There’s no such thing as a legitimate crypto exchange called PicoStocks. If you’re searching for reviews, comparisons, or sign-up guides for PicoStocks as a trading platform, you’re being led down a dangerous path. The name pops up in a few places online, but none of them point to a real, functioning exchange. Instead, what you’re seeing is either an old mining project from years ago-or worse, a red flag for a scam.
What PicoStocks Actually Is
PicoStocks isn’t a crypto exchange. It never was. The only real trace of it comes from a 2013 Bitcointalk forum post titled "[PicoStocks] 100TH/s bitcoin mine [100th]". That post described a proposed Bitcoin mining setup using hardware developed with BitFury. At the time, 100 terahashes per second was a decent size for a mining rig. But by 2026 standards? That’s less than 0.00002% of the total Bitcoin network hash rate, which now exceeds 600 exahashes per second. It’s like comparing a bicycle to a freight train.And here’s the kicker: BitFury, the company mentioned in that post, has never publicly confirmed any partnership with PicoStocks. BitFury, now part of Cipher Mining, focuses on large-scale data centers and enterprise clients. They don’t work with anonymous forum projects. That post was likely a speculative pitch from someone trying to raise funds or attract attention-nothing more.
Why You Won’t Find PicoStocks on Any Real List
Look at any credible 2026 crypto exchange ranking-whether it’s from Silicon Valley Bank, CryptoCompare, or YouTube reviewers like those who analyzed the top 7 exchanges this year-and you won’t find PicoStocks. Not once. Not even as a footnote.The real players are Coinbase, Kraken, Crypto.com, Binance, and Bitstamp. These platforms have regulatory licenses, public financial reports, user reviews, insurance coverage, and multi-million-dollar security teams. Coinbase alone has over 113 million verified users and holds licenses in 48 U.S. states. Kraken is preparing for an IPO with a $20 billion valuation. Crypto.com offers SIPC insurance up to $500,000 on stock and ETF trades.
PicoStocks has none of that. No licenses. No insurance. No transparency. No public leadership team. No financial statements. No customer support channels you can verify. If you can’t find a company’s headquarters, CEO, or audit reports, it’s not a business-it’s a ghost.
Association With Scam Lists
The most alarming thing about PicoStocks is where else it shows up: on lists of reported scam companies in 2026. One site, cryptolegal.uk, includes it alongside known pig-butchering scams, fake recovery services, and rug-pull projects. While the exact wording doesn’t call it a scam outright, the context is unmistakable. Scam operators often reuse old project names to confuse people. They’ll revive abandoned forum threads, fake mining claims, or outdated tech specs to make something look real.Real exchanges don’t hide. They advertise their compliance. They publish KYC/AML procedures. They answer to regulators. PicoStocks does none of that. And if you’re being directed to a site called PicoStocks right now-with promises of low fees, instant trading, or high returns-you’re being targeted.
What a Real Crypto Exchange Looks Like in 2026
Let’s cut through the noise. Here’s what you actually need from a crypto exchange:- Regulatory compliance: Licensed in your country or region. Coinbase is registered with the SEC. Kraken is licensed in multiple U.S. states and the EU.
- Insurance: At least $250 million in crime insurance, like Coinbase’s policy covering theft and hacking.
- Transparent fees: Clear fee schedules. Coinbase charges 0.5%-2% per trade. Kraken’s maker fees go as low as 0% for high-volume traders.
- Withdrawal reliability: You should be able to move your coins out in under 24 hours without delays or excuses.
- Community trust: Thousands of verified reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and other forums. Coinbase has over 3,500 reviews with a 4.3/5 rating. Kraken has 1,800+ with 4.2/5.
PicoStocks meets none of these. Not one.
Why People Still Fall for PicoStocks
Scammers don’t need to be clever. They just need to be persistent. They use old forum posts, recycled screenshots, and fake testimonials. They’ll say things like:- "PicoStocks is the new Binance!"
- "Exclusive access for early users!"
- "Only 100 spots left!"
They’ll even copy-paste real exchange features-like "SIPC insurance" or "cold storage"-and slap them on a fake website. If you click a link from a Reddit comment, Telegram group, or YouTube ad promising "high returns with PicoStocks," you’re walking into a trap.
Once you deposit even $50, you won’t get your money back. The site will vanish. Your account will disappear. The customer service email will bounce. And you’ll be left with nothing but a drained wallet and a lesson you didn’t want to learn.
What to Do Instead
If you want to trade crypto safely in 2026, stick to the names everyone in the industry actually trusts:- Coinbase: Best for beginners, strong U.S. compliance, SIPC insurance on stocks.
- Kraken: Best for low fees and advanced traders, IPO-bound in 2026.
- Crypto.com: Best for app experience, rewards, and crypto-backed cards.
- Bitstamp: Best for European users, oldest regulated exchange in the EU.
All of them have websites you can verify. All of them have public contact info. All of them have been around for over a decade. None of them need to hide behind a name that sounds like a forgotten mining project from 2013.
Final Warning
PicoStocks is not a crypto exchange. It never was. It’s not a startup. It’s not a hidden gem. It’s a ghost with a name borrowed from an old forum post-and now it’s being used to steal money.If you’ve already sent crypto to PicoStocks, stop. Don’t chase losses. Don’t reply to "recovery services" that contact you afterward. Those are just the next layer of the scam. Report the site to your local financial authority and warn others. Your money is gone, but you can still protect someone else.
Stick to the big names. Learn the signs of a scam. And never trust a platform that can’t show you where it’s legally registered, who runs it, or how your funds are protected.
Is PicoStocks a real crypto exchange?
No, PicoStocks is not a real crypto exchange. It has no regulatory licenses, no verified team, no customer support, and no presence in any credible 2026 industry reports. The only documented reference is an old 2013 Bitcointalk post about a Bitcoin mining project, which was never confirmed by BitFury or any other legitimate source.
Why does PicoStocks show up in search results?
Scammers reuse old project names to trick people. They pull outdated forum posts, fake mining claims, or abandoned websites and repurpose them as fake exchanges. Search engines index these pages, so they appear in results-but that doesn’t mean they’re legitimate. Always verify a platform through official channels, not Google.
Is PicoStocks a scam?
Yes, based on all available evidence, PicoStocks is a scam. It’s listed alongside known fraud operations on cryptolegal.uk, has no verifiable business structure, and offers no transparency. If you’re being asked to deposit funds, it’s a red flag. Real exchanges don’t operate in secrecy.
Can I trust PicoStocks with my Bitcoin?
Absolutely not. There is no evidence that PicoStocks holds any assets, uses cold storage, or has insurance. If you send Bitcoin there, you will lose it. No recovery is possible. Legitimate exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken have multi-million-dollar security systems and insurance policies-PicoStocks has nothing.
What should I use instead of PicoStocks?
Use established, regulated exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, Crypto.com, or Bitstamp. These platforms are licensed, insured, and transparent. They have public financial reports, customer support teams, and millions of verified users. They’ve been around for over a decade and have survived market crashes, hacks, and regulatory scrutiny.
Did PicoStocks ever work with BitFury?
No, there is no official confirmation from BitFury or any credible source that PicoStocks ever partnered with them. BitFury, now part of Cipher Mining, focuses on enterprise-grade mining operations and has never mentioned PicoStocks in its press releases, annual reports, or investor communications. The claim appears to be fabricated.