Where to buy Stellar (XLM)

The two platforms, honestly compared

Stellar is one of the cheapest and fastest networks to transact on, and both major Dutch exchanges list XLM. The buy decision is simple; the memo requirement is the trap new buyers hit.

• Bitvavo — 400+ assets, volume-tiered fees, free deposits. The larger catalogue.
• Finst — flat 0.15%, no added spread, flexible staking. Cheaper default for most purchases.

What buying XLM actually costs

Free EUR deposits and withdrawals on both. Finst’s flat 0.15% beats Bitvavo’s 0.25% base taker fee for typical buys; Bitvavo’s tiers take over at volume. Withdrawals: Bitvavo charges only the Stellar network fee, Finst adds a €2.50 baseline. XLM transaction fees are a fraction of a cent, so the baseline is the only meaningful cost.

Worked example — a €1,000 XLM purchase:

• Finst: €1,000 × 0.15% = €1.50 in fees, no added spread.
• Bitvavo: €1,000 × 0.25% = €2.50 at the base taker tier.

Withdraw once: only the Stellar network fee on Bitvavo (a fraction of a cent), or that plus €2.50 on Finst.

How to buy XLM step by step

1. Create an account on Bitvavo or Finst and complete ID verification.
2. Deposit EUR — free SEPA or iDEAL on both.
3. Place your order — market for instant execution, or a limit order at your price.
4. Decide where the XLM lives — custodial until you withdraw it.
5. Withdraw to a Stellar address — XLM addresses start with G (e.g. GABC...). If the receiving service requires a memo, copy it exactly; your own wallet needs none. Send a small test amount first.

The memo rule

Some exchanges and services use shared Stellar addresses and require a memo on deposits to identify you. Your own wallet does not need one — but if the receiving service requires a tag, omitting it can delay or lose the deposit. Follow the receiving side’s instructions exactly.

The asymmetry is worth remembering: withdrawing from Bitvavo/Finst to your own wallet never needs a memo, because the address is yours. Memos only appear when the receiving side is a shared address (exchange deposit, payment service). Never invent a memo for a wallet that doesn’t need one.

After you buy

An exchange balance is custodial — Bitvavo and Finst hold your XLM for you. For anything you plan to keep, withdraw to a self-custody wallet; see our Stellar wallet guide.

The XLM checklist

Before you confirm an XLM withdrawal, run these five checks:

• Network: the withdrawal must say Stellar — not another chain.
• Address: the receiving address starts with G and comes from your own wallet.
• Memo: your own wallet needs no memo; only add one if the receiving service requires it.
• Test amount: move a small amount first and confirm it lands.
• Backup: the recovery phrase is stored offline and tested before you hold a meaningful balance.

The memo rule is the XLM-specific trap; the address format is the universal one.

Who should buy on which platform

• One-time buyers — Finst’s flat 0.15% is cheaper for a single XLM position.
• Frequent movers — Bitvavo’s network-fee-only withdrawals win; Stellar fees are fractions of a cent, so the €2.50 Finst baseline is the dominant cost.
• Remittance/payment users — XLM is built for cheap transfers; keep it in self-custody and get the memo rule right on the receiving side.

Exchanges compared

Verified 6 Aug 2026.

How we evaluate

Every recommendation is based on our published methodology: we separate self-custody wallets, hardware wallets, custodial exchanges and buying platforms, and score each with its own criteria. We label everything as hands-on tested, documentation reviewed, or not yet tested. Commissions never determine rankings.

Read our full methodology

Sources & evidence

• OfficialBitvavo — Stellar listing ↗
• OfficialFinst — Stellar listing ↗
• OfficialBitvavo — fees ↗
• OfficialFinst — fees ↗

Changelog

• 8 Aug 2026Expanded to full buy anatomy: step-by-step purchase flow, worked fee examples and memo-tag guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Is Stellar listed on Bitvavo?

Yes — Bitvavo lists XLM for trading and withdrawals, with free SEPA/iDEAL deposits and MiCA authorisation (AFM).

Is Stellar listed on Finst?

Yes — Finst lists XLM for spot trading with SEPA/iDEAL deposits, flat 0.15% fees and MiCA authorisation (AFM).

Can I withdraw XLM from Bitvavo or Finst?

Yes — both support withdrawals to external wallets on the Stellar network. Watch for the memo: many exchanges require it. Bitvavo charges only the network fee; Finst adds a €2.50 fixed baseline per crypto withdrawal.

Which exchange is cheaper for buying XLM?

For most purchases Finst's flat 0.15% beats Bitvavo's 0.25% base taker fee; Bitvavo's tiers win at scale. Withdrawals: Bitvavo charges only the Stellar network fee, Finst adds a €2.50 baseline. The real trap is the memo tag some receiving services require.

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