Is Coinbase safe?

The short answer.

Safety

4/5 No major incident covered in this review.

Regulation

4.5/5 Holds an AFSL (569752) and is AUSTRAC-registered.

Worth knowing

• No single published Australian rate for simple trades, so you have to compare each preview.
• The spread on simple trades makes them more expensive than they first look.
• GST is added to fees, and Coinbase says it tests fee and spread changes by region.

Ratings are Nodora’s own, from published sources, and are not a guarantee. A good rating does not protect you from scams, lost passwords or a falling market.

Regulation in Australia

Coinbase Australia is licensed by ASIC under AFSL 569752, and Coinbase says it is registered with AUSTRAC. Its Australian user agreement sets out how fees and spreads apply, and lists its pricing disclosures as part of the agreement.

A licence and registration set obligations for the business; they don't protect you from market losses. Keep only what you need on any exchange, and consider a wallet you control for long-term holdings.

How to protect yourself on any exchange.

1. Turn on two-factor authentication

   Use an authenticator app instead of SMS where the exchange offers it.

2. Check the web address

   Fake login pages are the most common way accounts are emptied. Type the address yourself or use a bookmark. How to spot crypto scams ↗

3. Do not store everything on an exchange

   Coins you plan to hold for years are safer in a wallet you control. Wallet security guide ↗

4. Test withdrawals early

   Send a small amount out before you need to move a large one, so you know the limits, fees and delays.

How Coinbase compares on safety.

Our safety and regulation ratings for all 13 exchanges, highest combined score first.

1. 1CoinbaseSafety 4 · Regulation 4.5 · Full review4.25
2. 2CoinSpotSafety 4 · Regulation 4.5 · Details4.25
3. 3Crypto.comSafety 4 · Regulation 4 · Details4
4. 4CoinJarSafety 4 · Regulation 3.5 · Details3.75
5. 5Independent ReserveSafety 4 · Regulation 3.5 · Details3.75
6. 6SwyftxSafety 4 · Regulation 3.5 · Details3.75
7. 7BTC MarketsSafety 3.5 · Regulation 3.5 · Details3.5
8. 8KrakenSafety 4 · Regulation 3 · Details3.5
9. 9OKXSafety 3.5 · Regulation 2.5 · Details3
10. 10Digital SurgeSafety 2 · Regulation 3.5 · Details2.75
11. 11BinanceSafety 3 · Regulation 2 · Details2.5
12. 12KuCoinSafety 3 · Regulation 1.5 · Details2.25
13. 13BybitSafety 1.5 · Regulation 2.5 · Details2

Common questions.

Is Coinbase regulated in Australia?

Coinbase Australia holds an Australian financial services licence from ASIC (AFSL 569752), and Coinbase says it is registered with AUSTRAC. Those obligations don't protect you from market losses.

Next steps.

Visit Coinbase ↗Official site