If you’ve shopped around for a reliable, beginner-friendly crypto exchange—or even if you’re just hearing about digital assets for the first time—there’s a solid chance you’ve come across Coinbase. Launched in 2012 as a simple way to buy Bitcoin, Coinbase is now one of the largest and most trusted crypto trading platforms in the United States (and, increasingly, worldwide). It’s not just for newcomers, either: the exchange has expanded to offer advanced trading tools, institutional services, staking options, and more. Below is a closer look at why Coinbase has won over tens of millions of users, and how it stacks up against the competition.

A User Interface Built for Everyone

One of Coinbase’s standout features is its incredibly simple interface, both on the website and in the mobile app. Instead of forcing you to stare down endless candlestick charts and order books, Coinbase focuses on clarity. Signing up, linking a bank account or card, and executing your very first buy or sell can happen in minutes. Once you’re set up, you can easily see your portfolio, track price movements, and place quick trades without navigating pages of confusing settings.

Mobile Magic: The Coinbase app (iOS and Android) feels as streamlined as the website. You can set alerts for your favorite coins, schedule recurring buys, or convert one crypto to another at the tap of a button. It’s a uniform experience across devices—no advanced setup required.

Security You Can Feel: Coinbase applies mandatory two-factor authentication (2FA), stores roughly 98% of customer crypto in offline cold storage vaults, and insures the small portion of assets they keep online. In practical terms, that means an extremely low hack risk. On top of that, US-based users have FDIC insurance on their cash balances (up to certain limits), and all users can opt into Coinbase’s vault withdrawal delays for extra protection. This track record of reliable security has helped Coinbase earn a reputation as the “safe” exchange in crypto.

Trading Options, From Simple to Advanced

Easy Buys and Sells
Most people start with Coinbase’s basic trading interface. You pick the coin you want, choose how much to buy (say, “$100 of Bitcoin”), and confirm. That’s it. The platform will show you a slightly higher price than the real-time market (a “spread”), plus a standard transaction fee—this convenience does come at a cost. But for many small or infrequent purchases, it’s worth the simplicity.

Advanced Trade (Formerly Coinbase Pro)
When you’re ready for deeper features, you can switch to Coinbase’s Advanced Trade section. You’ll see real order books with limit and stop orders, along with maker-taker fee discounts. Fees in Advanced Trade are considerably lower than the basic interface, so frequent traders generally prefer it. You can also see more detailed charts, execute trades on tight spreads, and keep track of your 30-day volume for further fee reductions.

Staking, Rewards, and More
Holding certain proof-of-stake coins (like Ethereum, Solana, or Cardano) on Coinbase can earn you staking rewards automatically—just opt in, and you’ll collect yield paid in that same crypto. Meanwhile, the Coinbase Earn program dishes out small rewards in exchange for watching short educational videos on up-and-coming tokens. Plus, if you hold USD Coin (USDC), you might earn interest simply by holding that stablecoin in your account.

Ready to see how easy it is? Open a Coinbase account and start exploring hundreds of digital assets today!

Fees and Why Some People Still Choose Coinbase

A common knock against Coinbase is its higher fee structure, especially on the standard “buy/sell” interface where you can pay upward of 1.4–3.99% depending on your method (debit card is higher, while bank transfers are lower). Advanced Trade cuts that cost drastically—to around 0.6% for low-volume traders, with the possibility of going even lower as your trading volume grows.

Even so, some rival exchanges (like Binance) are known for ultra-low fees—often just 0.1% or less. So why would anyone still pick Coinbase? For one, you get:

U.S. regulatory compliance. Coinbase is publicly listed on NASDAQ, submits audited financials, and adheres to strict licensing requirements. That lowers the odds of legal or solvency issues.
Beginner-first design. If you’re new to crypto, you may value a simple layout and step-by-step buy screens more than you value shaving off 0.3% in fees.
Strong brand trust. Many people making a significant first investment in crypto feel safer with Coinbase, thanks to its security record, insurance, and cold storage.

It’s worth noting that if you plan to day-trade frequently, you should definitely consider using Advanced Trade. This way, you won’t be paying those higher basic fees on every transaction.

The Bigger Picture: Security, Compliance, and Liquidity

Top-Tier Security
Coinbase has never had a major hack resulting in significant customer losses. Almost every other major exchange of similar scale has dealt with at least one hack or security event. Additionally, Coinbase’s mandatory 2FA, optional vault withdrawal delays, and address whitelisting offer customers layers of safety rarely matched by other platforms.

Regulatory Compliance
Coinbase is regulated by agencies in multiple countries, holds licenses such as the New York BitLicense, and must comply with know-your-customer (KYC) laws. This prevents the “fly-by-night” issues that plague some offshore exchanges. In fact, being publicly traded means Coinbase has to open its books and abide by strict reporting rules. That transparency can be reassuring if you’re dropping real money into the crypto world.

Liquidity for Top Cryptos
If you’re trading Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other big-name coins, Coinbase typically has healthy trading volumes and tight spreads—especially in Advanced Trade. This is essential if you want to buy or sell large amounts without moving the market or paying excessive slippage. The platform also supports a decent range of altcoins (240+), although it’s more selective than certain competitors that list thousands of tokens.

Is Coinbase Right for You?

Perfect for Beginners: If you’re buying your first Bitcoin or Ethereum, or you just want a hassle-free on-ramp, Coinbase is a top choice.
U.S., UK, and EU Residents: Because Coinbase integrates with common local bank systems and payment methods—like ACH in the U.S. or SEPA in the EU—fiat on/off ramps are smooth.
Long-Term Holders: Staking, vaults, and straightforward recurring buys make it easy to stay hands-off and watch your portfolio grow.
Institutions: Coinbase Prime offers big players secure custody and extra liquidity sources, plus robust compliance.

Where it might lag is in fees if you’re only using the basic interface, or in listing the newest or most obscure tokens (it tends to be more conservative). Nonetheless, for the bulk of retail users, the user experience, reliability, and compliance often outweigh these downsides.

Convinced it’s time to start? Sign up for Coinbase and discover a simpler way to buy, sell, and hold your favorite crypto.

Final Thoughts

Coinbase has carved out a prominent spot in the crypto world by sticking to its core values: straightforward design, strong security, and regulated operations. From a novice investor who wants easy, worry-free buys, to an institution seeking professional custodial services, there’s a version of Coinbase that fits. While more advanced or cost-conscious traders might opt for other platforms (or just switch to the Advanced Trade view), Coinbase continues to be a leader for those prioritizing safety, legitimacy, and an uncomplicated path into digital assets.

If your number-one concern is “where can I confidently buy, sell, and store crypto?” then Coinbase is a natural pick. Add in the educational tools, staking rewards, and near-effortless mobile experience, and you’ve got a platform that truly opens crypto to everyone.