What can I do about this clause?

{'method': 'WEB_FORM', 'recipient': 'https://help.coinbase.com/en/contact-us', 'difficulty': 'MODERATE', 'action_type': 'DISPUTE_FEE', 'instructions': "To dispute a transaction fee, go to Coinbase Help, select 'Contact Us', provide your transaction ID, and explain the fee discrepancy you experienced. Coinbase support will review and respond within the timeframe stated in their User Agreement.", 'deadline_days': None, 'deadline_hours': None}

Which regulatory agencies enforce this type of clause?

{'agency': 'CFPB', 'reason': "The CFPB has authority over consumer financial product fee disclosures and unfair fee structures under Dodd-Frank UDAAP provisions, applicable to Coinbase's retail transaction fees.", 'complaint_url': 'https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/'}, {'agency': 'State_AG', 'reason': "State attorneys general in California, New York, and other states with money transmission or consumer protection statutes can enforce fee disclosure requirements against Coinbase's retail fee schedule.", 'complaint_url': 'https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/'}

What is the severity of this clause?

ConductAtlas classifies this Coinbase Transaction Fee Schedule (Flat Fee and Percentage Tiers) clause as high severity. Severity reflects the magnitude of rights affected, the breadth of users impacted, and the degree of discretion the platform retains.

Coinbase Transaction Fee Schedule (Flat Fee and Percentage Tiers) — Coinbase

What it is

The Coinbase Fee is the greater of a flat fee or a percentage fee based on the transaction amount and payment method. For US Dollar transactions: $0.99 for transactions from $0.00-$9.99; $1.49 for $10.00-$24.99; $1.99 for $25.00-$49.99; $2.99 for $50.00-$199.99. For transactions $200 and over, the percentage fee structure applies. Coinbase may charge a different fee for using different payment methods (e.g. bank account, debit card).

Why it matters

The flat fee structure disproportionately penalizes small transactions, meaning casual investors or those testing the platform with small amounts pay the highest effective percentage cost.

Consumer impact

Every time you buy, sell, or convert cryptocurrency on Coinbase, you pay at least two layers of cost: a spread embedded in the displayed price plus an explicit Coinbase Fee, meaning the true cost is higher than the price shown before you preview the transaction. Debit card purchases incur significantly higher fees than bank account transactions, making payment method selection a material financial decision. You can reduce your fees by using a linked bank account instead of a debit card and by reviewing the full fee breakdown on the transaction preview screen before confirming.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.

Dispute a Fee

To dispute a transaction fee, go to Coinbase Help, select 'Contact Us', provide your transaction ID, and explain the fee discrepancy you experienced. Coinbase support will review and respond within the timeframe stated in their User Agreement.

Applicable agencies

CFPB

The CFPB has authority over consumer financial product fee disclosures and unfair fee structures under Dodd-Frank UDAAP provisions, applicable to Coinbase's retail transaction fees.
File a complaint →
State AG

State attorneys general in California, New York, and other states with money transmission or consumer protection statutes can enforce fee disclosure requirements against Coinbase's retail fee schedule.
File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information

Document

Coinbase Fee Schedule

Entity

Coinbase

Document last updated

March 24, 2026

Tracking information

First tracked

March 6, 2026

Last verified

April 9, 2026

Record ID

CA-P-002489

Document ID

CA-D-00049

Evidence Provenance

Source URL

https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/trading-and-funding/pricing-and-fees/fees

Wayback Machine

View archived versions →

SHA-256

f796a95f0fff32a105254eb1d24b7ed9ff916e5f1bba53f7a1c4cdd7ca823ac9

Verified

✓ Snapshot stored ✓ Change verified

How to Cite

ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Coinbase | Document: Coinbase Fee Schedule | Record: CA-P-002489
Captured: 2026-03-06 19:26:57 UTC | SHA-256: f796a95f0fff32a1…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/coinbase/coinbase-fee-schedule/coinbase-transaction-fee-schedule-flat-fee-and-percentage-tiers/
Accessed: April 21, 2026

Classification

Severity

High

Coinbase Transaction Fee Schedule (Flat Fee and Percentage Tiers)