Coinbase Exchange Review 2025

Our Verdict

Coinbase, established in 2012, is one of the oldest and most regulated U.S. exchanges. It adheres to strict SEC and FinCEN regulations. Currently, it has no physical headquarters and operates as a remote-first organization.

Its status as a publicly traded company allows it to offer FDIC pass-through insurance, third-party crypto-insurance, deep liquidity, a powerful API, and derivatives trading, making it a preferred choice for both casual and professional traders. While its focus is on the desktop version, the mobile app is more suitable for asset monitoring.

Coinbase’s fees are steep for traders with less than $10k in monthly volume without a Coinbase One subscription. For example, its maker fees are 6x and taker fees 12x higher than Binance’s, though they become more competitive at higher trading volumes.

As a beginner-oriented platform, it lacks advanced features like automated trading bots and social trading. Still, it compensates with extensive deposit and withdrawal options, including debit cards and PayPal transfers. Customer support is slow but effective, and strong security standards highlight its commitment to safety and reputation.

I chose Coinbase as a crypto newcomer in 2019 for its smooth user experience, and I’ve stuck with it. As a publicly listed, compliant company, I trust it for long-term holdings over exchanges like Binance, which face regular legal issues.

Coinbase Pros and Cons

Is Coinbase right for you?

When reviewing exchanges, we cater to all types of traders, from occasional to frequent. Our thorough yet straightforward method ensures a clear understanding of trading strategies and their requirements. By assessing, ranking, and recording key factors, we determine how well the exchange meets the needs of each target group. Here’s our verdict:

Supported Countries and Regions

Coinbase operates in 177 countries, with services varying by region. In most of the U.S., users can access a full suite of features, including Visa debit cards, instant transfers, staking, and perpetual futures.

The U.K., much of Europe, and parts of Asia also receive strong support, though some restrictions apply, particularly regarding leverage trading.

While Coinbase is prohibited in OFAC-listed countries and Singapore, it remains available in all other regions.

Coinbase Bonuses And Special Offers

Welcome Offers & Sign-up Bonuses

Coinbase offers a $5 BTC bonus when you sign up, link an account, and make your first crypto purchase within 90 days. New users also have a chance to spin a wheel for rewards ranging from $3 to $200.

Referral Programs

Coinbase provides a referral program allowing users to recommend the platform to others. If the referred user buys crypto within 90 days of signing up through your link, you’ll receive reduced trading fees, capped at $5 per trade. The referred user also benefits from discounted trades, though the specific discount isn’t disclosed.

Cashback Offers

Join Coinbase using our affiliate link and get 50% of the trading fees.

Coinbase Background

Coinbase was founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam, who initially connected on Reddit with a shared goal to “make crypto easy.” The company went public on April 14, 2021. Brian Armstrong continues to lead as CEO, with Emilie Choi serving as President and COO. While Coinbase was once headquartered in San Francisco, it now operates without a formal headquarters.

Security & Transparency

Proof of Reserves

Coinbase does not offer a public Proof of Reserves. Instead, it relies on quarterly audits conducted by the SEC to verify its financials rather than using software-based PoR. These audits are more thorough than a typical PoR report, as they include an analysis of cash balances audited by certified accountants.

Check the latest Coinbase financial reports here.

Deposit Insurance

Coinbase provides pass-through FDIC insurance for user cash held in U.S. banks. Crypto funds, particularly those in staking and exchange wallets, are covered by third-party insurance. However, the Coinbase Wallet is non-custodial and does not offer insurance for funds stored in the wallet.

Cyber Security Measures

Coinbase uses 2FA, MBA, and authenticators to confirm a user’s identity and prevent unauthorized access. To add an extra layer of security, I also activated a Bluetooth passkey on my phone when accessing Coinbase on my laptop.

General Reliability

Based on my experience, Coinbase is generally dependable during normal trading conditions, but there have been instances of system overload during high trading volumes. You can monitor Coinbase’s status here.

A recent outage on May 13, 2024, resulted in users encountering a “503 service temporarily unavailable” error due to server overload. Coinbase assured users that their funds were secure and that the system would be restored soon. Another outage occurred in February 2024 during a period of extreme trading volatility.

Coinbase also offers a substantial bounty program, with rewards of over $5k based on the severity of bugs found, to help prevent potential outages from hacker attacks.

Independent Security Rankings

As part of our review, we refer to the industry’s most respected independent security auditors for cryptocurrency exchanges. Each has its own ranking criteria. For example, CoinMarketCap considers factors like traffic, liquidity, and volume, while CER.live scores based on proof of reserves, bug bounty programs, and compliance with standards like ISO 27001. Each auditor provides a unique score, ranging from 0.00 to 10 for some, like CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko, or from AAA to D for others.

Coinbase consistently ranks in the top 3 due to its large user base of over 9.5 million monthly users, strict regulatory compliance, SEC audits, and strong liquidity. However, the lack of public proof of reserves has drawn criticism from some in the crypto community.

Know Your Customer (KYC)

The KYC process at Coinbase is straightforward and mandatory for accessing any features on the exchange. As a UK-based user, I found the KYC and signup process to be quite stringent. It required providing details such as age, income, address, and intended investment amount. Additionally, there was a brief questionnaire to gauge my understanding of high-risk investments, followed by an ID scan and a facial scan via mobile.

Verification was completed within minutes. Setting up 2FA is mandatory, with options to enhance security further using biometric features. Platforms like Bybit and KuCoin offer KYC-free trading for small amounts, but access depends on your location.

Is Coinbase Safe to Trade With?

Coinbase can be regarded as a secure platform for trading, backed by rigorous cybersecurity measures and regular SEC audits.

However, it has experienced security incidents. In 2021, attackers exploited a vulnerability in its SMS-based multi-factor authentication, impacting 6,000 accounts. Coinbase quickly addressed the issue and reimbursed affected users, reinforcing its commitment to security.

It’s important to note that Coinbase is a custodial exchange, meaning it has full control over your funds and can use them at its discretion. The collapse of FTX highlights the risks associated with custodial exchanges.

Trading Experience

This review was conducted in the United Kingdom using the Google Chrome browser. The experience was smooth, and I faced no technical issues.

Trading test

For our trading test, we thoroughly evaluated the Coinbase platform. Our process included signing up, completing the KYC (Know Your Customer) verification, logging in, depositing funds, and making withdrawals. We also tested the trading functionalities by exploring different trading pairs and conversions and assessed the associated fees for transfers and withdrawals. This comprehensive test allows us to provide an informed and reliable review of the exchange’s usability, features, and actual costs. Here’s our detailed analysis:

Step 1: Setting Up and Funding Your Account

Signing up with Coinbase is quick and straightforward. Similar to other compliant exchanges, Coinbase requires KYC, which includes filling out an FCA questionnaire and providing details on personal income and location. Once KYC is complete, you can start trading by entering your email and password and confirming through email.

Funding my Coinbase account was easy and comparable to my experience with Gemini. I tested sending cash via Wire from my Monzo bank account, and the transaction took about 2 minutes to arrive.

Accessing my funds on Coinbase’s desktop version was also straightforward. The portfolio option in the left-hand navigation bar allows to view my available balance at a glance. Additionally, I received both an email and app notification confirming that my deposit had been successfully processed and was ready for trading.

This level of communication significantly improves the user experience, especially when compared to exchanges like MEXC, which often lack timely notifications on deposits and trades.

Step 2: Trading

I decided to test Coinbase with the USDT/LTC trading pair. Buying USDT with my GBP balance was easy, though it came with a £2.99 fee. This fee is higher than what I’ve seen on OKX, Gemini, and MEXC. Despite that, buying crypto on Coinbase is genuinely exciting. The real-time price updates, fast loading times, clear fee structure, and overall smooth user experience make the process feel engaging and satisfying.

During testing, I was surprised to see that, like Gemini, Coinbase did not support the USDT/LTC trading pair, offering only GPB, USDT, EUR, and BTC for trading Litecoin.

So, I used the crypto conversion tool and bought LTC for USDT with a £0.86 fee. I found this to be a fast process.

I decided to execute a bracket trade by selling my Litecoin for Bitcoin at 0.001042 BTC, with a stop order set at the same price. The trade took just over 24 hours to complete, as Bitcoin’s price dipped significantly before recovering, allowing me to close the trade at a slight profit.

Using the bracket options felt intuitive, almost as if the platform was guiding me through the process, making it straightforward and stress-free. This approach provided me with confidence, even in a volatile market, by simplifying the trading experience.

During my testing, I noticed that even in Advanced Trade, Coinbase makes an effort to hold the user’s hand, providing informational icons to explain how each part of the trade works. Coinbase is the only CEX I have seen do this well.

Step 3: Withdrawal and review

I tested the exchange fees and transaction costs on Coinbase by sending BTC to my personal wallet via the BTC network:

• Transfer Time: 23 minutes
• Network: BTC
• Security: Passkey
• Coinbase Fee: £0.28
• Network Fee: £2.40

Coinbase’s platform fee of £0.28 is quite high, considering most exchanges like MEXC, OKX, and Binance only charge network fees. It took Coinbase over half an hour to execute the order to send to my personal wallet, which is longer than my testing of MEXC, OKX, and Gemini. Once sent, the transfer time was 23 minutes.

Coinbase Desktop Version

Coinbase offers both Basic and Advanced versions to cater to different user needs.

The Basic version is ideal for straightforward activities like market trades, searching for cryptocurrencies, converting crypto, staking, and managing fiat transactions. I found it particularly user-friendly for buying and selling fiat in both Simple and Advanced modes.

The Advanced version, however, is designed for users who require trading pairs, advanced charting tools, technical indicators, and a range of order types, including stop-limit and bracket orders. It lacks simple stop-loss and take-profit orders, although it does offer bracket orders to partially address this.

Coinbase Simple Mode

Navigation Ease

I found the navigation on Coinbase’s basic version a joy to use, with everything accessible in two clicks or less. Users can switch between advanced and basic modes via a toggle on the bottom left, manage transactions in the upper right, and find all other options in the left sidebar. The minimalist design ensures beginners aren’t overwhelmed.

Search Functionality

The search functionality on Coinbase basic stands out as an effective tool for discovering new crypto, offering a much smoother experience than exchanges like OKX or Gemini. Despite only offering 240 tokens, the platform makes it feel like you’re exploring a vast array of options, enhancing the user experience with intuitive features like top gainers, top losers, and the latest additions.

What really sets Coinbase Basic apart is the detailed information provided for each token. Every token has its own history, use cases, and a link to its whitepaper and website, adding an educational layer that is often missing from other exchanges.

Trade Navigation

Coinbases trade interface is designed for ease of use. Its straightforward layout allows you to perform key actions like sending, receiving, buying, selling, and depositing with just a click from the top left taskbar. The trade tab on the left-hand side also provides quick access to cryptocurrency prices, making it convenient to monitor and manage your assets all in one place.

During the trading test, I found the process of buying and selling crypto on Coinbase to be exceptionally quick and seamless, especially when compared to MEXC and OKX, where I often encountered issues due to geographical restrictions. This efficiency highlights the advantages of Coinbase’s strict regulatory compliance.

As a UK user, you have two options for depositing funds: linking a debit or credit card or transferring funds directly from a UK or EU bank account. Users in other regions also have additional methods available, such as depositing funds via Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, ACH, SEPA, or SWIFT.

Scroll to the “Add a Payment Method” section on this page and select your location to see the available payment methods in your area.

Trade Interface

I found trading on Coinbase’s simple mode ideal for beginners. It provides a clear layout for buying, selling, and converting crypto with basic charts and market orders. The trading interface is basic, allowing for basic buying and selling of crypto at market prices.

Coinbase Advanced Mode

Navigation Ease

In my testing, I found the advanced version complex to navigate at first, but I got used to it over time. The trading chart is the main focus, with navigation elements on the left and top, similar to the basic version. While it seems busier, it’s really just a variation of the basic layout.

Other pages on advanced comprise API, which is exclusive to Coinbase Advanced and then Earn (for staking), and orders, which display the orders made on advanced mode only.

Search Functionality

The search function on Coinbase Advanced is built directly into the main trading page, allowing you to search for trading pairs instead of individual cryptocurrencies. I found it very useful and intuitive, and I love that it’s positioned right next to the trading chart, making it easily accessible when you need it during trades.

Trade Navigation

I found Advanced Trade an excellent tool for setting orders at predetermined prices. Navigation felt similar to other exchanges like OKX, MEXC, or Gemini, as they all use similar formats and rely on their shared TradingView integration. The only standout for me was Coinbase’s superior use of tooltips, which made navigation smoother.

Trade Interface

The advanced trading mode on Coinbase offers a comprehensive suite tailored for more experienced traders. It includes advanced charting tools, such as trendlines and drawing instruments, alongside sophisticated order types like Stop Limit and Bracket Orders.

However, unlike platforms like MEXC, Coinbase Advanced does not highlight entry and exit points on the chart and lacks features like stop loss, trailing stop loss, or take profit orders.

Coinbase Advanced Trade offers 106 technical indicators, paired with a convenient search bar that makes finding the right indicator quick and easy. I found this feature particularly useful during my testing, as it streamlined the process of analyzing market data.

Advanced Trade provides easy access to the market order book, trade history, and depth, all available through a quick toggle on the top right-hand side. The interface displays almost everything at once, which can be overwhelming for new users — a sharp contrast to the simplicity of its basic mode.

My Key Takeaways after Testing Coinbase Desktop

In my testing, Coinbase’s Basic version is great for straightforward crypto activities. The interface is simple to navigate, making it easy to handle market trades, conversions, staking, and fiat transactions. What stands out is the detailed information for each token, including history and use cases, which helps users learn about their investments. Deposits are seamless, whether through debit/credit cards, bank transfers, or options like Google Pay, Apple Pay, or PayPal (for US customers).

Coinbase Advanced Trade, in my opinion, caters to experienced traders needing a comprehensive toolset. It offers 106 technical indicators, advanced charting with trendlines, drawing tools, and order types like stop-limit and bracket orders. However, it lacks simple stop-loss and take-profit orders. While the integration with TradingView and market order book access are strong features, the interface feels similar to others on the market.

Coinbase Mobile App

Coinbase has one app that allows users to switch between Simple and Advanced modes. The app provides features like spot trading, DCA investing, and staking, and it is available on both the Apple and Google Stores. Similar to the desktop version, the app includes technical indicators but lacks the advanced charting options found on the desktop.

During my week-long test on a Google Pixel in the UK, I found the Coinbase mobile app to be intuitive and beginner-friendly, maintaining all the essential features of the desktop version. Unlike other mobile apps I’ve reviewed, Coinbase’s app delivers a consistent experience, making it a reliable choice for users looking for a straightforward mobile trading platform.

App spot trading interface

Swapping to the advanced interface from the basic interface is easy. However, the toggle is not always visible from every page, which is not as user-friendly. Instead, the user should tap the dots on the top left-hand side to find the option. This menu also allows the user to navigate Coinbase One, trading activity, your balance, buying, selling, depositing, and receiving crypto.

Advanced trading on the mobile app feels a bit cramped, as if too much content is squeezed into a small space, which is further complicated by the mandatory warning that must always be visible. However, the app does allow users to buy and sell, view the order book, trade history, and orders, and switch between candle and line charts with ease. The mobile app offers fewer technical indicators, with only RSI, EMA, MA, MACD, and Bollinger Bands available to users.

My Key Takeaways after Testing the Coinbase Mobile App

During testing, I found the Coinbase mobile app to be as user-friendly as the desktop version, offering smooth trading functionality. It shares the same limitations as the desktop platform, such as the absence of stop-loss and take-profit orders and a limited range of cryptocurrencies.

Another downside is the regulatory-compliant warnings and notifications. They are mandatory and take up valuable screen space, which can be distracting while trading. However, this is not within Coinbase’s control and actually contributes to a sense of security and protection, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to regulatory standards.

Fees

Coinbase Spot Maker/Taker Fees

In our review of spot fees, we examine spot fees across three distinct tiers, focusing on the fees for different trading volumes. We focus on the essentials and potential savings through native tokens and various discount schemes. Our unique methodology provides a clear view of fee structures and how they benefit traders of all levels.

The first and second tiers typically represent casual traders, as they don’t usually trade more than $10,000 per month, while the higher tiers often relate to more advanced traders. Using this method, we’re categorizing users not only by their trading style but also by the amount of money they spend on the exchange.

Additionally, we also compare these fees with industry standards to give a thorough perspective on each exchange’s affordability.

Coinbase’s spot fees are designed to reward high trading volumes with lower costs, which primarily benefits institutional traders with large volumes. For individual traders like myself, these high fees make frequent trading less affordable on Coinbase but fine for smaller DCA buys.

In my view, Coinbase is a good platform for starting your crypto journey. With a Coinbase One subscription, you can trade with 0% fees and a volume of up to 10k per month.

However, if you’re trading between 10k and 50k per month, its high fees can be disadvantageous. In contrast, exchanging like MEXC, which offers no spot trading fees, is far more profitable for middle-weight traders.

Deposit fees

As a UK-based tester, the only available option for testing fiat transactions was via wire transfer, as outlined on Coinbase’s site. The table below displays the fees associated with various payment methods when depositing crypto and fiat on Coinbase. In my opinion, Coinbase’s deposit fees align with industry norms, though they may vary depending on your location.

Withdrawal fees

The table below outlines the fees for various payment methods for withdrawing crypto and fiat on Coinbase. In my view, Coinbase’s deposit fees are in line with industry standards.

Derivative Trading Fees (Perpetual Futures)

In my opinion, Coinbase’s basic maker fee of 0.02% and taker fee of 0.04% offer better value than its standard spot fees, which are above the industry average. Its futures fees match OKX, which charges a 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker fee for USDC pairs but are still higher than MEXC, known for the lowest fees at 0% for makers and 0.001% for takers.

I found a breakdown of maker-taker fees for their Coinbases international exchange, which caters to non-U.S. institutional clients for Perpetual Futures Trading. You can view it here.

Fee Discounts

Coinbase offers a subscription service called Coinbase One, which helps reduce fees. Unlike platforms like MEXC that offer bonuses and discounts, Coinbase uses this subscription model to meet regulatory rules, especially in places like the UK, where sign-up bonuses aren’t allowed.

The availability and specifics of these benefits may vary depending on your geographical location. By subscribing to Coinbase One for 19.99 a month, users can access several perks, including:

• No-fee trading up to $10,000 per month
• Boosted staking yields
• Priority support
• Unauthorized access protection up to $1 million

Are Coinbases Fees Competitive?

Coinbase’s fees are not competitive for spot traders with trading volumes under $50,000 unless they sign up for a Coinbase One subscription, which provides no-fee trading up to $10,000 per month.

For traders with volumes between $0 and $1,000, Coinbase charges a 0.60% maker fee and a 1.20% taker fee, which is higher than the market average of 0.41% for makers and 0.51% for takers. Even for trades above $1,000, Coinbase’s fees of 0.35% for makers and 0.75% for takers are still higher than the industry average.

Please note that fees can vary, so it’s best to check Coinbase’s official website for the most up-to-date information.

Available Cryptocurrencies

Deposits & Withdrawals

Coinbase Deposit Options

As a UK-based tester, I found that Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, and SEPA transfers were not available. SEPA transfers are accessible to EU users, while Apple Pay and Google Pay are only available to U.S. users. Clients can deposit all listed cryptos using the primary network for each coin. Clients can send crypto to Coinbase, but it cannot be traded on their account.

In my opinion, depositing fiat on Coinbase is similar to Gemini and very straightforward. I often send cash directly from my bank or use my Monzo card. While platforms like MEXC and OKX offer more options, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA, and SWIFT, I found Coinbase’s available methods to be quick and easy, both taking less than 2 minutes to process.

Coinbase Depoit limits

Coinbase offers extremely high deposit limits, making it an excellent choice for institutional traders. USD deposits via Fedwire, SWIFT, ACH, and SEPA transfers have no maximum limits, allowing for large-scale transactions without restrictions.

For UK users, deposits through Faster Payments are limited to 20 transactions within 24 hours, with a maximum of £250,000 per deposit. In comparison, Binance allows up to $1 million per day for fully verified accounts, while Gemini caps daily wire transfer deposits at $500,000​

Deposit options can vary significantly from region to region. Always check the exchange’s official site for the most accurate and region-specific deposit information.

Fiat One Click Buy Options

Coinbase doesn’t offer true one-click buys; the process usually involves 3 to 5 clicks. In my experience, I could purchase crypto in 3 clicks only after depositing fiat via bank transfer. Alternatively, as a UK user, I integrated my Monzo bank account for purchases, which required 5 clicks and authorization through the banking app. I found the process to be fast and straightforward.

Coinbase Withdrawal Methods

Coinbase offers a wide range of fiat withdrawal methods, surpassing MEXC, which limits withdrawals to SEPA transfers, and Gemini, which doesn’t support credit card withdrawals. Once you pass KYC, all withdrawal options available in your region are accessible without any additional verification steps.

Their website lists fees for ACH, WIRE, SEPA, and SWIFT, but during my testing, I also found debit card withdrawals to be an option. Additionally, Coinbase started accepting PayPal withdrawals for U.S. users in 2018. While Coinbase could improve transparency about its withdrawal options, it’s common for centralized exchanges to obscure fees to remain flexible.

Coinbase Withdrawal Limits

Coinbase offers a default daily fiat withdrawal limit of $100,000, €100,000, or £100,000, aligning with the industry average and similar to the limits set by Kraken, Gemini, and Binance for verified users. To increase this limit, Coinbase users must submit an application.

While crypto withdrawals on Coinbase are uncapped, our testing showed that Coinbase charges a withdrawal fee in addition to network fees. This fee is variable and will be disclosed at the time of the transaction.

Customer Service

Coinbase offers 24/7 phone support in multiple languages, which is fast, reliable, and sets it apart in the industry. However, email support is no longer active, and live chat only provides automated responses with no option to reach a human agent. For specific issues, traders are advised to use phone support or consult the FAQ section.

Coinbase also offers helpful learning materials through “Coinbase Learn,” covering trading, blockchain basics, and platform features. The Coinbase Earn program rewards users for completing quizzes. However, there is no user forum for discussions.

For high-volume traders and institutional clients, Coinbase One and Coinbase Prime provide priority support, including access to account managers or specialized teams.

Coinbase Customer Support Test

We created a unique trading test to evaluate the quality of customer services for diverse user needs. We personally contact support using all available methods and present hypothetical problems that users might face. Our evaluation concentrates on how quickly they respond, the quality of the help provided, and whether we can talk to a real person rather than a bot. This method effectively measures the capability of customer support to assist both active traders and casual investors.

Unlike exchanges like OKX, MEXC, and Gemini, Coinbase lacks a ticket system or contact form. The only options are phone support and an AI chatbot, which often provides irrelevant or incorrect responses.

I did not find the chatbot much help, it either rejected my questions altogether or got my questions wrong and out of context by answering with something unrelated.

However, the phone support experience was much better. The agent was friendly and knowledgeable and answered my questions about security, insurance, and uptime in detail, showing Coinbase’s investment in a skilled support team.

FAQ