Coinbase
The largest US-regulated crypto exchange. Beginner-friendly with strong compliance.
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Best For
US beginners and regulated trading
Pros
- Most trusted US exchange
- Beginner-friendly
- Strong compliance
- Wide asset selection
Cons
- Higher fees on simple interface
- Customer support can be slow
Regulatory Status
Publicly traded (NASDAQ: COIN). Holds Money Transmitter Licenses in most U.S. states. Registered with FinCEN. Faced SEC lawsuit (June 2023) alleging unregistered securities; case is ongoing as of March 2026.
Regulatory status varies by jurisdiction and changes frequently. Always verify current licensing with your local regulator before depositing funds.
Enforcement History
SEC filed suit alleging Coinbase operated as an unregistered securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency. Case ongoing.
Primary sourceWhy This Trust Score Is Not Higher
Ongoing SEC litigation creates regulatory uncertainty. Customer support response times remain inconsistent. Simple-buy interface charges significantly higher fees than advertised maker/taker rates.
Trust scores are calculated using our published scoring methodology. Score changes are documented in our corrections log.
Key Information
- Type
- centralized
- Maker Fee
- 0.40%
- Taker Fee
- 0.60%
- Proof of Reserves
- Yes
- Mobile App
- Yes
- Staking
- Available
Country Availability
Available in:
Availability can change without notice. Verify directly on the exchange's website for your specific country and region.
Deposit Methods
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coinbase safe?+
Is Coinbase good for beginners?+
What are Coinbase's fees?+
Should I keep my crypto on Coinbase?+
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you sign up or make a purchase through these links. This does not influence our editorial evaluations. Learn more