Paymium isn’t trying to be Binance. It doesn’t offer 300 coins, leveraged trading, or 24/7 customer support. But if you live in Europe and want to buy Bitcoin with Euros through a platform that’s actually licensed by the French government, Paymium might be one of the few real options left.

What Is Paymium?

Paymium started in 2011 as Bitcoin Central, making it one of the oldest crypto exchanges still operating today. It was founded in France by three entrepreneurs who wanted to build a Bitcoin exchange that followed the rules. Back then, most crypto platforms were anonymous, unregulated, and risky. Paymium chose a different path: compliance.

Today, it’s regulated by the French financial authority (AMF) under EU payment service laws. That means your money and Bitcoin are handled under strict financial oversight - something you won’t find on most exchanges, especially the ones based offshore. Paymium isn’t just another crypto site. It’s a financial institution that happens to trade Bitcoin.

What You Can Trade

Don’t expect a massive coin library. Paymium supports around 10 cryptocurrencies, but Bitcoin (BTC) is the main focus. Ethereum (ETH) is available, and a few others like Litecoin and Ripple are listed, but that’s it. If you’re looking to trade Solana, Dogecoin, or new memecoins, you’ll need another platform.

That’s not a bug - it’s a feature. Paymium targets users who want to buy and hold Bitcoin, not day-trade altcoins. The interface is clean, simple, and focused. No confusing menus. No flashy charts. Just buy BTC, sell BTC, and store it safely.

Fees: The Surprising Edge

Paymium’s fee structure is weird - in a good way.

For makers (people who add liquidity by placing limit orders), the fee is -0.10%. That’s right: Paymium pays you to place buy or sell orders that don’t get filled immediately. This is extremely rare in crypto. Most exchanges charge makers 0.1% or more. Paymium flips it. They reward you for helping the market stay liquid.

Takers (those who immediately buy or sell at market price) pay 0.50%. That’s higher than the global average of 0.2-0.25%, so if you’re an active trader, this adds up. But here’s the catch: Paymium covers Bitcoin withdrawal network fees. You don’t pay anything to send BTC out of your wallet. That’s a big deal. Most exchanges charge $1-$5 per withdrawal. Paymium doesn’t.

Deposits via SEPA transfer are free. Credit card deposits (Visa) are accepted too, but they come with a small processing fee - usually around 1.5-2%. Minimum deposit is just €5. You can start with a coffee’s worth of Bitcoin.

Security and Compliance

Paymium doesn’t cut corners on security. All user funds are stored in cold storage - offline, air-gapped wallets. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is mandatory. The platform uses industry-standard encryption and has never been hacked.

KYC is required for everyone. You’ll need to upload ID and proof of address. No exceptions. This is frustrating for privacy purists, but it’s the price of being regulated. If you’re in the EU, this isn’t a downside - it’s a reassurance. You know your money is protected under European financial law.

Accounts inactive for over three years are charged a dormant fee. It’s small - usually €5 per year - but it’s worth knowing if you’re planning to hold Bitcoin long-term and forget about your account.

Who Is Paymium For?

Paymium is perfect for:

• European residents who want to buy Bitcoin with Euros
• Beginners who want a simple, no-nonsense interface
• People who value regulation over flashy features
• Small institutional traders using the OTC desk for transactions over €50,000

It’s not for:

• Traders who need leverage (Paymium doesn’t offer any)
• Altcoin hunters looking for new tokens
• Users who need 24/7 live chat support
• People outside Europe who want to trade in USD, GBP, or other currencies (Paymium only supports EUR)

Customer Support and Usability

Support is available Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM CET. You can reach them by email or ticket. No phone, no live chat. If you have an urgent issue at 2 AM on a Saturday, you’re out of luck.

That’s a real limitation. Most competitors like Kraken or Coinbase offer round-the-clock support. Paymium doesn’t. But if you’re just buying Bitcoin and holding it, you probably won’t need support often.

The app and website are clean, slow, and functional. It’s not modern like Coinbase’s sleek design, but it’s easy to use. Even someone who’s never traded crypto before can buy Bitcoin in under 2 minutes. The language options are decent - English, French, German, Italian, Spanish - but users have asked for Latin American Spanish and more localized support. That hasn’t happened yet.

Trading Volume and Scale

Paymium’s 24-hour trading volume is around $28,393. That’s tiny compared to Binance’s $45 billion or Coinbase’s $1.8 billion. It’s not even close to being a global player.

But here’s the thing: Paymium doesn’t want to be. It’s not chasing volume. It’s chasing trust. It’s built for the European market, where regulation matters more than speed or coin count. It serves an estimated 500,000+ users, mostly in France, Germany, and the Benelux countries.

Its market share is less than 0.1% of global crypto trading. But in France, it’s one of the most trusted names. That’s worth more than a high volume number.

How Paymium Compares to Alternatives

Here’s how Paymium stacks up against a few other options:

Swan Bitcoin is better if you only want Bitcoin and don’t care about altcoins - but it’s US-only. Kraken has more coins and better support, but its fees are higher for beginners. Coinbase is easier to use globally, but it’s pricier and less regulated in Europe.

Paymium sits in a sweet spot: regulated, Bitcoin-focused, EUR-only, and with the only negative maker fee in the space.

Final Verdict

Paymium isn’t for everyone. If you’re a crypto trader chasing the next 100x altcoin, walk away. If you want to buy Bitcoin with Euros, hold it long-term, and do it through a platform that’s legally accountable - Paymium is one of the best choices in Europe.

Its strengths are clear: regulation, no withdrawal fees, and that rare negative maker fee. Its weaknesses are just as clear: no leverage, limited coins, no 24/7 support, and slow updates to the UI.

For beginners and conservative investors in Europe, Paymium delivers what it promises: a safe, simple, and legally protected way to own Bitcoin. It’s not flashy. It’s not the biggest. But in a world full of shady crypto platforms, that’s more than enough.