Coinbase vs Bitfinex

Coinbase or Bitfinex – which is better for UK traders 2025? Compare Coinbase and Bitfinex in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

Coinbase vs Bitfinex Comparison Table 2025
Coinbase Bitfinex
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3.5
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3.9
Coinbase is ranked #58 among crypto brokers. Bitfinex is ranked #33 among crypto brokers.
Review
Review
Launched in 2012 as a platform enabling users to buy and sell Bitcoin via bank transfers, Coinbase has emerged as a crypto behemoth, expanding its services to include 240+ crypto assets, developing sophisticated trading platforms for retail investors, listing on the US Nasdaq, and securing licenses with multiple regulators. Established in 2012, Hong Kong-based Bitfinex is a formidable player in the crypto industry. It boasts a powerful proprietary platform, 180 cryptocurrencies and more than 430 market pairs available for spot or perpetual swaps derivatives trading. With new payment methods, lower entry barriers and fresh products like crypto futures, Bitfinex is attracting a wider range of active crypto traders.
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Pros
  • As a Nasdaq-listed company, Coinbase follows strict financial regulations, with licensing across the US, UK, and Europe. Security includes FDIC insurance for USD balances (up to $250,000) and two-factor authentication (2FA).
  • Coinbase supports 240+ cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and more recently listed altcoins like $Trump, giving early access to emerging tokens.
  • Coinbase Advanced bolstered its leveraged trading offering with a suite of new futures products in 2025, including Ripple (XRP), Natural Gas (NGS), and Cardano (ADA), providing accessible ways to trade, hedge, or diversify.
  • There are platforms for all levels: beginners can use the simple Coinbase app, while Advanced Trade provides lower fees and pro-level tools.
  • Despite a steep learning curve, the Bitfinex trading platform delivers for experienced traders, featuring a comprehensive charting package with 12 timeframes, plus margin trading and various order types.
  • Bitfinex boasts excellent liquidity across its crypto trading pairs, reducing the likelihood of slippage and ensuring efficient order execution, particularly for large volume trades, making it reliable for frequent traders.
  • After bolstering its roster, Bitfinex now offers access to over 180 cryptocurrencies, from Bitcoin and Ethereum to emerging altcoins with high levels of volatility that may appeal to traders.
  • Bitfinex is well-suited to algo traders, facilitating automated trading through its Honey terminal and API integration, enabling traders to program trading strategies efficiently.
Cons
  • High crypto fees based on tests, especially compared to competitors like Kraken and BitMEX, and notably on the standard dealing platform.
  • There are woeful research tools; Advanced Trade has TradingView charts but lacks features like news feeds, economic calendars, and AI market insights.
  • Frustrating customer support during testing, with most help options hidden behind login, making it tough for locked-out users or non-account holders to get assistance.
  • Despite enhancing its security measures with two-factor authentication, Bitfinex still hasn’t escaped its dogged history of major security breaches and regulatory fines.
  • Like many crypto exchanges, Bitfinex operates in a regulatory grey area, which may pose risks for traders, especially compared to trusted crypto trading platforms like eToro.
  • Although Bitfinex has removed its $10,000 minimum deposit, making it more accessible to newer traders, the fee system remains complicated, with various factors such as trading volume and token holdings influencing fees, potentially leading to confusion.
  • Testing reveals inadequate support, especially for active traders, with response times of 12 hours via email and a frustrating user experience with no live chat integrated into the trading platform.
  • For occasional crypto traders and investors prioritizing simplicity, platforms like eToro, Gemini, or Kraken are superior options.
FCA Regulated
Yes No

List of FCA Regulated Brokers

Instruments
Crypto Cryptocurrencies
Demo Account
No Yes
Minimum Deposit
$0 $0
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
$2 $10
Regulator
FinCEN, FCA, CBoI, MAS, OAM, DNB, BdE
Mobile Apps
iOS & Android iOS & Android
Trading App

Coinbase offers an intuitive and regularly updated app that’s generally fast, reliable and matches the desktop experience.

It provides powerful tools for crypto investors with advanced trading features, real-time market analysis, staking rewards, secure portfolio management, and educational incentives, all backed by top-notch security and regulatory compliance.

However, ratings from Android users show the interface trails its Apple counterpart, with issues relating to the user experience and notifications.

Bitfinex provides a mobile application that mirrors the full functionality of its web platform, facilitating seamless crypto trading on the move. The app also includes a Lite Mode for a simplified trading experience, presenting a more user-friendly interface for trading, staking, and lending cryptos, requiring just a few taps. The app is downloadable from both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, though app store ratings demonstrate a superior user experience on iOS devices.
iOS App Rating
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4.7
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4
Android App Rating
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4
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rating full
3.5
Margin Trading
No Yes
MetaTrader 4
No No
MetaTrader 5
No No
cTrader
No No
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
No No
Autochartist
No No
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
No No
STP Account
No No
ECN Account
No No
DMA Account
No No
MAM Account
No No
PAMM Account
No No
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
No No
Robo Advisor
No No
Negative Balance Protection
No No
Market Maker
No No
P2P Trading
No Yes
Spot Trading
Yes Yes
Auto Trading
Yes
Copy Trading
No No
Social Trading
No No
VPS Hosting
No No
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
No No
Ethical Investing
No No
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No No
Inactivity Fee
$0 $5
Islamic Account
No No
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • JPY
  • TRY
Cryptocurrency
Coinbase excels in its user-friendly crypto trading environment, complete with over 240 digital assets, from Bitcoin to emerging altcoins, and terrific tools through its TradingView-powered platform and Advanced Trade, providing advanced charts and market data for crypto traders. Bitfinex provides access to an exceptional variety of crypto assets, encompassing over 180 tokens. In addition to spot trading, the platform supports perpetual swaps trading, enabling traders to engage in margin trading on crypto assets with leverage up to 1:10. With digital tokens frequently listed and delisted, Bitfinex provides diverse opportunities to participate in the dynamic cryptocurrency market.
Spread
0.5% - 1% (BTC) Taker (0.2% to 0.055%) and maker (0.1% to 0.0%)
Coins
  • BCH
  • BTC
  • ETH
  • LTC
  • XRP
  • IOTA
  • NEO
  • EOS
  • XMR
  • FIL
  • WBTC
  • SHIB
  • BNB
  • TRUMP
  • BTC
  • ETH
  • USDT
  • LTC
  • XRP
  • DOGE
  • ETC
  • EOS
  • LINK
  • BCHN
  • DOT
  • DASH
  • IOTA
  • SUSHI
  • NEO
  • ZEC
  • UNI
  • ADA
  • OMG
  • MDOGE
  • BSV
  • TRX
  • XTZ
  • SOL
  • XLM
  • YFI
  • USDC
  • ZRX
  • FIL
  • VET
  • XMR
  • COMP
  • BTG
  • DAI
  • LUNA
  • CEL
  • ALGO
  • ATOM
  • EGLD
  • FTT
  • AVAX
  • MKR
  • LEO
  • BTT
  • CHZ
  • BAT
  • BAND
  • QTUN
  • CLO
  • AAVE
  • XDC
  • HEZ
  • KNC
  • ZIL
  • MANA
  • BAL
  • UOS
Crypto Lending
Yes Yes
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
Yes Yes
Auto Market Maker
No No
Coinbase Bitfinex
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