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Coinbase Now Offers Stock Trading. But Is That a Good Thing?
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Coinbase Now Offers Stock Trading. But Is That a Good Thing?
Coinbase restocked the pantry, and put the almonds right next to the candy.
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12 years of experience Expertise Brokerage accounts stock market cryptocurrencyChris Davis is a Managing Editor on the Investing team. He has passed the Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam) and covered the stock market, investing strategies, investment accounts and cryptocurrency. His work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, MSN, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, Newsday and TheStreet.
Chris Davis is a Managing Editor on the Investing team. He has passed the Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam) and covered the stock market, investing strategies, investment accounts and cryptocurrency. His work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, MSN, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, Newsday and TheStreet. Published in Managing Editor + more + more
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19 years of experience Expertise Retirement planning investment management investment accountsArielle O’Shea leads the investing and taxes team at NerdWallet. She has covered personal finance and investing for nearly 20 years, and was a senior writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet before becoming an editor. Previously, she was a researcher and reporter for leading personal finance journalist and author Jean Chatzky, a role that included developing financial education programs, interviewing subject matter experts and helping to produce television and radio segments. Arielle has appeared on the "Today" show, NBC News and ABC's "World News Tonight," and has been quoted in national publications including The New York Times, MarketWatch and Bloomberg News. She is based in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Arielle O’Shea leads the investing and taxes team at NerdWallet. She has covered personal finance and investing for nearly 20 years, and was a senior writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet before becoming an editor. Previously, she was a researcher and reporter for leading personal finance journalist and author Jean Chatzky, a role that included developing financial education programs, interviewing subject matter experts and helping to produce television and radio segments. Arielle has appeared on the "Today" show, NBC News and ABC's "World News Tonight," and has been quoted in national publications including The New York Times, MarketWatch and Bloomberg News. She is based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Published in Head of Content, Investing & Taxes + more + moreWhen I woke up the other morning, I wondered what I wonder most mornings lately: How bad is crypto doing today?
When I woke up the other morning, I wondered what I wonder most mornings lately: How bad is crypto doing today?I opened Coinbase to find out. Things were bad, but that wasn’t surprising. What was surprising was the new asset listed on my homescreen: Stocks.
I opened Coinbase to find out. Things were bad, but that wasn’t surprising. What was surprising was the new asset listed on my homescreen: Stocks.Stocks? On Coinbase?
Stocks? On Coinbase?Yes, Coinbase now offers stock and ETF trading directly in the app. They first announced this was coming toward the end of 2025, but today they announced it has rolled out to all accounts. I noticed it in my account a few weeks ago, so naturally I had to test it.
Yes, Coinbase now offers stock and ETF trading directly in the app. They first announced this was coming toward the end of 2025, but today they announced it has rolled out to all accounts. I noticed it in my account a few weeks ago, so naturally I had to test it.The signup process was quick and easy; exactly what you’d expect from an app like Coinbase. I was approved for stock trading in less than two minutes and promptly bought a tiny bit of Walmart stock (not a recommendation; this was a fairly random choice for testing purposes) using my USDC balance. USDC is Coinbase’s preferred stablecoin, issued by Circle. This was a cool, convenient touch, since it’s typical to keep cash as USDC in Coinbase, rather than USD.
The signup process was quick and easy; exactly what you’d expect from an app like Coinbase. I was approved for stock trading in less than two minutes and promptly bought a tiny bit of Walmart stock (not a recommendation; this was a fairly random choice for testing purposes) using my USDC balance. USDC is Coinbase’s preferred stablecoin, issued by Circle. This was a cool, convenient touch, since it’s typical to keep cash as USDC in Coinbase, rather than USD.After that, I could see a small balance next to the word “stocks” on my home screen, which appears below my crypto balance. So easy.
After that, I could see a small balance next to the word “stocks” on my home screen, which appears below my crypto balance. So easy.Beyond ease, there are a few other good things about this new feature — and, in my opinion, some pretty bad things.
Beyond ease, there are a few other good things about this new feature — and, in my opinion, some pretty bad things.TL;DR: If you already have Coinbase, and you don’t yet have a traditional brokerage account, it could suffice for getting some exposure to equities. But my preference is still to use Coinbase for crypto, and a separate, dedicated brokerage for stocks.
TL;DR: TL;DR: If you already have Coinbase, and you don’t yet have a traditional brokerage account, it could suffice for getting some exposure to equities. But my preference is still to use Coinbase for crypto, and a separate, dedicated brokerage for stocks.👉 See our picks for the best trading apps in 2026
👉 See our picks for the best trading apps in 2026What I like about Coinbase’s new stock trading feature
What I like about Coinbase’s new stock trading featureIt's extremely convenient. Coinbase is on a mission to become the “Everything Exchange,” much like Robinhood. And it’s true that the ability to sell crypto, then turn around and use that cash to buy stocks, is very convenient. It’s also easy to see your allocations split between digital and traditional assets. Everything about the stock-buying process is slick and simple.
It's extremely convenient. It's extremely convenient. Coinbase is on a mission to become the “Everything Exchange,” much like Robinhood . And it’s true that the ability to sell crypto, then turn around and use that cash to buy stocks, is very convenient. It’s also easy to see your allocations split between digital and traditional assets. Everything about the stock-buying process is slick and simple.Stock trading is available 24 hours a day, 5 days a week — a crowd accustomed to round-the-clock crypto trading will likely applaud this. Buying stocks directly with USDC means moving funds between crypto and equities is about the easiest it’s ever been.
Stock trading is available 24 hours a day, 5 days a week — a crowd accustomed to round-the-clock crypto trading will likely applaud this. Buying stocks directly with USDC means moving funds between crypto and equities is about the easiest it’s ever been.It's free. You can’t really get away with charging a commission for stock trades these days, so as would be expected, there’s no fee to users to buy and sell stocks.
It's free. It's free. You can’t really get away with charging a commission for stock trades these days, so as would be expected, there’s no fee to users to buy and sell stocks.Webull
Uphold
Coinbase
NerdWallet rating5.0
/55.0
/5 NerdWallet rating4.9
/54.9
/5 NerdWallet rating4.5
/54.5
/5Fees
$0
per trade
Fees
0.5%-5.5%
Fees
0% - 5%
varies by type of transaction; other fees may apply
Account minimum
$0
Account minimum
$1
Account minimum
$0
Promotion
Get $20 worth of fractional shares
when you open and fund an account with Webull
Promotion
None
no promotion available at this time
Promotion
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Learn More Learn More Learn MoreWhat doesn’t work for me
What doesn’t work for meNo ACATs transfer. I have to imagine this will change in the future, but right now, there’s no way to transfer investments from another brokerage account
No ACATs transfer. No ACATs transfer. I have to imagine this will change in the future, but right now, there’s no way to transfer investments from another brokerage account Coinbase. Transfer assets (ACATS). . To get your portfolio from your current broker into Coinbase, you’d have to sell everything and transfer it into Coinbase as cash. This is likely something most investors would want to avoid doing — for one thing, there can be tax consequences for selling investments.It feels tacked on. It’s funny; I said the same thing about Robinhood when it started offering crypto trades. But there’s really not a lot going on here, which makes it feel like an afterthought. When looking for stocks to buy, you get about 100 words explaining what the company does, links to SEC filings and some “key stats,” which include the day’s open, high, low, and volume, plus the 52-week range and current market cap. It’s all very perfunctory, and it feels to me like it’s designed more than anything to get you through to the final buy or sell button.
It feels tacked on. It feels tacked on. It’s funny; I said the same thing about Robinhood when it started offering crypto trades. But there’s really not a lot going on here, which makes it feel like an afterthought. When looking for stocks to buy, you get about 100 words explaining what the company does, links to SEC filings and some “key stats,” which include the day’s open, high, low, and volume, plus the 52-week range and current market cap. It’s all very perfunctory, and it feels to me like it’s designed more than anything to get you through to the final buy or sell button.Things are getting crowded and confusing. Webull is also facing this problem. Coinbase started with a beautiful app that was very good at doing one thing. Then the company slowly added to it over the years, ultimately degrading the user experience that made it so groundbreaking to begin with. For years I’ve unflinchingly said that Coinbase is the best crypto app for beginners, but I’m questioning that now.
Things are getting crowded and confusing. Things are getting crowded and confusing. Webull is also facing this problem. Coinbase started with a beautiful app that was very good at doing one thing. Then the company slowly added to it over the years, ultimately degrading the user experience that made it so groundbreaking to begin with. For years I’ve unflinchingly said that Coinbase is the best crypto app for beginners, but I’m questioning that now.The bigger issue with the “Everything Exchange”
The bigger issue with the “Everything Exchange”The individual pros and cons of Coinbase’s stock trading feature are actually kind of a distraction from what I think is a much bigger discussion that extends beyond Coinbase, to be sure, but is especially apparent here.
The individual pros and cons of Coinbase’s stock trading feature are actually kind of a distraction from what I think is a much bigger discussion that extends beyond Coinbase, to be sure, but is especially apparent here.Coinbase’s goal of becoming an Everything Exchange means putting stocks in the same category as crypto, derivatives and prediction markets, which I find problematic.
Coinbase’s goal of becoming an Everything Exchange means putting stocks in the same category as crypto, derivatives and prediction markets, which I find problematic.Do you really need everything?
Do you really need everything?Coinbase has made it easy to invest in what are generally considered the riskiest assets — crypto, derivatives, prediction markets and individual stocks. When I opened my Coinbase app the other morning, rather than just a clean crypto and cash balance, I also saw $0 balances for derivatives, predictions and stocks. I never indicated I wanted any of those products nor did I open accounts with which to trade them. (I didn’t sign up for stock trading until I clicked on my $0 stock balance out of curiosity and was prompted to sign up.) Yet overnight, my app interface became a cornucopia of speculative assets presented as a one-stop shop for investing.
Coinbase has made it easy to invest in what are generally considered the riskiest assets — crypto, derivatives, prediction markets and individual stocks. When I opened my Coinbase app the other morning, rather than just a clean crypto and cash balance, I also saw $0 balances for derivatives, predictions and stocks. I never indicated I wanted any of those products nor did I open accounts with which to trade them. (I didn’t sign up for stock trading until I clicked on my $0 stock balance out of curiosity and was prompted to sign up.) Yet overnight, my app interface became a cornucopia of speculative assets presented as a one-stop shop for investing.Balances are hidden, but $0 appeared next to derivatives, predictions and stocks before I’d ever signed up for these products.
Balances are hidden, but $0 appeared next to derivatives, predictions and stocks before I’d ever signed up for these products.What concerns me the most is that my stocks balance is presented next to my prediction market balance. Online betting was once sequestered to betting apps. There was at least a bit of friction between your brokerage account and the gambling table.
What concerns me the most is that my stocks balance is presented next to my prediction market balance. Online betting was once sequestered to betting apps. There was at least a bit of friction between your brokerage account and the gambling table.That friction is gone now; equity or crypto profits can be plowed directly into prediction markets. Yes, gambling winnings could also get swooshed back into stock investments, but where does it end? Will profitable investments then be used to fund Super Bowl bets? Might you sell stocks at a loss to fund your March Madness bets? It’s far too easy to shuffle funds from one asset to the next in service of making short-term bets and chasing momentum.
That friction is gone now; equity or crypto profits can be plowed directly into prediction markets. Yes, gambling winnings could also get swooshed back into stock investments, but where does it end? Will profitable investments then be used to fund Super Bowl bets? Might you sell stocks at a loss to fund your March Madness bets? It’s far too easy to shuffle funds from one asset to the next in service of making short-term bets and chasing momentum.My final take
My final takeAll that said, Coinbase is still one of the best places to hold or trade cryptocurrency. I’ve used Coinbase for crypto since 2017, and I’ll continue to, because I think cryptocurrency has a place in a highly diversified portfolio. But there’s no reason to use Coinbase to trade stocks, and the natural guardrails that exist when you use one platform for speculating and another for wealth building will likely serve you better in the long run.
All that said, Coinbase is still one of the best places to hold or trade cryptocurrency. I’ve used Coinbase for crypto since 2017, and I’ll continue to, because I think cryptocurrency has a place in a highly diversified portfolio. But there’s no reason to use Coinbase to trade stocks, and the natural guardrails that exist when you use one platform for speculating and another for wealth building will likely serve you better in the long run.You can read our full review of Coinbase's crypto offering here, or see how it compares to other exchanges on our list of the best crypto trading platforms.
You can read our full review of Coinbase's crypto offering here, or see how it compares to other exchanges on our list of the best crypto trading platforms. You can read our full review of Coinbase's crypto offering here , or see how it compares to other exchanges on our list of the best crypto trading platforms .Helpful resources
Helpful resources 8 Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026 Best Brokerage Accounts for Online Investing and Stock Trading in 2026 Best Brokers for Beginner Investors: Top Picks for 2026 The 8 Best Crypto Exchanges, Platforms & Apps for 2026 More like this Investment Basics Investing Best Robo-Advisors: Top Picks for 2026 We spent hours testing robo-advisors to find ones that charge low fees but still offer high-quality features, including automated portfolio rebalancing, exposure to a range of asset classes and financial planning tools. 2 By Alana Benson, Sabrina Parys Investing in Dividend Stocks: Guide, Calculator and Top 7 Yields for June 2026 Dividend stocks can be a great choice for investors looking for passive income and portfolio stability. Here's what to look for when evaluating dividend stocks and how to invest in them. 2 By Chris Davis, Sam Taube Best Brokers for Beginner Investors: Top Picks for 2026 We spent hours analyzing the best brokers for beginners to find ones that offer low costs, helpful educational content and a broad investment selection. Our testers also looked for trading platforms that are easy to navigate. 2 By Alana Benson, Bella Avila Best Investments: Where to Invest in 2026 Wondering where to invest your money this year? High-yield savings accounts, CDs, bonds, funds and stocks are all considered among the best investments available. Learn more about the risks, potential returns and how to get started. 2 By Chris Davis, Alieza Durana Best Brokerage Accounts for Online Investing and Stock Trading in 2026 Based on hours of analysis and hands-on testing, here are our picks for the best brokerage accounts based on their low fees, strong platforms, quality customer support and other factors. Chris Davis Best Robo-Advisors: Top Picks for 2026 We spent hours testing robo-advisors to find ones that charge low fees but still offer high-quality features, including automated portfolio rebalancing, exposure to a range of asset classes and financial planning tools. 2 By Alana Benson, Sabrina Parys Investing in Dividend Stocks: Guide, Calculator and Top 7 Yields for June 2026 Dividend stocks can be a great choice for investors looking for passive income and portfolio stability. Here's what to look for when evaluating dividend stocks and how to invest in them. 2 By Chris Davis, Sam Taube Best Brokers for Beginner Investors: Top Picks for 2026 We spent hours analyzing the best brokers for beginners to find ones that offer low costs, helpful educational content and a broad investment selection. Our testers also looked for trading platforms that are easy to navigate. 2 By Alana Benson, Bella Avila Best Investments: Where to Invest in 2026 Wondering where to invest your money this year? High-yield savings accounts, CDs, bonds, funds and stocks are all considered among the best investments available. Learn more about the risks, potential returns and how to get started. 2 By Chris Davis, Alieza Durana Best Brokerage Accounts for Online Investing and Stock Trading in 2026 Based on hours of analysis and hands-on testing, here are our picks for the best brokerage accounts based on their low fees, strong platforms, quality customer support and other factors. Chris Davis Best Robo-Advisors: Top Picks for 2026 We spent hours testing robo-advisors to find ones that charge low fees but still offer high-quality features, including automated portfolio rebalancing, exposure to a range of asset classes and financial planning tools. 2 By Alana Benson, Sabrina Parys Investing in Dividend Stocks: Guide, Calculator and Top 7 Yields for June 2026 Dividend stocks can be a great choice for investors looking for passive income and portfolio stability. Here's what to look for when evaluating dividend stocks and how to invest in them. 2 By Chris Davis, Sam Taube Best Brokers for Beginner Investors: Top Picks for 2026 We spent hours analyzing the best brokers for beginners to find ones that offer low costs, helpful educational content and a broad investment selection. Our testers also looked for trading platforms that are easy to navigate. 2 By Alana Benson, Bella Avila Best Investments: Where to Invest in 2026 Wondering where to invest your money this year? High-yield savings accounts, CDs, bonds, funds and stocks are all considered among the best investments available. Learn more about the risks, potential returns and how to get started. 2 By Chris Davis, Alieza Durana