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Coinbase is one of the most respected crypto exchanges in the world for a reason. To start with, the platform stands as one of the oldest crypto exchanges and boasts of over 40 million verified users across 100 countries. Backed by a team that prioritizes security, not to mention a capable workforce of over 200 full-time employees, it is fitting to categorize Coinbase as a leading entity in the world of cryptocurrencies.

Gate.io on the other hand also holds its own quite well in any comparison contest. Just like Coinbase, Gate.io is one of the earliest crypto exchanges to ever emerge. Even though its platform has suffered several security breaches in the past, Gate.io has managed to make a comeback by rebranding and implementing better security features not to mention compensating its clients.

In this article, we take a deep dive into what these two veteran crypto exchanges have to offer and help you make a choice on which one is a better fit for your crypto trading needs.

Coinbase Quick Overview

For anyone looking for the easiest way to buy or sell cryptocurrencies, Coinbase offers a viable platform. You can trade over 100 cryptocurrencies including the likes of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin to mention just a few.

As the largest crypto exchange in the US, Coinbase offers its users perks such as a low minimum requirement for buying cryptocurrencies. For as little as $25, anyone can get some Bitcoin, and there is also a feature on their platform for setting up recurring buy orders to build up a portfolio.

Overall, any beginner will enjoy using Coinbase. The exchange was founded by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam in 2012 and has now grown to become a publicly listed company with over $40 billion in market capitalization. Coinbase also boasts an untainted history in terms of security with zero hacks on its platform, unlike most crypto exchanges that have been hacked in the past leading to losses of millions in crypto.

Coinbase logo new

Coinbase

  • Beginner-friendly UI make it easy to make quick buys
  • One of the oldest and most reliable exchanges
  • Earn $200 in free crypto after completing sign-up process. Terms apply.
  • Variety of products including exchange, staking, wallet
  • Advanced Trading options for experienced traders
Funding Methods Debit & Credit Bank, PayPal, ACH, Bank Transfer, e-Transfer
Cryptocurrencies 100+
Countries 100+

Coinbase Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Intuitive user interface

  • Top-notch security

  • Offers the CoinbasePro alternative with lower fees

  • Secure platform that has been tried and tested

  • Offers users a debit card for crypto spending

Cons

  • Pricey fees

  • Supports only a handful of crypto assets

  • Customer support could be better

  • Overly intrusive KYC procedures

Gate.io Quick Overview

Gate.io is one of the biggest crypto exchanges to make a comeback after a catastrophic hack that saw the exchange lose 7,000 Bitcoins from its cold wallet. Founded in 2013 by Lin Han, Gate.io used to be called Bter.com, with its headquarters in mainland China.

After the hack, Bter.com changed its name to Gate.io given increasing bans and restrictions on fiat-to-crypto trading by the Chinese government. The old domain was therefore dropped, and the company shifted focus towards crypto-to-crypto trading with a new name that is Gate.io, and a new headquarters in George Town, Cayman Islands.

Since then, Gate.io experienced another high-profile hack that led to the loss of over $200,000 worth of crypto assets. According to reports, half of the amount was later recovered.

Despite its tainted past in terms of security, Gate.io still offers competitive features such as a larger selection of supported cryptocurrencies, especially when compared to the likes of Coinbase. Gate.io also comes with a native token called GateToken (GT) which entitles users to trading discounts based on the number of GT tokens they hold in their wallet.

Gate.io

Gate.io

  • Solid platform for experienced traders looking to put in large amounts of volume
  • Competitive fees compared to other exchanges
  • Headquartered in Cayman islands
  • Huge selection of cryptocurrencies
Funding Methods Credit Card, Debit Card, Bank Account, Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies 300+
Countries 300+

Gate.io Pros & Cons

Pros

  • A wide variety of cryptocurrencies supported

  • Comes with a native token with trading discounts

  • Offers an intuitive user interface

  • Charges relatively lower fees

Cons

  • Novice crypto traders might find its user interface intimidating

  • Has a history of security breaches on its platform

  • Largely anonymous team

Gate.io vs Coinbase at a Glance

Coinbase
Gate.io
HEADQUARTERS:
San Francisco, USA
George Town, Cayman Islands
COMPANY TYPE:
Broker Exchange/ Easy Buy & Sell options
Crypto-only exchange
FEES:
1.4% to 3.99%
0.055% to 0.2%
SECURITY:
High
Medium
BEGINNER FRIENDLY:
Yes
No
VERIFICATION REQUIRED:
Yes
Region dependent
AVAILABLE CRYPTOCURRENCIES:
100+
1000+
PROPRIETARY TOKEN:
Yes (USDC)
GT Token
ON-SITE WALLET:
Yes
Yes
BUY/DEPOSIT METHODS:
Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Cryptocurrency
Crypto
SELL/WITHDRAW METHODS:
Bank Transfer, PayPal, Cryptocurrency
Crypto
YEAR ESTABLISHED:
2012
2013
FIAT TRADING:
No
No
GOLD OR PRECIOUS METALS:
No
No

Beginner Friendliness

Coinbase is by far one of the most beginner-friendly crypto exchange platforms out there. Their user interface is simple and straightforward, making it easy for beginners to navigate the platform and make a trade. On the dashboard of your account upon signing up, you can easily see your balance, access a watchlist of your favorite cryptocurrencies, and easily monitor the prices of coins supported on their platform.

With Coinbase, Beginners also have access to a variety of resources that can help them get familiar with the platform as well as learn about basic terms and concepts in the crypto space.

Gate.io also features a relatively intuitive user interface, however, for traders who are just getting started, Gate.io might appear a bit intimidating. Their user interface is somewhat cluttered compared to Coinbase’s minimalist design. There is a steep learning curve for traders as the platform offers sophisticated features such as perpetual contracts, a spot, margin, and ETF trading market, and a trading view that requires some getting used to.

One of the features built into Gate.io that beginners will enjoy is their copy trading feature that beginner traders can use to copy the strategies of top earners on the leaderboard. This can help beginners jump-start their crypto trading journey.

Trust & Security

For trust to be established over an exchange platform, the security of the platform’s wallet is simply a must-have. Coinbase does a great job of giving its users peace of mind. The platform has never been hacked since its inception in 2012. Traders on Coinbase get to enjoy 98% cold storage protection. Add that to the basic 2-Factor Authentication feature enabled for all accounts and up to $250,000 insurance covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and you have one of the most trusted crypto exchanges out there.

The only deal-breaker with Coinbase when it comes to trust and security is the platform’s intrusive KYC process. In 2019 March, Coinbase allegedly bought a controversial blockchain intelligence startup and has been reported to use that startup to sell blockchain analysis data to the U.S. government. This could be a turn-off for users who prioritize privacy and anonymity.

Gate.io is not much of an alternative in terms of security given its tainted past of several security breaches on its cold storage. In 2019, Gate.io was hacked. Soon after the hack, the funds were restored using unknown methods, and the exchange platform claims that it has since upgraded its security feature to include multiple signatures. Gate.io also holds some of its client’s assets in cold storage though it’s not clear what percentage of the client’s assets are held in cold storage.

Fee Structure

Coinbase might be the king of providing convenience when it comes to making crypto purchases, however, the platform charges some of the highest fees. Making a bitcoin purchase comes with a fee that ranges from 1.49% to 3.99% compared to Gate.io’s standard 0.15% to 0.2% fee.

What’s more, Gate.io offers generous discounts to traders who use its GT token to pay for transaction fees. At the topmost tier of the fee structure, market makers who use the GT token pay a standard fee in the range of 0.055% and 0.03% while market takers pay 0.065% and as low as 0.036% with GT token discounts.

Coinbase on the other hand features a pricey fee structure even on its cheaper Coinbase Pro alternative, where market makers and takers are charged about 0.5%. If you include Coinbase’s 0.5% spread markup as well as a debit card purchase fee of 3.99% or a bank account payment fee of 1.49%, you can end up paying hefty fees with each trade.

Supported Cryptocurrencies

Gate.io takes the win when it comes to supported cryptocurrencies. This exchange features the support of over 1300 coins which is the highest number of coins you can trade under one exchange.

Here is a list of some of the coins they support:

  • Bitcoin
  • Solana
  • Zilliqa
  • Ethereum
  • Avalanche
  • Tron
  • XRP
  • Cardano
  • Polygon
  • Decentraland
  • Filecoin
  • Terra
  • EOS
  • Chainlink
  • Axie Infinity
  • Enjin Coin

Coinbase on the other hand supports only a handful of coins amounting to 169 coins. Here is a brief list of some popular coins you can trade on Coinbase:

  • Bitcoin
  • Ethereum
  • Avalanche
  • Solana
  • Shiba Inu
  • Cardano
  • Tether
  • Cosmos
  • Chainlink
  • Aave
  • Stellar
  • Litecoin

Supported Payment Methods

Compared to Gate.io, Coinbase offers a variety of payment methods on its platform. You can make payments using the following avenues with Coinbase:

  • Wire Transfer
  • PayPal
  • Credit or Debit card
  • ACH Bank Transfer

Gate.io on the other hand only supports crypto deposits on its platform.

Standout Features

Both Coinbase and Gate.io have unique strengths and weaknesses depending on what you are looking for as a trader. With Coinbase, most users will enjoy the convenience of an intuitive and straightforward user interface, not to mention the backing of a U.S-regulated company that offers cold storage of its assets. However, for the level of convenience and security you receive on Coinbase, you will have to compromise privacy and control over your crypto assets.

Gate.io offers reliability albeit with a tainted past in terms of security. The Gate.io exchange gives traders access to a wide variety of coins to trade which is more than you can find on any crypto exchange. The platform also comes with sophisticated trading tools that most expert traders will appreciate.

CryptoVantage Verdict: Coinbase Better for Beginners, Gate.io Cheaper

When it’s all said and done, choosing the best crypto exchange for your needs comes down to your personal preferences. In the comparison battle between Coinbase and Gate.io, it is obvious that Coinbase comes on top given its robust security features that are capable of standing the test of time.

While you will be required to go through an intrusive KYC process on Coinbase, you get to enjoy a secure crypto exchange with intuitive features. However, if you don’t need hand holding, Gate.io can be a good choice. We’d suggest moving your coins to a hardware wallet you control after making your trade.

Jinia Shawdagor

About the Author

Jinia Shawdagor

Jinia is a fintech writer based in Sweden focused on the cryptocurrency market and blockchain industry. With years of experience, she contributes to some of the most renowned crypto publications such as Cointelegraph, Invezz and others. She also has experience writing about the iGaming industry.

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