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Coinbase
The public US crypto exchange with a retail app people keep.
Rate this app
7.5Solid
AlternativesOur take
Desk verdict
The conservative CEX pick in this register. Kraken for the same job with a different culture; Binance for depth with a different risk.
Coinbase is a listed US crypto exchange. Crypto is not a bank deposit. The card, where offered, is a spend product on top of the exchange, not a current account.
Coinbase lists MSB + state money transmitter / trust under US states / FinCEN in United States. On safeguarding we currently write: Not FDIC on crypto. USD cash may sit at partner banks with FDIC — confirm product.. An AML programme is claimed. There is no IBAN-class local rail on the flags we store. We list 7 live markets on the product. As we score the sticker: monthly Free to hold · spread/fee on trade; FX Spread on the retail app; Advanced is tighter; ATM N/A. This desk would open it for: US and UK retail who want the most licensed large exchange, not the cheapest.
What it does well: Public company; US regulatory posture; App quality. What to watch: Retail spreads; Support / lockout lore; Not a bank. Desk score 7.5 / 10 (safety 8.0, fees 6.2, features 8.2, app 8.6). Last verified 2026-08-01. Headquartered in San Francisco, United States; founded 2012. None of this is advice — it is a file so you can read the entity before the card colour.
Best for: US and UK retail who want the most licensed large exchange, not the cheapest.
Pros
- +Public company
- +US regulatory posture
- +App quality
- +USDC
Cons
- −Retail spreads
- −Support / lockout lore
- −Not a bank
Account facts
- Platforms
- Web · iOS · Android
- Account types
- Exchange · wallet · card (select markets)
- Minimum balance
- $0
- Lowest monthly fee
- $0 to hold; trading fees apply
- Who can open
- Individuals and entities where onboarded
- Availability
- US and 100+ countries with local limits
How it actually works
- Custody
- Exchange omnibus / customer assets
- Local rails
- ACH / USD · Faster Payments · Crypto on-ramp
- Built for
- Investing
- Settlement
- On-chain + withdrawal queues
- Review risk
- Compliance holds on fiat ramps are common
- Pay surface
- visa · physical · virtual · Apple Pay · Google Pay
Safety
Not FDIC on crypto. USD cash may sit at partner banks with FDIC — confirm product.
- US states / FinCENMSB + state money transmitter / trust · United States
- FCA (register) / othersLocal registrations · UK / EEA
Fees
- Monthly
- Free to hold · spread/fee on trade
- FX markup
- Spread on the retail app; Advanced is tighter
- ATM
- N/A
Features
- –IBAN
- ✓Fee-free core
- ✓Multi-currency
- ✓Apple Pay
- ✓Google Pay
- ✓Virtual card
- ✓Physical card
- –Metal card
- ✓Crypto
- –Stocks
- –Business
- –Kids
- –Halal
- Spot crypto
- USDC
- Base / on-chain adjacency
- Coinbase Card in some regions
- Custody for institutions
Score
- Safety25%
- 8.0
- Fees20%
- 6.2
- Features15%
- 8.2
- App15%
- 8.6
- Global15%
- 8.0
- Support10%
- 5.2
Change log
Full logLicence
US broker-dealer / exchange stack, not a bank
The register scores it as an exchange. The card, if any, is a spend rail.
Licence
US broker-dealer / exchange stack, not a bank
The desk scores it as an exchange. The card, if any, is a spend rail.
FAQ
Is Coinbase a bank?+–
Coinbase is not a licensed deposit-taker in the classic sense. Treat the balance as a fintech ledger until you confirm the holder.
How is money protected?+–
Not FDIC on crypto. USD cash may sit at partner banks with FDIC — confirm product.
Where is Coinbase available?+–
We list 7 market desks on the desk. Residency and onboarding rules still sit with Coinbase.
Card and wallets?+–
visa · physical · virtual · Apple Pay · Google Pay
Ratings and reviews
3.0 / 5 from 1 published review on this desk.
Retail US
United States· 2026-08-27NeoBankDBOn-ramp works. Fees add up. Not a bank, not a wallet in the self-custody sense.
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