Binance or Coinbase: Where to Invest in 2024/2025?
Are you looking for the best place to manage your digital currency?
Within this article, we take a look at whether Binance is better than Coinbase or vice versa, to help you decide which financial system will work best for you.
We also discuss Coinbase and Binance fees as well as the pros and cons of each platform.
What Are Binance and Coinbase?
In short, Binance and Coinbase are both platforms for buying, transferring, storing and selling your digital currency securely.
They are financial systems for cryptocurrency exchange.
A cryptocurrency exchange is a place where you can exchange digital-based currencies with other people.
So, if you have currency you want to exchange or sell, then a platform like Binance or Coinbase can help you do so by cutting out the middleman.
Whether you want to trade currency for another digital currency, asset or just fiat money (a currency established as money), then either Binance or Coinbase can help you do so without the need for a broker.
Some financial systems introduce the seller to the buyer and act as a third party to broker the exchange. However, now there is no other party needed to work the transaction.
You can trade directly with the platform.
So, if you are not sure which path to go down, whether it be the broker path or exchange, then it is best to do your homework on the platforms out there and consider which one is the best for your individual circumstances – plus, the fees.
Important Areas to Consider When Selecting a Cryptocurrency Exchange in 2024
There are many different factors to consider when choosing the right cryptocurrency exchange for you, and each one is important in its own way.
Here are just a few of the things to look at before you make your choice:
Value for money – Quality compared to price seems an obvious thing to look at, but in cryptocurrency exchange it is even more valuable. There is a scoring system which compares each platform based on its fees and acceptable quality.
Number of active users – Another way to check out a platform’s popularity is to see how many active users it has and the user reviews. In a nutshell, there must be a good reason why one exchange is more popular than another.
User interface – The user interface and usability of a system can greatly impact your choice as the user journey is important, especially when you are using a financial platform every day. Each interface can differ, so it will depend on your own personal preference as to which one works best for you.
Customer support – The customer service side of things is integral, especially if you are new to cryptocurrency trading. Each platform has its own way of looking after its customer base. So again, it will depend on how much help you need and what way you prefer to interact with a support team.
Choice of coins – Some platforms can offer more trading coins than others, including various stablecoins and fiat currencies. So, if you have a lesser-known currency to trade, some systems might not trade such currency, which means it is important for you to research what each exchange offers.
What fiat currency it accepts – Some financial systems might only accept one fiat currency, like USD for instance, whereas others trade across several different countries and can accept EUR, GBP, etc. So, the fiat money you deal in can make a huge difference to the platform you choose.
Binance: Pros and Cons
Best for: Low trading fees
Binance is a trading platform from Tokyo that launched in 2017. It is a popular trading platform with a high number of users, but as always, there are pros and cons:
Pros:
Low trading fees
Large range of cryptocurrencies and altcoins
Comprehensive user interface
The maximum trading amount is unlimited
Low trading fees at 0.1%
Easy sign-up process
Binance accepts a wide variety of fiat money, more so than Coinbase and some other platforms. It allows currency exchanges from USD to EUR and over 50 more, which means it is quite popular for people who want to trade in that capacity.
Going full steam ahead since its inception, Binance has taken over from many smaller platforms that cannot compete with its large range of cryptocurrencies and altcoins.
Cons:
High withdrawal fees
No built-in wallet feature
Medium levels of security
No debit cards or bank transfers
Although Binance is one of the more popular platforms, it does have its drawbacks compared to other financial systems. For instance, since it launched, there have been challenges involving using the platform in the US.
It is important to note that Binance is not connected to the classic financial system, at least not in the US. This means, in short, you cannot transfer USD from your bank to Binance for trading.
It is also not as straightforward for beginners, as the customer support section of the platform may not perform as well as other exchanges.
Overall, Binance is a strong platform with many positive features that continues to grow day by day.
If you want a platform with low trading fees and the use of lesser-known altcoins (which other platforms might not offer), then Binance is the one for you.
Coinbase: Pros and Cons
Best for: American exchanges
Pros:
Stellar customer service
Many different funding methods
Diverse and ever-changing choice of coin
High security system
Easy to trade in the US
Good for beginners
Headquartered in San Francisco, Coinbase has been around since 2012 and has proved a strong platform that, according to users, offers great value for money.
The Coinbase app was also one of the first exchange apps to turn USD in your bank account directly into bitcoin using a broker-style user interface.
Coinbase is widely recognized for its stellar customer service function and array of different funding methods.
Cons:
Not available in all countries
Some lesser-known currencies are not supported
Lower number of cryptocurrencies accepted than other platforms
Higher fees
Coinbase has a high volume of users, around the 13 million mark, and while there is a lot to rave about regarding the platform, there are some cons when it comes to volume of different coins and higher trading fees than other systems.
In a nutshell, Coinbase is one of the most popular platforms especially for beginners.
The customer support is known to be good quality and they have a high security system.
Coinbase is perfect if you are looking to trade in fiat money and want withdrawal to your bank. It is also a better platform if you are based in the US.
Cryptocurrency is not regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and is not subject to protection under the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme or within the scope of jurisdiction of the UK Financial Ombudsman Service. Investing in cryptocurrency comes with risk and cryptocurrency may gain in value, or lose some or all value. Capital gains tax may be applicable to profits from cryptocurrency sales.
Disclaimer: After you make a crypto purchase, BTC will be added to your portfolio. Limited time offer. Offer available to new users only. Offer not available to new users who were referred to Coinbase through the Referral Program or who have previously opened an account using different contact information. Coinbase may update the conditions for eligibility at any time.
Which Platform Is Best Overall? Binance or Coinbase?
Comparing exchange platforms to pick the best system for you can be a head-spinner as there are so many things you need to take into consideration when choosing.
How much are the fees?
What currencies does it trade?
Is it user-friendly?
All these scenarios depend on the criteria that you are looking for.
For example, you could be new to trading and want to exchange the most common currency with ease of use and a strong customer support network.
Alternatively, a trader might be quite experienced with exchanging cryptocurrencies and want to trade in new, perhaps lesser-known coin – if this is the case, then a platform that offers more altcoin might be best for you.
Binance and Coinbase are both such big players in the cryptocurrency world that some traders might view either as general financial systems, as well as exchanges.
Each platform has grown to offer a wide variety of new features, from digital wallet functionalities to expanding which coins it trades in.
Both continue to grow as the years go on. However, there are definitely features that work better for some than others.
Each crypto exchange allows its users access to relatively low amounts of currency while at the early stages of your journey.
For example:
You might only need to provide limited personal information to trade just under $10,000 worth of cryptocurrency.
The verification processes for both Coinbase and Binance are known to be less strict than other institutions. In some cases, Binance users can withdraw coin without even verifying their account.
They both support interest and lending accounts. This means there is an array of opportunity for traders to earn and borrow interest with the use of other assets.
Binance is stronger than Coinbase when it comes to this particular feature.
When it comes to countries, this is where things can get a bit trickier…
Which One Is Better for US Trades?
If you are a crypto investor or trader based in the US, then it is widely known that Coinbase is probably your best option.
Although Binance has now created Binance US, there are still some large US states where it does not work for traders, such as Connecticut, Hawaii and Washington, among others.
One of the main differences between the systems that should be taken into consideration is that unlike Coinbase, Binance is not connected to the traditional finance model we mentioned above in the United States, which means you cannot withdraw money from your bank account to complete a trade deal.
This is not the case when it comes to Coinbase.
However, Coinbase can support users in over 85 countries while Binance has users from over 180 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Niger, Mongolia and Mozambique, among others.
Coinbase covers most countries but not as many as Binance at present.
Which One Is Better If You Are Exchanging Lesser-Known Currencies
If you are in it for the choice of cryptocurrency each platform supports, then it goes without saying that Binance is the clear winner in this instance.
Binance came into fruition at just the right time as new tokens and coins were launched, so they jumped at supporting the smaller currencies which have increased in popularity over the years.
This means if you want a platform that covers more coins, then Binance is the one for you.
Which Platform Is Better for Beginners in 2024?
We mentioned this earlier in our pros and cons list, but if you are new to the world of cryptocurrency exchange and you want a simpler user journey with more customer support, then Coinbase might be the one for you.
Simplicity and a good user interface are just some of the things that make Coinbase a platform of choice, especially for new users.
It is designed to make it as easy as possible for new users to explore the ins and outs of how to buy cryptocurrencies while learning about the process at the same time.
You can also connect your bank account to Coinbase and withdraw.
Binance is also user-friendly but is not as focused on beginners.
Tips and Takeaways
Before you pick an exchange, you will have to think about the following factors:
Tax liability – If you are using virtual currencies to pay for services or goods then this may have tax consequences. The same goes for investments. We would recommend registering your cryptocurrency income with your tax authority.
Verification – Even though some verification requirements can be quite low, it is still important to get verified with the platform early on to avoid any issues later down the line. Each service will have different criteria to get verified.
Security – It is imperative you think about cyber security and how secure each platform is; this will avoid account hacking and laundering. You can check what measures the systems follow before you make your decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best platform to purchase the cryptocurrency Binance or Coinbase?
Coinbase is a great platform for investors that want to purchase a cryptocurrency and hold it for the long term. The wallet on Coinbase will allow users to invest in different cryptocurrencies and leave it for a later date.
However, Binance offers more cryptocurrencies for its users to buy and lower transaction fees. If you are looking to trade high volumes of different cryptocurrencies quickly, then Binance is the better platform. If you are looking to invest slowly in a few cryptocurrencies, then Coinbase is better.
What is the most powerful cryptocurrency exchange platform between Binance and Coinbase?
Both platforms are two of the most popular cryptocurrency trade tools available. Coinbase is more easily accessible and is often used by anyone interested in getting started with cryptocurrency. Because of this, it is the more powerful exchange tool for everyday users.
Binance is more powerful for businesses and individuals who want to chart numerous different cryptocurrencies. The platform offers more than 50 types of cryptocurrencies to trade, and it has specialized features that allow users to chart all their investments easily.
Because of the amount of trade across all the cryptocurrencies available, Binance is the largest exchange platform in the world.
How can I stake Ethereum on Binance or Coinbase?
On Coinbase you can buy Ethereum directly and then choose if you want to trade it or exchange it for other cryptocurrency transactions.
It is very easy to invest in cryptocurrencies of Coinbase.
On Binance, staking Ethereum is very similar because it is also a centralized trading platform.
When you stake Ethereum on Binance, your staked amount will be tokenized into BETH tokens, and you must stake up to 0.1 Ethereum coins.
Can you short crypto on platforms like Binance or Coinbase?
Shorting is the process where you buy and sell a cryptocurrency at a high price and then wait to buy it back at a lower price.
It is possible to short crypto on both Binance and Coinbase but be aware of the trends of each cryptocurrency.
Coinbase no longer allows users to use a margin trading account, yet you can short crypto based on a downward trend in any given cryptocurrency. Binance allows users to use margin trading, meaning they can borrow a cryptocurrency from a broker to follow through on a short trade.
Will Binance or Coinbase have a higher market cap in 2030?
Data shows that cryptocurrency will be trading on Binance for around $12,000 per coin in 2030.
Coinbase shows similar trading patterns.
Some CEOs believe that the cap on crypto trade could rise 100 times above what it is already to $250 trillion. However, it is hard to determine exact numbers because of the fluctuations in coin price and the creation of new coins like FLOKI.
What are the pros and cons of Binance vs. Coinbase?
Coinbase is much more user-friendly and can be accessed by most people without much hassle. It is also easier to buy cryptocurrency with fiat money on Coinbase.
However, Coinbase has fewer cryptocurrencies available than Binance, and it has a lower maximum trading amount per day than Binance.
In contrast, Binance has an unlimited maximum daily trading amount and has much lower trading fees, meaning you get more for what you invest.
Despite these positives, Binance does not have great customer support and it lacks the simplicity that first-time traders need.
What is the difference between selling bitcoin for cash on Coinbase vs selling bitcoin for Tether on Binance?
On Coinbase you can easily sell your cryptocurrency for cash. Once you have the funds in your wallet, you can choose to either reinvest them into cryptocurrency or you can transfer them into your bank account.
When you sell Bitcoin for Tether on Binance, you are effectively selling one cryptocurrency for another.
Before doing so make sure you check what the exchange rate is between the two coins and how much you have to sell.
Is Binance cheaper than Coinbase?
In the long-term Binance is cheaper than Coinbase because of the lower transaction rates.
The lower transaction rates mean less will be taken from your total amount of cryptocurrency, giving you more to trade with.
Are both Binance and Coinbase fake?
Both platforms have very strong international reputations and strong security features like 2FA. These features ensure your coins are stored safely.
Trading cryptocurrency does carry financial risk, but this is not because of the platforms Binance or Coinbase.
Which is safer, Coinbase or Binance?
Coinbase has been operating as a platform for longer, and so it has been developed into a more user-friendly experience. The authentication procedures have been well-trialed over time.
Binance has suffered from the impact of cybercrime and in 2019 they were the victim of a major hack that resulted in the loss of 7,000 bitcoins.
However, since then they have implemented their own safety procedures to protect the platform and its users. Both platforms are considered safe for traders, but if you are new to crypto Coinbase is a much more favorable platform.
Final Thoughts
Coinbase and Binance are both very highly ranked platforms with crypto investors and they each have a strong portfolio of currencies, countries, features, and more to consider.
However, if you are new to the world of crypto trading or investing and you are based in the US, then Coinbase is the easier choice overall.
This is not to say that Binance will not increase its bandwidth and security going forward but for the most part Coinbase is a good choice to start.
Make sure you consider all the points, do your homework and read reviews from other users.