Bitvavo vs Trade Republic — Dutch crypto exchange vs German €1 neo-broker
Bitvavo (Bitvavo B.V., Dutch MiCA licence since June 2025, BaFin custody licence) and Trade Republic (BaFin, Bundesbank, steuereinfach) are different tools. Bitvavo is a specialised crypto exchange with 400+ coins, 0.15% maker / 0.25% taker (down to 0.04% at volume), free fiat withdrawals. Trade Republic is a multi-asset neo-broker: €1 external-cost flat per stock/ETF order, around 50 crypto coins at ~0.99% spread, German tax certificate included.
Honest take: Bitvavo is the pick for serious crypto investors needing broad coin range, low trading fees and API. Trade Republic is the pick for crypto casual users with German tax comfort plus stocks/ETFs in the same app.
When Bitvavo is the better pick
You want broad crypto coin range. Bitvavo 400+ coins (incl. mid and small caps). Trade Republic ~50 coins, top-mainstream focus.
You want low trading fees on crypto. Bitvavo 0.15% maker / 0.25% taker; drops to 0.04% at volume >€250k/month. Trade Republic crypto spread implicit ~0.99% — on a €1 000 BTC buy €9.90 spread vs Bitvavo €2.50.
You want real crypto wallet functions. Bitvavo allows withdrawal to external wallets (hardware, self-custody). Trade Republic crypto can't be withdrawn — you must sell and rebuy via external exchange.
You want staking yield on crypto. Bitvavo offers staking on 30+ coins. Trade Republic has no native staking.
You want API access for algo trading. Bitvavo REST + WebSocket API. Trade Republic has no official trading API.
When Trade Republic is the better pick
You want the German tax certificate. Trade Republic withholds 25% KESt automatically and delivers an annual certificate — also for crypto gains under 1 year. Bitvavo pays gross; you declare all trades in Anlage SO yourself.
You want crypto + stocks + ETFs in one app. Trade Republic offers 8 000+ stocks, 2 400+ ETFs, 50 crypto plus instant savings at 2.75%. Bitvavo is crypto-only.
You want crypto savings plans from €1. Trade Republic from €1 crypto savings plan. Bitvavo offers savings plans on 25 coins from €5, narrower.
You want zero minimum withdrawal. Trade Republic withdrawals free with no minimum. Bitvavo fiat withdrawal free, crypto withdrawal with network fees (variable, ETH network e.g. €5–€50 depending on gas price).
You want cash interest on uninvested money. Trade Republic 2.75% p.a. on up to €50 000 idle cash (as of 2026). Bitvavo pays no cash interest on EUR balance.
Taxes — DACH specifics
Germany — Trade Republic steuereinfach, Bitvavo not. Trade Republic withholds 25% KESt automatically. Bitvavo pays gross; declare all crypto trades in Anlage SO (§23 EStG) yourself.
§23 EStG for crypto: At both: tax-free after 1 year holding (allowance €1 000 below 1 year as of 2026). Trade Republic tracks holding period in the tax certificate. Bitvavo: you must document trade-by-trade FIFO or LIFO yourself.
Austria — neither steuereinfach. Self-report 27.5% KESt-AT on crypto gains.
Staking rewards: At Bitvavo: 10-year speculation period (instead of 1 year) applicable per BMF view. Trade Republic has no staking.
Crypto withdrawal to external wallet: Bitvavo allows self-custody withdrawal. Trade Republic does not.
Cost example — Crypto investor over 1 year
Profile A — Buy-and-hold with €5 000 crypto volume: 10 monthly €500 BTC buys.
| Item | Trade Republic | Bitvavo |
| 10× €500 BTC buy | 10× (€1 + ~€5 spread) = €60 | 10× ~€1.25 (0.25% taker) = €12.50 |
| 1× withdrawal €5 000 | €0 | €0 (fiat) |
| Tax (steuereinfach) | included (KESt automatic) | self-declaration |
| Yearly cost A | ≈€60 | ≈€13 |
Profile B — Active crypto trader with €50 000 yearly volume over 200 trades, 5 coins staked at €10 000 each.
| Item | Trade Republic | Bitvavo |
| 200× trade spread/fee | ~€495 (€1 + ~0.99% spread) | ~€100 (0.15% maker average) |
| Staking yield 5 coins | not offered | ~5% p.a. variable |
| Yearly balance B | −€495 | −€100 + staking |
Bitvavo wins clearly on pure crypto volume. Trade Republic only makes sense for crypto-casual + steuereinfach convenience + other asset classes in the mix.
Verdict by investor profile
Crypto casual with desired stock/ETF mix
Pick: Trade Republic. Steuereinfach, multi-asset, 2.75% cash interest.
Serious crypto investor with broad coin range
Pick: Bitvavo. 400+ coins, low fees, staking.
Crypto self-custody investor
Pick: Bitvavo. Wallet withdrawal available. Trade Republic not.
Active crypto day trader
Pick: Bitvavo. 0.15% maker fee beats Trade Republic 0.99% spread.
Crypto savings plan from €1
Pick: Trade Republic. Bitvavo min savings rate €5.