Bitstamp Exchange Setup

Connect your Bitstamp account to SignalBee in minutes. This guide walks you through creating and configuring API keys with the exact permissions needed for automated trading.

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Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• Verified Bitstamp account - Identity verification (KYC) completed
• 2FA enabled on Bitstamp - Required for API key creation
• Access to your account email - Required to activate API keys
• SignalBee account - Ready to connect an exchange
• Password manager - For storing your API credentials securely

Security Note: Bitstamp requires 2FA (two-factor authentication) to create API keys. If you haven't enabled 2FA yet, go to Settings → Security in your Bitstamp account.

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About Bitstamp

Bitstamp is one of the oldest cryptocurrency exchanges, founded in 2011. Key highlights:

• EU-regulated - Licensed and based in Luxembourg
• Compliance-focused - Known for regulatory compliance and security
• Fiat-friendly - Strong support for USD, EUR, and GBP trading pairs
• Email-activated API keys - Unique security step requiring email confirmation

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Creating Your API Key

Follow these steps to create an API key on Bitstamp:

Step 1: Log In to Bitstamp

1. Go to www.bitstamp.net
2. Log in with your email and password
3. Complete 2FA verification if prompted

Step 2: Navigate to API Access

1. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner
2. Select Settings from the dropdown menu
3. Click API Access in the left sidebar
4. You'll see a list of your existing API keys (if any)

Step 3: Create a New API Key

1. Click the New API Key button
2. You'll be presented with the permissions configuration screen

Step 4: Configure Permissions

1. Check the permission boxes as described in the Configuring Permissions section below
2. Enable all required trading permissions
3. Never enable the Withdrawal permission

Step 5: Add a Description

1. Enter a descriptive label: SignalBee Trading
2. A clear label helps you identify this key's purpose later

Tip: Use specific labels like "SignalBee-Spot" or "SignalBee-Main" if you plan to create multiple keys for different purposes.

Step 6: Complete Security Verification

1. Enter your 2FA code from your authenticator app
2. Click Generate API Key
3. Wait for the system to create your key

Step 7: Activate via Email (Required)

⚠️ This step is unique to Bitstamp and required:

1. Check your email inbox for a message from Bitstamp
2. Open the email titled "API Key Activation"
3. Click the activation link in the email
4. Your API key is now active

Warning: Your API key will not work until you click the activation link. Check your spam folder if you don't see the email within a few minutes.

Step 8: Copy Your Keys IMMEDIATELY

After activation, return to the API Access page to view your credentials:

• API Key - Can be viewed later in your API Access page
• Secret Key - ⚠️ Shown only ONCE - Copy it immediately!

Warning: If you navigate away without copying your Secret Key, you'll need to delete this API key and create a new one. There is no way to recover a Secret Key.

Save both keys in your password manager now before proceeding.

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Configuring Permissions

Bitstamp has granular permissions that control exactly what actions SignalBee can perform. This is critical for security.

Required Permissions

Never Enable These Permissions

Security Note: Even if your API key is somehow compromised, funds cannot be withdrawn without withdrawal permission enabled. This is your most important security protection.

Why Six Trading Permissions?

Unlike exchanges that have a single "Trade" permission, Bitstamp separates each order type:

This granular control lets you be more precise, but you'll need to enable all six for full SignalBee functionality.

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IP Whitelist Configuration

IP whitelisting restricts your API key to only work from specific IP addresses. This is optional but adds a strong security layer.

Why Use IP Whitelisting?

Even if your API key is somehow exposed, it won't work from unauthorized IP addresses.

SignalBee Server IP Addresses

Note: Contact support@signalbee.trade to request SignalBee's current production IP addresses for whitelisting. We maintain static IPs specifically for exchange API calls and will notify you before any infrastructure changes.

How to Configure IP Whitelisting

1. In API Access, find your SignalBee API key
2. Click Edit next to the key
3. Enable IP Address Restriction
4. Enter each SignalBee IP address provided by support
5. Click Save
6. Complete 2FA verification if prompted

If You Skip IP Whitelisting

If you choose not to use IP whitelisting:

1. Leave IP restrictions disabled
2. Understand this is less secure but still safe if withdrawals are disabled
3. Your other security measures (no withdrawal permission) still protect your funds

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Adding to SignalBee

Now connect your Bitstamp API key to SignalBee:

Step 1: Go to Exchanges Page

1. Log in to your SignalBee account
2. Navigate to Exchanges in the main menu

Step 2: Add New Exchange

1. Click the Add Exchange button
2. Select Bitstamp from the exchange list

Step 3: Enter Your Credentials

Bitstamp uses a simple two-value API system:

1. API Key - Paste your Bitstamp API key
2. Secret Key - Paste your Bitstamp Secret key
3. Label (optional) - Enter a name like "Bitstamp Main Account"

Note: Bitstamp requires only 2 credentials (API Key + Secret Key). This is simpler than some other exchanges that require additional fields like a passphrase.

Step 4: Test the Connection

1. Click Save and Test Connection
2. Wait for SignalBee to verify your credentials
3. Look for the ✅ success message

Step 5: Verify Your Setup

After successful connection:

1. Your Bitstamp balances should appear in SignalBee
2. Check that your expected assets are listed
3. Balances confirm the Account balance permission is working

Tip: If balances don't appear, verify that Account balance permission is enabled and the API key has been activated via email.

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Bitstamp-Specific Considerations

Ticker Format

Bitstamp uses lowercase ticker symbols without separators:

SignalBee handles this conversion automatically. When configuring your webhooks or whitelists, you can use either format.

Quote Currencies

Bitstamp supports multiple fiat and crypto quote currencies:

Supported Order Types

Bitstamp spot trading supports the following order types:

Note: If your trading strategy requires stop-loss or take-profit orders as separate order types, these must be managed at the strategy level rather than as native exchange orders.

Time In Force Options

Bitstamp supports advanced order execution options:

Minimum Order Sizes

Bitstamp enforces minimum order values. Orders below these minimums will be rejected:

Tip: Check Bitstamp's trading rules for current minimum order sizes for specific pairs.

Trading Fees

Tip: Check Bitstamp's fee schedule for the most current rates.

API Rate Limits

• Bitstamp imposes rate limits on API requests
• SignalBee handles rate limiting automatically
• If you see rate limit errors, reduce your signal frequency or check for duplicate webhooks

No Separate Testnet

Unlike some exchanges, Bitstamp does not offer a separate testnet URL. Sandbox/testing accounts use the same API endpoint but with separate credentials.

Tip: Start with small order sizes when first testing your SignalBee integration with Bitstamp.

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Troubleshooting

Common Bitstamp-specific errors and solutions:

Connection Test Fails?

If your connection test fails in SignalBee:

1. Check email activation - Did you click the activation link in the Bitstamp email?
2. Double-check both keys - Copy-paste errors are the most common issue
3. Wait a few minutes - New API keys may take 1-2 minutes to propagate
4. Verify permissions - Ensure Account balance permission is enabled
5. Check IP whitelist - Disable IP restriction temporarily to test
6. Check Bitstamp status - Verify Bitstamp is not under maintenance

For persistent issues, see our Error Codes Reference or contact support@signalbee.trade.

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Security Best Practices

Follow this checklist to keep your Bitstamp account secure:

Bitstamp Account Security

• Enable 2FA with Google Authenticator - more secure than SMS
• Use a unique, strong password for Bitstamp (not reused from other sites)
• Enable email notifications for account activity
• Review login history regularly for unauthorized access

API Key Security

• Create a dedicated API key just for SignalBee - don't reuse keys across services
• Never enable withdrawal permission - SignalBee never needs it
• Consider IP whitelisting for maximum security
• Never share your Secret Key via email, chat, or screenshots
• Store keys in a password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, etc.)
• Keep activation emails secure - they can re-activate keys

Ongoing Security

• Review your API keys periodically in Bitstamp - delete any you don't recognize
• Rotate API keys every 90 days as a security habit
• Monitor trade history on Bitstamp for any unauthorized activity
• Keep your email secure - it's used for Bitstamp API key activation

Security Note: Even with all these precautions, the most important protection is never enabling withdrawal permission. Without this permission, your funds cannot be moved off the exchange even if everything else is compromised.

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Related Resources

• API Key Best Practices - General API key security guidance
• Security Overview - How SignalBee protects your data
• Error Codes Reference - Common error messages explained
• Binance Exchange Setup - Similar two-value API setup