Coinbase
Founded 2012 by Brian Armstrong & Fred Ehrsam
The most trusted and beginner-friendly crypto exchange in the United States.
Quick Overview
What is Coinbase?
Coinbase is America's largest and most trusted cryptocurrency exchange, founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam. It was one of the first companies to make buying Bitcoin as simple as buying something on Amazon.
In 2021, Coinbase made history by becoming the first major crypto company to go public on NASDAQ (ticker: COIN), bringing unprecedented transparency to the crypto exchange industry. As a publicly traded company, they publish quarterly earnings and undergo regular audits.
The platform is designed with beginners in mind. The simple buy/sell interface requires no trading knowledge at all — just pick a coin, enter an amount, and buy. For more experienced traders, Coinbase Advanced (formerly Coinbase Pro) offers professional-grade tools with lower fees.
One of Coinbase's standout features is Coinbase Earn — a program where you can learn about different cryptocurrencies by watching short videos and earn free tokens as rewards. You can easily accumulate $100+ in free crypto this way.
Coinbase also built Base, an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain network that has become one of the most popular L2s for DeFi and NFTs. This shows their commitment to building core crypto infrastructure, not just running an exchange.
Important to know: Coinbase has been in a legal battle with the SEC since 2023 over whether certain crypto tokens are securities. Coinbase has fought aggressively and won key rulings, which has helped establish clearer regulatory frameworks for the entire industry.
Coinbase Bonuses & Promotions
Current offers available to new and existing users.
Sign-Up Bonus
New users can get $5–$10 in free Bitcoin when completing their first trade.
Amount varies by region and promotion period.
Coinbase Earn
Earn $3–$10 in free crypto for each "Learn & Earn" module completed.
New modules added regularly. Over $100 worth available.
Referral Program
Both you and your friend get $10 in Bitcoin when they buy $100+.
One of the best referral programs in crypto.
Coinbase One Free Trial
Try Coinbase One free for 30 days — zero trading fees and priority support.
After trial: $29.99/month.
Products & Features
Everything Coinbase offers — from simple buying to advanced trading.
Simple Buy/Sell
The easiest way to buy crypto — perfect for absolute beginners.
Coinbase Advanced
Pro-level trading with order books, limit orders, and lower fees.
Coinbase Earn
Learn about crypto and earn free tokens by watching short videos.
Staking
Earn rewards by staking ETH, SOL, ATOM and other proof-of-stake coins.
Coinbase Wallet
Self-custody wallet for DeFi, NFTs, and full control of your keys.
Coinbase Card
Visa debit card — spend crypto and earn up to 4% back in crypto rewards.
Coinbase One
Premium subscription: zero trading fees, priority support, and insurance.
Coinbase Commerce
Accept crypto payments for your business — easy integration.
Base (L2 Network)
Coinbase's own Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain for cheap, fast transactions.
Coinbase Fees
Advanced Trading (Taker)
0.60%
Standard tier taker fee
Advanced Trading (Maker)
0.40%
Standard tier maker fee
Simple Buy/Sell
~1.5%
Spread + Coinbase fee combined
Card Purchase
3.99%
Credit/debit card instant buy
ACH Deposit
Free
US bank transfer — no fees
Crypto Withdrawal
Network fee
Standard blockchain network fee
Security & Safety
Coinbase is one of the most secure exchanges in the world. As a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: COIN), they undergo regular audits and are subject to strict US financial regulations. They store 98% of customer funds in offline cold storage and carry crypto insurance.
Payment Methods
Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Most beginner-friendly interface in crypto
- + Publicly traded (NASDAQ: COIN) — highly transparent
- + Strong regulatory compliance — licensed in all US states
- + FDIC insured USD balances up to $250,000
- + Coinbase Earn — get free crypto by learning
- + Excellent mobile app (4.7 stars)
- + Self-custody wallet option (Coinbase Wallet)
- + Base L2 — their own blockchain network
- + Coinbase Card with crypto cashback rewards
Cons
- − Higher fees than competitors on simple trades (up to 3.99% with card)
- − Coinbase Advanced has lower fees but steeper learning curve
- − Smaller coin selection than Binance (250 vs 400+)
- − Customer support has mixed reviews
- − Staking rewards lower than some competitors
- − Account freezes/restrictions can occur during verification
- − Not all features available in every country
Coinbase Timeline
Founded by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam in San Francisco. Started as a simple Bitcoin buying service.
Reached 1 million users. Became the go-to Bitcoin exchange in the US.
Hit 13 million users during the Bitcoin bull run. Launched Coinbase Pro (now Advanced).
Became the first crypto company valued at $8 billion.
IPO on NASDAQ (COIN) — valued at $86 billion on listing day. Reached 73 million users.
Crypto winter hit hard — laid off 18% of staff. Faced SEC scrutiny over staking products.
SEC filed lawsuit alleging unregistered securities. Coinbase fought back aggressively. Launched Base L2.
Won key legal battles against SEC. Expanded international operations. Base became a top L2.
Reached 110M+ users. Regulatory clarity improved. Remains the #1 US exchange by far.
Our Verdict
Coinbase is the gold standard for beginners and US-based traders. Yes, the simple buy fees are higher than competitors, but you're paying for the most trusted, regulated, and user-friendly platform in crypto. The Coinbase Earn program alone makes it worth signing up — you can earn $100+ in free crypto just by learning. For serious traders, Coinbase Advanced offers competitive fees. If security, regulation, and ease of use are your priorities, Coinbase is the clear choice.