platform to publish an independently audited Proof of Reserves.
This focus on simplicity is more appealing to those who want to buy, accumulate, and diversify without worrying about tiered pricing or variable fees, while an active trader seeking global liquidity and derivatives is better suited to an exchange like Binance. Compared to global platforms, Finst offers greater cost predictability, though it falls short in terms of product depth and selection.
Who is Finst for? For the retail investor who wants to buy, accumulate and diversify cryptocurrencies easily, paying as little as possible and having the peace of mind of trading under an EU-regulated framework.
Overview of Binance
Binance was founded in 2017 and, in less than a decade, became the world’s largest exchange in terms of trading volume and user base, with more than 320 million registered accounts in over 180 countries and a selection of more than 600 cryptocurrencies. Its ecosystem ranges from spot trading to derivatives, with liquidity that remains among the highest in the industry.
Pros
Spot fees of 0.10 % and an additional discount with BNB
Greater global liquidity and a very broad range of markets
Ecosystem featuring Earn, bots, Launchpool, P2P, and a Web3 wallet
SAFU Reserve Fund and Emergency Fund Test
Cons
No MiCA license and no normal operations as of August 2026
Complex corporate structure and regulatory history
A complex platform that is difficult for beginners to master
Trustpilot removed its rating for violating its guidelines
Beyond the ad, Binance’s offering is supported by a broad ecosystem that includes futures, margin trading, staking, Launchpool, Earn, and a Web3 wallet. Its regulatory status also varies by region: it holds specific registrations in markets such as the United States, through Binance.US, and Japan, while in the European Union it lost its MiCA authorization after withdrawing its application in Greece in June 2026.
That advantage in liquidity and product offerings becomes more significant as the user’s trading volume increases, since for an active trader outside the EU, execution margins and product variety matter more than they do for an account used for occasional purchases. In Europe, however, the issue is no longer one of cost, but rather of legal access to the product—something that Finst typically handles without issue.
Who is Binance for? For users in jurisdictions where the platform operates normally and who are looking for maximum liquidity, more than 600 cryptocurrencies, and a platform offering virtually every trading tool available.
Fees and Deposits: Finst vs. Binance
In a direct comparison of fees, Binance has a slight edge over Finst: 0.10 % for both maker and taker orders, compared to the fixed 0.15 % that Finst charges without distinguishing between the two order types. When paying with BNB, Binance can lower its rate to as low as 0.075 %, while Finst maintains its flat rate without discounts for volume or for paying with its own token.
| Platform | Maker | Taker |
|---|---|---|
Bitget
|
0,10% | 0,10% |
Bybit
|
0,10% | 0,10% |
|
Finst
|
0,15% | 0,15% |
Bitvavo
|
0,15% | 0,25% |
|
Binance
|
0,10% | 0,10% |
Kraken
|
0,25% | 0,40% |
Did you know? With a spot rate of 0.10 %, buying 1,000 € worth of Bitcoin on Binance costs 1 €. On Finst, the same purchase costs 1.50 € thanks to its flat fee of 0.15 %, with no difference between maker and taker orders.
This advantage Binance holds cannot be viewed in isolation, since Finst has a fully operational MiCA license in 27 EU countries plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, whereas Binance will lack such a license as of August 2026, which will restrict normal access to the platform within the European Union. For deposits and withdrawals, Finst offers SEPA, iDEAL, and Bancontact free of charge with no minimum deposit, while Binance has restricted these methods in the EU since July 2026.
| Concept | Finst | Binance |
|---|---|---|
| Spot Commission | 0.15 % fixed | 0,10 % / 0,10 % |
| Volume Discount | Not applicable; flat rate | Up to 25 % when paying with BNB |
| Futures | Not available | Up to 10 % discount with BNB |
| Minimum deposit | 0 € | 15 € |
| Deposit in euros/fiat currency | 0 € via SEPA, iDEAL, or Bancontact | Restricted in the EU |
| Crypto Deposit | Not applicable; no direct crypto deposit | 0 €; the network is paid for |
| Withdrawal of euros/fiat currency | 0 € via SEPA | Limited in the EU |
| Crypto Withdrawal | Network fee only (gas) | Varies by asset and network |
| Custody / Inactivity | 0 € | 0 € |
Who regulates Finst and Binance?
Finst relies on Fireblocks and MPC technology for its custody, with assets fully segregated from the company’s balance sheet and fiat currency deposited in regulated Dutch banks. Binance, for its part, combines cold storage, multi-factor authentication, and Proof of Reserves with Merkle trees, backed by the SAFU fund.
Important note: A test of reserves is not the same as a full financial audit; it confirms assets as of a specific date, but does not reflect all of the company's liabilities.
In terms of regulation, Finst operates under a MiCA license granted by the AFM of the Netherlands in July 2025, which is valid in 27 EU countries as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Binance, on the other hand, is registered as a virtual asset service provider in various markets, but withdrew its MiCA application in Greece in June 2026 and has not been operating normally in the European Union since July.
| Concept | Finst | Binance |
|---|---|---|
| Regulated by | AFM of the Netherlands (MiCA) | Local VASP Registrations; Binance.US (U.S.), Japan, UAE |
| MiCA Coverage (EU/EEA) | Yes, starting in 2025, in the 27 EU countries plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein | Not available since August 2026 |
| Reservation Test | Yes, audited by an independent firm | Since 2021 (Merkle + zk-SNARK) |
| In-house guarantee fund | Not available; asset segregation | Yes, SAFU fund |
| History of Breaches | No known vulnerabilities since 2022 | Vulnerability discovered in 2019 |
| Account Tools | Default 2FA, trusted devices, restricted withdrawals | 2FA, passkeys, anti-phishing, allowlist |
| Technical custody | Fireblocks (MPC technology) | Not specified |
Where are Finst and Binance available?
Finst operates in 27 European Union member states thanks to its authorization as a crypto-asset service provider under MiCA, and also serves residents of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Its coverage is exclusively European, with no presence outside the continent.
Binance, on the other hand, claims a presence in more than 180 countries, although its actual availability varies greatly by jurisdiction: in markets such as the United States, it operates through a separate platform, Binance.US, while in the European Union, it suspended new user sign-ups and a significant portion of its regulated services on July 1, 2026, due to not holding a MiCA license. Existing European users retain limited access to withdraw or transfer funds.
What do Finst and Binance offer on their platform?
Finst offers a mobile app for iOS and Android and a web platform, with the same features on both platforms. Its navigation focuses on the market, the portfolio, Crypto Bundles, and the activity dashboard, with no advanced trading charts or Pro version. It also includes Auto Invest to automate purchases and staking without lock-up periods for about ten cryptocurrencies.
Binance, on the other hand, combines spot trading, futures, margin trading, staking, Earn, Launchpool, P2P, and its own Web3 wallet—all within the same app, which offers two modes: Lite for simple transactions and Pro for advanced trading. Its catalog includes over 600 cryptocurrencies, with integrated TradingView charts, bots, and APIs, although many of these features have been suspended or restricted for users in the European Union since July 2026.
| Concept | Finst | Binance |
|---|---|---|
| Available Apps | Web, iOS, and Android | iOS, Android, web, and desktop |
| Cryptocurrencies | 340+ | +600 |
| Main Products | Direct Purchase, Crypto Bundles, Staking, Auto Invest | Spot, Margin, Futures, Staking, Earn, Launchpool, P2P, Web3 Wallet |
| Directions for Use | Simple interface only, no Pro mode | Lite and Pro in a single app |
| Order Types | Market, Limit, Stop-Loss, Auto Invest | Market, limit, stop, trailing stop, OCO, algorithmic |
| Charts and Tools | Portfolio analysis, watchlist; no advanced charts | TradingView, bots, API |
| Automatic Diversification | 8 Crypto Bundles with Automatic Rebalancing | Launchpool and HODLer Airdrops: Not Your Typical Giveaways |
Final Verdict: Finst or Binance?
Finst and Binance represent two very different philosophies: Finst is committed to maximum simplicity and fully operational European regulation, while Binance offers scale, liquidity, and a much broader product lineup in exchange for losing normal legal access in the European Union starting in August 2026. Therefore, the choice depends primarily on where the user is located and whether they prioritize simplicity or product depth.
For a European user who simply wants to buy, accumulate, and diversify without any hassle, Finst is the most straightforward option, with predictable fees and no minimum deposit. On the other hand, for users outside the EU who trade high volumes and are looking for futures, global liquidity, and fees adjustable via BNB, Binance remains hard to beat.
Choose Finst if…
- ✓ You live in the EU and need an exchange with a MiCA license
- ✓ Do you want to always pay the same fee, without worrying about tiers?
- ✓ Would you prefer to start without a minimum deposit requirement?
- ✓ Looking to diversify easily with Crypto Bundles?
Choose Binance if…
- ✓ You operate outside the EU and are not affected by the MiCA restriction
- ✓ Are you looking for the widest selection and maximum liquidity?
- ✓ Do you want futures and a comprehensive derivatives ecosystem?
- ✓ You already have experience and feel comfortable using a complex platform
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This comparison of Bitvavo and Finst is based on a hands-on analysis of both platforms. We have evaluated their fees, security, range of cryptocurrencies, available features, and ease of use to provide an objective comparison. The assessment reflects the actual differences between the two exchanges, beyond just first impressions.