Coinbase serves 30 million subscribers in over 102 countries with a fund of more than $500 million in funding. It is one of the biggest cryptocurrency in the world.
Founded in 2012 by bmBrian Armstrond and Fred Ehrsam , Coinbase is a fully regulated bitcoin exchange. It offers different services but the most known is coinbase.com that allows you to buy and sell bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Coinbase buying process is one of the fastest and easiest available. Coinbase supoorts several payment methods including wire transfer, credit card and debit card.
Coinbase fees consist of 0.5% of the market price plus transaction fee relative to the amount transacted. Overall, coinbase offers a relative fee structure compared to similar alternatives.
All digital currency held online by coinbase are insured. However, this insurance does not cover any losses resulting from the compromised individual coinbase account. Moreover US citizens USD wallet are covered by the FDIC up to $250 thousand. A benefit that you can't find any other online services.
Coinbase.com is a custodial service. It means you don't have a direct access to the funds stored in coinbase or the private keys controlling them. In extreme cases, coinbase can and has the power to froze your accoint without prior notice.
If there is good, there will be always bad. Coinbase is known for its customer support slow response and lack of assistance. It has a rating of F by the BBB (better business bureau). So if ever you have encounter some problems, expect that it will take a while to solve it.
Overall, coinbase is fast and easy to use in buying bitcoins, but you dont have a direct access to the funds and private keys. They can monitor all your transaction. It lack on customer care.
Take note of this, it is reliable but not fmgood for long term storage.
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