Most consumers assume the displayed transaction fee is the total cost of the trade, but the spread represents an additional, less visible charge that can be equal to or greater than the explicit fee, making the true cost of every trade significantly higher than it appears.
Coinbase's dual-fee structure means retail users pay both an embedded spread (up to 2% of transaction value) and a separate explicit transaction fee on every buy or sell, making the true cost of trading higher than either charge alone suggests. Users paying with debit cards or instant bank transfers face significantly higher fees than those using standard ACH transfers, which can materially affect the economics of small or frequent trades. You can see your exact total fees — including the spread — by clicking the 'Preview' button before confirming any transaction in the Coinbase app or website.