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Coinbase
Exchange · Centralized exchange (CEX)
A large US exchange and public company (NASDAQ: COIN): simple entry for beginners, custodial, KYC. No scores — fee layers and verifiable facts.
✓ Verified 27 Aug 2026
Objective data
Official sitecoinbase.com
TypeCentralized exchange (CEX)
Deposit
Assetsaround 406 · current number — on the service's site
How it works
Coinbase is a large US centralized exchange, known as an “entry point” for beginners and as the first major crypto exchange to go public. But there is no best exchange in general — it all depends on your task and your country. Below is not a score, but a breakdown of how the service works and what to look at yourself.
- Type — a centralized exchange (CEX). The company matches buyers and sellers and holds the funds itself.
- Control of funds — custodial. While the coins are on the exchange, Coinbase controls the keys, not you (see what is a private key). For holding larger amounts it is better to withdraw to your own wallet (see how to store crypto).
- KYC — yes: identity verification is required; in some jurisdictions (notably the US) the service reports transaction data to the tax authorities. Registration is required.
- Launch and status. Operating since 2012 (San Francisco, USA); a public company since April 2021 (NASDAQ: COIN).
- Assets and networks. Supports many coins and networks; the exact list changes.
- Fiat rails. Deposits by card and bank transfer — availability depends on the country.
Who it suits, who it doesn’t
- Suits: a beginner who values a simple entry and a regulated US service — understanding that funds are under the exchange’s control and the simplified buy mode is more expensive.
- Suits less: if full control of the keys matters (then — self-custody), or if the service is restricted or unavailable in your country.
Fees
1
Depositing money
Card is usually more expensive; bank transfer is cheaper. The simple ("instant") buy interface often carries a higher markup than the advanced mode.
2
Trading / swapping
A trade fee; in the advanced mode it is usually lower than in the simplified one.
3
Withdrawing crypto
A network fee that depends on the chosen network. For a beginner the deposit method and the buy mode matter most (simple is dearer than advanced); actual figures change — where to check: Coinbase's fees page.
Security
✓
A public company (NASDAQ, 2021)
Since April 2021 Coinbase shares have traded on NASDAQ (ticker COIN); as a public company it is required to file regular reports with the regulator. This is not a guarantee of safety, but being public and under regulatory oversight is a verifiable fact, not a "trust rating".1
!
A data breach (2025)
In May 2025 Coinbase disclosed a data breach: attackers bribed some support staff to steal customers' personal data for social engineering; passwords and private keys were, per the company, not affected, and affected users were promised compensation. A two-sided flag: an incident occurred — but not with keys/passwords, and the company stated it would compensate.1
How to judge for yourself
- Licenses in your country — and what they actually cover.
- The history of incidents and how the exchange closed them.
- The availability of the service and its modes in your country.
Compare with others
Back to the choice: objective slices and why there is no "best overall".
Sources
Every fact-flag is verified separately. We don't publish changing rates — we link to "where to check".