Coinbase Review 2023

When it comes to the best Bitcoin and crypto exchanges in Australia, Coinbase is a standout because of its user-friendly interface and dedication to security. Read our Coinbase review to find out whether Coinbase could be the best option for your crypto investment. 

Coinbase Exchange Logo

The popularity of investing in cryptocurrencies has increased dramatically in recent years. Hundreds of cryptocurrency exchanges have sprung in all over the world to handle the increasing demand. With numerous trading options that it’s difficult to locate the perfect exchange. No matter if you’re a novice in crypto or an experienced investor Coinbase is an excellent cryptocurrency trading platform.

Coinbase website

Coinbase is the most popular cryptocurrency marketplace within the United States and among the most popular in the world, including Australia. The company based in San Francisco was founded in 2012 which makes it among the longest-running and most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges in the marketplace. It provides a basic platform for beginners and the more sophisticated service for traders with experience.

Table of Contents

Coinbase Pros

  • A low minimum amount is required to fund your account.
  • It is simple to use for beginners in cryptocurrency
  • Support for a wide range of cryptocurrency 
  • Earning opportunities to get cryptocurrency
  • Lower rates are available when you sign up for Coinbase Pro
  • Simple and sophisticated trading
  • Earn free cryptocurrency
  • Educational content
  • The top-rated mobile app
  • Crypto-rewards
  • Offers Coinbase debit card

Coinbase Cons

  • The fees are higher than those of other exchanges that accept cryptocurrency.
  • Potentially high transaction costs

About Coinbase

Coinbase was established in the year 2012 by Brian Armstrong, a computer engineer as well as Fred Ehrsam, a financial trader. They began buying and selling Bitcoins at the end of 2012, and soon gained millions in venture capital investment. In 2014 Coinbase was already home to 1 million customers, and had grown to over 35 million by the end of January 2021.

Coinbase has grown in its popularity over time through its positioning as a secure option amid a sea of less secure cryptocurrency exchanges. Coinbase claims that, unlike the majority of its competitors–it hasn’t been targeted by hackers.

Coinbase adheres to strict the laws and regulations that govern it that are quite remarkable for a company in the largely unregulated crypto sector.

Coinbase has made it simple for its customers to purchase or sell crypto, making it a top option for those who are just beginning to learn about trading in crypto.

The app’s user-friendly interface is one of the most popular free apps available on both the Apple as well as Google Play stores. It also has some of the lowest account minimums in the business and has been able to make Coinbase popular among new traders.

The company provides a variety of options, but its most popular service lets people buy and sell cryptocurrency using an account at a bank as well as a debit card. Although the company states that it’s goal is to build an open system of digital currency however, it functions more like an established centralized brokerage. The company earns the majority of its profits through the charging of fees for its exchange as well as brokerage services.

Coinbase is the largest and most well-funded cryptocurrency trading platform across the United States. Coinbase’s success has enabled it to shake the cryptocurrency market. Coinbase can cause market volatility simply by introducing new cryptos to its huge customer base.

Trading Platforms

Coinbase offers two major trading platforms: Coinbase as well as Coinbase Pro.
Coinbase allows users to buy and sell crypto by using normal money (also called fiat) via your debit or bank account. Coinbase also lets users to keep their cryptocurrency in a vault that is password-secured. The platform is simple and simple, which makes it a preferred option for traders who are just beginning their journey.

Coinbase Pro: has all the functions of the base service and additional features. It’s specifically designed for institutional as well as professional traders that participate in the cryptocurrency market on the highest level. It has more features than the traditional platform and comes with lower costs. It also offers more cryptocurrency than the base platform.

Coinbase Wallet

If you’re searching for an online cryptocurrency wallet, Coinbase is also a good choice. Coinbase recently released an app for mobile devices that functions as a wallet, providing users secure access to their funds each of Android or iOS. Coinbase also provides plug-ins to the majority of major CMS platforms, allowing merchants selling online to accept cryptocurrency using Coinbase. Vendors that want to offer diverse payment options for their customers can gain from this option. The supported platforms are Shopify, Magneto, and WooCommerce.

Payment Methods

In terms of payment options, Coinbase offers a huge variety of options, which include bank transfer, credit card, Visa debit card, SEPA as well as wire transfers. You can also make withdrawals from the PayPal account, but at the moment it is not possible to purchase through the service. You can purchase Bitcoin using fiat currencies such like USD, EUR, and GBP.

Supported Cryptocurrencies

Coinbase offers 32 cryptocurrency on its base platform, and the 36 currency options on Coinbase Pro.

The most well-known currencies that are supported by the base platform are:

  • Bitcoin
  • Bitcoin Cash
  • Ethereum
  • Litecoin
  • Uniswap
  • Stellar Lumens
  • Ripple

Coinbase lets you purchase cryptocurrency using its services. Once you have created an account for free, you connect Coinbase directly to your account at a bank, debit card as well as your PayPal account. It is also possible to use wire transfers.

Wire transfers and bank accounts allow for higher purchasing limits however, it can take several days to get the money transferred in the Coinbase account. The debit card and PayPal limit purchases are set at lower limits, but they permit instant purchase.

The crypto you purchase is purchased through the trade function on the platform. You have the option to purchase, sell or exchange crypto. When you make a purchase, you must select the crypto you’re interested in, as well as the amount you want in actual (fiat) dollars. Coinbase will convert your fiat currency into the cryptocurrency you choose.

Trading Fees and Limits

Coinbase offers a much more complicated fee structure than many of its rivals. Although the fees that Coinbase is in line with industry standards however, the overall structure isn’t as simple like other exchanges. The base Coinbase platform comes with an intricate fee structure as compared to Coinbase Pro.

Coinbase has a cost per time you purchase or sell. They also charge fees for deposits of fiat currency and withdrawals. The fees are automatically collected for every transaction. The company charges flat fees or variable charges according to the amount of the transaction.

Coinbase Basic Fees

Coinbase is a company that charges a variable charge on all purchases and sales. Though the fee can fluctuate in the middle, it’s usually 0.5 percent. Additionally, Coinbase charges what they refer to as the Coinbase fee per transaction. It is the Coinbase fee is the one that is higher: the percent or flat which varies depending on where you reside. The flat fees for transactions are:

  • $10 or less: $0.99
  • $10.01 to $25: $1.49
  • $25.01 to $50: $1.99
  • $50.01 to $200: $2.99

If you trade that’s $200.01 or greater, Coinbase charges a variable percentage charge.

Coinbase Basic Limits

Coinbase Basic also charges for withdrawals and deposits. The United States, fees are:

  • US accounts in banks: 1.49%
  • Bitcoin wallet 1.49%
  • Card for debit: 3.99%
  • ACH transfer Transfer of funds to ACH: Free
  • Wire transfer 10 dollars ($25 for transfers that are not outgoing)

Coinbase Pro Fees

Coinbase Pro users pay less in charges. You can switch for free from the standard version to Pro and is an easy method to get rid of the complex system fee structures. Coinbase Pro charges a lower cost for trades with more. This is the cost formula that applies to Coinbase Pro transactions:

  • Up to $10K in trades: 0.5% for maker; 0.5% for taker
  • For trades between $10k and $50K: 0.35 percent for the maker; 0.35 percent for the taking
  • For trades between $50k and $100K: 0.15% for maker; 0.25% for taker
  • 100k-$1M trades: 0.10% for maker; 0.20% for taker
  • The trades between $1M and $10M are 0.08 percent for the maker; 0.18 percent for taker
  • The trades between $10M and $50M: 0.05% for maker; 0.15% for taker
  • For trades of $50M-$100M: 0.00% for maker; 0.10% for taker
  • The range of trades from $100M to $300M is 0.00 percent for the manufacturer; 0.07% for taker
  • The trades range from $300M to 500M dollars: 0.00% for maker; 0.06% for taker
  • The trades range from $500M to $1B. 0.00 percent for the maker; 0.05 percent for the taker
  • The trades that exceed $1B: 0.00% for maker; 0.04% for taker

Coinbase Pro also charges much lower withdrawal and deposit fees. The Crypto as well as ACH transfers are absolutely free. Wire transfers cost $10 to deposit and the withdrawal fee is $25. Coinbase Pro users can make withdrawals and deposits through cryptocurrency wallets, bank accounts and wire transfers.

Coinbase Pro Limits

The withdrawal, deposit and trading limits vary in accordance with your Coinbase platform and the country in which you reside. You can check your limits once you log to your personal account. In general, the limits for Coinbase are as follows:

  • Limits on deposits are unlimited for cryptocurrency and wire transfers. Limits vary for other methods.
  • Limits on withdrawals Limits for withdrawals: Daily withdrawal limit of $25,000
  • Limits on trading: No limit are set for Coinbase Pro; limits vary for Coinbase basic
  • Minimum trade and account requirements: Coinbase requires an account minimum of $2. permits trades as little as $2

Is Coinbase Safe To Use?

There’s been plenty of negative media concerning security concerns with brokerages on the internet, and lots of people believe that it’s risky to put money into cryptocurrency. A large portion of the negative publicity stems from the Mt. Gox incident, where hackers stole 740,000 bitcoins, the majority of which have not been found. The attack left Mt. Gox in bankruptcy and forced many investors away from cryptocurrency altogether.

Although there are many concerns regarding crypto’s security, Coinbase has a reputation as one of the most secure exchanges available. A large part of this is due to being that Coinbase is a US-based company, which means it is subject to federal and state rules and regulations. In actual fact, Coinbase has worked actively with regulators and legislators in order to make sure that crypto brokers are secure and effective. This proactive approach has prompted many banks such as Bank of Tokyo. Bank of Tokyo to invest in Coinbase and assist in the development of an efficient financial system that is transparent, secure, and ingenuous.

Coinbase-side

The biggest security risk of Coinbase is its tendency to behave like an online bank that accepts cryptocurrency. It’s a centralised platform that is not in line with the principles of decentralization the cryptocurrency industry is built on.

Fortunately, in contrast to the other financial institutions, Coinbase has a good degree of transparency about the location of funds. Customers’ funds are kept apart from operational funds in order to ensure that, should Coinbase goes bankrupt, Coinbase has no entitlement to the customer’s money.

Funds from customers are held in custodial bank account, the majority of which are held off-line in cold storage as well as safe deposit boxes at a number of different locations around the world. In the event of an attack like that which hit Mt. Gox attackers would not have access to the customer’s funds. The amount of customer funds that are online is covered with the FDIC. If your funds are stolen Coinbase is responsible to make use of its insurance policy to retrieve the money on your behalf.

User account side

Coinbase also offers high-end security for users with two-factor authentication. Alongside the ability to log into your account, a different code will be sent to your mobile phone or a third-party application to provide an extra level of protection. Coinbase is designed to alert you in the event of detecting suspicious logins from other device or IP which allows you to secure your accounts in the event of a cyberattack quickly.

The onus is on you to ensure your account secure using the tools available, Coinbase doesn’t accept liability for any loss of funds if the account of yours is compromised. To ensure the security of your cryptocurrency ensure that you use an offline wallet you are in control of.

Coinbase Customer Support

Coinbase receives low marks for support and customer service. A number of third-party review sites highlight the amount of customers complaining about lack of support. The majority of negative reviews are focused on the time it takes to respond and inability to connect with a live person.

Coinbase offers email support and an exhaustive FAQ site. The company claims that the average time to respond to emails is between 24-72 hours. A lot of users complain that the response is usually generic when they get a reply and doesn’t solve their problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cryptocurrency transactions legal within the United States?

The legality of cryptocurrency is throughout the United States. However, unlike US currency or credit cards, crypto isn’t restricted nor issued by a bank or a government. Instead, cryptocurrency utilizes encryption to ensure the authenticity and distribution of transactions using a decentralized system.

Since a central authority does not oversee crypto, the market is generally not regulated. Certain exchanges for crypto like Coinbase have self-regulatory processes and have a strong commitment to comply with traditional financial rules. Some exchanges, however, deliberately ignore regulations by establishing operations in countries that don’t have cryptocurrency controls.

Which countries Coinbase supports? Coinbase supports?

Customers can utilize Coinbase within Coinbase in the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and the majority of Europe. For the United States, Coinbase’s USD wallet is available only to states that have licenses in the transmission of money or in states where licenses aren’t issued or required by Coinbase. In the current Coinbase exchange review just the State of Hawai’i was waiting on Coinbase support.

Is Coinbase licensed in the United States?

Coinbase licenses are in all 42 US states and also Washington DC and Puerto Rico. It is still possible to access Coinbase in states that are not licensed.

Does Coinbase has a mobile application?

Coinbase offers a mobile application available for iOS as well as Android users. It is highly rated by customers in their Apple as well as Google Play stores. It lets users buy or sell and store crypto safely, with an intuitive layout and user-friendly platform.

Does Coinbase offer an online cryptocurrency wallet?

Coinbase Wallet is a mobile application that gives you a secure storage space for your cryptocurrency. It is possible to utilize Coinbase Wallet with or without an existing Coinbase cryptocurrency exchange account, however, you are able to connect to your Coinbase Wallet with you Coinbase exchange account to increase security in your crypto storage. It is available for Android as well as iOS devices.

What is the difference between Coinbase and Binance?

Binance was established in the year 2017 is the most renowned cryptocurrency exchange worldwide, while Coinbase is second-largest. Binance has more than 200 cryptocurrency and Coinbase Pro supports 36. The company also has low fees. It is worth noting that Binance has been the focus of one of the largest cryptocurrency thefts of 2019 and doesn’t conform to Coinbase’s policy of protection and self-regulation. In the past, Binance relocated to Malta in a country where it isn’t subjected to the strictest regulations.

Conclusion

According to the findings of our Coinbase Exchange review Coinbase has been rated as one of the most secure and easy to use crypto exchanges available on the market. It’s a great option for those who are brand new to cryptocurrency trading or don’t have lots of funds to invest. It lets trades be made at a lower level and only requires an account balance of $2.

Even though its base platform has an intricate fee structure which can be costly and more opaque than other platforms, Coinbase Pro offers a simpler approach and reduced charges. Users can upgrade into the Pro version at no cost to avoid costs.

Some users have criticised Coinbase for their poor customer service however, the company earns excellent marks for its easy-to-use interface and top-of-the-line security. Coinbase is a tried and true cryptocurrency exchange that is suitable for every stage of trader.

Related:

Coinbase Compared

ExchangeDeposit MethodsFiat CurrenciesCryptocurrenciesTrading Fees

Swyftx
Swyftx logo

Bank Transfer, Crypto, Credit and Debit Card, Osko, PayIDNew Zealand Dollars and Australian DollarsOver 3200.6%Australian Dollars Deposits: 0% Crypto: 0%Australian Dollars Withdrawals: 0% Crypto: 0%Visit Swyftx

Binance
Binance Exchange Logo

Crypto, Credit and Debit Cards, Osko, PayID10 Fiat Including USD and AUDOver 6000% to 0.1%0%VaryVisit Binance

CoinSpot
Coinspot logo

Bank Transfer, Fiat, Crypto, POLi, and PayIDAustralian DollarsOver 370Instant Buy/Sell: 1% OTC: 0.1% Market Order: 0.1%*Direct Deposit: $0 Cash: 2.5% PayID, POLi, and direct deposits: $0 BPAY: 0.9% Direct Bank Transfer: $0 Australian Dollars Withdrawals: $0Visit CoinSpot

Bybit
Bybit exchange logo

Crypto, electronic funds transfer (EFT), wire transfer, bank transfer, credit card, and debit card50+160+0.1% spot trading 0.01% – 0.06% market makers/market takers fee$0Does not support direct fiat withdrawals Crypto withdrawal fees: Network feesVisit Bybit

Digital Surge
digital surge logo

Bank Transfer, Crypto, POLi, Osko, PayIDAustralian DollarsOver 3000.1% to 0.5%Deposit Fees Bank Transfer: $0 POLi: $2 (capped at $3.30)$0 for AU Bank Accounts Cryptocurrency: Depends On the NetworkVisit Digital Surge

CoinJar
Coinjar Exchange Logo

Fiat, Bank Transfer, Crypto, Credit or Debit Card, Apple Pay, Google PlayPound Sterling and Australian DollarsOver 50Maker: 0.04 to 0.1% Taker: 0.04 to 0.1%Fiat: 1.5% CoinJar Users: $0 NPP: $0 $0Visit CoinJar

Independent Reserve

Crypto, Osko, PayID, Electronic Fund Transfer, SWIFTAustralian Dollars, US Dollars, New Zealand DollarsOver 250.05% to 0.5%For SWIFT Deposit: $15 for deposits under Australian $5,000 equivalent $0 for deposits over Australian $5,000 equivalent For Electronic Fund Transfer: Australian $0.99 for deposits under $100 $0 for deposits more than Australian $100Crypto: Fees vary Bank Transfer: $0 for AUD $20 for non-AUDVisit Independent Reserve

eToro
eToro exchange logo

Bank Transfer, Debit Cards, Neteller, PayPal, Online Banking, and Skrill15 Fiat Currencies Including USD and AUDOver 70VaryVary$5 but minimum withdrawal of USD50Visit eToro

Coinbase
Coinbase Exchange Logo

Debit CardMore than 20 Fiat Currencies Including USD and EUROver 200VaryCredit Card and Debit Card: 3.99%2.49%Visit Coinbase

Bittrex
Bittrex exchange logo

Bank transfer (ACH)Euro and US DollarsOver 3200.25%$0VaryVisit Bittrex

Bitfinex
Bitfinex exchange logo

Bank Wire Transfer, Crypto, Credit CardUS Dollars, Japanese Yen, Euro, Pound SterlingOver 200Taker: 0.055% to 0.2% Maker: 0% to 0.1%Crypto: $0 Wire: 0.1% (min 60 Euro/USD)Crypto: $0 Wire: 0.1% Express Bank Wire (within 1 day on business days): 1% (min 60 Euro/USD)Visit Bitfinex

Coinmama
Coinmama exchange logo

Bank Card, SWIFT, Google Pay, SEPA, and Fedwire6 Fiat Currencies Including USD and AUDOver 102.93% to 3.9%0% to 5%N/A – assets are directly sent to the user’s crypto walletVisit Coinmama

Kraken
Kraken exchange logo

Bank Transfer, Crypto, Wire Transfer, osko, SEPA, Apple Pay and Google Pay7 Fiat Currencies Including USD and AUDOver 140Maker: 0% to 0.16% Taker: 0.10% to 0.26%VaryVaryVisit Kraken

KuCoin
KuCoin exchange logo

Crypto, PayPal, Wire Transfer, Credit or Debit Card, SEPA9 Fiat Currencies Including USD and AUDover 6450.1%$0VaryVisit KuCoin

Easy Crypto
easy crypto logo

Bank transfer, P2P, POLi, OSKOAUD100+ 0.5% – 1.6%$0Fiat Withdrawal fees: $0 Crypto withdrawal fees: Network feesVisit Easy Crypto

Coinstash
coinstash logo

Crypto, PayID, Bank TransferAUD410+0.85%$0Crypto withdrawal fees: Network fees Fiat Withdrawal fees: $0Visit Coinstash

About The Author

Gareth Johnson
Gareth Johnson

Gareth is incredibly passionate about sharing his knowledge in the crypto industry. It's important to make informed decisions in crypto and it's Crypto Wisdom's goal to make this information widely accessible.

This page was last updated on September 29, 2022