Coinbase Review 2025: A Complete Guide to Trading, Security, and Investment Options

Summary Overview

>> Buy and sell cryptocurrencies on Coinbase <<

**75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.** You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Investing in cryptoassets is subject to regulation in the EU under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. In the UK, cryptoasset activities are currently unregulated, offering no consumer protection. Your capital is at risk.

– Please note that this content is not intended for US users and may not comply with US regulations. –

Coinbase: A Trusted Global Exchange

In recent years, Coinbase has become one of the most trusted and widely used cryptocurrency exchanges globally. Founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong, Coinbase quickly gained popularity for its secure platform and easy-to-use interface. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and operates under regulatory frameworks in multiple countries, ensuring compliance and user protection.

Coinbase specializes in cryptocurrency trading, offering spot trading, staking, and interest-earning opportunities. Unlike many other platforms, Coinbase offers a carefully selected list of over 150 different cryptocurrencies. This includes major assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC) as well as smaller, emerging tokens.

Coinbase is known for its robust security measures, competitive fees, and innovative features. It also provides advanced tools for both beginners and experienced traders, including staking, interest-earning accounts, and a secure wallet service.

What cryptocurrencies can I buy on Coinbase?

Coinbase currently offers over 150 cryptocurrencies for trading. This includes major coins like:

Coinbase fees and charges

The fees are clear and easy to find in the general information. As of 13.03.2025, Coinbase charges the following fees for cryptocurrency transactions:

Cryptocurrency/Pair	Spread	Sell	Buy
Bitcoin (BTC)	0.50%	-24,500	-24,750
Ethereum (ETH)	0.50%	-1,600	-1,620
Cardano (ADA)	0.75%	-0.55	-0.57
Litecoin (LTC)	0.60%	-85	-86
Solana (SOL)	0.65%	-105	-106
Dogecoin (DOGE)	0.75%	-0.085	-0.086

Coinbase does not charge an inactivity fee. However, fees are subject to change without notice.

Withdrawal and Handling Fees

Withdrawal fees vary depending on the cryptocurrency and network conditions. For example, the minimum withdrawal for Bitcoin is 0.001 BTC with a fee of 0.0005 BTC.

Coinbase charges a handling fee for fiat withdrawals via bank transfer, which is typically around $1.00 per transaction.

How do I set up a Coinbase account?

The first step in setting up an account with Coinbase is to go to the official website coinbase.com. Once on the homepage, click on the blue “Get Started” button at the top right corner of the page.

Add these details:

• Email address or mobile phone number
• Password
• Referral code (optional)
• Next, click on the “Create Account” button.

Coinbase will then send you a verification code to your email or phone number to confirm your identity. Enter the code to verify your account.

It’s quick and easy to set up your Coinbase account.

Identity Verification and Purchase Limits for Cryptocurrencies

After you have successfully completed the registration process, you will automatically be logged into your Coinbase account. Your current account will have certain deposit and withdrawal limits since your identity has not yet been verified. For example, unverified accounts typically have a daily withdrawal limit of 0.1 BTC or its equivalent in other cryptocurrencies.

To unlock higher limits and access the full range of features on Coinbase, you need to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. This includes verifying your identity, address, and in some cases, tax identification number. This process is required to comply with international anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations.

Verification is completely free and can be done in just a few simple steps:

1. Go to your profile and click on “Verify”.
2. Submit the required documents, which may include:
   • Government-issued ID (passport, national ID card, or driver’s license)
   • Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement)
   • A selfie or facial recognition to confirm your identity
3. Once submitted, Coinbase will process your documents, and verification is usually completed within 24 to 48 hours.

Once your identity is verified, your account limits will be increased. For example, fully verified accounts can withdraw up to 100 BTC per day and access higher deposit and trading limits.

Payment Method	Supported Countries	Transfer Time	Maximum per Transaction
Credit/Debit Card	Worldwide	Instant	$25,000
Bank Transfer (SEPA)	Europe	1–3 Business Days	Unlimited
PayPal	Available in select countries	Instant	$10,000
Apple Pay	Worldwide	Instant	$5,000
Google Pay	Worldwide	Instant	$5,000
Faster Payments (UK)	UK	Within minutes	£250,000

How to Purchase Digital Assets on Coinbase

Coinbase allows users to buy both “real” cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets. Unlike futures contracts, purchasing cryptocurrencies on Coinbase means you own the underlying asset.

To buy cryptocurrency on Coinbase, follow these steps:

1. Log into your Coinbase account.
2. Go to “Trade” in your account and select the desired cryptocurrency (e.g., Bitcoin (BTC)).
3. Choose the order type:
   • Market Order – Buy instantly at the current market price.
   • Limit Order – Set the price at which you want to buy.
   • Stop-Limit Order – Set a stop price that triggers a limit order when reached.
4. Enter the amount you want to invest in fiat currency or cryptocurrency.
5. Click “Buy.” The transaction will be completed within seconds.

Once the transaction is complete, you can view your holdings under “Portfolio.” From there, you can monitor the price trend, buy more, or sell your assets.

Leverage and Advanced Trading on Coinbase

Coinbase offers leverage up to 5x on certain assets through its advanced trading platform, Coinbase Pro. Leverage allows traders to amplify potential returns, but it also increases the risk of significant losses if the market moves against the position.

To trade with leverage on Coinbase, you must remember the following:

• All leveraged trades are conducted through Coinbase Pro.
• Leverage can magnify both gains and losses.
• Coinbase automatically applies margin calls if the position reaches the maintenance threshold.

Risks and Considerations

Leverage trading is inherently risky. While it can enhance potential profits, it can also lead to rapid losses if the market moves against you. Traders are advised to use stop-loss orders and manage their risk exposure carefully.

>> Buy and sell cryptocurrencies on Coinbase <<

**75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.** You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Investing in cryptoassets is subject to regulation in the EU under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. In the UK, cryptoasset activities are currently unregulated, offering no consumer protection. Your capital is at risk.

Purchase ‘Actual’ Digital Assets on Coinbase

To buy actual cryptocurrency (not a futures contract) on Coinbase, you must first click on “Trade” in your account, then on “Spot” and then select the desired cryptocurrency, e.g., Bitcoin (BTC). The following screenshot shows you an example of the process:

The “Buy” button stands for buying Bitcoin and “Sell” for selling Bitcoin. Click on the “Buy” button next to the cryptocurrency you want to purchase. A new window will then open.

You don’t need to make any other settings except to enter your desired amount in US dollars (or other supported fiat currencies). You can choose between different order types:

• Market Order – Buy instantly at the current market price.
• Limit Order – Set the price at which you want to buy.
• Stop-Limit Order – Set a stop price that triggers a limit order when reached.

As soon as you click “Buy,” the order will be placed. Your transaction will then be executed within a few seconds.

Under “Portfolio” or “Wallet” you can now see your bought cryptocurrency and have the option to buy or sell more, as well as track the price trend.

Buy Cryptocurrency Futures

To buy cryptocurrency futures on Coinbase, you have to click on “Trade” and select “Futures.” After that, you will see the trading interface:

Here you set the amount of money you want to invest in this trade as usual. Then you have to adjust the leverage multiplier — Coinbase offers leverage up to 5x on certain cryptocurrencies. You should carefully adjust the leverage based on your risk tolerance.

You should then check your Stop Loss and Take Profit settings:

• Stop Loss means that you close a trade if the Bitcoin price reaches a specific market price or loss threshold that you set. This helps you to limit potential losses.
• Take Profit determines when your trade is automatically closed when your profit reaches a predetermined target. This helps you lock in gains.

After configuring your order, you can click “Open Trade.” The trade will be executed immediately when the market is open.

It’s important to note that Coinbase charges funding fees (similar to overnight or rollover fees) for futures contracts. These fees are calculated based on the difference between the contract price and the spot price and are settled every 8 hours. The applicable fees will be displayed in the trading window before you place your order.

How does Social Trading & CopyTrading work with Coinbase?

CopyTrading at Coinbase

Coinbase’s Copy Trading feature sets it apart from many other exchanges. The concept of copy trading is simple: it allows users to automatically copy the trades of experienced traders, known as Lead Traders. This feature enables users to benefit from the expertise of successful traders without needing to develop their own complex strategies.

Both the CopyTrader and Portfolio Copying features are supported by Coinbase’s large user base, which includes millions of traders worldwide. Users can select a Lead Trader based on detailed performance data, including past returns, risk levels, and trading strategies.

How Coinbase Copy Trading Works

• Users choose a Lead Trader based on their performance, trading style, and historical success rate.
• After selecting a trader, users specify the amount they wish to invest.
• Once activated, all trades made by the copied trader are replicated in real-time in the user’s account.
• Coinbase handles the creation and execution of positions, ensuring there is no delay in trade execution.

Minimum and Maximum Investment Amounts

• Minimum Investment Amount: $10 (per copied trader)
• Maximum Investment Amount: $1,000,000 (per copied trader)
• Minimum Trade Amount: $1

Manual Adjustments

Users can also manually modify their copy trading settings:

• If a copied position is not performing well, it can be closed manually.
• Adjusting Stop Loss (SL) and Take Profit (TP) settings is possible at any time.
• When a manually closed position is credited, the funds are returned to the copy trading pool.

Important Aspects to Consider:

• Existing open positions are copied at current market prices, not at the original trade entry point.
• Trades reflect the same Stop Loss (SL) and Take Profit (TP) as the original trader’s strategy.
• Changes in SL and TP made by the copied trader will also be reflected in the copied trade.

Coinbase Strategy Portfolios

Coinbase Strategy Portfolios work similarly to Copy Trading but focus on long-term investments. Instead of copying individual traders, Strategy Portfolios combine multiple assets into a single professionally managed portfolio.

Types of Strategy Portfolios:

• Market-Based Portfolios – Track specific market segments (e.g., DeFi, Layer-1 blockchains).
• Trader-Based Portfolios – Combine strategies of top-performing traders.

How It Works:

1. Select a portfolio based on your goals and risk tolerance.
2. Coinbase automatically manages and rebalances the assets.
3. Monitor performance and adjust anytime.

Investment Details:

• Minimum Investment: $1,000
• Default Stop Loss: 10% (can be adjusted)

Benefits:

✔️ Professionally managed
✔️ Automated rebalancing
✔️ Diversification and risk control

Conclusion

Coinbase provides a comprehensive platform for spot trading, margin trading, futures trading, copy trading, and strategy portfolios. With its robust security features, competitive fees, and user-friendly interface, Coinbase is well-suited for both beginner and advanced traders.

>> Buy and sell cryptocurrencies on Coinbase <<

Copy Stop Loss (CSL) Function on Coinbase

One of the most important risk management tools on Coinbase is the Copy Stop Loss (CSL) feature. This allows users to set a stop loss independently of the copied trader’s settings:

• The default CSL is set at 40% of the invested copy value.
• For example, if you invest $1,000 to copy a trader, the CSL will automatically stop trading if your capital drops to $400.
• The CSL value can be adjusted between 5% and 95% of the total investment.

✅ Example:

• If you copy a trader with $1,000 and set a CSL at 30%, the system will close all open trades if your total value drops to $300.
• This protects your capital from excessive losses and allows for greater risk control.

Coinbase’s Copy Trading feature provides a powerful way to automate trading strategies and benefit from the expertise of top-performing traders.

How Do Coinbase Strategy Portfolios Work?

Coinbase Strategy Portfolios work similarly to Copy Trading but focus on long-term investments. Instead of copying individual traders, Strategy Portfolios combine multiple assets into a single professionally managed portfolio.

Types of Strategy Portfolios:

• Market-Based Portfolios – Track specific market segments (e.g., DeFi, Layer-1 blockchains).
• Trader-Based Portfolios – Combine strategies of top-performing traders.

How It Works:

1. Select a portfolio based on your goals and risk tolerance.
2. Coinbase automatically manages and rebalances the assets.
3. Monitor performance and adjust anytime.

Investment Details:

• Minimum Investment: $1,000
• Default Stop Loss: 10% (can be adjusted)

✅ Benefits:

✔️ Professionally managed
✔️ Automated rebalancing
✔️ Diversification and risk control

Coinbase Strategy Portfolios offer an easy way to diversify investments and benefit from expert management.

How Can I Sell Cryptocurrencies on Coinbase?

Coinbase allows you to sell your cryptocurrencies and withdraw funds anytime. To sell crypto on Coinbase:

1. Go to “Markets” and select the cryptocurrency you want to sell.
2. Choose the order type (Market, Limit, or Stop-Limit).
3. Enter the amount you want to sell and click “Sell.”
4. The funds will be credited to your Coinbase account instantly once the trade is completed.

Withdrawal Process

• You can withdraw your balance (in fiat or crypto) to a verified bank account or wallet.
• Processing time depends on the payment method (usually within 1 working day).
• Withdrawal fees vary depending on the cryptocurrency and payment provider.

Minimum Withdrawal Amounts

• Bitcoin (BTC): 0.001 BTC
• Ethereum (ETH): 0.01 ETH
• Ripple (XRP): 20 XRP
• Litecoin (LTC): 0.01 LTC

Coinbase Wallet

Coinbase provides a secure wallet to store, transfer, and manage your cryptocurrencies.

• You can transfer funds to your Coinbase Wallet via the “Portfolio” tab.
• The transfer process may take up to 1 business day to reflect on the blockchain.
• A small network fee applies when transferring to an external wallet.

Once transferred, the position will be closed on Coinbase, and the crypto will appear in your wallet. Coins transferred from Coinbase cannot be moved back to the exchange.

>> Buy and sell cryptocurrencies on Coinbase <<

Coinbase Under Test

Security and Reputation

When using a platform like Coinbase, where you entrust the management of your funds and private keys to a third party, strong security is essential. With access to your private keys, a third party essentially has control over your assets — making security and reputation critical factors.

From our perspective, Coinbase has built a strong reputation for security and trustworthiness. Coinbase is regulated and operates under various financial authorities depending on the jurisdiction. Some key security measures include:

• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Required for logins and withdrawals.
• Cold Wallet Storage: A large percentage of funds are stored offline to protect against hacks.
• Insurance Policy: Coinbase holds an insurance policy to cover potential losses from security breaches.

Customer funds are kept separate from the company’s operating funds, meaning that even in the unlikely event of insolvency, customer funds would not be affected.

Fees and Payment Methods

Trading fees on Coinbase are competitive with other major exchanges. Coinbase applies a standard maker/taker fee of 0.50% for spot trading, which can be reduced by increasing your trading volume or subscribing to Coinbase Pro.

Payment Methods:

• Credit/Debit Card
• Bank Transfer (ACH, SEPA)
• PayPal (in selected regions)
• Google Pay / Apple Pay
• Skrill, Neteller
• P2P Trading

Fees are transparent and listed directly on the platform, but keep in mind that withdrawal and network fees may apply depending on the asset and payment method.

Customer Support

Coinbase provides 24/7 customer support through:

• Live Chat – Immediate response from customer service agents.
• Support Tickets – For more detailed issues.
• Help Center and Community Forum – For FAQs and user discussions.

Our experience with Coinbase’s support has been positive, with fast response times and knowledgeable agents.

Hacker Attacks

Coinbase experienced a security breach in 2021 where a small number of customer accounts were compromised due to phishing attacks. However, Coinbase promptly reimbursed affected customers and enhanced its security measures. Since then, Coinbase has maintained a strong track record in security.

Bottom Line

Coinbase is one of the largest and most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges globally. With over 250 cryptocurrencies available for spot trading, Coinbase offers one of the most comprehensive selections in the market.

From our perspective, Coinbase stands out as a top choice for spot trading and staking. The platform’s competitive fees, user-friendly interface, and strong security measures make it ideal for both beginners and experienced traders.