Bitonic vs Hodlhodl

Bitonic is the oldest and largest Bitcoin-only broker in the Netherlands, founded in 2012, with a reputation for reliability and simplicity. They offer fast, automatic Bitcoin delivery via iDEAL, SEPA, and Bancontact, and their fully automated system ensures quick transfers.

It stands out with its direct purchase model, selling Bitcoin from its own stock for instant delivery and transparent pricing, avoiding third-party intermediaries. Bitonic offers buying, selling, and saving Bitcoin via iDEAL, SEPA, or Bancontact and provide an Auto Invest savings feature, allowing users to easily set up recurring Bitcoin purchases, (though only up to €250 | 271,023 sats) and a business solution for Bitcoin payments.

Its app, rated 4.5 stars on iOS, is praised for its clean, no-nonsense design, though some users report slow verification. The platform uses multi-signature cold storage for security and encourages self-custody with personal wallets.

Their vision focuses on making Bitcoin accessible and easy for Dutch and European users, backed by education through Bitonic Academy and news via Bitcoin.nl. Overall, Bitonic is ideal for beginners who want a reliable, no-altcoin platform in Europe, with fast transactions, clear pricing and a strong local support.

Hodl Hodl is a peer-to-peer Bitcoin marketplace that removes the custodial step most exchanges require. When you buy or sell on a typical platform, the exchange holds your funds and decides when you can withdraw. That reintroduces the same counterparty risk Bitcoin was designed to eliminate. Hodl Hodl takes a different approach: each trade locks bitcoin in a 2-of-3 multisig escrow that you, the counterparty, and Hodl Hodl support control together. Neither side can move the funds alone, which means trades settle directly between wallets without Hodl Hodl ever holding custody. That shifts trust from a centralized company to verifiable on-chain contracts.

You can sign up with an email and start trading without submitting identity documents. Hodl Hodl supports over 100 fiat currencies and lets sellers post offers using bank transfers, cash in person, Revolut, PayPal, and other payment rails you already trust. Premiums vary by offer and tend to be higher for new accounts until you complete a few trades and build reputation. The platform uses a limit tier system: as your reputation score grows through successful contracts and reviews, you unlock higher daily and lifetime trading caps.

The web interface is straightforward. You filter offers by country, currency, and payment method, read the seller's instructions, and open a contract. Both parties chat inside the contract, upload payment proof, and coordinate the release once fiat clears. If something breaks, you can open a dispute and Hodl Hodl support co-signs the multisig based on the evidence. A Testnet environment lets you rehearse the full workflow with valueless coins before risking real sats, so you learn the escrow flow, chat prompts, and dispute process without capital at stake.

Hodl Hodl fits users who want non-custodial trading and are comfortable managing their own wallets, confirming payments, and negotiating premiums. You bring your own Bitcoin wallet to every trade, which means no withdrawal limits or custodial freezes. The trade-off is that you handle more of the process yourself compared to a custodial exchange that automates order matching and holds funds. Choose Hodl Hodl when self-custody and privacy matter more than instant card funding or automated recurring buys.