Coinbase Review
3.5/5 · Crypto exchange
Coinbase review: a publicly listed, heavily regulated exchange with a beginner-friendly app — but fees aren't published openly and the simple Buy option is expensive.
Availability in our markets
- Philippines
- Unclear
- India
- Available
- Canada
- Available
Philippine ISPs reportedly began blocking Coinbase in December 2025; we found no SEC advisory naming it, so we mark it unclear. Registered with FIU-IND in India (2025) and a restricted dealer in Canada (2024).
Rating breakdown
- Security & regulation (30%)
- 4/5
- Fees (25%)
- 2/5
- Coin selection (15%)
- 4/5
- Fiat access & payments (15%)
- 3/5
- Usability & support (15%)
- 5/5
Weighted per our exchange rubric.
Pros
- Publicly listed with audited financial statements
- Regulated in the EU (MiCA), Canada, and registered in India
- Easiest app for beginners
Cons
- Fee schedule only visible after sign-in; simple Buy is expensive
- May 2025 insider data breach exposed ~69,000 customers' personal data (no funds taken)
- Reportedly blocked in the Philippines since Dec 2025
Key facts
- Spot fees (maker / taker)
- Not confirmed — see fee page
- Coins supported
- Not confirmed
- Regulation
- EU MiCA (Luxembourg CSSF, 2025); Canada restricted dealer (2024); India FIU-IND (2025)
- Founded
- 2012
- Operator
- Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: COIN)
Coinbase only shows Advanced trade rates after you sign in; third-party reports cite 0.40% / 0.60% at the lowest tier. The simple Buy button adds a spread and fee and costs noticeably more.
Verdict
Coinbase is the most regulated, most beginner-friendly option here, and as a listed company its finances are public. But it's rarely the cheapest — fees are only shown after sign-in, and the one-tap Buy carries a markup — and its status in the Philippines is uncertain.
Who it's for
Beginners in Canada and India who value regulation and an easy app over the lowest fees. Use Advanced trade rather than the simple Buy to cut costs.
Safety, regulation & track record
Coinbase holds a MiCA licence from Luxembourg's CSSF, restricted-dealer registration in Canada, and FIU-IND registration in India. In May 2025 it disclosed that bribed overseas support contractors leaked personal data for about 69,000 customers; no keys or funds were accessed and it refused a $20M ransom.
How we researched this
Desk research on 2026-11-03 against the exchange's own fee and policy pages, regulator notices, and news reporting (listed under Sources). We did not deposit funds. Facts we couldn't confirm from a primary source are marked as such rather than guessed. Availability and fees change often — check the exchange and your local regulator before signing up.