Why look for a bunq alternative?
bunq is one of Europe’s best-known neobanks: current account, card, savings and a polished mobile app. From its Crypto tab you can buy bitcoin, ethereum and over 350 cryptocurrencies from €1, with fees by plan — but execution, custody and trading are provided by Kraken (Payward Europe Solutions Limited), not bunq as a native exchange, per bunq.com/crypto.
The question is not whether Kraken is “safe” — it is as a regulated partner — but whether a bank with outsourced crypto covers what a crypto investor needs: direct CASP contract, on-chain withdrawal, Earn, crypto Card, tax tooling and specialist Without chat-only: multilingual support. In this guide we compare bunq and Bit2Me with public, verifiable data.
Why so many people doubt bunq
Crypto via Kraken, not the bank’s core
bunq is the banking interface; trading and custody are provided by Payward Europe Solutions Limited t/a Kraken. It is not a native exchange under a bunq contract.
Fees from 0.25% to 1.99% by plan
From 1.99% on Free plan to 0.25% on Elite — plus monthly subscription. For active trading, Bit2Me Pro scales better.
Neobank support, no CNMV crypto phone
Crypto incidents share the Dutch bank’s digital circuit; no Without chat-only: multilingual support for blockchain.
Public record
Reputation and documented facts about bunq
Sanctions, incidents or controversies recorded in official sources or verifiable media. Bit2Me does not pass judgment: we cite public facts.
De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) imposed a partial cessation measure on bunq for anti-money laundering deficiencies until controls were corrected.
Source: dnb.nl
These records do not rule out the competitor being suitable in other contexts; they are part of the due diligence worth doing before depositing funds.
Verdict
bunq and Bit2Me can coexist in a European’s portfolio, but they solve different problems. bunq is a Dutch neobank whose crypto tab is executed by Payward Europe Solutions Limited t/a Kraken — authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland — while bunq acts as the banking interface. Bit2Me is a Without chat-only: multilingual support Without chat-only: multilingual support, free SEPA deposits, on-chain withdrawal and over 30 products built solely for crypto-assets. If your focus is crypto and you operate in Europe, going direct to the MiCA specialist is usually clearer than paying for the bank layer.
Regulated by the CNMV · Support in your language · +1 million users · Promotion subject to terms
bunq vs Bit2Me: comparison
The dimensions that matter most to a retail user in Europe.
Before products: trust
Who you really deal with: Bit2Me vs bunq
An exchange isn't chosen on price or catalogue alone. Look at who answers for your money, from where and with what backing.
Bit2Me- Real HQ
- Spain (EU) — parent company, not a subsidiary
- Supervised by
- CNMV (Spain), under MiCA
- Operating since
- 2014, with no security incidents
- Who's behind it
- Backed by Tether, Telefónica, Bankinter and other institutions
bunq- Real HQ
- Netherlands (EU).
- Supervised by
- DNB (Netherlands) — bank; crypto via Kraken (Ireland).
- Operating since
- 2012
- Who's behind it
- Dutch private company.
| Feature | Bit2Me | bunq |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation and licencesDecisive | Bit2Me:CNMV-authorised CASP in Spain — direct specialist, not a bank with Kraken behind the scenes. | bunq:bunq bank (Netherlands) with crypto via Payward Europe Solutions Limited t/a Kraken (CBI Ireland). |
| Real HQ & jurisdictionDecisive | Bit2Me:Bit2Me advantageA Spanish company headquartered in Spain (EU): you contract, file claims and are supervised before the CNMV, with no intermediary subsidiaries. | bunq:Dutch neobank; crypto is routed via Irish Kraken, not as its own CNMV CASP. |
| SecurityDecisive | Bit2Me:Bit2Me advantageOwn crypto custody, $150M policy and on-chain withdrawal — beyond Kraken partner custodian. | bunq:Custody via licensed Kraken partner; bunq is not direct custodian of the crypto asset. |
| Data protection (GDPR)Decisive | Bit2Me:Your data is processed in the EU under the GDPR, with the safeguards of the European data-protection framework. | bunq:EU company under GDPR. |
| Customer supportDecisive | Bit2Me:Bit2Me advantageWithout chat-only: multilingual support for crypto incidents — not Dutch neobank chat alone. | bunq:Digital support via neobank help centre; no phone highlighted in Spanish for crypto. |
| Buy in euros (SEPA/card)Decisive | Bit2Me:Free SEPA aimed at recurring crypto activity, without bunq bank subscription. | bunq:Crypto purchase integrated in banking app with instant debit from bunq account. |
| Products and servicesDecisive | Bit2Me:Bit2Me advantageOver 30 crypto products (Pro, Earn, Card, Loan, Tax) vs crypto tab via Kraken in bunq. | bunq:Mobile banking and crypto tab via Kraken; no Earn, crypto Card, Loan or exchange-native Tax. |
| FeesDecisive | Bit2Me:Bit2Me advantagePro up to 0% / 0.10% on liquid pairs; bunq charges 0.25–1.99% plus monthly fee. | bunq:0.25–1.99% per trade by bunq plan (plus €3.99–18.99 monthly fee). |
| Ease of use | Bit2Me:Full crypto app with Pro, Wallet and Academy in Spanish. | bunq:Very polished neobank app for banking and integrated first crypto purchase. |
Bit2MeHow we made this comparison
We analyse regulation, security, support, fees and catalogue using public, verifiable information from both platforms, updated as of July 1, 2026. Bit2Me is the platform publishing this page, so we have deliberately included points where the competitor stands out, and we recommend always checking the data on the official websites before deciding.
Sources consulted (July 1, 2026)
Regulated by the CNMV · Support in your language · +1 million users
Why Bit2Me lets you sleep at night
If bunq treats crypto as one more feature, compare it with what you need to sleep calmly: custody, withdrawals, tax tools, and specialised support.
Crypto that doesn't stain you
Bit2Me complies with KYC/AML and is registered with the Bank of Spain: your operations don't mix with illicit-origin funds on a supervised platform.
Headquartered in Spain, not a tax haven
Bitcoinforme S.L. operates under European law with the CNMV as its direct supervisor.
Free, automatic tax report
Download it from the app or web for every tax year you've traded, at no extra cost. It generates itself from your activity.
No security incidents since 2014
Five consecutive independent audits back our operational soundness.
Human support in your language
24/7 support in your language, with a phone line (+34 910 91 37 88) and people — not bots — answering from Spain.
A platform that doesn't go down
Multi-region high availability, 24/7, 365 days a year, with ~100 ms average response.
Your funds, when you decide
Withdraw to your own wallet at any time. No lock-in, no penalty.
$150M insurance on custody
Assets in Bit2Me Custody are insured for $150M (USD), with segregated cold storage and multisig + HSM FIPS 140-2.
bunq and Kraken: Dutch neobank with outsourced crypto vs CNMV CASP
When you buy crypto on bunq, you do so with services provided by Payward Europe Solutions Limited t/a Kraken, authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland, per the official disclaimer on bunq.com/crypto. bunq acts as a Dutch bank; crypto is an integrated partner function, not the core of the business.
Bit2Me shares MiCA, but as a direct specialist: authorised by the CNMV in Spain, active since 2014, with end-to-end crypto products — exchange, custody, Earn, Card, Loan, Tax — under a single supervisor in your market. On paper Kraken complies as partner; on direct contract, crypto depth and Spanish regulator language, the distance is different.
Kraken custody in bunq vs dedicated crypto custody at Bit2Me
bunq states your crypto is stored securely by Kraken, its licensed and regulated partner, per bunq.com/crypto. It is a solid model for anyone treating crypto as one more line in the banking app. bunq is not the direct custodian of the asset; operational responsibility goes through Kraken infrastructure within the bunq ecosystem.
Bit2Me is built around its own crypto custody: funds mostly in cold storage, Bit2Me Custody assets insured under a $150 million policy, operates without security incidents since 2014 and audited ISO certifications. If you move crypto frequently, withdraw to your own wallet or use Earn, you operate on infrastructure designed solely for that — without an intermediate banking layer.
From 1.99% to 0.25%: the price of crypto on bunq by plan
bunq publishes per-plan fees on bunq.com/crypto: 1.99% on Free, 0.99% on Core (€3.99/month), 0.49% on Pro (€9.99/month) and 0.25% on Elite (€18.99/month). Staking retains 25% of rewards as Kraken commission, per its disclaimer.
Bit2Me publishes the breakdown before trading: simple purchase from 0.1% to 0.95% by method, Pro up to 0% maker / 0.10% taker on liquid pairs and free SEPA deposits. For €1,000 in an altcoin, bunq Core’s 0.99% is €9.90 plus the subscription; on Bit2Me Pro at 0.10% taker, it costs €1 with no bank subscription. Neither model deceives: one optimises bank+Kraken, the other direct exchange depth.
What do you really pay?
Move the amount and compare Bit2Me Pro with bunq's published retail fee.
On Bit2Me Pro (liquid pairs, 0.10% taker)
€1.00
Down to 0% when trading as maker.
On bunq Core plan (0.99% per trade)
€9.90
Core subscription €3.99/month; Free 1.99% and Elite 0.25% per bunq.com/crypto.
Fee savings
€8.90
90% less on this trade
Indicative trading fees only — excludes spread, gas and deposit/withdrawal charges. Always cross-check bunq's official pricing.
Dutch neobank support vs Without chat-only: multilingual support
bunq routes assistance through its digital help centre and asynchronous channels, consistent with a mobile neobank across Europe. It handles the standard well — onboarding, transfers, card — and crypto shares that same circuit, with operational incidents that may be routed to Kraken depending on the product.
Bit2Me adds Without chat-only: multilingual support with a local team that knows SEPA, CNMV verification and crypto operations. If your issue is “I cannot see my on-chain deposit” or “which network do I pick to withdraw”, talking to a direct specialised CASP is not a luxury: it is the product.
Neobank with Kraken or direct CASP? Three profiles, three answers
bunq won users by simplifying banking: IBAN, card, savings and now crypto from €1. Adding Kraken fits “everything from your phone”. Bit2Me did the opposite: going deep on crypto until gathering Pro, Earn, Card, Loan, Tax and Wallet under one CNMV licence.
If your portfolio mixes salary in bunq and occasional ethereum, bunq avoids friction. If 100% of your interest is crypto — altcoins, MiCA staking, withdrawal to Ledger, tax filing — a bank that outsources to Kraken adds subscription and less depth than a native exchange.
For the Without chat-only: multilingual support, the third factor is regulator: filing a claim with CBI/DNB in English/Dutch is not the same as doing so with the CNMV in Spanish through Bit2Me.
What switching from bunq Crypto to Bit2Me costs
Transferring crypto from bunq may carry network fees per Kraken/bunq. Selling to euros and moving via SEPA avoids the network, but crystallises gains. Also compare the bunq monthly subscription you pay even if you only use the crypto tab.
Bit2Me charges no sign-up or SEPA deposit fee. Rebuy on Pro with fees from 0.10% taker; if something fails, you solve it by Without chat-only: multilingual support — something the neobank’s chat circuit does not guarantee for crypto incidents.
Which one to choose? It depends on your profile
Bit2Me — pros
- Specialised crypto exchange under the CNMV, not a Dutch neobank with crypto via Kraken.
- Pro up to 0% maker / 0.10% taker without bunq monthly bank subscription.
- Crypto custody with a $150 million policy and published ISO audits.
- Without chat-only: multilingual support for crypto incidents, not neobank chat alone.
- Full suite (Earn, Card, Loan, Tax) versus secondary crypto tab in banking app.
bunq — things to consider
- Very polished banking app with IBAN, card and Kraken-integrated crypto from €1.
- Over 350 cryptocurrencies accessible from the app; fees from 0.25% on Elite plan.
- Crypto is a secondary Kraken function; bunq is not a direct exchange or CASP in Spain.
- 0.25–1.99% fees plus monthly subscription; unregulated MiCA staking with 25% commission.
When to choose bunq?
- You want Dutch mobile banking (IBAN, card) and occasional crypto purchases without managing a separate exchange.
- A bunq Elite subscription and 0.25% crypto trades inside the same banking app suits you.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for a bunq alternative because you care about European regulation, predictable fees, the safety of your funds and support in your language, Bit2Me addresses exactly those needs.
What you gain switching from bunq
Without the Kraken tab
Pro, Earn, Card and Tax built for crypto — not a Kraken tab inside the bank.
From Dutch neobank to CNMV
Direct contract with Spanish CASP, versus Dutch neobank + Irish partner.
No bunq fee
No €3.99–18.99/month subscription to access lower crypto fees.
From Kraken partner to $150M
Crypto infrastructure with a $150M policy, not Kraken partner custody alone.
A voice, not tickets alone
Wallet and network incidents solved by talking, not tickets alone.
Withdraw on-chain
Withdrawing to your wallet is the core service on a native exchange.
Switch from bunq to Bit2Me
Open your account in minutes: euros via SEPA, full CNMV oversight and support in your language when you need it.
15€ welcome bonus when you create your account and buy €100 or more in crypto. Promotion subject to terms.
Regulated by the CNMV · Support in your language · +1 million users
How to switch from bunq to Bit2Me
Create your free Bit2Me account and verify your identity (KYC) in minutes.
Copy the deposit address of your Bit2Me Wallet for each cryptocurrency (if bunq/Kraken allow on-chain withdrawal of the asset).
From bunq, execute a crypto transfer to that address checking the network (start with a small amount), or sell and bring euros via SEPA.
Questions? Phone support in your language walks you through it. You do not need to close your bunq account to try.
15€ free when you create your account and buy €100 or more in crypto
Regulated by the CNMV · Support in your language · +1 million users
What they say about Bit2Me and who backs us
4.2/5
“One of the most reliable exchanges in the world, based on an analysis of 40+ indicators: fiscal headquarters, transparency, asset protection and user experience.”
“The Good Exchange: the most easy, secure and complete crypto exchange.”
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
bunq fits if you want Dutch mobile banking (IBAN, card) and occasional crypto purchases without leaving the app — with Kraken executing the trade. If your focus is crypto — direct CNMV contract, on-chain withdrawal, Earn, Card, tax tooling, active trading — and you operate in Europe, Bit2Me is the bunq alternative built as a specialised exchange under the CNMV, with Without chat-only: multilingual support and free SEPA deposits, without a bank subscription to access a partner. Opening an account is free and takes minutes.
Data accuracy
This comparison draws on publicly available information on the internet — official fee schedules, regulator registers and verifiable announcements — and was cross-checked on July 1, 2026. If you spot an error or outdated figure, contact us and we will review it.
