Coinbase includes a spread in the price quoted to users for simple buy, sell, and convert orders, and the document states Coinbase may retain any excess spread generated from those transactions.
This analysis describes what Coinbase's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision establishes that the effective price paid or received by consumers for trades includes an undisclosed margin above or below the market rate, and that Coinbase retains any excess above the amount required to execute the transaction. The spread is visible on the order preview screen but is not expressed as a fixed percentage, meaning the cost to the consumer may vary across similar transactions.
The updated fee schedule removes the pre-published 1% fee for instant unstaking and instead discloses the fee only at the moment a user requests to unstake. This means users can no longer review the exact cost before initiating a transaction through the published schedule. The revision also explicitly includes converting a pending standard unstake to an instant unstake as a fee-triggering action. No fee continues to apply if a user waits for the full unbonding period.
View change record →Previous version stated spreads are not separately charged; current version explicitly states Coinbase may retain excess spread and provides justification for spreads.
View full change record →Under this provision, the price a consumer sees for a buy, sell, or convert order includes a spread that may result in a less favorable rate than the prevailing mid-market price. The agreement states the spread is viewable on the order preview screen via a tooltip before the transaction is submitted.
Cross-platform context
See how other platforms handle Spread Retention on Buy, Sell, and Convert Orders and similar clauses.
Compare across platforms →"When you place simple buy and sell orders, Coinbase includes a spread in the quoted price. The spread is also included in the exchange rate when converting from one cryptocurrency to another. The spread helps increase the likelihood of a successful transaction and allows Coinbase to lock in your quoted price temporarily while processing your order. Coinbase may retain any excess spread from a transaction.Excerpt from Coinbase's Fee Schedule
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The spread retention practice may require evaluation under the FTC Act's prohibition on unfair or deceptive acts or practices, particularly regarding whether the spread disclosure mechanism on the order preview screen constitutes adequate …
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This provision establishes that the effective price paid or received by consumers for trades includes an undisclosed margin above or below the market rate, and that Coinbase retains any excess above the amount required to execute the transaction. The spread is visible on the order preview screen but is not expressed as a fixed percentage, meaning the cost to the …
Under this provision, the price a consumer sees for a buy, sell, or convert order includes a spread that may result in a less favorable rate than the prevailing mid-market price. The agreement states the spread is viewable on the order preview screen via a tooltip before the transaction is submitted.
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