Finst review: 2026 Opinions and Analysis

Before we get into the detailed analysis, here’s a summary of Finst’s most important data at a glance.

About Finst: origin and who it’s for

Finst is a Dutch crypto exchange founded in 2022 by the team behind DEGIRO. Operates in 28 European countries and is regulated by the AFM under the framework of MiCA since 2025.

Since its launch it has grown to reach 100,000 users in Europe, with a clear focus from the start: making crypto investing transparent, accessible, and free of hidden costs.

Finst operates under the supervision of AFM, the Dutch regulator known for being one of the most demanding in Europe. In July 2025 he obtained the MiCA license, which allows him to operate throughout the EU with the same legal backing as any traditional financial institution.

Won the IEX Golden Bull Award 2025 for best cryptocurrency platform, chosen by more than 8,700 investors. A recognition that does not come from a technical jury, but from real users voting with their experience.

Behind Finst is the same team that built DEGIRO, the broker that changed the rules of stock market investing in Europe. The same obsession with eliminating unnecessary costs, now applied to the crypto world.

What level of security does Finst offer?

Security is one of the areas where Finst stands out from other European exchanges. In addition to MiCA regulation, the platform applies a custodial model based on asset segregation, independent audits and technology used by some of the largest institutions in the sector.

That confidence is also reflected in how those who already use the platform value it:

European regulation under the MiCA framework

Finst is based in Amsterdam and is licensed by the Dutch Financial Market Authority (AFM) as a crypto asset service provider. Since 2025 it operates under the MiCA license, the new European regulation that unifies supervisory requirements for crypto exchanges within the European Union.

This means that the platform must meet strict transparency, customer protection, money laundering prevention, and risk management standards, providing a higher level of oversight than many exchanges operating from offshore jurisdictions. If you want to see which other platforms have this same regulation, you can consult our comparison of the best MiCA regulated exchanges in Europe.

Custody and protection of funds

Customers' cryptocurrencies are stored with Fireblocks, one of the most recognized institutional custody providers in the market. The company uses MPC (Multi-Party Computation) technology, a system that eliminates the need for a unique private key and significantly reduces the risk of theft or unauthorized access.

In addition, Finst maintains a complete separation between the assets of customers and the company’s equity. In practice, this means that cryptocurrencies and fiat money remain segregated and cannot be used to fund the exchange’s operations.

Key protection measures include:

• Institutional custody using Fireblocks.
• MPC technology with hardware isolation.
• Assets fully segregated from the company’s balance sheet.
• Fiat money deposited in regulated Dutch banks as ING or bunq.
• Periodic audits and internal risk management controls.

Reserve Test and transparency

One of the differentials of Finst is that it was the first Dutch platform to publish an Proof of Reserves audited by an independent firm. This process verifies that the assets held by the platform underpin client balances, providing an additional level of transparency following the problems experienced by the industry in recent years.

While a Reserve Test is not a substitute for a full financial audit, it does signal a positive commitment to transparency and allows users to verify that funds are actually available.

Account Security

At the user level, Finst also incorporates several features aimed at protecting account access and preventing unauthorized withdrawals. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled by default, and the platform allows you to link trusted devices and use a restricted withdrawal system that makes it difficult to send funds to unauthorized addresses.

Also includes data encryption, storage of information within the European Union, instant notifications of activity and different privacy tools within the app.

Where is Finst available?

Finst currently operates in the 27 member states of the European Union, thanks to its authorization as a crypto asset service provider (CASP) under the MiCA regulation, granted by the Netherlands Financial Markets Authority (AFM). In addition, the platform also serves clients residing in Switzerland. In these markets, users can access the exchange normally, provided they meet the identification and verification requirements required by European regulations.

Finst’s platform is available to residents of the European Economic Area (EEA). This includes users from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Also available in Switzerland.

Finst commissions: how much does it really cost to trade?

One of Finst’s great attractions is its fee structure, designed to be as simple and transparent as possible. Unlike other exchanges, where you add trading commission, spread, deposit commission and withdrawal commission, Finst reduces all of this to a single concept.

Trading fee: 0.15% fixed

Finst applies a flat 0.15% commission on every buy or sell transaction, with no distinction between maker and taker. This means that buying €1,000 in Bitcoin costs €1.50 regardless of the trading volume or account age. There are no VIP levels or volume discounts, but it’s not necessary either: the starting fee is already below the industry average.

To give you an idea of how it compares with other platforms: Kraken charges 1% in its standard version, eToro also charges around 1%, and Revolut may go as high as 1.49% according to the plan. This places Finst among the cheapest options to buy and sell cryptocurrencies from Spain.

No hidden fees on deposits or withdrawals

Finst does not charge for depositing money via SEPA, iDEAL, or Bancontact, nor for withdrawing euros into your bank account. There are also no fees for safekeeping, inactivity or account maintenance. The only thing outside of Finst’s control are the gas fees when withdrawing cryptocurrencies from an external wallet, as these are set by the blockchain itself and vary based on network congestion at any given time.

Crypto Bundles Commission

For those investing through Crypto Bundles (the auto-rebalancing cryptocurrency baskets), the same trading fee of 0.15% per trade is applied, plus a management fee of 0.1% monthly on the value of the Bundle. However, automatic monthly rebalances do not generate an additional transaction fee, so the recurring cost is limited to that 0.1% per month.

Taken together, Finst’s commission policy is one of its strongest points: few lines, no surprise cost and a peer-to-peer fee with the cheapest platforms in Europe.

How to open a Finst account step by step

Opening an account at Finst is a process designed to be completed in just a few minutes, with no paperwork or long waits. Below you’ll find each step, along with the requirements and documentation you’ll need.

Step 1: Initial registration

The process starts by downloading the Finst app (available for iOS and Android) or accessing it from your browser. Registration requires only an email and password creation. From there, Finst guides the user through a series of screens to confirm country of residence and accept terms and conditions.

Step 2: Identity Verification (KYC)

This is the most important step, as Finst operates under MiCA regulation and must comply with EU money laundering regulations. Verification is conducted through Veriff, one of the most widely used digital identity providers in the fintech sector, and includes:

• A photo of your valid identity document (ID or passport, depending on your nationality).
• A live selfie from your phone to confirm that you match the document.

Important point: the accepted document depends on your nationality and the EU rules applicable to you. The only thing that Finst explicitly rules out is the driving licence, which is not valid as an identification document in this process.

Thanks to Veriff’s automated system, most checks are resolved in minutes. Only in specific cases requiring manual review can the process be delayed a bit further, usually a few hours.

Step 3: Link a bank account

To deposit and withdraw funds, Finst requires a euro bank account within the European Union. Deposits can be made by:

• SEPA / SEPA Instant (the snapshot is usually credited in less than 5 minutes)
• iDEAL (very common among Dutch users)
• Bancontact

Step 4: First deposit and first trade

There is no mandatory minimum deposit: you can start investing with amounts from 1 cent. Once funds are available in the account, the first crypto purchase can be made.

Except in specific cases that require manual review, the entire process is completed without friction and no need to wait days to start investing.

Summary of requirements for opening an account with Finst

• Be older than 18.
  
  
• Live in one of the 28 countries where Finst currently operates: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland.
  
  
• Valid identity document: ID or passport, depending on your nationality (no driver’s license is accepted).
• Bank account in euros, at a bank or credit institution of the European Union.
• A camera phone or device to complete the selfie verification.
• Only one account per person is allowed.

Available cryptocurrencies: +340 tradable in euros

Beyond buying and selling Bitcoin or Ethereum, Finst has been expanding its portfolio with products designed to diversify and automate investment without complicating life.

Finst gives access to more than 340 cryptocurrencies, from major ones like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) to a growing portfolio of altcoins. An advantage over other exchanges is that all are directly traded in euros, without having to peer through USDT or another stablecoin, and it is also possible to trade cryptocurrencies with each other (swaps) within the platform itself.

Crypto Bundles: one-click crypto baskets

The Crypto Bundles are one of Finst’s most differentiating features. These are prebuilt crypto baskets that allow you to diversify your investment into a single trade, rather than buying each asset separately. There are 8 Bundles different, with up to 25 cryptocurrencies in each basket.

Regardless of what each bundle includes, it is important to be clear how they work in practice:

• The same trading fee of 0.15% per trade plus a management fee of 0.1% monthly on the value of the Bundle applies.
• Automatic monthly rebalancing, with no additional transaction cost for adjustments.
• Useful for those who want diversified exposure without having to follow the active market by asset.

Staking: passive profitability on your cryptocurrencies

Finst offers real on-chain staking programs (not third-party loans) for more than a dozen cryptocurrencies, with returns that vary widely depending on the asset chosen. More established projects, such as Ethereum or Cardano, offer a more conservative APY, while other networks achieve noticeably higher returns, up to 12% APY in the case of Gram (formerly Toncoin).

Here is the full list of APY by cryptocurrency available on Finst:

The highlight of his staking:

• No lock-up periods: you can sell or withdraw your staking cryptocurrencies anytime.
• Frequent weekly reward payments.
• Available directly from the app, no additional setup steps.

Auto Invest (DCA): automate your purchases

For those who prefer to invest on a recurring basis without being price-sensitive, Finst includes the Auto Invest feature, based on the strategy of Dollar Cost Averaging(DCA). Allows you to schedule automatic purchases as often as desired: daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly, without paying additional fees for automation.

Available order types

In addition to instant purchase, Finst offers:

• Market Order: buy instantly at the best price available.
• Limit Order: runs only when the price reaches the level set by the user.
• Stop-Loss Order: protects your position against price drops, automatically selling at the best available price once you reach the level you set.
• Auto Invest (DCA): automated recurring purchases, as explained above.

Finst vs Bitvavo

The most natural comparison for Finst confronts the platform with Bitvavo, its most direct rival: both are Dutch exchanges, regulated by AFM under the same MiCA framework, and targeted at the same profile of European retail investor operating in euros. If you prefer to see it interactively, you can also use our exchange comparator to compare both platforms (or add a third) side by side.

Finst bets on simplicity: a fixed fee of 0.15% with no installments and no need to accumulate volume to pay less, with the Crypto Bundles as its big trump for uncomplicated diversification. Bitvavo, on the other hand, offers a somewhat broader portfolio of cryptocurrencies and a tiered structure that rewards users with more activity, as well as a guarantee fund of up to €100,000 that Finst does not provide.

Those who always want to pay the same commission without thinking of sections find in Finst the most direct option. For those who operate with some frequency and value that extra layer of economic protection, Bitvavo is an equally sound alternative, backed by several more years of market experience.

Apps and platform: how is Finst used in everyday life?

Finst offers both a mobile app (iOS and Android) and a desktop web platform with the same functionality available in both formats. This allows you to operate indistinctly from your mobile in the day-to-day or from your computer if you prefer a larger screen to check the wallet in detail.

Navigation is structured into a few clear sections:

• Market: main screen to buy, sell, deposit and withdraw.
• Wallet: global view of your positions and balance for each cryptocurrency.
• Bundles: direct access to available crypto baskets.
• Activity panel: track all your transactions, rewards, and commissions.

Finst also incorporates a fairly complete portfolio analytics for being a retail-oriented app: historical performance, asset distribution and tracking of staking and Bundles positions. It also has a customizable watchlist to track cryptocurrencies without having them in your wallet.

At the execution level, Finst offers several types of orders (market, limit, stop-loss) both in the app and on the desktop, which gives a bit more control than the simple "buy and sell" of other exchanges aimed only at beginners.

Final opinion: is Finst worth it in 2026?

Finst works especially well for the investor who prioritizes cost and regulation over advanced tools. Its fixed commission of 0.15%, no splits or surprises, together with the MiCA license and custody via Fireblocks, make it a solid choice for those who want to buy and accumulate cryptocurrencies in euros without hassle or overpayment. The Crypto Bundles and staking without lockout periods add extra value for those looking to diversify with little effort.

Now, Finst has clear boundaries. It does not offer advanced trading tools or technical indicators, so it is not the right platform for those who trade frequently or need complex technical analysis. Nor does it have an explicit guarantee fund like Bitvavo’s, and customer service remains the point where it receives the most criticism, especially in incidents that require manual resolution.

With all of this on the table, Finst is a good choice for the European retail investor who buys, maintains and diversifies easily, not so much for anyone looking for a full trading platform. If your profile fits the first case, low fees and regulatory security more than compensate for their shortcomings; if not, it is worth looking at alternatives with more features.

This review is based on actual use of Finst. We have tested the platform by making deposits, purchases, sales and withdrawals of cryptocurrencies, as well as evaluating its fees, security and ease of use. The assessment you read reflects practical experience, not a first impression.

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