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Transferable to your own wallet
Self-custody of cryptocurrencies plays an important role for many users who want to manage their cryptocurrencies and thus their "private keys" themselves and not leave them in the hands of the exchange. Most exchanges offer the option of sending the purchased cryptocurrencies to their own wallet.
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The overall rating is the average of our individual ratings. Our ratings do not constitute investment advice, but merely our personal opinion. You are welcome to use them as rough indicators and additional perspective. In the dynamic and fast-growing crypto sector, parameters can often change from one day to the next, so we cannot guarantee that the rating data is up to date. Therefore, please never use our ratings as an isolated basis for decision-making and not as a substitute for your own research.
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This rating describes our assessment of the fee structure of a stock exchange or broker. It is not only the amount of fees that can differ, but also the type of fees. The most common type of fees for crypto exchanges are the "maker/taker" fees or spreads. In some cases, there are also hidden fees that are not recognizable to users at first glance.
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MEXC vs Coinbase in comparison
Overview
- 0% maker and 0.05% taker spot fees on BTC/USDT, with 250 spot pairs that carry no taker fee
- 1,262 coins available in 1,900 active spot pairs
- Access to 1,207 futures contracts, along with copy trading, grid and DCA bots, and demo trading through one account
- Monthly proof of reserves with an audit report by Hacken
- Free deposits for BTC and USDT
- Not open to residents of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries on MEXC's restricted list
- MEXC names no licence, and several regulators have published notices about it
- Many smaller spot pairs charge 0.08% or 0.2% taker
- Futures leverage of up to 500x on BTC needs care, especially for newcomers
- Open in every US state, including New York under an NYDFS license
- Money transmitter licenses in 47 US jurisdictions, plus authorizations in Luxembourg, the UK and Canada
- Simple app for buying, plus Coinbase Advanced with TradingView charts and advanced order types
- More than 400 crypto assets with live markets, plus commission-free US stock trading 24/5
- Two-factor authentication switched on by default, with security key support
- Parent company listed on Nasdaq, with quarterly financial reports
- Higher entry-level fees than Kraken Pro: 0.50% maker and 0.90% taker on Coinbase Advanced in the US, against 0.40% and 0.80%
- Simple buys include a spread, and simple limit orders add a 1% execution fee
- Bitcoin and Ether futures for US customers go up to 10x leverage, so traders who want more look elsewhere
- No proof-of-reserves report for exchange balances that we could find
Features Comparison
- Cryptocurrencies
- Cryptocurrencies
0.05
%
0.05%
0.00%
₿
0.00002
0.9
%
0.90%
0.50%
Varies
1262
+
$
1
407
+
$
2
- 20% discount on trading fees
- Token airdrops through Kickstarter and Launchpool
- Higher affiliate commission for MX holders
Exchange Rating
Functions
- Spot, futures trading options
- Futures with up to 500x leverage on BTC, quantitative trading features
- Supports about 1,260 coins and 1,900 spot trading pairs
- Spot, futures trading options
- Coinbase Card
- Coinbase Wallet
Company Details
Our Review
In our view, MEXC presents a compelling option for active traders seeking an extensive coin list combined with low trading fees. On BTC/USDT, users incur 0% maker and 0.05% taker fees on spot trades. Futures trading can reach up to 500x leverage on BTC. Copy trading, bots, and demo trading are accessible within the same account, supported by a monthly proof of reserves.
Coinbase is a US-listed exchange accessible to residents in every US state, with regulatory licenses in the US, Luxembourg, and the UK. In our view it is a good place for a first crypto purchase, with a simple app and a regulated operator. Active traders can pay less: we would compare Kraken Pro first, whose entry-level taker fee is 0.80%, against 0.90% on Coinbase Advanced in the US.
Zero Maker Fees vs Institutional Trust
MEXC offers zero maker fees on most spot pairs and a far larger coin selection. Coinbase offers institutional trust with the highest fees. They couldn't be more different in approach or pricing.
Fee Gap
MEXC charges 0% maker and 0.05% taker on BTC/USDT spot trades. Coinbase Advanced starts at 0.09% maker and 0.10% taker in its international markets, 0.25% and 0.50% in the EU and UK, and 0.50% and 0.90% in the US. MEXC is cheaper in each case.
Coin Selection
MEXC lists over 1,200 cryptocurrencies. Coinbase offers more than 400. MEXC has about three times the variety.
Trust Factor
Coinbase is publicly listed with U.S. regulation—maximum institutional credibility.
MEXC offers functionality without the same regulatory backing.
The Decision
MEXC at 9.6 suits traders prioritizing fees and selection.
Coinbase at 8.3 suits beginners prioritizing trust despite premium fees.
About the author
At Exchange Flow, Ethan is recognized as the resident crypto expert. With 10+years of experience navigating the waters of global crypto exchanges, Ethan is a trusted voice in the ever-evolving world of digital currencies. He tests and scrutinizes exchanges so you don’t have to, offering reviews and articles that newbies and seasoned traders alike find invaluable. When he’s not coding, Ethan likes to travel and play retro games. He uses his crypto earnings to fund his trip around the globe.
