Coinbase

Coinbase is the gateway to the world of cryptocurrency for millions of people, especially in the United States. It bets everything on simplicity and regulatory compliance, at the cost of higher fees than competitors aimed at traders.

Coinbase is one of the largest and best-known cryptocurrency exchange platforms in the world, listed on the Nasdaq. After signing up and verifying your identity, you can buy, sell, convert and store hundreds of cryptocurrencies, funding via bank transfer, card or crypto transfer. The standard interface is designed for beginners: a few steps to buy or sell, without having to read complex charts. For those wanting lower costs and professional tools, the same platform includes Advanced Trade (the former Coinbase Pro), which offers the order book, advanced order types and a much more affordable maker-taker fee model. Numerous services revolve around buying and selling: staking to generate yields, a non-custodial wallet, the Coinbase card, collateralized loans and developer products. Coinbase's strength is its reputation for solidity and strong focus on regulatory compliance, which make it a reassuring choice for first-timers; the flip side is some of the highest fees in the sector on the basic interface.

For individuals and beginners who want to buy cryptocurrency simply and securely, and for more experienced traders who can switch to the Advanced Trade interface for reduced fees.

Opening a Coinbase account is free; the cost lies in the fees and spread applied to transactions. On the standard interface, transactions carry a spread of around 0.5% plus a fee that varies by amount and payment method, with a total cost that can range between roughly 2% and 4% (card payments are the most expensive). On Advanced Trade, fees follow the maker-taker model and are much lower, roughly between 0% and 0.60% based on 30-day volume. The Coinbase One subscription, at around $30 per month, waives trading fees within certain monthly limits (the spread remains). Deposits, withdrawals and network fees are charged separately.