Our Coinbase Review focuses on their brokerage platform, its trading fees, and security measures. If you are a beginner looking to invest in cryptocurrency, this site is a great place to start. The desktop version is easy to navigate, with a small collection of icons on the top and info at the bottom. It caters to the needs of beginners without confusing them. The platform can be used by anyone, from beginners to experts. Its desktop version is an accessible and user-friendly way to invest in the crypto market. Coinbase also offers mobile versions (Android and Ios).
Let’s take a look at the largest crypto brokerage, Coinbase.
Coinbase platform
If you’re considering opening an account with Coinbase, you might be wondering how it compares to other crypto exchanges. The first thing you need to know about Coinbase is that it has a highly regulated location in San Francisco, California.
It is also a very popular platform with hundreds of thousands of users. The platform’s easy interface and wide selection of products make it an excellent choice for many crypto investors. However, one of the concerns that many users have is that Coinbase is not regulated by the Security Exchange Commission. Despite that, it is said to keep your assets safe and halts suspicious transactions. In fact, Coinbase is very tight.
Moreover, it offers excellent pricing tiers for high volume users. You could pay as little as 0.00% of the total amount traded in the trailing 30 days. Security has been a big concern for some users of other cryptocurrency exchanges, such as Coinmama. But Coinbase has improved security measures since its infamous hack in February 2019.
Another concern that some users may have is the fees. Coinbase charges a fee, which varies depending on the size of the transaction. ACH transfers are free, while bank account and USD Wallet payments have fees of 1.49% and 3.99%, respectively. The fees for using Coinbase depend on where you live, and whether or not you use a prepaid card or an ACH account. Regardless of whether you choose ACH or credit card, the fees are consistent across all platforms. While it may seem high, it’s worth it, especially if you’re not looking for a free trial.
Good User Experience
Another great thing about Coinbase is its user experience. You can easily navigate the interface and make trades in a few seconds. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, Coinbase has a platform for you. You can even trade cryptocurrencies with US dollars, Euros and pounds, all thanks to the exchange’s advanced order features. And if you’re interested in margin trading, you can also use this exchange to buy cryptocurrencies.
Trading fees
In the crypto world, Coinbase is known for its high trading fees. It could easily be the most expensive crypto trading platform. The fees are variable and inversely related to the value of the trade. For transactions under $10,000, the maker and taker fee on Coinbase are 0.5%, while for trades above $50,000, the fees are 0.25% to 0.4%. However, the fees are not as high as the spread on other exchanges.
To learn about these fees, read the terms and conditions for Coinbase. For traders, Coinbase has a number of great features. For example, it offers a referral program. When a new affiliate joins the program, Coinbase will pay their first three months’ trading fees. Similarly, users can buy crypto with fiat currencies using their debit or credit cards, or via bank transfers. These features help make Coinbase a top choice for small business investors. However, if you plan to invest in a large amount of cryptocurrency, Coinbase’s trading fees can prove to be too high.
The trading fee on Coinbase varies based on your location and the type of payment you make. For example, if you deposit money in a bank account, you will be charged 0.3% of the amount. When using a bank account to buy cryptocurrency, you can avoid the fees by depositing your funds into your Coinbase account before trading. You should check your wallets first before trading. If you don’t, you might be charged an additional fee for using the bank.
Kraken is similar to Coinbase in terms of trading fees, but Kraken is more dedicated to crypto than the former. Kraken supports more cryptocurrencies than Coinbase does, and it also has a lower minimum order size. And both exchanges are relatively easy to use, with many similar features. For traders, it’s important to choose one that has low fees and great features. Then, decide between Kraken and Coinbase.
Security measures
Whether you’re a first-time user or an experienced trader, you can improve your account’s security by setting up two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication helps to verify your identity and prevent unauthorized transactions. Coinbase’s system is also able to verify your identity before approving your requests for increased buy/sell limits. In addition, you can change your weekly purchase limit to a more secure level.
One of the most important security measures for any exchange is encrypting your private keys and storing them in cold storage. Although Coinbase stores 98% of its customers’ private keys in offline storage, it does not store the rest of the digital assets on its servers. It also offers a comprehensive insurance policy for its customers’ crypto holdings. This insurance does not cover losses caused by unauthorized access, however, so it’s important to ensure you know the fine print before you use it.
The company also deploys two-step authentication to ensure the safety of customer data. Coinbase uses 256-bit AES encryption for all of its website traffic. These standards are split into two halves and stored in vaults and safe deposit boxes around the world. Additionally, Coinbase uses HTTPS and secure socket layer (SSL) to protect users’ information. The Coinbase wallet prompts users to store backup seed phrases and passwords.
To ensure the safety of user data, users must identify themselves before attempting to use the Coinbase website or app. Coinbase also adheres to strict KYC requirements, and is one of the four exchanges in New York that is a part of the BitLicense program. Moreover, users must submit a national identity card, tax ID, and bank account details before registering. Users must also supply a signature and national identity card and provide proof of residency and employment.
Privacy requirements
As a user of Coinbase, you have the right to protect your privacy. You can limit the information that your account contains by limiting your email address or NFT holdings. The privacy requirements for Coinbase include the types of information that are publicly available. To protect your privacy, please check the company’s privacy policy. Also, note that your private messages on the service are not publicly accessible. You have the right to block or delete these messages if you want.
As a consumer, you should not share your personal information with any third party. Coinbase collects a lot of data. However, it does not sell this information without consent. Moreover, since January 2020, Coinbase has a privacy dashboard that lets you check which information they collect. This tool also allows you to request the deletion of your information. In case of any breach, you can cite GDPR and CCPA for your rights.
You can also contact Coinbase to report any phishing schemes. To ensure your security, you can also create a complex password consisting of upper and lower case letters, symbols, and numbers. To make sure that your account is not compromised, you should follow these simple privacy requirements and use novel email addresses. You’ll be glad you did! Keep in mind that privacy requirements for Coinbase are no different than those of any other cryptocurrency trading platform.
Coinbase Earn
One cool component of the platform is Coinbase Earn. The program has already earned its clients more than $100 million since its launch. However, you should note that the opportunities are limited and only available to select individuals during a specified time period. In addition, the amount of money you can earn with this program depends on how many cryptocurrencies you learn and the value of the USD dollar against a certain cryptocurrency.
This program is designed to teach beginners about crypto and rewards eligible clients for watching educational videos. To access the lessons, eligible customers must complete quizzes and earn credits. In return, Coinbase receives the earnings from the issuers of the crypto assets that are supported. The program is designed to help people who want to invest in crypto but are new to the industry earn extra money while learning. Once they have learned enough about the technology, they can use it to purchase cryptocurrency.
The program also allows you to spend real money on crypto. However, you’ll need to have a bank account or a credit card to transfer funds to Coinbase. Using a debit card is another way to make transactions. However, you must be aware that the process can take up to five business days. For those who are accustomed to trading with fiat currencies, Coinbase also offers Instant Exchange. Using this feature, you can purchase Bitcoins with your debit or credit card and convert your payment instantly to a fiat currency. If you’d rather not spend real money on cryptocurrency, you can use the same method of payment, which is SEPA.
Final thoughts
We hope you enjoyed our Coinbase review. If you use the platform, it is important to know about any upcoming operating changes. Be sure to carefully consider what information Coinbase makes public and what it tells you. However, keep in mind that the company reserves the right to suspend Digital Asset operations temporarily. Although Coinbase will make every effort to provide you with adequate notice, some of these changes may occur without warning. You should check with the Coinbase website frequently for updates. The company will update its privacy statement and policy if necessary but as with all things crypto it pays to do your own research and stay informed.
This Coinbase review is provided for educational purposes only. We do not advocate on behalf of any crypto exchange nor do we receive compensation from Coinbase. The author uses Coinbase for crypto investing.
If you enjoyed this our Coinbase review, you might also be interested in reading our Crypto.com review.

Jay Speakman is a technology writer based in San Francisco, California. He writes on the topics of blockchain, cryptocurrency, DeFi and other disruptive technologies. Clients include Avalanche, Be[in]Crypto, Trust Machines and several blogs devoted to blockchain gaming. He will not rest until fiat currency is defeated.