If you've ever dipped your toes into the crypto pool, chances are you've heard of Coinbase. Some call it the gateway app for crypto newbies. Others rely on it for serious trading. But in 2024, it earned an even bigger badge:
🚨 Voted the most trusted crypto exchange in the UK (Qualtrics, 2024).
So the real question is: what makes Coinbase so trustworthy — and is it right for you?
Let’s be real, crypto is exciting, but it’s also full of landmines. Scammy tokens, shady platforms, and “get rich fast” promises are still out there. So when millions of people choose to put their money and identity on a platform, trust is everything.
It’s not just about having a slick app. These are the pillars that build trust:
Coinbase isn’t some offshore exchange hiding in legal grey zones. It’s registered and regulated in jurisdictions where compliance actually matters — including the U.S., the UK, and the EU. That means it has to meet the same kinds of standards as banks or brokerages when it comes to handling your data, safeguarding your funds, and reporting to regulators.
Unlike some platforms that dodge questions, Coinbase cooperates with authorities — not because it's trendy, but because regulation is the long game in crypto. And it is currently winning that game.
Lots of crypto platforms operate in the shadows. Coinbase went public in 2021. It’s listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker COIN. That means audited financials, quarterly earnings, and CEO accountability - not just threads or other posts on social media.
If something goes wrong, you won’t find out through Reddit rumours. It’ll be in a public filing. That level of openness is rare in crypto currently, and it’s part of why certain institutions and individuals alike trust Coinbase to handle their digital assets.
While most exchanges still give you vague promises of “fund security,” Coinbase actually insures a portion of user assets held in hot wallets. That doesn't mean it's invincible — no exchange is — but it does mean that some of your funds are backed by real-world coverage in case of a breach.
In an industry where hacks still happen, and customer funds can disappear overnight, this kind of protection is important.
Every time you log in, two-factor authentication is active by default. Behind the scenes, Coinbase keeps the majority of customer funds in cold storage — completely offline and out of reach from cyberattacks.
They also run 24/7 monitoring systems to detect unusual behaviour, and they have a full-time team dedicated to security research and threat response. Basically, they treat your crypto like a traditional vault would.
Coinbase isn’t just trying to get you to click “Buy.” They actually want you to know what you're buying.
Inside the app, there’s Coinbase Learn — a clean, user-friendly way to understand everything from Bitcoin basics to staking and Web3. There's also Coinbase Earn, which pays you to explore new tokens and protocols!
It’s this education-first approach that separates Coinbase from hype-driven exchanges. They assume you want to learn, not just gamble.
You can see why LearnCrypto.com highlights Coinbase in its Tools section — especially for people learning the ropes.
Coinbase provides a full ecosystem. Beginners like it for its clarity. Pros use Coinbase Pro (now Advanced Trade) for deeper charts, lower fees, and better tools.
When PayPal or Google integrate crypto, they look for partners that won’t blow up next quarter. Coinbase is often the one they pick.
It’s also where banks, fintech start-ups, and even accountants start exploring Web3, because the platform speaks both tech and finance.
Coinbase is currently the most trusted place for people and businesses to buy, sell, and manage crypto according to available studies and you can read more on that here
In summary, Coinbase was voted as the most trusted crypto exchange in a 2022 YouGov survey conducted in the UK, Germany, India, and the US.