Coinsmart vs Coinbase | Discover Why Coinbase Is Much Better

coinsmart vs coinbase image
Jack Moreau
Feb 2024
8 min read
Fact checked

Coinsmart vs Coinbase: In this comprehensive comparison, we looked at key aspects of both exchanges like KYC requirements, country availability, product offerings, trading fees, deposit methods and more. Read on and easily determine which exchange aligns best with your trading needs! 

Coinbase

Trade +240 Cryptocurrencies

Earn 5% Interest On USDC

Great UX & Beginner Friendly

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Uphold

+300 cryptos & Staking

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Regulated: US, CA, EU, UK, AU

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Coinsmart vs Coinbase Comparison

Coinsmart
Coinbase
Kraken
Founded
2018
2012
2011
Registered
Canada
United States
San Fransisco
Countries N/A
US, South America, Asia
OFAC
OFAC
Users
250K
120M
10M
Cryptos
16
+200
+220
Spot Fees
0.2%-0.3%
0.4%-0.6%
0.16%
KYC Required
Yes
Yes
Yes
Best for
Beginner Crypto Investors
Earning USDC Interest
Beginners & Security
Rating
Signup
Coinsmart
Your Capital is at risk.
Coinbase
Your Capital is at risk.
Kraken
Your Capital is at risk

Coinsmart and Coinbase are two prominent cryptocurrency exchanges that cater to different regions and offer unique features to their users.

Coinsmart is a Canadian-based exchange, while Coinbase is a US-based exchange. Let's take a closer look at each exchange and compare their key aspects.

Coinsmart, founded in 2018 by Justin Hartzman, is a growing cryptocurrency exchange with its headquarters in Toronto, Canada.

It is available in over 40 countries, primarily in Europe and North America. Coinsmart aims to make cryptocurrency trading accessible and user-friendly for beginners.

Coinsmart exchange
Coinsmart exchange

The exchange offers a clean and intuitive user interface making it easy for beginners to navigate and trade. Coinsmart has over 250,000 registered customers and is estimated to have over 50,000 downloads on its Android and iOS apps.

Coinsmart app
Coinsmart app

Coinsmart supports a limited range of 40 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash. While the selection is relatively small compared to other exchanges, it includes some of the most popular cryptocurrencies.

Coinsmart cryptocurrencies
Coinsmart cryptocurrencies

Coinbase was founded a few years earlier in 2012 by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsa. Today it's one of the largest and most reputable cryptocurrency exchanges in the world.

Coinbase exchange
Coinbase exchange

Based in the District of Columbia and with support for over 100 countries, Coinbase has grown to a massive 100 million strong user base making it one of the most widely used exchanges in the world.

The exchange offers a range of services, including spot trading, recurring buys, staking, and educational programs like Coinbase Learn & Earn. Coinbase also provides an advanced trading platform called Coinbase Pro, catering to both retail and institutional investors.

Coinbase supports over 200 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cosmos, Polkadot and various altcoins. In terms of mobile apps, both Coinsmart and Coinbase offer Android and iOS versions of their platforms.

Coinsmart's app has been downloaded over 50,000 times, with an average rating of 3.9 stars. Coinbase's app has been downloaded by 10 million users, with a rating of 4.1 stars based on over 750,000 reviews.

Coinbase app
Coinbase app

Coinsmart vs Coinbase KYC Requirements

Signing up for Coinsmart is a bit more complex compared to other exchanges. Upon visiting their website, users are prompted to provide their email, password, and country of residence.

Once the account has been created, users are immediately asked to complete the KYC process in order to access their account. KYC is required for all users on Coinsmart, and it's not even possible to sign up without first being verified.

Coinsmart signup and kyc
Coinsmart signup and kyc

Once the necessary documents are uploaded, Coinsmart can verify users within a matter of minutes. After verification, users must also set up their 2FA (two-factor authentication) before they can fully access their account.

Coinbase offers a relatively quick and straightforward signup process. It only takes about a minute to complete the initial signup. KYC is also required by Coinbase, and users must submit the necessary documents for verification.

Coinbase signup process
Coinbase signup process

This process typically takes a few minutes to complete and a few hours in best case for Coinbase to verify and approve the account.

Additionally, Coinsmart only allows Canadian residents to use their platform, and users who are not Canadian citizens won't be able to pass their KYC requirements. Coinbase is more widely accessible to users around the world.

Coinsmart vs Coinbase Crypto Products

Coinsmart is a small and rather limited exchange that offers its users the ability to buy and sell 40 cryptocurrencies either via the spot exchange or with a credit card.

The exchange's liquidity is unfortunately not great considering the small user base, resulting in higher spreads and ultimately higher fees for users.

Coinsmart spot trading
Coinsmart spot trading

Coinsmart also allows users to enable price alerts for cryptocurrencies, but besides that, there is not much else going on. The user experience is very beginner-friendly, meaning that a total beginner will easily be able to navigate the exchange.

Coinsmart interface
Coinsmart interface

This aligns with Coinsmart's target group which is primarily beginner crypto investors. However, for more experienced traders or those looking for a wider range of products and services, Coinsmart may not meet their needs.

Coinbase is a US-regulated cryptocurrency exchange and one of the biggest players in the world and as such, offers a wider range of features and services than Coinsmart.

Coinbase USPs
Coinbase USPs

Users can engage in spot trading for over 200 cryptocurrencies allowing them to buy and sell popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Coinbase Spot Trading
Coinbase Spot Trading

Additionally, Coinbase provides lending and borrowing services for those interested in earning interest or acquiring loans using their digital assets.

Coinbase earn
Coinbase earn

The exchange also offers staking services for users holding Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Tezos, Polkadot, Cosmos as well as other cryptocurrencies.

Coinbase Staking
Coinbase Staking

Coinbase has also developed its own non-custodial Web 3 wallet and a Coinbase Card, which allows users to spend cryptocurrencies and earn cashback.

Coinbase Visa Card
Coinbase Visa Card

Moreover, Coinbase recently introduced its own NFT marketplace to meet the increasing demand for digital art and collectibles on the Ethereum, Polygon and Base blockchains.

Coinbase NFTs
Coinbase NFTs

The platform also features a "Learn and Earn" program that incentivises users to learn about cryptocurrencies by rewarding them with digital assets.

Coinbase Learn & Earn
Coinbase Learn & Earn

For institutional clients, Coinbase offers Coinbase Custody and an OTC trading desk where they have access to secure and regulated trading via Coinbase Prime.

Coinbase Prime
Coinbase Prime

When it comes to user experience, Coinbase excels by providing a beginner-friendly and easy-to-navigate website. However, some users have reported frequent connection issues and the need to wait to log in.

Coinbase Dashboard
Coinbase Dashboard

In terms of liquidity, Coinbase consistently ranks in the top 5, with spot trading volumes exceeding $1 billion daily. Coinbase Pro customers across 23 U.S. states can also access up to 3X in leverage.

coinbase pro
coinbase pro

So while Coinsmart focuses on simplicity and ease of use for beginner investors with a limited range of products, Coinbase offers a broader array of features and services for both beginners and more experienced traders.

Coinbase Cryptocurrencies
Coinbase Cryptocurrencies
Coinsmart
Coinbase
Kraken
Spot Trading
Yes
Yes
Yes
Futures
-
Yes
Yes
Perps
-
Yes
Yes
Margin
-
-
Yes
Options
-
-
-
OTC Desk
-
Yes
Yes
Copy Trading
-
-
-
Trading Bots
-
-
-
Staking
-
Yes
Yes
Lend & Borrow
-
Yes
Yes
NFTs
-
Yes
Yes
Web 3 Wallet
-
Yes
-
Debit Card
-
Yes
-
Signup
Coinsmart
Your Capital is at risk.
Coinbase
Your Capital is at risk.
Kraken
Your Capital is at risk

Coinsmart vs Coinbase Fees

When it comes to trading fees, Coinsmart exchange charges a fee of 0.2% for single trades and a slightly higher fee of 0.3% for double trades.

Coinsmart fees
Coinsmart fees

Single trades occur when users trade between any fiat currency or any cryptocurrency, while double trades involve trading two cryptocurrencies that are not Bitcoin.

While these fees may not be the lowest in the market, Coinsmart does provide a user-friendly platform with a range of cryptocurrencies to choose from.

On the other hand, the trading fees taken by Coinbase. For makers, the fee stands at 0.40%, while takers pay a fee of 0.60%. What's interesting about Coinbase is that they provide an opportunity for traders to lower their fees If monthly trade volumes exceed $10,000.

Coinbase spot trading fees
Coinbase spot trading fees

Coinsmart
Coinbase
Kraken
Spot (mkr)
0.2%-0.3%
0.4%
0.16%
Spot (tkr)
0.2%-0.3%
0.6%
0.26%
Futures (mkr)
-
-
0.02%
Futures (tkr)
-
-
0.05%
Signup
Coinsmart
Your Capital is at risk.
Coinbase
Your Capital is at risk.
Kraken
Your Capital is at risk

Coinsmart vs Coinbase Deposit Methods

Coinsmart and Coinbase are both cryptocurrency exchanges that offer fiat currency deposit methods. However, there are some differences in the fiat deposit options they provide.

Coinsmart supports three fiat currencies: USD, EUR, and CAD. To deposit EUR, users can use SEPA, which is a free of charge method.

For USD deposits, users can use Wire Transfers, which are also free of charge. CAD deposits can be made through Interac e-Transfers or Wire Transfers, with both methods being free.

It is worth noting that Interac e-Transfers have a 1.5% fee for deposits under $1,999, but they are free above that amount. The minimum deposit for EUR is 50 EUR, and the processing time is up to 5 business days.

Card purchases are also possible on Coinsmart, but they come with higher fees starting at 6.75% commission and a minimum fee of $10.

Coinsmart buy crypto with card
Coinsmart buy crypto with card

On the other hand, Coinbase allows users to deposit funds with three fiat currencies: USD, EUR, and GBP. They offer different deposit methods for each currency. For USD deposits, users can use ACH transfers which are free of charge. Wire transfers are also an option but they incur a $10 USD fee.

Coinbase fiat deposits
Coinbase fiat deposits

EUR deposits can be made through SEPA transfers which have a deposit fee of 0.15 EUR. GBP deposits can be done via Swift transfers which do not have any deposit fees. And finally, basic ACH deposits are free of charge on Coinbase.

Coinsmart
Coinbase
Kraken
USD
Wire Transfer
ACH/Wire
ACH, Etana, SWIFT, Wire
EUR
SEPA
SEPA
Etana, SEPA, Wire
GBP
-
SWIFT
Etana, FPS, CHAPS, BACS
Signup
Coinsmart
Your Capital is at risk.
Coinbase
Your Capital is at risk.
Kraken
Your Capital is at risk

Coinsmart vs Coinbase Withdrawal Fees

Let's take a closer look at the withdrawal options provided by each of these exchanges. Coinsmart allows users to withdraw their funds in various fiat currencies such as USD, EUR, and CAD. These withdrawals can be made through Wire Transfer or SEPA withdrawals.

SEPA withdrawals are free of charge and typically take 1-5 days to process. On the other hand, withdrawing funds through Bank wire or Interac e-Transfer comes with a 1% commission or $15, whichever is higher.

Coinsmart Withdrawal Fees
Coinsmart Withdrawal Fees

When it comes to withdrawing cryptocurrencies from Coinsmart, the fees vary depending on the blockchain. For example, Bitcoin withdrawals come with a 0.0005 BTC fee, Ethereum with a 0.003 ETH fee, and Solana with a 0.01 SOL fee. For ERC-20 USDC withdrawals, Coinsmart charges a 10 USDT fee.

Coinsmart Crypto Withdrawal Fees
Coinsmart Crypto Withdrawal Fees

Moving on to Coinbase, users can withdraw their funds in multiple fiat currencies such as USD, EUR and GBP via ACH, Wire, SEPA, and Swift. ACH withdrawals are free of charge, while Wire withdrawals come with a $25 USD fee. SEPA withdrawals have a fee of 0.15 EUR, and Swift withdrawals have a fee of 1 GBP.

Coinbase Withdrawal Fees
Coinbase Withdrawal Fees

In terms of cryptocurrency withdrawals on Coinbase, the exchange charges a fee for each type of cryptocurrency. For instance, withdrawing Bitcoin incurs a fee of 0.0002 BTC, Ethereum has a fee of 0.000768 ETH, SOL carries a fee of 0.008 SOL, and USDT (ERC-20) has a fee of 3 USDT.

Coinsmart
Coinbase
Kraken
USD
Wire Transfer
ACH/Wire
ACH, Etana, SWIFT, Wire
EUR
SEPA
SEPA
SEPA, Swift
GBP
-
Wire/SWIFT
FPS, CHAPS, SWIFT
Signup
Coinsmart
Your Capital is at risk.
Coinbase
Your Capital is at risk.
Kraken
Your Capital is at risk
Coinsmart
Coinbase
Kraken
Bitcoin
0.0005 BTC
0.0003 BTC
0.0002 BTC
Ethereum
0.003 ETH
0.003 ETH
0.003 ETH
Solana
0.01 SOL
0.008 SOL
0.01 SOL
USDT (ERC-20)
10 USDT
2.9 USDT
5 USDT
Signup
Coinsmart
Your Capital is at risk.
Coinbase
Your Capital is at risk.
Kraken
Your Capital is at risk

Is Coinsmart better than Coinbase?

In conclusion, Coinsmart and Coinbase cater to different regions and offer unique features to their users.

Coinsmart, based in Canada, has a smaller user base of 250,000 users primarily based in North America and Europe. Coinsmart aims to provide accessible and secure cryptocurrency trading for beginners. However, it supports a limited range of only 40 cryptocurrencies compared to over 200 offered by Coinbase.

Coinbase is the much larger exchange with over 100 million users and many more services not available on Coinsmart such as spot trading, staking, earn programs, NFTs, learn and earn and more.

In terms of KYC requirements, Coinsmart and Coinbase both prioritize user identity verification and comply with regulatory standards. Coinbase has a quicker verification process that can be completed within minutes, while Coinbase's process may take a few hours. However, Coinsmart is limited to Canadian residents only, whereas Coinbase is more widely accessible.

When it comes to trading fees, Coinsmart charges a fee of 0.2% for single trades and 0.3% for double trades, while Coinbase offers competitive spot trading fees of 0.40% for makers and 0.60% for takers. While Coinsmart has lower base fees, Coinbase also provides an opportunity for reduced fees based on trading volumes.

Both Coinsmart and Coinbase support fiat deposits for fiat currencies. Coinsmart supports USD, EUR, and CAD, while Coinbase supports USD, EUR, and GBP.

So which is the better exchange? Well it depends, assuming you only want to buy Bitcoin or other well known cryptocurrencies with lower fees, than Coinsmart is slightly cheaper than Coinbase. If however you want to access a wider range of cryptocurrencies and products, then you have to turn to exchanges like Coinbase.

Coinbase

Trade +240 Cryptocurrencies

Earn 5% Interest On USDC

Great UX & Beginner Friendly

Safest Crypto Exchange

Visit Coinbase
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Uphold

+300 cryptos & Staking

Fast & Free Bank Deposits

Regulated: US, CA, EU, UK, AU

100% Proof Of Reserves

Visit Uphold
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Author
Jack Moreau
Jack is a crypto writer and reviewer who has been active in the space since he caught the crypto bug in 2017. With a passion for trying out new shiny things, Jack is always eager to try the latest cryptocurrency exchanges, wallets or DeFi applications.

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