Coinbase vs Unchained: Which is Best? [2026]
Key differences
Coinbase vs Unchained Fees Calculator
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Coinbase vs Unchained in Comparison
Description
Coinbase is a popular global crypto exchange with over 240 cryptocurrencies supported.
US-based Bitcoin-only financial services company. Offers Bitcoin trading desk. Supports wire transfers with 1% fees.
Supported Countries
Available in over 100 countries globally. Full features in most of US including debit cards, staking, instant transfers and futures. Strong support in UK, Europe and parts of Asia with some restrictions. Not available in Singapore or OFAC-sanctioned countries. ID verification required.
Available in all U.S. states besides New York, New Jersey, South Dakota, and North Carolina
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Supported Cryptocurrencies
Over 240 cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin only.
Fees
- Transaction Fees:
- $0.99 for transactions $10 or lower
- $1.49 for transactions between $10-$25
- $1.99 for transactions between $25-$50
- $2.99 for transactions between $50-$200
- 0.50% spread fee for transactions over $200
Payment Method Fees:- ACH transfers: Free
- Bank account/USD Wallet: 1.49%
- Credit/debit card: 3.99%
- Wire transfers: $10 incoming, $25 outgoing
- Trading Fees (Product-Based):
- Unchained Vault: 1.00% flat fee
- IRA: 1.50% flat fee
- Unchained Signature: 0.75% flat fee
- Minimum Trade Size: $2,000
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Payment Methods
ACH, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Bank Account, PayPal, Apple Pay, iDEAL, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer, Google Pay
Wire Transfer, Bank Account
Do These Exchanges Allow you To Earn Interest on Crypto?
4.70%
Earn 4.70% APY rewards by holding USDC on Coinbase. USDC is fully backed 1:1 by US dollars. Minimum $1.
Mobile App Ratings
iOS Rating: 4.7 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.6 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
iOS Rating: 4.8 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.6 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
Storage
As a public US company, Coinbase maintains full 1:1 reserves of customer assets with no lending. Their platform features industry-leading security including mandatory 2FA, multi-approval withdrawals via Coinbase Vault, and 24/7 monitoring. Over 10 years of experience and regular third-party audits.
Unchained uses a collaborative custody model with 2-of-3 multisignature security. You control two keys stored in separate locations, while Unchained secures a backup key. This ensures your bitcoin remains safe even if one key is lost or stolen. All bitcoin is stored offline in cold storage under your control - not on exchanges or hot wallets.
Have These Exchanges Been Hacked Before?
No. Has never lost customer funds in any way.
No customer funds have been lost. However, in March 2022, Unchained disclosed that their former email marketing provider ActiveCampaign was compromised. The breach exposed some client data including email addresses, usernames, and account status. No client funds or sensitive personal information was compromised.
Official Site
Exchange Review
No review available
"I mistakenly sent my crypto to the wrong wallet at Coinbase. The team at Coinbase was able to retrieve it and credit to my account within a week. I am quite impressed with their communication, instruction, and result! I'm so relieved. Thank you so much, Coinbase Support!"
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
"Great company, I’ve been a customer since 2021. Though they offer a free service, I opted for concierge onboarding and also opted for their inheritance option. I also plan to move my tradition and Roth IRAs from itrustcaptial to Unchained in the near future. Love that they now have an app 😎"
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
Coinbase vs Unchained Comparison
Fee Structures
Unchained charges 1.00% on trades up to $100k, dropping to 0.50% for trades over $1M. Coinbase applies flat fees up to $200 (e.g., $0.99–$2.99), then charges a 0.50% spread and up to 3.99% for card purchases.
Unchained has no spread; Coinbase does.
Feature Set
Unchained is built for long-term holders with multisig wallets, IRA services, and inheritance planning. Coinbase offers broader features including over 240 supported assets, debit cards, USDC interest, staking, and a built-in wallet.
Geographic Availability
Unchained: Available in most U.S. states, but not in NY, NJ, SD, and NC.
Coinbase: Available in over 100 countries. Fully supported in all U.S. states except Hawaii (for Coinbase Card).
Security Features
Unchained: Uses 2-of-3 multisig cold storage with collaborative custody model. Users control two keys stored in separate locations, while Unchained secures a backup key.
Coinbase: Maintains full 1:1 reserves of customer assets with no lending. Features mandatory 2FA, multi-approval withdrawals via Coinbase Vault, and 24/7 monitoring.
Minimum Trade Requirements
Unchained: $2,000 minimum trade size
Coinbase: No minimum trade size
Customer Support
Unchained: High-touch, expert-led support with 5.0 rating on Google Reviews
Coinbase: Mixed reviews, massive user base with 4.7/5.0 rating on iOS and 4.6/5.0 on Android
Additional Features
Unchained: IRA services, inheritance planning, collaborative custody
Coinbase: USDC rewards (4.70% APY), debit card, staking, educational resources
Payment Methods
Unchained: ACH, wire transfer, Apple Pay
Coinbase: ACH, wire, bank, debit, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Regulatory Compliance
Unchained: U.S. FinCEN, state-level MTL
Coinbase: NYDFS, global regulatory entities
USA Only
Canada Only
