Interest accounts for digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins like USDC and GUSD make it feasible to earn relatively passive income. BlockFi and Coinbase are cryptocurrency exchanges established in the United States. As they both are designed for doing similar kinds of tasks, and many presume they are likely the same. But if observed closely, one will be able to see that there are certain points of difference between BlockFi and Coinbase, which separate them from each other vastly.
BlockFi vs Coinbase
The main difference between BlockFi and Coinbase is that while Coinbase is publicly traded under the ticker code “COIN,” BlockFi is privately owned. BlockFi also serves as a crypto bank. It provides loan services as well as accounts that pay interest. Coinbase, on the other hand, focuses on cryptocurrency exchange and brokerage services.
BlockFi makes it simple for consumers who want to trade between different assets. Here, compound interest can be earned while trading. Individuals and businesses can benefit from BlockFi interest accounts by making better use of their crypto assets. This app can receive cryptocurrency interest on their assets maintained through BlockFi.
Coinbase has features that make it a popular choice among users. They simplify the process of purchasing and selling bitcoins by allowing you to keep track of everything in one place. Cryptocurrency yields typically being between 4% and 8% or more, compared to ordinary savings accounts, which means higher returns.
Comparison Table Between BlockFi and Coinbase
| Parameters of Comparison | BlockFi | Coinbase |
| Sell/Withdrawal Methods | External Crypto Wallet, Bank Account. | PayPal, Bank Transfer, Withdrawal to External Crypto Wallet. |
| Maximum Trading Amount | The maximum trading amount depends on the size of the user’s account and previous activity, and it varies with each client. | The maximum trading amount you can spend depends on your payment type and where you live. |
| Available Cryptocurrencies | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Link + Stablecoins. | The available cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and 58 more. |
| Buy/Deposit Methods | ACH, Wire Transfers, Crypto Deposits. | Credit Card, Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Crypto Deposits. |
| Services | It can also be used as a crypto bank. | Specializes in cryptocurrency exchanges and |
What is BlockFi?
The BlockFi platform was developed in 2017 by a privately held New York-based corporation. This platform’s leadership staff is one of its numerous assets. Having a collective experience of decades in the traditional financial services industry, many have worked here.
Individuals and businesses can benefit from BlockFi interest accounts by making better use of their crypto assets. They can receive cryptocurrency interest on their assets maintained through BlockFi.
Clients from all over the world can use these platform exceptions being, those for residents of some sanctioned or watch-listed nations.
There is no minimum deposit balance required to earn interest on the interest account. In most circumstances, monies from withdrawals are available the same day. Withdrawals may take up to seven days to complete at BlockFi.
BlockFi has a unique trading model in that it has no fees. Data on users’ trades are sold to major institutional crypto businesses. By acting as market makers at BlockFi, these companies will supply liquidity.
The New York Department of Financial Services regulates the Gemini Trust Company, which keeps BlockFi cryptocurrency deposits safe. 95% of BlockFi’s accounts are held in cold storage by Gemini, with the remaining 5% held in hot wallets insured by Aron.
What is Coinbase?
With over 30 million clients in over 100 countries, Coinbase is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. It provides a variety of services, such as the option to sell and purchase Bitcoins using a bank account, debit card, or credit card.
Being publicly traded under the ticker code “COIN,” you can earn interest on your assets with Coinbase. Cryptocurrency yields on Coinbase are typically between 4% and 8% or more. In comparison to ordinary savings accounts, this means higher returns.
Hundreds of Coinbase Wallet users have deposited millions of dollars and earned interest rates of 6% or higher. The app can be used to track your interest as it grows when you lend your cryptocurrency.
From interest-bearing accounts to buying and selling cryptos on their exchange, this idea pervades every part of the consumer experience.
Consumers choose Coinbase because of its many features. They simplify the process of buying and trading cryptocurrencies by allowing you to keep track of all of your transactions in one place.
Coinbase is known to adhere to strict security requirements. When you invest your crypto-assets with the organization, you can rest confident that your funds will be vault-protected and withdrawals will be time-delayed.
Main Differences Between BlockFi and Coinbase
- BlockFi uses Sell or Withdrawal methods like External Crypto Wallet, Bank Account while Coinbase uses Sell or Withdrawal methods like PayPal, Bank Transfer, Withdrawal to External Crypto Wallet.
- The maximum trading amount in BlockFi depends on the size of the user’s account and previous activity, and it varies with each client whereas, in Coinbase, the maximum trading amount you can spend depends on your payment type and where you live.
- The available cryptocurrencies in BlockFi include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Link + Stablecoins. In Coinbase, on the other hand, the available cryptocurrencies are Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and 58 more.
- The buy or deposit methods for BlockFi include ACH, Wire Transfers, Crypto Deposits, while for Coinbase, these are Credit Card, Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Crypto Deposits.
- BlockFi can be used as a crypto bank. Users can deposit cryptocurrency and receive interest, or they can borrow fiat currency with their cryptocurrency as security. Whereas Coinbase Specialises in cryptocurrency exchanges and brokerage services.
Conclusion
While Coinbase is a cryptocurrency exchange that also allows users to take out cryptocurrency-backed loans, BlockFi is a cryptocurrency lending platform that also allows users to trade cryptocurrency. As a result, Coinbase may be a better option for people wishing to simply buy, sell, or hold cryptocurrency. BlockFi, on the other hand, may appeal to those seeking crypto-backed lending or the opportunity to earn interest on their coin.
BlockFi and Coinbase are excellent crypto platforms, depending on your demands and financial ambitions. Both take security seriously, are user-friendly, and offer a variety of features to meet the demands of their customers.
References
- https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3121113.3121125
- https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/MD-10-2019-1360/full/html