Crypto.com vs. Coinbase

At a Glance

Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Features

Both cryptocurrency exchanges provide a mobile app that works on Android and iOS devices along with a digital wallet. However, the platforms differ in their offerings. While Coinbase focuses on beginner education, Crypto.com, which started as a crypto payment platform, offers several products, such as Visa cards, crypto pay at checkout, and several ways to earn crypto. 

Coinbase investors appreciate a massive library of information about trading cryptocurrency. By taking a course or viewing a lesson about various altcoins, users earn $3 to $10 in cryptocurrency. It also has a waitlist for an upcoming Coinbase Visa debit card where users can earn up to 4% in rewards on every purchase. Plus, Coinbase has a native coin, USD Coin (USDC). Users can hold onto USDC to earn a 0.15% annual percentage yield (APY).

Unlike Coinbase, Crypto.com doesn’t offer educational materials. Its knowledge base covers the basics of the platform, but investors must learn about trading crypto elsewhere. Instead, it concentrates on products: 

• Visa card: Several card tiers offering up to 8% CRO rewards on purchases, depending on the amount of CRO staked
• Crypto Pay: Buy gift cards with crypto or select crypto pay at checkout at certain retailers to pay using crypto
• Crypto Earn: Users can earn up to 12% on crypto deposits; however, it’s typically not recommended to store currency on platforms
• Crypto Credit: Non-U.S.-based users can borrow up to 50% of their crypto collateral with a Crypto loan

Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Currencies

Crypto.com supports 91 cryptocurrencies, whereas Coinbase works with 66. Both support popular fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, and GBP, as well as coin fractions. However, Coinbase covers over 20 fiat currencies, while Crypto.com supports more than 60. However, New York users are barred from buying 12 currencies on the Coinbase platform, whereas Crypto.com investors in Connecticut and Texas can’t buy DAI or PAX Gold (PAXG). Plus, residents of 11 states can’t purchase Binance Coin (BNB). 

Both platforms support Dogecoin (DOGE), along with other favorite altcoins. Coinbase offers 10 currencies not found on Crypto.com, while Crypto.com provides over 70 coins not supported by Coinbase. 

The lists below highlight currencies one platform offers but the other doesn’t.

Currencies unique to Crypto.com:

AR, ARDR, ARK, AUDIO, AVAX, AXS, BAKE, BLZ, BNB, BUSD, CAKE, CELR, CHR, CHZ, CKB, COS, CRO, CSPR, DGB, DOT, eGLD, ELF, EPS, FET, FLOW, FTM, GAS, GHST, GLM, GUSD, HNT, HOT, HUSD, ICX, INJ, IOST, IQ, IRIS, KAVA, KMD, KSM, LSK, LUNA, NANO, NEAR, NEO, OCEAN, ONE, ONG, ONT, PAX, PAXG, POLS, QTUM, RARI, RDN, RSR, RUNE, RVN, SAND, SC, SHIB, STRAX, STX, TAUD, TCAD, TFUEL, TGBP, THETA, TOMO, TUSD, VET, VTHO, WAVES, WTC, XCH, XSGD, XVS, ZIL

Currencies unique to Coinbase: 

BSV, CGLD, CVC, DNT, GNT, LOOM, NU, OXT, REP, ZEC

Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Security

Coinbase and Crypto.com are highly secure platforms offering industry-standard measures required for operation in the United States. Both exchanges provide two-factor (2F) authentication, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance on USD balances, and insurance against damage or theft. They also use a bug bounty platform to find weaknesses. Coinbase keeps 98% of currencies in cold storage, whereas Crypto.com says it stores 100% in air-gapped cold storage. 

Each platform features a digital wallet with excellent security features, including multi-factor authentication and address whitelisting. But whitelisting is mandatory on the Crypto.com wallet and optional on Coinbase. The Crypto.com wallet provides private keys that are encrypted locally on the user’s device, while Coinbase manages the user’s private keys. 

Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Fees

The biggest difference between the platforms comes down to cost. Crypto.com keeps it simple using the maker-taker model, with rates ranging from 0.04% to 0.40% for maker fees and 0.10% to 0.40% for taker fees. Like Coinbase, investors pay additional fees for using credit cards. However, Coinbase charges a spread of about 0.50% plus a variable or fixed Coinbase fee, based on the funding type or region. 

For example, a low-volume trader wanting to purchase $100 worth of Bitcoin (BTC) via an Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) transfer incurs a maker-taker fee of 0.40% on Crypto.com. Additionally, Crypto.com doesn’t mention charging a spread, but many users say they pay a spread of 0.50% to 2% on top of the maker-taker fee. 

On the other hand, Coinbase charges a flat rate of $2.99 for a $100 purchase via ACH plus the spread of about 0.50%. The same trade on Coinbase Pro would incur a maker-taker fee of 0.50% for both transaction types plus the spread of roughly 0.50%. 

Crypto.com offers steep discounts for investors who stake CRO for a least six months, giving a 10% to 20% discount for staking up to 49,999 CRO. Although you’ll find many Coinbase promotions across the web, there are fewer options for fee discounts on Coinbase.

Maker-taker fees for Crypto.com differ according to your 30-day trading volume:  

• $0 to $25,000: 0.40% maker, 0.40% taker
• $25,001 to $50,000: 0.35% maker, 0.35% taker
• $50,001 to $100,000: 0.15% maker, 0.25% taker
• $100,001 to $250,000: 0.10% maker, 0.16% taker
• $250,001 to $1,000,000: 0.09% maker, 0.15% taker
• $1,000,001 to $20,000,000: 0.08% maker, 0.14% taker
• $20,000,001 to $100,000,000: 0.07% maker, 0.13% taker
• $100,000,001 to $200,000,000: 0.06% maker, 0.12% taker
• $200,000,001 and above: 0.04% maker, 0.10% taker

In comparison, Coinbase charges a higher rate based on transaction type and amount. The flat fees per total transaction amount are:  

• $10 or less: $0.99
• Over $10, but $25 or less: $1.49
• Over $25, but $50 or less: $1.99
• Over $50, but $200 or less: $2.99

A $100 transaction would be a $2.99 flat fee when transferring via ACH versus the 3.99% charge for a credit card purchase.  

Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Ease of Use

Both platforms offer web or app-based trading. Although the mobile apps and browser tools are intuitive and easy to use, the exchanges look different. Coinbase takes a simple approach, making it easy to navigate the website or figure out your next steps. 

In contrast, Crypto.com provides several products, and the website can be overwhelming at first glance. Beginners new to trading may feel more comfortable using Coinbase until they understand the terminology and types of transactions supported. 

Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Access

Coinbase is available in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Singapore, United Kingdom, and 36 European countries. However, residents of Hawaii can’t use Coinbase. There are 12 currencies that New York residents can’t purchase. 

Although New York investors can’t use Crypto.com, Hawaii residents can. Moreover, it’s available to residents in over 80 countries, including the U.S., Australia, Singapore, Canada, and the U.K. Certain coins, like DAI and PAXG, aren’t available in Connecticut and Texas. BNB isn’t offered in Alabama, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Vermont, Washington, Georgia, or Oregon. In total, 42 coins aren’t available to U.S. residents. 

Final Verdict

Ease of use, low fees, and a nice selection of coins make up some of the best cryptocurrency exchanges. Although Crypto.com has a slight learning curve, the website and app are user-friendly and easy to navigate. Additionally, the costs are lower than Coinbase, and there’s a broader range of currencies. Combined with multiple discounts and products, such as crypto payment for purchase options, these reasons earn it a top spot over Coinbase. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Are Crypto.com and Coinbase?

Crypto.com and Coinbase are crypto exchange platforms that let investors buy and sell popular and lesser-known cryptocurrencies. Users can keep funds in their online account or transfer to their account using various methods, such as a credit card, wire transfer, or ACH withdrawal. Both are excellent options for people wanting to invest in cryptocurrency or earn small amounts of crypto in exchange for using or learning on the platform. 

How Do Crypto.com and Coinbase Work?

Crypto.com and Coinbase use similar verification methods once users sign up for an account. Once the account is verified, investors can deposit money via ACH, wire transfer, PayPal, or a credit or debit card. 

To trade on Crypto.com, navigate to the Markets page, choose your coin and click Trade. On Coinbase, simply click Get Started to see a list of crypto assets. Both platforms require investors to decide how much to purchase and show fees before the trade is finalized. 

Regardless of the exchange used, to get the most out of crypto trading, it’s essential to learn the basics of investing, find the cheapest ways to deposit funds (usually ACH), and decide what security measures you want to take. 

Are Crypto.com and Coinbase Safe?

Yes, Crypto.com and Coinbase are safe and use security measures that are industry-standard or above for U.S.-based residents. Although Crypto.com is based in Hong Kong, where some rules may be different, it prioritizes security equally to Coinbase. Both exchanges are well known in the space and employ bug bounty hunters to root out potential security issues.

Who Should Use Crypto.com vs. Coinbase?

First-time traders who don’t understand the terminology and process may prefer the simplicity of Coinbase along with the educational materials provided. It’s an excellent starter platform, and once investors are familiar with trading, the Coinbase Pro app is a free upgrade and offers cheaper fees. 

However, if you have a basic understanding of cryptocurrency and want to stake CRO, you can take advantage of many benefits on Crypto.com. The more an investor stakes, the lower the costs. Even without staking CRO, it’s less expensive to trade on Crypto.com. Furthermore, you’ll have access to several Visa cards and gift cards that you can use to earn and spend crypto. 

Methodology

We evaluated Crypto.com and Coinbase by looking at overall ease of use, from the experience on the website to the mobile apps. Plus, we compared total available coins versus crypto not available for U.S. investors. We also considered how the fees stack up when trading, security measures, and the potential to earn crypto to get a discount on fees. To top it off, we checked out unique features on both platforms, such as the educational resources on Coinbase and the Crypto Pay options on Crypto.com.