STEX Overview
STEX is an Estonia-based crypto exchange founded in 2017. It focuses on multi-currency spot trading with integrated EUR banking and strong EU regulatory credentials. Unlike offshore venues, it’s structured under Estonian licensing with mandatory KYC, making it appealing for European traders who want compliance built-in.
What makes STEX unique
- EU regulatory standing: Fully licensed in Estonia, operating under European AML and financial rules.
- Fiat-friendly: Accepts EUR via SEPA, card deposits and processes bank withdrawals typically within two days.
- Simple flat fees: 0.20 % maker and taker across the board, plus loyalty tiers to lower costs further.
- Spot-focused breadth: Trades around 400 pairs including many niche altcoins.
Highlights & trade-offs
- Highlights: Direct EUR ramps, licensed under EU law, solid KYC & 2FA security, responsive EU-timezone support.
- Trade-offs: No margin or derivatives at all, average liquidity means larger orders can slip, interface is plain with basic charting.
User interface & experience
The dashboard is straightforward, letting you toggle between hundreds of spot pairs, place market or limit orders, and manage deposits and withdrawals in EUR. It’s functional but not advanced - good for traders who want steady spot activity rather than fancy tools or deep data overlays.
Markets & liquidity
STEX supports BTC, ETH and plenty of small-cap pairs, but order book depth is mid-level. That’s fine for regular retail trades, but executing large buys or sells may cause slippage. No futures or margin products exist, keeping it purely spot.
Fees, deposits & withdrawals
Flat 0.20 % across all trades, dropping with loyalty volume. Deposits and withdrawals in EUR are smooth, processed via SEPA or cards. Crypto in and out is standard, and withdrawals typically hit banks in one to two business days.
Safety & trust signals
STEX enforces KYC on all users and maintains two-factor authentication. Its Estonian license means periodic compliance audits. No major hacks reported, though like most mid-size platforms, it doesn’t publish proof-of-reserves dashboards.
Who should use STEX?
- Best for: European traders wanting direct EUR funding on a regulated exchange, spot-only portfolios, or altcoin exposure with an EU compliance net.
Not for leverage seekers, non-EU traders who mostly use USD or JPY, or large players needing deep liquidity across big orders.
How to get started
- Register and complete KYC by submitting ID under Estonian AML norms.
- Deposit EUR via SEPA or card, or fund with crypto directly.
- Trade over 400 pairs using simple market or limit orders.
- Withdraw to your bank usually within 1-2 days.
Final thoughts
STEX is a stable European exchange choice - regulated, fiat-integrated and KYC compliant. It’s ideal for EU traders wanting straightforward spot operations under clear rules. Just keep it as part of a broader trading stack, since liquidity is moderate and there’s no derivatives exposure.