In this Coinbase review for 2021, I take you through one of the most popular and trusted cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. Coinbase’s design is simple and user-friendly, making it a popular choice for the new crypto investor. The platform’s popularity continues to grow and is available in over 100 countries and with over 35 million users buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies.
Firstly, I’ll provide an overview of Coinbase, then take a look at their popular features such as their Coinbase Wallet and DApp browser, Coinbase Earn, and for more advanced traders Coinbase Pro. I will also explain, how to quickly buy, sell and store cryptos such as Bitcoin and Ethereum using Coinbase.
Table of Contents
What is Coinbase?
Coinbase.com is a secure online trading platform for buying, selling, transferring, and storing digital currency, such as Bitcoin. The platform is ideal for new users getting into cryptocurrency, purchasing their first Bitcoin with the likes of a credit/debit card, or via bank transfer. It is easy to use, convenient, and has easy onboarding.
Coinbase essentially is built up of 4 individual products & platforms, plus their own USD Coin. These are; Coinbase.com, Coinbase Pro, Coinbase Earn, and the Coinbase Wallet.
Coinbase Pro
Coinbase Pro is a trading platform aimed at more experienced traders. Traders can exchange a wider range of assets with more advanced order types, using order books, charts, and graphs. One of the advantages of trading on Coinbase Pro, compared to Coinbase is their lower trading fees. To reduce your trading fees even further, it’s worth checking out the Binance Exchange.
If you would like to find out more information check out our Coinbase Pro Review & Tutorial.
Coinbase Wallet & DApp Browser
The Coinbase Wallet is a standalone app, that allows users to store their own crypto and explore the decentralized web with a Dapp browser. This wallet is not to be confused with the Coinbase app, which is also available on Coinbase.com.
It’s not recommended to keep your crypto on Coinbase or their Coinbase Pro exchange. With this crypto wallet, you are able to safely store your crypto assets and have full control. However, if you would prefer further security with your crypto stored offline, it’s worth looking into a hardware wallet such as a Ledger or Trezor.
If you would like to find out more information check out our Coinbase Wallet Review.
Coinbase Earn
Coinbase also gives users the opportunity to earn free crypto with their Coinbase Earn. Coinbase Earn provides its users with an incentive to earn free cryptocurrency while learning about crypto, in a simple and engaging way.
Coinbase $10 Bitcoin Sign-up Bonus
If you’re new to Coinbase, they offer new users a sign up bonus of $10 when buying or selling at least $100 (or more) of crypto.
For more information on Coinbase referral code or sign-up bonus click here.
Coinbase Supported Cryptocurrencies
The number of supported cryptocurrencies has exploded on the platform in the last year. You will now find the majority of the most popular cryptocurrencies such as Aave, Bitcoin, Cardano, Chainlink, Compound, DAI, EOS, Ethereum, Ripple, Stellar Lumens, Tezos, USDC, and Wrapped Bitcoin available on Coinbase.
You can check out the full list of supported cryptocurrencies here.
Coinbase Fees
The fees that you pay with Coinbase will depend on the method of payment you choose and your location. The most expensive way to buy your crypto on the Coinbase exchange is via credit/debit card payments with a fee of 3.99%. This isn’t a way that I personally recommend buying your crypto due to high fees associated. Although it may be one of the most convenient, and you are paying for this convenience.
Other types of buy and sell orders with Coinbase incur a fee of 1.49%. This doesn’t seem huge, but if you compare this to Binance Exchange’s 0.1% or even their own Coinbase Pro platform at 0.5% you are definitely paying over the odds here.
As well as charging fees for instant buys and with payment via bank transfers, Coinbase also charges a spread of about 0.50% for both buy and sell orders. However, the actual spread may be higher or lower due to market fluctuations.
If you’d like to check out more information on Coinbase Pro you can click here.
If you’re serious about getting the best price when trading. I would recommend checking out other exchanges to reduce trading fees, such as Binance Exchange (save up to 45%) or FTX (save 5%).
Coinbase Fees UK
The fees that you will pay with Coinbase exchange will differ depending on your location. Below are the Coinbase fees for those of you in the UK. However, you can find a full list of fees on their site.
Coinbase Fees US
The fees that you will pay with Coinbase exchange will differ depending on your location. Below are the Coinbase fees for those of you in the US. However, you can find a full list of fees on their site.
Coinbase Support
Coinbase customer support is one of their biggest downfalls and has been heavily criticized on the likes of TrustPilot giving them a rating of “Bad”. Although I have never personally experienced any issues with Coinbase. I can see how frustrating it can be if something goes wrong or you need help.
During crypto bull markets, Coinbase will have a surge of newbies signing up, and with more new users comes more complaints and customers needing help. So Coinbase has become a victim of their own success, and hopefully will be ready for the next Crypto bull market.
Is Coinbase Safe?
To use the Coinbase exchange, you access the site with a username and password plus any form of 2-factor authenticate you have associated. Coinbase is a centralized exchange and therefore has control over your crypto, with no access to your private keys. This means you are entrusting a third party to look after and secure your crypto assets.
Although Coinbase has not reportedly suffered an attack, there have been reports of Coinbase freezing user accounts. Therefore, I’d personally recommend not to keep your crypto on an exchange. When you have finished trading, move your crypto to the safety of a wallet, such as the likes of a hardware wallet like a Ledger or a Trezor.
Conclusion
Coinbase was the first exchange we used to buy Bitcoin and the exchange we would recommend to someone new to crypto. It´s simple and clear to use and with the like of Coinbase Earn, it will continue to grow and attached new users.
Compared to the likes of Binance and FTX exchanges the fees for buy and selling are expensive. These fees can really add up, so I would try their more advanced Coinbase Pro exchange to try and reduce these, but again these are still very high and you can do better.
Although we rarely use their Coinbase Web3 wallet, it’s a great free wallet to have, but if you´re looking to invest long term check out a hardware wallet like a Ledger or Trezor.
Great site. A lot of useful info here. I’m sending
it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious.
And of course, thanks for your effort!
I need help…I have $ sitting in Coinbase that I can’t transfer out or buy more with what on earth do I do
Are you looking to withdraw your dollars from Coinbase or buy a crypto?
How can I close my coinbase account I still have a little fun I can’t do anything with them I would like to donate them somewhere
Unfortunately, to close your Coinbase account you will need to withdraw the funds first.
Hello Louise,
Modesty aside why did name idiots guide to coinbase your blog or websites ???
It was just a keyword that was being searched for at the time
I linked my paypal account but I don’t see the ‘Withdraw’ button
I’m new to all of this but very interested to learn how it all works an how safe it is just recently come across Coinbase after watching some YouTube videos, I’m a beginner I’ve invested a tiny sum into Bitcoin, just to see how it goes, I’m on level 1, an now it’s asking for me to go into level 2 to unlock more features I should imagine right, ? What do I do ?
Coinbase is well trusted and has been around for a long time. As it states, for further features you’ll need to verify yourself. This usually includes personal details and photo ID, if you do not feel comfortable with this, you can try another exchange or wallet but the majority of these will require verification (KYC).
I have a question I saw your video about the xrp flare drop. I have xrp in
binance us but I got them after the drop date in Dec I got them in January will still I still get them? Also because of their sec issue my xrp is frozen until it gets cleared up. Can you help please. Thanks 😊
If you didn’t hold XRP during the snapshot, you won’t receive any Flare tokens, unfortunately.
That does sound very frustrating, can you not even withdraw your XRP tokens from Coinbase?
I earn interests for holding bitcoins on the AxisOption wallet platform. They are the best platform that provide interest for holders.
Hey Kelvin,
Honestly, I’ve never heard of AxisOption wallet, but that doesn’t mean anything. I would recommend looking at platforms such as BlockFi, Celsius Network & Nexo. I have investments in all 3 platforms, I would try and spread the risk and invest in more than one platform
I have videos and posts for all 3 platforms
Hi –
I am trying to put together an exit strategy in case BTC goes into free fall. I can see my BTC balance in my Coinbase Wallet and that in turn is linked to my (verified) coinbase account. I’ve just installed coinbase pro which also doesn’t show my balance. I am obviously doing something wrong. Can you please help me with this?
Cheers,
Barry
You’ll need to transfer your funds from Coinbase to Coinbase Pro to see the balances. Transfers are free and pretty quick.
Help
I have a Coinbase account
I deposited som money but
– they limit my deposit from my checking to only 1000 a day
– I cannot trader to pro or BlockFi saying don’t have funds
Please help
Thank you
I’m sorry you will need to contact Coinbase. I know that sometimes they restrict accounts, especially when paying by debit or credit card for anti fraudulent reasons.
Hello Louise,
After being extremely dubious I have done some research into crypto. I felt Coinbase would be the most secure exchange to buy.
I have a Coinbase account and a Coinbase wallet and recently purchased a small amount of crypto to test the water. For security I don’t want to hold them with the exchange , I am awaiting a ledger nano x until this arrives I feel it safer in my Coinbase wallet.
Here is my issue I am unable to transfer out of the exchange due to account restrictions. I have sent them photo ID which has been approved and verified to level 2. I have emailed the support team for help several times and all they tell me is my account status is under review, they can’t guarantee a change of account status. They have confirmed they have temporarily suspended me from sending crypto off the platform to protect against loss. If I would like to send crypto from Coinbase I must first convert it to fiat to my verified bank. I am not sure why these restrictions are in place, all Im looking to do is hold crypto in a safe place. I feel open to fraud holding my funds on the exchange & does not give me confidence to use the exchange going forward. I did have every faith in this company, I am also a share holder with 100 shares to my name.
Louise, Do you have any suggestions.
Unfortunately, you will need to go to the exchange as they do often put these restrictions in place. Coinbase is insured for certain amounts if they are for example hacked and holding money short term on an exchange whilst you await your Ledger shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
Hello Beautiful.
i’m new to trading and send my crypto to my cell phone number. How do I retrieve my crypto?
Nick
You have sent your crypto to your Coinbase mobile wallet? Or Coinbase exchange?