Coinbase
Coinbase is the largest US crypto exchange and a Nasdaq-listed company, known for compliance and ease of use, though its fees are higher than many rivals.
Key facts
- Trading platforms
- WebCoinbase AdvancedMobileAPICoinbase Wallet
- Account types
- IndividualCoinbase OnePrime (Institutional)
- Instruments
- Spot CryptoFutures (eligible regions)StakingUSDC Rewards
- Deposit & withdrawal
- Bank TransferBank CardPayPalCrypto
- Features
- Accepts IraniansPersian supportIslamic accountCopy tradingDemo account
Score breakdown
Each criterion is rated 0–5 by our editorial team.
- Trust & Regulation4.7
- Fees & Costs3.3
- Platform & UX4.5
- Deposit & Withdrawal4.6
- Support3.7
- Features & Range4.0
Full review
Coinbase was founded in San Francisco in 2012, listed on Nasdaq in 2021 and joined the S&P 500 in 2025. It now operates remote-first without an official physical headquarters.
As a public company Coinbase publishes audited financials. It is registered with FinCEN, holds a New York BitLicense, obtained a MiCA licence via Luxembourg and is registered in the UK and Ireland. It is the custodian for a large share of US spot Bitcoin ETF assets. In 2025 it disclosed a data breach affecting some customers after overseas support staff were bribed.
Coinbase Advanced fees start at 0.40% maker / 0.60% taker at the lowest tier, and simple app purchases cost more. Staking, futures in eligible regions, the Base layer-2 network and a self-custodial wallet are part of the ecosystem.
Funding is via bank transfer, cards, PayPal (in some countries) and crypto. Coinbase does not accept residents of Iran.
Last updated: Oct 6, 2026
Pros & cons
- Public company with strong financial transparency
- Reputable US and EU licences
- Beginner-friendly
- Many fiat funding options
- Broad ecosystem (Base, Wallet)
- Higher fees than most rivals
- Fewer listed assets
- 2025 data breach
- Does not accept Iranian users
Licences & regulation
Tier 1 means the strictest oversight.
| Regulator | Authority | Tier | Licence no. |
|---|---|---|---|
🇬🇧FCA Financial Conduct Authority | Financial Conduct Authority | Tier 1 | — |
🇮🇪CBI Central Bank of Ireland | Central Bank of Ireland | Tier 1 | — |
🇺🇸FinCEN Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (MSB) | Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (MSB) | Tier 2 | — |
SEC (listed company) SEC (listed company) | SEC (listed company) | Tier 3 | — |
NYDFS NYDFS | NYDFS | Tier 3 | — |
CSSF (Luxembourg, MiCA) CSSF (Luxembourg, MiCA) | CSSF (Luxembourg, MiCA) | Tier 3 | — |
User reviews
- 5 stars0
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- 3 stars0
- 2 stars0
- 1 stars0
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