Coinbase: Alternative exchanges and sites to consider
These are 3 of the best sites like Coinbase where you can buy Bitcoin using fiat currency.
Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
Estimated reading time: 2 min
Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.
What are the key risks?
1. You could lose all the money you invest
- The performance of most cryptoassets can be highly volatile, with their value dropping as quickly as it can rise. You should be prepared to lose all the money you invest in cryptoassets.
- The cryptoasset market is largely unregulated. There is a risk of losing money or any cryptoassets you purchase due to risks such as cyber-attacks, financial crime and firm failure.
2. You should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong
- The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) doesn't protect this type of investment because it's not a 'specified investment' under the UK regulatory regime – in other words, this type of investment isn't recognised as the sort of investment that the FSCS can protect. Learn more by using the FSCS investment protection checker.
- The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) will not be able to consider complaints related to this firm or Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA regulated firm, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here.
3. You may not be able to sell your investment when you want to
- There is no guarantee that investments in cryptoassets can be easily sold at any given time. The ability to sell a cryptoasset depends on various factors, including the supply and demand in the market at that time.
- Operational failings such as technology outages, cyber-attacks and comingling of funds could cause unwanted delay and you may be unable to sell your cryptoassets at the time you want.
4. Cryptoasset investments can be complex
- Investments in cryptoassets can be complex, making it difficult to understand the risks associated with the investment.
- You should do your own research before investing. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
5. Don't put all your eggs in one basket
- Putting all your money into a single type of investment is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well.
- A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments.
If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA's website here.
For further information about cryptoassets, visit the FCA's website here.
With more than 20 million users across 32 countries, Coinbase is one of the most popular crypto exchanges in the world. But it’s far from the only option available. In fact, there are several other exchanges that arguably offer an improved trading experience for some users, so let’s take a closer look at four leading Coinbase alternatives
Exchanges like Coinbase
Table: shows partner brands and other brands, sorted by popularity
1 - 5 of 6
Our criteria
When compiling this list of sites like Coinbase and selecting some of the leading options, we focused on several key aspects. These include the following:
- Deposit methods. Coinbase offers easily accessible deposit methods such as credit and debit cards. By offering a link between fiat currency and some of the biggest cryptocurrencies available, Coinbase is often the first port of call for many new crypto buyers.
- Fiat currencies supported. Coinbase supports dozens of fiat currencies, so you’ll need to make sure that any Coinbase alternative you’re considering allows you to deposit any fiat currency you plan to use.
- Cryptocurrencies supported. Coinbase allows you to buy and sell four digital currencies. You will need to check whether the other sites like Coinbase offer greater choice.
- Ease of use. Coinbase is designed to make it easy for new users to buy and sell digital currency. Features include a straightforward user interface, simple fiat deposit methods, a quick sign-up process and an extensive selection of online help guides. Do the other exchanges you’re comparing offer a similar level of user-friendliness?
- Fees. How do the deposit, withdrawal and trading fees compare to those charged by Coinbase? Coinbase fees vary depending on the payment method chosen and your country of residence, but credit and debit card purchases usually attract a 3.99% fee.
- Limits. Are there any deposit, trading and withdrawal limits? Do these vary based on the verification status of your account?
- Supported countries. Does the exchange offer its services to customers around the world or is it targeted at users from a specific country?
- Customer support. Does the exchange have a good reputation for providing prompt and helpful customer support?
Top exchanges like Coinbase
Buy/sell from sites like Coinbase
CEX.IO
- Allows you to buy leading cryptocurrencies with USD, EUR, RUB and GBP
- Also offers crypto-to-crypto trading
Established in 2013, this London-based exchange lets you buy crypto using Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards as well as fund your account by bank transfer or cryptocurrency deposit. Eight cryptocurrencies are supported – BTC, ETH, BCH, Bitcoin Gold (BTG), Zcash (ZEC) – and while bank transfer and crypto deposits are free, credit card deposits typically attract a fee of up to 3.5%.
Find out more about CEX.IO in our review.
Changelly
- Lets you buy BTC, BCH and ETH with credit card
- 5% fee applies
Founded in 2015, Czech Republic-based Changelly offers instant crypto-to-crypto exchanges as well as the ability to buy BTC, BCH and ETH using your credit card. Visa and Mastercard purchases take between 10 and 30 minutes, attracting a 5% Changelly fee, and the platform features an intuitive user interface.
Bitit
- Designed to make it quick and easy to buy cryptocurrency with fiat currency
- Supports 15 fiat currencies and 16 cryptocurrencies
Founded in 2015 and based in Paris, France, Bitit offers a simple platform for accessing cryptocurrencies. With 15 fiat currencies supported, you can buy digital currencies using a credit or debit card (6.9% fee applies), cash voucher (fees range from 5.9% to 11.9%) or direct bank transfer via TrustPay (3% fee). Bitit allows you to purchase, BTC, ETH, XRP, BCH, LTC, DASH and 10 other cryptocurrencies.
Things to consider about exchanges like Coinbase
Before deciding whether you should choose Coinbase or one of the alternative platforms featured in this list, remember to consider the following:
- Fees. If you’re using a platform that accepts credit card payments, be aware that these tend to come with higher fees than other exchanges that accept crypto transfers. These fees can vary depending on the payment method selected and even your account verification status, so make sure you read the fine print.
- Limits. Find out how much you’re allowed to deposit to and withdraw from your account, and whether there’s any limit on your trading volume. Note that you may be able to access higher limits by completing additional verification tasks.
- Payment methods available. Consider the payment methods you can use to deposit and withdraw from your account. For example, is your brand of credit card supported? Does the exchange accept deposits from bank accounts in your country of residence?
- Supported currencies. First, check that the exchange supports the fiat currency you want to use and that you’re also able to access the platform from your country of residence. Next, consider the number of cryptocurrencies you can buy on the platform.
- Buy only. Some exchanges similar to Coinbase only offer the option of buying cryptocurrency, not selling. If you want an all-in-one platform, some sites may not be right for you.
- Security. Centralised exchanges like Coinbase have security weaknesses when compared to decentralised platforms. You should also consider the security features a platform offers, such as 2-factor authentication and cold storage of user funds as well as whether it has ever been hacked.
- Anonymity. Consider the amount of personal information and identification you’ll need to provide before purchasing. Many platforms that allow you to buy crypto using fiat currency have strict ID verification requirements.
- Customer support. Don’t forget to consider how easy it will be to access help through an exchange if you ever have a problem with your account. Is there an online help centre? How can you get in touch with the customer support team? How responsive are they to enquiries?
- Other options. If you’re looking to perform crypto-to-crypto trades rather than fiat-to-crypto trades, there are a number of platforms available. Do your research and compare your options to find out which one is best for you.
Bottom line
If you’re looking for an easy and convenient way to buy cryptocurrency using fiat currency, Coinbase is a popular choice. However, there are also several other options worth considering that may be better aligned to your trading needs.
For example, if you want to build a diverse crypto portfolio, you may want to look for a platform that supports more digital currencies than the four supported by Coinbase. If you want to deposit funds via bank transfer, you’ll need to look for an exchange that supports this feature in your country of residence.
Whatever you’re looking for in a crypto exchange, the most important thing to remember is to compare your options. This will help you choose a platform that makes it simple, convenient and affordable to buy the cryptocurrencies you want.
Buy/sell from exchanges like Coinbase
Disclosure: At the time of writing, the author holds ADA, ICX, IOTA and XLM.
Picture: Shutterstock
*Cryptocurrencies aren't regulated in the UK and there's no protection from the Financial Ombudsman or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Your capital is at risk. Capital gains tax on profits may apply.
Cryptocurrencies are speculative and investing in them involves significant risks - they're highly volatile, vulnerable to hacking and sensitive to secondary activity. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This content shouldn't be interpreted as a recommendation to invest. Before you invest, you should get advice and decide whether the potential return outweighs the risks. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.
More guides on Finder
-
SwissBorg review 2024
SwissBorg is a slick app that lets you earn a yield on crypto holdings. We put the “wealth management ecosystem” under the microscope.
-
AQRU review 2024
AQRU’s focus is simplifying the complex world of cryptocurrency in order to give investors the chance to earn a return on their crypto.
-
Binance review
In this deep-dive review we look at the trading and investment options available, and assess what type of cryptocurrency investor Binance could suit.
-
Uphold review
A comprehensive review of Uphold, the cloud-based financial services platform where you can hold, move, convert and transact in fiat currency, cryptocurrency and even commodities.
-
Coinbase review
Check out our complete review of Coinbase to see if it’s safe, weigh up pros and cons, compare fees and learn what you can do on it beyond simply buying cryptocurrency.
-
eToro crypto review
If you’re thinking of buying and selling cryptocurrencies on eToro, make sure you check out our comprehensive eToro review first to understand the pros and cons.
-
Bitstamp Bitcoin exchange review
Bitstamp is a global Bitcoin marketplace with a UK branch, offering safety and due diligence for cryptocurrency traders.
-
Kraken review
Kraken is a reputable Bitcoin and altcoin exchange that is designed with the advanced trader in mind.
-
Gemini exchange review
With head offices in New York, Gemini is a digital currency exchange offering trading and storage services for your Bitcoin and Ethereum tokens.
-
CoinJar cryptocurrency exchange
Find out how you can benefit from the range of features offered by the CoinJar cryptocurrency exchange.