🔍 Coinbase Review: Pros, Cons & Worth It? (2025)

Coinbase Review: Coinbase’s Pros, Cons & Why It’s Still a Solid Crypto Starter

Author

Brandon Smith
April 23, 2025

Table of Contents

Coinbase Review: Pros, Cons & Why It’s Still a Solid Crypto Starter

tl;dr: Coinbase is the most accessible U.S.-regulated crypto exchange, offering 200+ assets, easy onboarding, and a trusted brand name. It’s a top pick for beginners and casual investors seeking a safe, simple way to buy and hold crypto. Downsides include higher fees for convenience and fewer advanced tools than competitors. Still, it's a solid, Ledger-approved choice for those dipping into digital assets.

Ready to explore Coinbase?

You can sign up here and start your crypto journey on a platform that takes safety seriously 👇

✅ What is Coinbase?

Founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, Coinbase is the most well-known cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S. It went public in 2021 $COIN ( ▲ 4.43% ) and has become the default crypto gateway for millions of Americans.

Coinbase offers:

  • Spot trading for 200+ cryptocurrencies

  • Easy on-ramp with fiat (USD) deposits

  • Beginner-friendly UI and mobile apps

  • Basic staking on select tokens (ETH, SOL, ADA)

  • A self-custody wallet for interacting with Web3

  • Advanced trading features via Coinbase Advanced Trade

📊 Key Features & Offerings

1. Accessibility & Simplicity

Coinbase is unmatched when it comes to user experience. It's built for newcomers:

  • Intuitive mobile app and website

  • Recurring buys, portfolio tracking, and basic research tools

  • Seamless connection to bank accounts and debit cards

2. Asset Variety

Coinbase supports 200+ cryptocurrencies, including:

3. U.S. Regulation & Transparency

As a public company, Coinbase is subject to SEC oversight and transparent financial reporting. It is:

  • Registered with FinCEN

  • Licensed in most U.S. states

  • Regularly audited for financial compliance

4. Staking & Passive Rewards

Coinbase allows you to stake select assets and earn rewards — a streamlined process for casual users.

  • Assets include ETH, SOL, ADA, and more

  • Yields range from 3–6% APY

  • All staking rewards are handled custodially (Coinbase holds the keys)

A screenshot of the Coinbase Earn dashboard, displaying a user's crypto earnings. The main panel shows "Lifetime earnings +$108.90" and "Average rate 4.60% APY," with a line graph illustrating earnings growth from June 17 to June 23. Below this, there's a section for "My earnings" on Ethereum, prompting the user to "Stake ETH" to earn 4.54% APY. Further down, "My earnings" lists USD Coin with 4.60% APY and $89.41 earned, and Tezos with 4.63% APY and $8.33 earned. The right sidebar features "More ways to earn crypto," including "Card rewards" and "Learning rewards," as well as a "Help" section with a link to the FAQ. A left navigation bar includes "Home," "My assets," "Trade," "Earn," "Web3," "Card," and "More." The interface is clean and uses a light theme.

Coinbase Earn

5. Coinbase Advanced Trade

For more active users, Coinbase offers:

  • Lower fees than the basic interface

  • Charts, order types, and real-time order books

  • Still limited compared to Kraken Pro or Binance, but a solid middle ground

A screenshot of the Coinbase Pro trading interface, displaying the BTC-USD pair. The central focus is a candlestick chart showing price movements, surrounded by various trading tools and information panels. On the left, a navigation bar includes "Spot," "Futures," "Portfolio," "Orders," and "Earn." At the top, the current price, 24-hour change, and high/low are visible. To the right, an "Order Book" and "Trade History" are displayed, along with sections for "Available to trade," "Deposit," and buy/sell order forms. Below the main chart, a table lists recent "Orders" with details like date, type, price, amount, and status. The interface predominantly features a dark theme with green and red accents for price changes.

Coinbase Advanced Trade

6. Tax Reporting Tools

Coinbase issues tax forms (e.g. 1099-MISC) to eligible users and integrates with tax software platforms like CoinTracker and TurboTax.

Check out the Top 5 crypto exchanges for 2025

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Pros

✅ Industry-leading brand trust
✅ Regulated, U.S.-based, publicly traded
✅ Great for beginners
✅ Solid mobile app experience
✅ Access to basic staking and recurring purchases
✅ Custodial and non-custodial wallet options

Cons

❌ Higher fees on the main platform (1.49%–3.99%)
❌ Limited advanced trading tools
❌ Fewer features for power users (no futures or margin)
❌ Limited staking control (custodial only)
❌ Regulatory uncertainty in the U.S.

📱 User Experience

A screenshot of the Coinbase "Trade" dashboard, showcasing various cryptocurrency assets and trading options. The main section displays a list of cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), BNB, and XRP, along with their current prices, 24-hour change, and market cap. Users can filter assets by "Trending," "Stablecoins," "DeFi," and "Yield-earning" categories. On the right side, there's a "Buy & Sell" widget, currently set to "Buy" Solana (SOL) with an option for "One-time order" and an indicated 4.00% APY. It shows a purchase amount of $0 SOL, with quick buttons for $10, $50, and $100, and options to pay with different methods. A "Buy Solana" button is prominent, and the SOL balance is displayed below. The left sidebar navigation includes "Home," "My assets," "Trade," "Earn," "Learning rewards," "Web3," "Card," and "More." The interface uses a light theme.

Coinbase Assets

  • Mobile App: One of the best in the business for ease of use and navigation.

  • Web Platform: Clean, simple UI that prioritizes ease over customization.

  • Support: Email and chatbot support available, but mixed reviews on resolution speed.

🔒 Is Coinbase Safe?

Yes — Coinbase is considered one of the most secure crypto exchanges globally.

  • 98% of customer funds are kept in cold storage

  • U.S. dollar balances are FDIC insured (up to $250K)

  • Strong two-factor authentication (2FA)

  • Users can opt into self-custody via Coinbase Wallet

Still, crypto is not SIPC-insured, and funds may not be recoverable in the event of a major collapse.

📈 Who Should Use Coinbase?

Best for:

  • First-time crypto investors

  • Long-term holders looking for simplicity and trust

  • U.S. users who want a regulated platform

  • Readers prioritizing brand safety and a clean UI

Not ideal for:

  • High-frequency or margin traders

  • Users seeking deep order book control or futures

  • Fee-conscious investors making frequent trades

🆕 What's New with Coinbase

Launching this fall, the Coinbase One Card is a credit card that allows users to earn up to 4% bitcoin back on every purchase. Key details include:

  • Eligibility: Available exclusively to Coinbase One members (starting at $49.99/year for the Basic plan).

  • Rewards: Earn 2% to 4% bitcoin back, depending on the assets held on Coinbase.

  • Network: Powered by the American Express Network, offering additional benefits like experiences and protections.

  • Availability: U.S. users only (excluding U.S. Territories).
    This card represents Coinbase's first branded credit card, building on its earlier prepaid debit card and aiming to make crypto rewards more accessible.

💡 Lowcountry Ledger’s Take: If you're based in Charleston and just looking to dip into Bitcoin or ETH, Coinbase is a reliable choice. But if you're active, savvy, or fee-sensitive, explore the Advanced Trade interface — or consider branching out.

Ready to explore Coinbase?

You can sign up here and start your crypto journey on a platform that takes safety seriously 👇

Coinbase FAQ

Q: Is Coinbase safe to use?
A: Yes. Coinbase is a publicly traded, U.S.-regulated company with strong security protocols. It keeps 98% of user funds in cold storage and offers two-factor authentication. That said, crypto assets aren’t FDIC or SIPC insured.

Q: What are the fees on Coinbase?
A: Coinbase’s basic interface charges higher fees (typically 1.49%–3.99%) for ease and convenience. If you want lower fees, consider using Coinbase Advanced Trade, which uses a maker-taker model.

Q: Can I stake crypto on Coinbase?
A: Yes. You can stake assets like ETH, SOL, and ADA directly through Coinbase, earning passive rewards. Keep in mind it’s custodial staking — meaning Coinbase holds your assets while staking them on your behalf.

Q: What’s the difference between Coinbase and Coinbase Wallet?
A: Coinbase (the exchange) is custodial — they manage your crypto keys. Coinbase Wallet is non-custodial, meaning you manage your own keys and can interact directly with DeFi apps, NFTs, and Web3 platforms.

Q: Is Coinbase good for beginners?
A: Absolutely. It’s one of the most user-friendly exchanges out there. The app is simple, clean, and designed for first-timers. Just be aware of the slightly higher fees if you're buying small amounts.

Q: Can I use Coinbase to file crypto taxes?
A: Yes. Coinbase provides tax documents like Form 1099-MISC (when applicable) and integrates with crypto tax software like CoinTracker and TurboTax.

Crypto Glossary

Blockchain
A decentralized digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers. It’s the foundation of all cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin (BTC)
The first and most well-known cryptocurrency, often viewed as a digital store of value or “digital gold.”

Ethereum (ETH)
A leading blockchain that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps); the second-largest crypto by market cap.

Altcoin
Any cryptocurrency that isn’t Bitcoin. Examples: Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, Cardano.

Stablecoin
A type of cryptocurrency pegged to a stable asset like the U.S. dollar (e.g., USDC, USDT) to reduce volatility.

Crypto Exchange
A platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies. Gemini is a regulated U.S. crypto exchange.

Wallet
A digital tool to store and manage crypto assets.

  • Custodial Wallet: Managed by a third party (like Gemini).

  • Non-Custodial Wallet: You hold your own keys (e.g., MetaMask, Ledger).

Private Key
A secure code that proves ownership of your crypto. If you lose it, you lose access to your funds.

Gas Fees
Transaction fees paid to use blockchains like Ethereum. These fluctuate based on network congestion.

Fiat Currency
Government-issued currency like USD, EUR, or JPY. Used to buy crypto on exchanges like Gemini.

KYC (Know Your Customer)
A regulatory requirement that crypto platforms like Gemini follow to verify user identity and prevent fraud.

DeFi (Decentralized Finance)
Financial applications built on blockchains that operate without traditional intermediaries like banks.

NFT (Non-Fungible Token)
A unique digital asset representing ownership of an item, art, or collectible on the blockchain.

Staking
Locking up crypto to help run a blockchain network (usually Proof-of-Stake) in exchange for rewards.

Cold Storage
Offline crypto storage method, considered more secure from hacks than hot wallets (online wallets).

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