Before we dive into the detailed analysis, here's a comparison of Finst and Bitget that shows the most important information about both platforms at a glance.
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. In addition, its custody is supported 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 looking for copy trading, futures, and a much broader range of products is a better fit for Bitget. Compared to exchanges focused on aggressive trading, Finst offers greater cost predictability, though it lacks product depth. See the full review of Finst
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.
Bitget Overview
Bitget was founded in 2018 and has built its business model around active trading: copy trading, futures, and automated investment bots, with over 120 million reported users and a presence in more than 150 countries. Its business model is evolving toward what the company itself calls the “Universal Exchange,” adding stocks, gold, and forex to its crypto offerings.
Pros
Spot from 0.10 % and futures from 0.02 % maker
Copy trading integrated into spot and futures trading
More than 800 cryptocurrencies and a wide range of markets
Bitget Earn, bots, and a self-custody wallet
Cons
MiCA authorization is still pending as of August 2026
The sheer number of products can be overwhelming for beginners
Futures and leverage greatly increase risk
Some services are not available in all regions
Bitget has become a leader in crypto copy trading, allowing users to view other traders’ public metrics and automatically replicate their trades with configurable limits. In Europe, the company submitted a MiCA license application in Austria in July 2026; the application is still under review and does not imply that authorization has already been granted.
This focus on derivatives and automation is more important for an active trader looking to consolidate spot trading, futures, and copy trading into a single account, while those who value simplicity and well-established European regulation above all else are a better fit for Finst. In contrast to an exchange focused on simplicity, Bitget compensates with a much broader product offering, although it still lacks the same regulatory clarity in the European Union. See the full review of Bitget
Who is Bitget for? For experienced users who want to combine spot trading, futures, copy trading, and bots on a single platform, with competitive commissions and a very broad range of assets.
Fees and Deposits: Finst vs. Bitget
In a direct comparison of fees, Bitget has a slight edge over Finst: 0.10 % for both maker and taker orders, compared to Finst’s fixed rate of 0.15 %, which does not distinguish between the two order types. Furthermore, the difference widens when it comes to futures—a product that Finst does not offer at all—while Bitget lists a base rate of 0.02 % for makers and 0.06 % for takers. Try our fee calculator
| Platform | Maker | Taker |
|---|---|---|
|
|
0,10% | 0,10% |
|
|
0,15% | 0,15% |
|
|
0,15% | 0,25% |
|
|
0,10% | 0,10% |
Did you know? Buying €1,000 worth of Bitcoin costs €1.50 on Finst, regardless of the order type, and €1 on Bitget with its taker fee of 0.10 %.
Beyond trading fees, the differences extend to other areas: Finst does not charge fees for SEPA, iDEAL, or Bancontact, nor does it require a minimum deposit, while Bitget also accepts bank deposits in Spain, although the cost varies depending on the provider. In terms of its offerings, Bitget offers more than 800 cryptocurrencies compared to Finst’s more than 340, which partly offsets its slightly lower fees.
| Concept | Finst | Bitget |
|---|---|---|
| Spot Commission | 0.15 % fixed | 0,10 % / 0,10 % |
| Volume Discount | Not applicable; flat rate | By volume, VIP, and payment in BGB |
| Futures Commission | Not available | 0.02 % maker / 0.06 % taker |
| Minimum deposit | 0 € | 10 € |
| Deposit in euros/fiat currency | 0 € via SEPA, iDEAL, or Bancontact | Available in Spain depending on the provider |
| Withdrawal of euros/fiat currency | 0 € via SEPA | Varies by supplier |
| Crypto Withdrawal | Network fee only (gas) | Varies by asset and network |
| Custody / Inactivity | 0 € | 0 € |
Who regulates Finst and Bitget?
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. Bitget, for its part, employs predominantly cold storage, multi-signature controls, and a regularly published Proof of Reserves, along with its own protection fund to respond to exceptional incidents.
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. Bitget, on the other hand, maintains local VASP registrations in countries such as Lithuania and Bulgaria, and submitted a MiCA authorization application to the Austrian FMA on July 2, 2026, which was still pending a decision as of August 2026.
| Concept | Finst | Bitget |
|---|---|---|
| Regulated by | AFM of the Netherlands (MiCA) | Local VASP registrations (Lithuania, Bulgaria); MiCA application under review by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) |
| MiCA Coverage (EU/EEA) | Yes, starting in 2025, in the 27 EU countries plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein | Pending; application submitted in July 2026 |
| Reservation Test | Yes, audited by an independent firm | Yes, using a (periodic) Merkle tree |
| In-house guarantee fund | Not available; asset segregation | Yes, its own protection fund |
| History of Breaches | No known vulnerabilities since 2022 | No known vulnerabilities to date |
| Account Tools | Default 2FA, trusted devices, restricted withdrawals | 2FA, anti-phishing, fund password, allowlist |
| Technical custody | Fireblocks (MPC technology) | Not specified |
Where are Finst and Bitget 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.
Bitget, on the other hand, operates in more than 150 countries and regions through various entities, offering products such as futures, copy trading, and Earn, which may be restricted depending on the jurisdiction. Spain is among the countries that support bank deposits in euros, subject to the availability of the provider, while the United States and other sanctioned jurisdictions have specific restrictions.
What do Finst and Bitget offer on their platforms?
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.
Bitget, for its part, focuses its platform on active trading: spot, futures, copy trading, bots, and Earn are all available in a single app, with more than 800 cryptocurrencies listed and risk management tools designed for derivatives. It features charts, technical indicators, real-time P&L, and watchlists, as well as an API for advanced users.
| Concept | Finst | Bitget |
|---|---|---|
| Available Apps | Web, iOS, and Android | iOS, Android, web, and desktop |
| Cryptocurrencies | 340+ | +800 |
| Main Products | Direct Purchase, Crypto Bundles, Staking, Auto Invest | Spot trading, futures, copy trading, bots, Earn, self-custody wallet |
| Directions for Use | Simple interface only, no Pro mode | A single app with sections for spot trading, futures, and copy trading |
| Order Types | Market, Limit, Stop-Loss, Auto Invest | Market, limit, stop-loss, take-profit, conditional orders, OCO |
| Charts and Tools | Portfolio analysis, watchlist; no advanced charts | Charts, indicators, P&L, watchlists, API |
| Automatic Diversification | 8 Crypto Bundles with Automatic Rebalancing | No equivalent product |
Final Verdict: Finst or Bitget?
Finst and Bitget are based on very different philosophies: Finst focuses on maximum simplicity and a predictable fixed fee, while Bitget competes with a much larger selection of products, slightly lower fees, and active trading tools such as copy trading and futures. Therefore, the choice depends on how much weight you place on simplicity versus cost, the product lineup, and product depth.
For those who value predictability above all else and want to diversify without overcomplicating things, Finst is the more straightforward option, especially when trading small amounts, where the 0 % minimum deposit requirement makes all the difference. On the other hand, for those looking for a much broader range of products, futures, and copy trading, Bitget is a more competitive option, although it still lacks the same regulatory clarity in the European Union.
- ✓ 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?
- ✓ Do you want to copy other traders' strategies using copy trading?
- ✓ You actively trade futures and value low commissions
- ✓ Are you looking for a very extensive catalog with more than 800 cryptocurrencies?
- ✓ You can wait for your MiCA application to be processed
Neither platform wins across the board: Finst offers total simplicity and consistently predictable costs, while Bitget offers a wide range of products, futures, and active trading tools. Therefore, the decision depends primarily on your user profile and how much you value simplicity versus product depth.
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This comparison of Finst and Bitget is based on a hands-on analysis of both platforms. We have evaluated their fees, security, variety 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.
