Highlights
How to Make Money on Coinbase
Here are the best opportunities available on Coinbase. Each one differs in experience level and has its own risks and rewards, so we'll unpack them below:
- Take Mini Courses
- Stake Crypto
- Earn Cashback On The Coinbase Card
- Buy and Hold Crypto
- Trade Altcoins
- Flip NFTs
- Earn Yield On USDC
- Invite Friends
- Earn Yield With DeFi
1. Take Mini Courses
The quickest way to earn money on Coinbase is through their "Learning Rewards" section, which is a learn to earn crypto program.
By watching short videos on blockchain projects and answering a few questions, you can earn a few dollars from each mini course. As of this writing, there is $29 up for grabs which only takes 10-20 minutes to complete. Rewards are instantly deposited to your account and new quizzes are added monthly.
You can also download the Coinbase Wallet to find even more offers called "Quests". As of this writing, you can earn $149 from different offers!
2. Stake Crypto
If you're looking to make passive income, then staking your crypto assets on Coinbase Earn could be an option to consider. Users can stake various proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Cardano and Solana to earn up to 10% APY.
The process is easy for beginners, requires as little as $1, and payouts will be distributed every 3 to 7 days. Advanced users can also check out Coinbase's Cloud Staking for self-custody options.
On the downside, Coinbase takes a commission of 25%-35% or 15%-25% if you have a Coinbase One subscription. If you want to stake on a centralized exchange, it might be better to use Kraken, as they don't take any fees and are also one of the safest crypto exchanges in the world.
3. Earn Cash Back With The Coinbase Card
Another way to earn money is with the Coinbase Card, a free crypto debit card that allows you to earn unlimited cash back in the cryptocurrency of your choice.
The cash back rewards range from 1% to 4% depending on the current promotion, which is always rotating. You have the option to spend fiat or crypto and can use your card anywhere Visa is accepted at 40M+ merchants worldwide.
4. Buy and Hold Crypto
Buy and hold (HODL) is a simple crypto investing strategy where you purchase a cryptocurrency, hold onto it for years, and anticipate significant price appreciation.
With predictions of crypto hitting 1 billion users, the entire industry is expected to grow substantially over the long haul. Users can buy Bitcoin or altcoins on Coinbase and send it to a hardware wallet for safe offline storage.
While the industry has tremendous potential, it also carries substantial risks. This approach requires careful selection of the right cryptocurrency, as many may go to zero. Patience and discipline are also required to stay invested over the long haul, especially through tough bear markets.
5. Trade Altcoins
If you're interested in day trading, swing trading, or other crypto trading strategies, Coinbase has you covered with advanced trading tools. Users can toggle "Advanced Trade" on the website or app to access charting tools and more. There's also the option to trade futures with Coinbase's new derivatives platform. However, it has only rolled out in a few regions so far.
While Coinbase is an easy and safe crypto exchange, they have high fees compared to other players. Check out our best crypto exchanges this year to find the lowest cost options.
6. Flip NFTs
Coinbase launched its NFT marketplace in 2022, opening up the opportunity to make money with NFTs. Similar to reselling sneakers or sports cards, flipping NFTs involves buying at a low price and selling for a profit.
Whether you create your own NFTs, mint them, or earn them for free, flipping could be a potential way to earn money if you know what you're doing. By the way, you can also buy and sell NFTs through the Coinbase Wallet (more on this later).
It's important to note that flipping NFTs is extremely risky, especially during a bear market when liquidity may be limited. Exercise caution and consider market conditions before engaging in NFT flipping.
7. Earn Yield On USDC
Starting with as little as $1, Coinbase customers can earn 2%-4% APY on USDC holdings. USDC is a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar and is co-founded by Coinbase and Circle.
Coinbase states that the yield is financed using their own company revenue and rewards are distributed monthly. It's also important to note that crypto deposits are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or SIPC. More information and a list of supported countries can be found on the official FAQ page.
8. Invite Friends
Coinbase offers an affiliate program that allows you to make money for inviting friends to join the platform. By referring someone, you can earn 50% of their trading fees for their first 3 months. If you have a social media audience or friends that would enjoy using Coinbase, you can generate a unique referral link to get credit for your sign ups.
9. Earn Yield With DeFi
The Coinbase Wallet is a crypto app where you can self-custody your funds and access thousands of decentralized applications, including a range of DeFi apps. While it operates independently from the Coinbase exchange, it can be another tool to make money using the Coinbase ecosystem.
Some popular ways to make money with DeFi include providing liquidity to decentralized exchanges (DEXs), participating in yield farming, lending out cryptocurrencies to earn interest, and trading on decentralized lending and borrowing platforms.
Wrapping Up
From staking to learn to earn rewards, Coinbase offers numerous ways to make money on its website. Remember to do your own research as each opportunity has different risks and rewards.