Coinbase Review
The most trusted, publicly traded U.S. crypto exchange. Independent Coinbase review: 4.5/5 for crypto. Best for Crypto beginners wanting trust and regulation.
By Michael Hewitt, Founder & Editor-in-Chief.
Our verdict
Crypto beginners who want a publicly traded exchange get 260+ cryptocurrencies at Coinbase and FDIC-insured USD balances to $250K. Fees depend on the screen, and that's what keeps it from rating higher: the basic interface costs more, Advanced Trade starts at 0.00% maker and 0.05% taker, and the lowest fees need Coinbase One at $29.99 a month.
Skip it if you'll trade often on the simple interface, or won't pay $29.99 a month for Coinbase One.
About Coinbase
The most trusted, publicly traded U.S. crypto exchange. Coinbase is offered by Coinbase Global, Inc. Our editorial rating is 4.5 out of 5.
Best for: Crypto beginners wanting trust and regulation.
Editorial grade: A (composite score 89/100).
Highlights
- 260+ cryptocurrencies available to U.S. customers
- Advanced Trade platform with maker/taker fees from 0.00%/0.05%
- Coinbase One ($29.99/mo) for zero-fee trading on eligible pairs
What we like
- Publicly traded on NASDAQ (COIN) with SOC 1 & SOC 2 reporting
- Industry-leading security, FDIC-insured USD balances to $250K
- Staking on 15+ assets (ETH, SOL, ADA, etc.)
- Easy onboarding plus Coinbase Wallet for self-custody
Where it falls short
- Higher fees on the basic (Simple) Coinbase interface
- Coinbase One subscription required for the lowest fees
Fees, minimums, and rates
Monthly fee: 0.00%–0.60% (Advanced Trade). Minimum to open: $2. New-customer bonus: Up to $200. Rates and promotional offers change often, so check the provider's own page before you apply.
How we reviewed it
This is a desk review: we have not opened an account with Coinbase Global, Inc.. It is built from Coinbase Global, Inc.'s published rates, fee schedule and terms and from the public complaint record, and compared with the other products in the Crypto shortlist. Our brokerage and robo-advisor reviews weight costs and fees (25%), platform and tools (20%), asset selection (15%), account types (10%), education and research (10%), customer support (10%), and trust and safety (10%). The rubric is the same for every brand.
Similar products to compare
Read our full editorial methodology for how we review products.