Paymium Crypto Exchange Review 2025: Fees, Security & EU Regulation

Key Takeaways

• Paymium is the first EU‑regulated Bitcoin marketplace, overseen by the French AMF.
• Negative maker fees (‑0.10%) reward liquidity providers, while taker fees sit at 0.50%.
• Only Bitcoin and a handful of altcoins are available, all paired with the Euro.
• Security relies on 2FA, cold storage and the exchange covering Bitcoin withdrawal network fees.
• Ideal for European beginners or institutions needing a compliant EUR gateway, but less suited for high‑frequency traders or alt‑coin hunters.

Imagine a crypto exchange that lets you trade Bitcoin for euros, fully backed by French regulators. That’s the promise behind Paymium crypto exchange review. Founded in 2011 and rebranded from Bitcoin Central, Paymium has built its reputation on compliance, simple EUR‑centric trading, and an unusual fee model that actually pays you to add liquidity.

Paymium is a France‑based cryptocurrency exchange regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF). It focuses on Bitcoin (BTC) trading against the Euro (EUR) and offers a limited selection of about ten digital assets.

Regulatory Backbone: Why AMF Matters

Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) is the French financial authority that supervises securities markets and, since 2021, crypto‑asset service providers. Being AMF‑registered means Paymium must follow strict Know‑Your‑Customer (KYC) and anti‑money‑laundering (AML) rules, keep client funds segregated, and submit regular audits. For European users, this translates into an extra layer of legal protection that many offshore platforms simply cannot claim.

Fee Structure - The Good, The Bad, and The Weird

Paymium’s fee schedule is a mix of traditional taker fees and an unconventional negative maker fee. Here’s the breakdown:

• Market orders: 1.49% (standard fee)
• Maker fee: Negative maker fee (‑0.10%) - you receive a rebate for adding liquidity.
• Taker fee: Taker fee (0.50%) - charged when you remove liquidity.
• Withdrawal: Paymium covers Bitcoin network fees, effectively making BTC withdrawals fee‑free.

The negative maker fee is rare in the industry and can shave a few basis points off large orders, but the 0.50% taker rate is roughly double the global average of 0.25% (according to 2025 market data). Active day traders may feel the pinch, while long‑term holders or institutional clients benefit from the rebate.

Supported Assets & Fiat Options

Paymium currently supports ten cryptocurrencies, with Bitcoin as the flagship. Ethereum is the only major altcoin with decent liquidity; the rest are smaller tokens that see limited trading volume. All pairs are quoted in euros, and deposits are accepted via SEPA transfers and Visa cards.

SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) enables low‑cost euro deposits, and the minimum deposit threshold is just €5 - a friendly entry point for beginners. In May2019, Paymium switched banking partners, raising daily deposit limits to €100,000 and monthly caps to €500,000, which opened the door for institutional traders.

Security & Compliance

Security is built around three pillars: 2FA, cold storage, and regulatory oversight.

• Two‑factor authentication (adds an extra verification step via app or SMS) is mandatory for withdrawals.
• Majority of user funds are kept in offline cold wallets, reducing exposure to hacks.
• Because Paymium is AMF‑licensed, it must undergo regular audits and maintain segregated accounts for client assets.

The exchange also offers a “no‑fee” Bitcoin withdrawal model by covering the network transaction cost, which is a small but appreciated perk for users concerned about hidden fees.

User Experience, Support & Education

The web interface is intentionally minimalist: a clean order book, simple charting, and a dashboard that shows balances in EUR and BTC. Users consistently praise the ease of navigation, especially newcomers who want a “buy Bitcoin with euros” experience without wading through dozens of altcoin markets.

Customer support operates Monday‑Friday, 10am‑6pm CET via email and ticket system. No live chat or 24/7 phone line, which can be a drawback for traders needing instant assistance. The platform does provide webinars, documentation, and a modest knowledge base, but the depth is geared toward basic trading concepts rather than advanced strategies.

How Paymium Stacks Up Against the Competition

Paymium’s niche lies in regulation and EUR‑centric simplicity. Binance dominates in volume, asset variety, and low fees, while Kraken offers leverage and broader fiat support. If you need a regulated gateway for large EUR deposits, Paymium’s OTC desk (for trades > €50,000) gives it an edge over both rivals.

Pros, Cons & Verdict

• Pros
  • First EU‑regulated Bitcoin marketplace - solid legal protection.
  • Negative maker fee pays liquidity providers.
  • Zero‑fee Bitcoin withdrawals (network fees covered).
  • Low €5 minimum deposit, high daily limits for institutions.
  • Cold storage and mandatory 2FA enhance security.
• Cons
  • Only ~10 cryptocurrencies; no diversified alt‑coin trading.
  • No leverage or advanced order types.
  • Taker fee higher than industry average.
  • Customer support limited to business hours.
  • Interface may feel too basic for pro traders.

Overall, Paymium is a solid choice for European users who value regulatory compliance and want a straightforward Bitcoin‑to‑Euro experience. It isn’t built for high‑frequency traders chasing dozens of altcoins, but for institutions or beginners needing a trustworthy EUR gateway, it still stands out.