Coinbase is one of the largest U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchanges for trading hundreds of popular coins and tokens. Sophisticated crypto-traders can use Coinbase's user-friendly interface, secure wallet storage, and powerful trading tools. However, its fees are high and may be confusing for beginners.
Business Insider's personal finance team compared Coinbase to the best cryptocurrency exchanges and found it an industry leader for its powerful trading tools and digital wallet access.
Pros and Cons
Coinbase Pros
- Buy, sell, and store 250+ cryptocurrencies
- Low account minimums
- Earn rewards by holding the Coinbase USD Dollar stablecoin
- Advanced trading platform and wallet storage
Coinbase Cons
- Pay more for lower balances
- High trading and transaction fees
- Limited staking options
Open an Account
$2
0.50% spread for buy/sell transactions; transaction fee from $0.99 to $2.99; up to 0.60% for Coinbase Pro and Coinbase Advanced Trade
- Buy, sell, or store more than 250 cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and dogecoin
- Educational investment resources, mobile access, digital storage, and customer support
- Low account minimums
- Can earn rewards for certain cryptocurrencies
- Coinbase card lets you spend crypto or USD anywhere and earn crypto rewards; can deposit your paycheck into your account and convert from USD to crypto with no fees
- Pay more for lower balances
- High trading and transaction fees
- Limited staking options
Coinbase is one of the best investment platforms for crypto trading, staking rewards, and crypto storage. The crypto exchange offering nearly 250 coins and tokens and is great for active real investors who can utilize Coinbase's services, account options, and investment tools.
- Promotion: Get $5 of bitcoin when you join Coinbase; earn up to $200 when you set up a new account and make your first purchase
- Features: Coinbase Earn rewards, Coinbase Pro advanced account, user-controlled storage, stablecoins, staking, and institutional trading tools.
- App store rating: 4.7 iOS/ 4.1 Android; Coinbase Pro: 4.7 iOS/ 4.1 Android
- Awards: Named Best Prime Broker in Hedgeweek's annual European Digital Assets Awards
Compare Coinbase
$100 (in the USA and UK)
1% when you buy or sell a crypto asset; 0% stocks and ETFs, $2 monthly fee on uninvested cash if your cash balance is under $5k
- Can trade bitcoin, dogecoin, ethereum, Litecoin, and a dozen other popular virtual assets; stock and ETF trading available
- eToro's Copy Portfolios let you follow and copy the portfolios of experienced traders to enhance your investment returns
- Several educational resources
- Web and mobile app access
- Not available to residents of New York, Minnesota, Nevada, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Marianas, and the US Virgin Islands (see a full list of its geographic restrictions here)
- Limited selection of cryptocurrencies (eToro USA currently offers over 25)
eToro USA is a popular cryptocurrency exchange and investment platform that is best suited for beginners interested in automatic investing tools, Smart Portfolio options, crypto wallet storage, and more. But its crypto selection is fairly limited compared to other crypto exchanges.
eToro USA- Earn 4.90% APY on uninvested cash but if your cash balance is under $5k, you'll pay a $2 monthly fee
- Features: Dogecoin and more cryptocurrencies, CopyTrader system, Copy Portfolios, and eToro Trading Academy
- App store rating: 4.6 iOS/ 4.3 Android
- Cash is FDIC insured for up to $5 million with partner banks
$10
1/5%; 0% - 0.40% maker/taker fees
- Can exchange 200+ crypto assets
- Margin trading available
- Variety of educational resources and tutorials on cryptocurrencies
- Over-the-counter (OTC) trading and account management support available
- Kraken's futures and staking isn't currently available in the US
- Not available to residents of New York and Washington
- Features: More than 100 cryptocurrencies, margin and futures trading, OTC trading, account management for HNW individuals and institutional clients, multiple trading platforms, and educational resources.
- App store rating: 4.7 iOS/ 4.2 Android
$0
0.00% to 0.40% maker/taker fees (additional 0.5% fee on mobile trades)
- Want to trade 70+ digital assets
- Value account security and want your assets securely stored and insured against theft
- Features like faster order execution, crypto trading pairs and auctions, and charting tools
- Gemini Credit Card
- Crypto derivatives trading not available in the US
- Only stakes ether and polygon assets
- High trading fees and complex fee structure
- Promotion: Receive $15 of bitcoin (BTC) when a referral exchanges $100 or more within the first 30 days of creating an account.
- Features: Trading options for beginners, experts, and institutions; Gemini Earn, Gemini Wallet, and $200 million insurance in Gemini Custody.
Coinbase Overview
Coinbase is a comprehensive digital trading platform for investors interested in buying, selling, and managing 250+ cryptocurrencies. It offers earning rewards, private client services, an advanced trading platform, and an NFT marketplace.
In an individual brokerage, business, or retirement savings account, you can explore Coinbase's selection of powerful analytical tools, such as real-time book orders and sophisticated charting capabilities.
Staking is available on a handful of tokens, like ethereum, cosmos, and cardano (not available in all US states).
A Coinbase Advanced or Coinbase One membership gives you access to even more offerings. The platform's self-custody crypto wallet provides users access to decentralized exchanges to earn yield, borrow crypto, and collect NFTs.
Ways to Invest with Coinbase
A standard Coinbase brokerage account gets you access to over 200 popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. It has a relatively straightforward interface for buying and trading digital assets. Plus, users get access to secure cold-wallet storage.
The learning rewards feature allows you to earn free crypto assets by learning about cryptocurrency topics. You'll watch short educational videos and take a short quiz on the context to earn crypto rewards. Earnings are deposited into your Coinbase wallet.
Coinbase additionally offers Coinbase USD Coin, a stablecoin backed by the US dollar with reward-earning potential.
Alto CryptoIRA
Coinbase is partnered with Alto, an alternative retirement platform, to offer a self-directed Roth CryptoIRA. Retirement-focused crypto traders can access tax-free growth, withdrawals, and Coinbase's entire crypto selection. Additionally, you don't have to report crypto trades on your annual taxes when you invest through an IRA.
However, you must open an account through Alto to open a self-directed CryptoIRA with Coinbase's offerings.
Coinbase Advanced
Coinbase Advanced (formerly Coinbase Pro) is designed for sophisticated traders who want access to more advanced features, such as 550+ spot pairs, lower maker fees, crypto derivatives, and TradingView charts. Its maker and taker fees are lower.
Coinbase Advanced gets you access to an advanced API to help you automate trades and stop-limit orders, access real-time market data, increase reward opportunities, and more.
Coinbase One
Coinbase One is a subscription service offering lower trading fees, priority customer support, and a limited-time partner deal. Coinbase also helps you navigate tax season for your crypto assets with a pre-filled Form 8949, plus member-only sweepstakes and $1 million account protection.
Frequent crypto traders interested in zero trading fees on hundreds of digital assets and access to 24/7 priority customer support will get the most out of a Coinbase One membership.
Coinbase Wallet
Coinbase Wallet is a user-controlled web3 wallet for storing and managing various digital assets, such as crypto, NFTs, and other crypto wallets. It includes access to borrow and supply crypto through DeFi liquidity pools, trade assets on decentralized exchanges, and join a DAO.
The Coinbase Wallet also supports NFTs. Users can easily buy, sell, and create different NFTS, including Audio NFTs with custom playback controls.
You get a secure 12-word recovery phrase, or "seed," only you can use to access your Coinbase Wallet. Coinbase does not have access to this secret code.
Additional security features include spam token management, token approval alerts, and transaction previews. Coinbase Wallet's browser extensions support Ledger hardware wallets, providing additional protection.
Coinbase Wallet Web App
Coinbase's new Wallet Web app allows users to connect multiple on-chain digital wallets for easier access to various crypto products, NFTs, and DeFi. It works seamlessly with smart wallets and is available on desktop and mobile.
The Coinbase Wallet Web app also connects with MetaMask, Phantom, and other self-custody wallets supported by Wallet Connect. In the app, you can view your assets and DeFi positions, trade across eight different chains, and access on chain creator tools.
Coinbase Private Client
Coinbase's Private Client services are available for high-net-worth individuals and family offices wanting professional advice and guidance from crypto experts. A dedicated account manager provides personalized support and tailored execution strategies for trusts and other personal investment vehicles.
You can also access institutional research, integrated custody for segregated cold wallet storage, multi-user access and controls, and enhanced security measures.
Coinbase Prime
Coinbase also gives businesses and institutions various investment options, including the Prime trading platform.
Coinbase Prime is a full-service prime brokerage that executes large-scale crypto trades, deploys institutional trading strategies through financing solutions, and provides hot and cold wallet storage access.
Asset hub lets businesses contact Coinbase about potentially listing their asset on the Coinbase platform. Coinbase's commerce offerings help crypto-oriented businesses set up hosted checkout pages, invoices, payment buttons, and more. The venture's feature allows new companies to raise money for expansion.
Coinbase Fees
Coinbase charges trading fees depending on the asset, payment method, and transaction size. However, Coinbase is not transparent about its fee structure before making a transaction. Users receive information regarding their fees after a transaction is filled. Transaction fees tend to range from $0.99 to $2.99.
Coinbase Advanced is more transparent about its fee offering, with maker fees ranging from 0% to 0.4% and taker fees ranging from 0.05% to 0.6% based on a 30-day trading volume. A Coinbase One subscription costs $29.99 per month. Credit transactions cost a flat 2% on some orders.
Coinbase Trustworthiness
Coinbase has received an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau. The BBB gives businesses a numerical rating from A+ to F, depending on how well a business interacts with its clients. A B+ rating indicates that Coinbase has overall good interactions with its clients.
The BBB considers several factors when evaluating companies. These include time in business (and type of business), customer complaint history, licensing, government actions, and more. The bureau also says that its ratings don't guarantee that a company will perform well or exhibit trustworthiness.
On June 6, 2023, the SEC opened an investigation into Coinbase, claiming that the company has allowed sales on its crypto asset staking-as-a-service program and offered crypto trading on its unregistered national securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency. The SEC is currently investigating Coinbase on this matter. Brian Armstrong, the CEO of Coinbase, has denied the SEC's claims. The case was dropped by the SEC in February 2025.
Coinbase Alternatives
Here's how Coinbase compares to other top crypto exchanges.
Coinbase vs. Kraken
Coinbase and Kraken are comprehensive exchanges offering large cryptocurrency selections and similar services and fees.
Kraken may be better suited for beginners and intermediate investors interested in learning the ropes. Its interface is more intuitive and beginner-friendly than Coinbase's.
Plus, it offers strong customer support across the entire platform (with Coinbase, you need a One membership for priority support). However, Kraken's beginner platform charges higher fees than its pro trading platform.
Coinbase offers more cryptocurrencies than Kraken and more advanced trading products and features. Coinbase offers an Advanced trading platform and a Coinbase One membership for lower trading fees and greater earning opportunities. Moreover, private clients can get curated services, dedicated support, and enhanced security.
Coinbase vs. Crypto.com
Crypto.com is another reputable crypto exchange with similar offerings to Coinbase. Both exchanges offer hundreds of cryptocurrencies, digital wallet storage, advanced trading tools, and an NFT trading platform. Similar to Kraken, Crypto.com and Coinbase offer almost identical features and services.
U.S.-based investors are best off with Coinbase, as Crypto.com limits them to its mobile app, which doesn't include margin trading, staking, or advanced trading features and tools.
Coinbase does offer margin trading. Sophisticated investors can unlock customizable charts, market orders, and more with Coinbase Advanced and Private Client Services.
On the other hand, Crypto.com offers a wider selection of cryptocurrencies (350+), so investors who prioritize having access to many different coins and tokens may prefer Crypto.com over Coinbase.
Coinbase FAQs
Is Coinbase safe?
Coinbase is regarded as a safe online cryptocurrency exchange with industry-standard security features and data encryption.
What are the fees on Coinbase?
Coinbase's maker/taker fee structure varies based on asset type, payment method, and transaction size. In general, Coinbase is not transparent about its fees. Its Advanced trading platform offers lower maker/taker fees based on a user's 30-day trading volume.
Does Coinbase offer staking or rewards?
Coinbase offers various staking and rewards opportunities. Staking is only available on a handful of tokens, like ethereum, cosmos, and cardano (not available in all U.S. states). However, you can still earn rewards through Coinbase's learning rewards program, Visa debit card, and member-exclusive events.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Coinbase
We reviewed Coinbase using Business Insider's rating methodology for investing platforms to compare pricing, account flexibility, ethics, security, and overall customer experience when reviewing investing platforms. Crypto exchanges are given a rating between 1 and 5.
Cryptocurrency exchanges offer multiple assets, trading tools, fees, and other resources. Because of the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, only experienced traders with a high-risk tolerance should use the best crypto exchanges.
Business Insider's Overall Coinbase Rating
| Feature | Insider rating (out of 5) |
| Fees | 3.00 |
| Investment selection | 4.50 |
| Security | 4.00 |
| Ethics | 4.00 |
| Access | 3.50 |
| Customer service | 4.00 |
| Overall score | 3.82 |
