Before we begin, just a quick disclaimer that this article is NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE!
Crypto is one of many ways to invest and make passive income.
But if you’re a beginner it can be quite overwhelming as to where to start. Which crypto platform should you choose? And why?
When it comes to investing in crypto, Coinbase is one of the most popular exchanges out there.
But who exactly is Coinbase suited for and is it the right crypto exchange for you?
Here are the pros and cons at a glance:
Pros:
- Extremely beginner-friendly.
- Gives free money for completing lessons about crypto ($5 per 3-minute lesson).
- Has advanced trading features.
- Secure.
- Allows for deposits through PayPal (US only).
Cons:
- Sign-up could take a while because of ID Verification process.
- Higher fees for Coinbase Free account
- The fee structure is hard to understand for beginners.
- Not available in all countries around the world.
I’ve been using Coinbase to invest in various cryptocurrencies for over two years now and in this review, I hope to give you an overview of the app, its services, and my personal experience using it.
Let’s go.
What is Coinbase?
Coinbase is a digital asset exchange company headquartered in San Francisco, California.
It was founded in 2012 and it’s one of the most popular exchanges online.
They offer a platform for buying, selling, and storing digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin.
Coinbase brokers exchanges of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other digital assets with fiat currencies in 32 countries, and Bitcoin transactions and storage in 190 countries worldwide.
It’s a regulated company and holds licenses in all jurisdictions where they operate.
Coinbase are one of the most trusted names in the space and have built up a large user base and reputation.
They offer a user-friendly platform with a variety of features, making it a great choice for those looking to get started in the world of crypto.
So who is it best suited for?
Who is Coinbase suited for?
If you’re new to buying crypto, Coinbase is a great platform to start with.
By default, it’s aimed at beginners but you can enable some advanced features that cater for advanced crypto trading.
When you first sign up to Coinbase the advanced mode will intentionally be hidden away, but enabling it is just a few clicks away for advanced traders.
Once you do sign up, you can buy and sell popular coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, as well as less well-known options like Dogecoin (I guess they’re not so less well-known anymore).
I found that Coinbase is also one of the most user-friendly exchanges for beginners, making it a good choice for anyone who doesn’t care too much about the intricate details of crypto investing and just wants to get started by getting some Bitcoin or Ethereum.
What’s also cool is that when you sign up and buy some crypto you can get $10 to withdraw or invest for free.
Coinbase vs. Binance
Coinbase and Binance are two of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges.
Coinbase is a US-based exchange that offers a simple, easy-to-use platform.
It also has a good reputation for its security.
Binance is a Malta-based exchange with a more sophisticated platform.
But it also has a good reputation for its security.
So, which is better?
As always, it depends on what is it that you’re looking for.
If you want a simple, easy-to-use platform, Coinbase is a good choice.
If you want a more sophisticated, detailed platform, Binance is a better alternative.
Coinbase vs. Crypto.com
Here’s a quick rundown of the key differences between Coinbase and Crypto.com:
- Coinbase is a cryptocurrency exchange that allows you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. Crypto.com is a cryptocurrency wallet that allows you to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies.
- Coinbase offers a wider range of cryptocurrencies than Crypto.com.
- Coinbase charges higher fees than Crypto.com.
- Coinbase is available in more countries than Crypto.com.
So, which is better?
Again, ultimately, it depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, Coinbase is a good option.
However, if you’re just looking to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies, Crypto.com might be a better choice.
It’s also worth noting that Coinbase offers a separate Wallet app that also lets you store crypto.
Free vs. Coinbase Pro plans
Coinbase has two plans – the free plan and Coinbase Pro.
Here’s a quick rundown of the differences between the two plans:
- Coinbase Pro is a more advanced trading platform than Coinbase Free. It offers more features and tools for seasoned traders.
- Coinbase Free is a good choice for beginners who want to get their feet wet in the world of cryptocurrency trading. It’s simple to use and doesn’t require any special knowledge or skills.
- Coinbase Pro is more expensive than Coinbase Free (obviously). However, it may be worth the extra cost if you’re serious about trading cryptocurrencies because of lower trading fees.
So, which plan should you choose?
If you’re just starting, Coinbase Free will be a good option for you.
However, if you’re an experienced trader and want to get more out of your investments, Coinbase Pro may be a better choice.
Coinbase top features
Coinbase is the world’s most popular cryptocurrency exchange, with over 25 million users worldwide.
It’s also one of the most secure exchanges, with industry-leading security practices.
Here are some of the best Coinbase features:
1. Free $10
When you first sign up and create a Coinbase account you will get free $10 to start investing in Crypto. And who doesn’t like free money.
2. User-friendly interface
The platform is one of the most user-friendly exchanges, with a simple and intuitive interface.
It also offers a mobile app, making it easy to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrencies on the go.
3. Lessions about crypto that pay upon completion
You can complete free 3-5 minute lessons on the platform about various cryptocurrencies and blockchains and earn $5 per lesson.
That’s right, they pay you in crypto to learn about crypto!
To complete a lesson all you have to do is watch a short video and answer some questions about what you learned.
If you get a question wrong you can restart the lesson and get it right the next time.
If you don’t care about the lessons just completing them with trial and error will give you free money to invest with, so it’s a no-brainer.
4. Depositing and withdrawing through PayPal
If you’re from the US you can use PayPal to deposit and withdraw funds from Coinbase.
If you live outside the US you can only withdraw money to PayPal from Coinbase but you can’t deposit.
Here’s a more in-depth FAQ on the topic of using PayPal.
5. Coinbase Vault
Coinbase also offers a unique feature called Coinbase Vault, which allows you to store your cryptocurrencies offline in a secure location.
6. Security
The platform has industry-leading security practices, including 2-factor authentication and a host of security features for both individuals and businesses.
7. Great customer support
Coinbase has a dedicated customer support team that is available 24/7 to help with any questions or issues you may have.
Cons of Coinbase
While the platform has a lot of advantages, there are also some potential drawbacks to using Coinbase:
1. Fees
Like every other exchange, Coinbase charges a variety of fees for its services.
These fees can add up over time and eat into your profits.
Before using the platform, be sure to understand all of the fees that you will be charged.
You can find the list of Coinbase fees here.
2. Strict ID verification
When you first sign up, the platform requires you to verify your identity before you can buy or sell cryptocurrencies.
This can be a slight hassle because it takes a bit of time.
Of course, this may seem like a problem but actually, it’s more of a feature of Coinbase because it makes the platform more secure for everyone!
3. Not available in all countries
If you live in a country that is not supported by Coinbase, you will not be able to use the platform.
Here’s a list of countries that are supported.
Was this Coinbase review useful?
There you have it – my Coinbase review.
When making your choice for the crypto platform that you’re going to use, look at the fees and how easy it is to use for you. Those are ultimately the two things that matter, especially for someone starting.
All in all, Coinbase is a great platform for buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies, especially for beginners.
It has decent fees and a friendly user interface.
When I first created my account I was surprised how user-friendly and easy to navigate the platform and the app was.
So if you’re a beginner I would recommend it.
And of course, Crypto can sometimes be volatile.
I made a bunch of useful resources with other ways that you can make money online (they might not be as passive as crypto though):
Best Online Business Ideas To Start With AI ($12,610 / Month)
Best Online Business Ideas 2023 (One-Person Business Model)
7 Side Hustle Ideas From Home (W/ Real Examples)
Thanks for reading 👋!