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Fee Guide December 18, 2025

Coinbase Fees Explained: Complete 2025 Guide

Coinbase has two fee structures—the expensive one and the reasonable one. Here's how to make sure you're paying the lower rate.

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Quick Summary

The simple Coinbase interface charges ~1.5% + spread. Coinbase Advanced charges just 0.40-0.60%—about 75% less. Same account, same app, dramatically different fees. Always use Advanced.

The Two Coinbase Fee Structures

Coinbase has two trading interfaces with completely different fee models:

❌ Simple Trade (Avoid)

The default buy/sell interface

Fee: ~1.49% + spread
$100 trade: ~$1.50-2.50
$1,000 trade: ~$15-25

✅ Advanced Trade (Use This)

The maker/taker interface

Fee: 0.40% / 0.60%
$100 trade: $0.40-0.60
$1,000 trade: $4-6

Advanced Trade Fee Tiers

30-Day Volume Maker Fee Taker Fee
$0 - $10,000 0.40% 0.60%
$10,001 - $50,000 0.25% 0.40%
$50,001 - $100,000 0.15% 0.25%
$100,001 - $1,000,000 0.10% 0.20%
$1,000,000+ 0.00% 0.05%

Deposit Fees

Method Fee Time Limit
ACH (Bank) Free 3-5 business days $25,000/day
Wire Transfer $10 1-3 business days No limit
Debit Card 2.49% Instant $7,500/week
PayPal 2-3% Instant Varies
Crypto Deposit Free Network dependent No limit

💡 Instant Trading with ACH

Coinbase lets you trade up to $1,000 instantly when you initiate an ACH deposit—you don't have to wait for it to clear. You just can't withdraw until the funds settle.

Withdrawal Fees

Asset Network Fee
Bitcoin (BTC) Bitcoin Network fee (~$10-15)
Ethereum (ETH) Ethereum Network fee (~$5-15)
USDC Solana ~$0.01
Solana (SOL) Solana ~$0.01
USD (ACH) Bank Free
USD (Wire) Bank $25

Special Coinbase Perks

Free USD ↔ USDC Conversion

Coinbase is a co-issuer of USDC. Converting between USD and USDC is completely free—no fees, no spread. This is unique to Coinbase.

✓ $0 conversion fee ✓ No spread ✓ Instant

Coinbase vs Competitors

Exchange Maker Taker Simple Buy
Coinbase Advanced 0.40% 0.60% ~1.5%
Binance.US 0.10% 0.10% —
Kraken 0.16% 0.26% 1.5%
Gemini 0.20% 0.40% ~1.5%

How to Switch to Advanced Trade

  1. 1 Web: Click "Advanced" in the top navigation bar
  2. 2 Mobile: Tap the ⇄ icon → Select "Advanced" at top
  3. 3 Always: Use limit orders for 0.40% (maker) vs 0.60% (taker) fees

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Coinbase have two fee structures? +
The simple interface is designed for beginners who prioritize convenience over cost. Advanced Trade is for users who want lower fees and more control. Coinbase profits more from the simple interface, which is why it's the default.
Is Coinbase worth the fees? +
Using Advanced Trade, Coinbase fees are reasonable (not the lowest, but not bad). The UX, security, and regulatory compliance justify slightly higher fees for many users. Never use the simple interface if you can avoid it.
What's the spread on Coinbase? +
The simple buy/sell includes a spread of about 0.5-1% on top of the displayed fee. Advanced Trade has no spread—you trade at the actual market price with only the maker/taker fee.
Does Coinbase One reduce fees? +
Coinbase One ($29.99/month) eliminates trading fees on the simple interface. If you trade over ~$2,000/month using simple buy, it might be worth it. But using Advanced Trade for free is usually the better choice.

The Bottom Line

Coinbase fees are reasonable IF you use Advanced Trade (0.40-0.60%). The simple buy interface (~1.5%) is a fee trap—avoid it. Free USDC conversion is a genuine advantage. Coinbase isn't the cheapest exchange, but the UX and security make it worth considering if you're not chasing the absolute lowest fees.

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