Uphold vs Coinbase

Uphold vs Coinbase

Robert McDougall 

January 8, 2024

Cryptocurrency

There's no question that Coinbase is one of the most popular and well-known cryptocurrency exchanges. It offers a user-friendly platform and boasts over 30 million users. One of the benefits of Coinbase is that it's available in 100+ countries and offers a variety of payment methods, including bank transfers, debit cards, and credit cards. Coinbase also offers a built-in wallet, making it a one-stop shop for all your crypto needs. However, Coinbase has been criticized for its high fees and lack of advanced trading fees.

Uphold, on the other hand, is a relative newcomer to the scene. But don't let that fool you - Uphold is a powerful exchange with a lot to offer. For starters, Uphold has incredibly low fees, making it an attractive option for traders. It also offers instant verification and 24/7 customer support. In addition, Uphold is available in over 180 countries and supports 27 different fiat currencies. 

So, which crypto exchange is better? Let's take a closer look.

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Fiat Currencies

USD, GBP, EUR, CHF, AUD, JPY & 20+ more

AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, MXN, HRK, CZK & 10+ more

Number of Coins

125+

160+

Trading Fees

Included in spread

0.5% + Coinbase fee which varies depending on amount traded and payment method

Deposit Methods

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Bank Transfer

Google Pay

Fedwire

PayPal

Credit Card

Debit Card

Apple Pay

SWIFT

Skrill

SOFORT/iDEAL

Cryptocurrency

Features

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Cell

User-friendly

Mobile app

Live Chat

Security

Cell
Cell

2FA

Biometric security

ISO 27001 certified

Offline cold storage

Website

Cell

Fiat Currencies

USD, GBP, EUR, CHF, AUD, JPY & 20+ more

AUD, USD, GBP, EUR & 11 more

Number of Coins

 125+

160+

Trading Fees

Included in spread

0.5% + Coinbase fee which varies depending on amount traded and payment method

Deposit Methods

Cell
Cell

Bank Transfer

Google Pay

Fedwire

PayPal

Credit Card

Debit Card

Apple Pay

SWIFT

Skrill

SOFORT/iDEAL

Cryptocurrency

Features

Cell
Cell

User-friendly

Mobile app

Live Chat

Security

Cell
Cell

2FA

Biometric security

ISO 27001 certified

Offline cold storage

Website

Pros
  • AutoPilot feature gives you an automated trading experience
  • Staking is available with rates as high as 19.5%
  • Trading markets available for cryptocurrencies, stocks, forex, and precious metals
  • Don't worry about trading pairs- you can trade any asset for another
  • Uphold debit cards can be used for purchases and to make payments using digital assets
  • Can be used to send and receive payment
Cons
  • Customer support is only available via email ticket support
  • Some assets are limited to certain countries
Pros
  • More than 160+ cryptocurrencies available
  • Use the Coinbase Card to make purchases with your crypto
  • Very user-friendly interface makes it perfect for beginners
  • Excellent customer support available on email, live chat and phone
  • Features an NFT marketplace
Cons
  • High fees when buying cryptocurrency

Uphold vs Coinbase Fees

Coinbase is one of the biggest names in the cryptocurrency world, but that doesn't mean it's the best option regarding fees.  The fee structure is complicated, and for each purchase of crypto, you are charged 0.5% + a 'Coinbase fee'. This fee is dependant on your method of payment, for example if you make a bank transfer it is 1.49%, and if you use debit/credit card, the Coinbase fee is 3.99%.

Uphold does not charge any deposit fees, nor do they charge a trading fee, but the fees are included in the spread. The spread is the difference between the buy and sell price of any particular asset, at the same point in time. The spreads vary based on the cryptocurrency, but is between 0.9 and 1.2% for BTC and ETH in the US, UK, and Europe. If you are using Uphold in other parts of the world, the spread for BTC and ETH is usually around 1.8%. 

Winner - Uphold

When it comes to fees, Uphold offers a clear advantage over Coinbase. Uphold offers free deposits and their trading fee is based on the spread only. It is the more cost-effective option when comparing to Coinbase's high fees.

Uphold vs Coinbase Deposit Methods:

Depositing money into your account is one of the most important aspects of trading on a cryptocurrency exchange. After all, you can't trade if you don't have any funds to work with. 

With Uphold, you can use SEPA, ACH, cryptocurrency, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Faster Payments Service, Wire Transfer, debit/credit card, and SWIFT. 

On Coinbase, you can use SEPA, ACH, credit/debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Fedwire, SWIFT, SOFORT/iDEAL, and cryptocurrency.

Winner - Tie

This is a tie, as both Uphold and Coinbase offer a wide range of deposit methods. You will almost certainly find a payment method that you prefer when using either of these exchanges.

Uphold vs Coinbase Features

Trading Markets

When it comes to cryptocurrency trading, there's no one-size-fits-all exchange. Each platform has its own unique features and benefits, and it's important to choose the one that best meets your needs. If you're looking for a wide range of assets and flexibility in how you trade them, Uphold is a great option.

With more than 125 cryptocurrencies and 27 fiat currencies, as well as stocks and precious metals, Uphold offers a truly diverse range of assets. And because you can trade any item for another on Uphold, there's no need to worry about trading pairs. Another great benefit of Uphold is fractional stocks. This feature allows you to trade stocks in fractional amounts, so you can better customize your portfolio to your desired risk level. 

Coinbase, on the other hand, only offers crypto pairs, Ether and Bitcoin futures contracts, and Bloomberg and SuperTech indexes. While this may be fine for some investors, it significantly limits your options. Furthermore, Coinbase restricts trading to the pairs listed on its platform, making it difficult to find the right market for your needs.

If you're looking for a platform with a wide range of assets and flexible trading options, Uphold is the better choice.

Financial Products

When it comes to staking crypto, there's really only one important question: where can I get the highest return on my investment? When you compare these two exchanges, Uphold is the better choice. 

 On Uphold, you can earn interest on 18 coins, with a maximum of 25% APY:

  • XTZ- 5% APY
  • DOT- 12% APY
  • GRT- 3.5% APY
  • TRX- 6% APY
  • MINA- 12% APY
  • KSM- 18% APY
  • KAVA- 25% APY
  • LPT- 8% APY
  • AUDIO- 7.5% APY
  • SOL- 6% APY
  • ADA- 5% APY
  • ETH- 7% APY
  • ALGO- 1% APY
  • ATOM- 12% APY
  • FLOW- 7.5% APY
  • AVAX- 5.5% APY
  • BAND- 10% APY
  • MATIC- 9% APY

Coinbase only offers staking on eight coins, and the highest APY you can earn is 5.75%.

  • DAI- 1.15% APY.
  • ADA- 2.6% APY.
  • SOL- 4% APY.
  • USDT- 1.58% APY.
  • XTZ- 4.63% APY.
  • ALGO- 5.75% APY.
  • ATOM- 5% APY.
  • ETH- 3.99% APY.

Trading Tools

For a better financial management experience, Uphold offers a unique and convenient way to schedule recurring transactions with AutoPilot. This tool makes scheduling regular transactions easy and allows users to take advantage of dollar cost averaging. By setting up recurring buy or sell orders, users can reduce the impact of price volatility and minimize risk in the long run. 

Uphold also offers Limitless Orders. This is the perfect solution for traders who want to place multiple orders without using a lot of capital. With this service, you can place up to 50 limit orders using one pool of capital. And, since funds are only claimed on execution, you don't have to worry about tying up your resources. It's a great way to take advantage of more opportunities and potentially earn more profits.

Coinbase is one of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges, offering a simple and easy-to-use platform for buying and selling digital assets. The simple buy/sell interface is perfect for those new to the space or who would just want to buy and hold crypto. The exchange also offers a conversion tool that allows users to swap one cryptocurrency for another without having to trade on the market. In addition to its basic functionality, Coinbase also provides advanced trading tools for more experienced users on the advanced Coinbase Pro interface. These include charts, an order book, and limit and market orders.

User Experience

Coinbase offers an easy-to-use platform perfect for new traders and an advanced interface for more experienced users. Customer support is available 24/7 on phone, email, and live chat.

Uphold is geared towards experienced traders who are comfortable with a minimalistic approach. Customer support is only available via email ticket, which can be a bit frustrating if you need help urgently.

Crypto Wallets

Coinbase Wallet is a mobile crypto wallet and DApp browser. It is the industry's most popular wallet, with over 20 million wallet users and $200B transacted. The Coinbase Wallet app is a separate, standalone app that allows users to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies and NFTs. It's available for customers and non-customers alike and can be downloaded for free on iOS and Android devices. Coinbase Wallet is a non-custodial wallet; you are the only one with access to your private keys. In other words, you won't have to go through a third party to make transactions and can instead manage your own funds.

Winner - Uphold

Uphold wins with a wealth of options and features that make it more suitable for a savvy investor. However, if you are a beginner to crypto, you may prefer the ease of use and live chat support you get with Coinbase.

Uphold vs Coinbase Security

Uphold combines a range of measures to protect their users' assets and information, including encryption, regular auditing and testing, and KYC verification. Their Security Operations Center monitors systems round-the-clock to ensure that any potential threat is immediately detected and responded to. Uphold's commitment to security doesn't end there - they are constantly improving and refining procedures to make sure that they are always one step ahead of the bad guys. So when it comes to protecting your assets, you can rest assured that Uphold has got you covered.

Coinbase goes all out to provide its users with a safe and secure experience. The exchange employs some of the most sophisticated security measures in the cryptocurrency industry. Their digital assets are stored offline in cold storage facilities, disconnected from the internet. In addition, Coinbase has an insurance policy that covers assets held online, providing an extra level of protection for users. To further secure user accounts, Coinbase offers multi-factor authentication and a variety of extra security tools, including Coinbase Vault and Address Book. All data is encrypted, making it difficult for unauthorized individuals to access sensitive information.

Noting that their commitment to compliance reflects their core values of trust, transparency, and security, Coinbase goes above and beyond to ensure that their platform complies with applicable laws and regulations. They are licensed to operate in 46 US states and territories, as well as the UK and Australia.

Winner - Tie

Both Uphold and Coinbase are extremely secure platforms, with multi-layered security. No matter which of these you choose, you need not worry about your funds.

Uphold vs Coinbase Cryptocurrencies

Coinbase offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies, with over 160 different coins available to trade. The platform also allows you to trade commodities like crude oil and indices such as Bloomberg and SuperTech.

Uphold offers a more diverse range of assets, including precious metals, stocks, and fiat currencies. Currently, Uphold supports over 125+ different cryptocurrencies, four precious metals (Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Palladium), 50 stocks, and 27 fiat currencies.

Winner - Uphold

If you're looking for a platform that offers a little bit of everything, Uphold may be the better choice. While both exchanges offer a similar number of cryptocurrencies, Uphold also offers stocks, commodities, and fiat currencies.

Verdict: Uphold

Uphold offers more features, lower fees and a much wider range of supported assets. Coinbase is much more user-friendly, making it a better choice for those new to cryptocurrency. Both platforms offer a range of deposit methods, and top-notch security, so the ultimate decision on which one you choose comes down to what you are looking for. We would recommend Coinbase if you are a complete beginner to crypto investing, as it has live chat support and a very simple interface. However, for anyone who wants a more in-depth investing experience, with lower fees and more options, Uphold is the better choice. 

Winner - Uphold

Uphold is a unique platform that offers cryptocurrencies as well as traditional assets, such as stocks, commodities, and precious metals. There are also plenty of options to earn interest on your crypto, and you can trade any asset for another, making it very convenient to use.

Still Researching?

If you want to learn more about these two platforms, read our detailed reviews of Uphold and Coinbase. For more options to consider, you can see our article on the best crypto exchanges in the US. We have also included a quick comparison table below summarizing some key info.

Comparison Table of the Best Crypto Exchanges in the USA

MEXC
eToro
Uphold
Coinmama
Crypto.com
Crypto Exchange
Crypto Exchange
MEXC
eToro
Uphold
Coinmama
Crypto.com
Fiat Currencies
Fiat Currencies
USD, TWD, AED, PHP, AUD, JPY, CAD, EUR & more
USD
USD, GBP, EUR, CHF, AUD, JPY & 21 more
USD, EUR, AUD, CAD, GBP, JPY
USD, AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, NZD, SGD, JPY & 10+ more
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies
MEXC, BTC, ETH, EOS, BCH, LTC & 1,520+ more
BTC, ETH, BCH, DASH, LTC, ETC & 75 more
BTC, ETH, ADA, DOGE, COMP, DOT & 125+ more
BTC, ETH, ETC, UNI, LINK, LTC, BCH, DOGE, MATIC, EOS, AAVE, COMP, OMG, YFI, WBTC
BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP, CRO, ADA, DOT, SOL, DOGE & 250+ more
Deposit Methods
Deposit Methods
Visa/Mastercard, Bank Cards, Bank Transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cryptocurrency
PayPal, Debit card, Wire transfer
Bank Transfer (ACH), Bank Transfer (SEPA), Debit/Credit Card, Wire Transfer, Faster Payments Service, SWIFT, Cryptocurrency
Credit card, Debit card, Fedwire, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Bank Transfer (ACH), BPAY, SEPA, Credit/Debit card, PayPal, TransferWise, Fedwire, SWIFT, Cryptocurrency
Trading Fees
Trading Fees
0% for spot, 0.0%/0.01% for futures
1%
Fees included in the spread
2.93% - 3.90% (depending on loyalty level)
Included in spread

Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk.

Marketplacefairness.org provides all its content for informational purposes only, and this should not be taken as financial advice to buy, trade or sell cryptocurrency or use any specific exchange. Please do not use this website as investment advice, financial advice or legal advice, and each individual's needs may vary from that of the author. This post includes affiliate links with our partners who may compensate us. 

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