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Luis Clark
Luis Clark
Luis is a personal finance expert who has been passionate and writing about crypto for more than five years.
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    Digital Surge vs. Coinbase 2023: Security, Fees and more

    Digital Surge Review
    3.5
    3.5/5

    Read Disclaimer

    Coinbase-australia-Review
    4.0
    4/5

    In this Digital Surge vs Coinbase article we put these top cryptocurrency exchanges in Australia in a head-to-head battle comparing their fees, payment/deposit methods, customer support, NFT availability, and much more. We carried out extensive research and used both platforms to reach our Digital Surge vs Coinbase face-off conclusions.

    Digital Surge vs. Coinbase: Verdict

    Our pick is Coinbase. The crypto exchange caters to both beginner and advanced users.

    Digital Surge Logo

    Pros

    Cons

    Coinbase Logo

    Pros

    Cons

    Digital Surge vs. Coinbase: Unique Features

    Unique Features of Digital Surge

    Digital Surge Earn

    With Earn, users can earn interest on their SMSFS and crypto portfolio by lending to Digital Surge. There is no maximum or minimum deposit amount for the Earn Program. Users earn a specific APY percentage as interest on the crypto asset lent to Digital Surge. Interests are paid at the end of the month but are compounded daily.

    Users can choose to pull their crypto assets from the Earn Program whenever they wish to. There is no lock-in period for the program. Once a user decides to redeem their investments from the Earn Program, both the capital and interest earned are credited to their Digital Surge account.

    Digital Surge Corporate Affiliate Program

    The corporate affiliate program is designed for industry leaders in fields like SMSF, accounting, and Finance that wish to partner with Digital Surge to offer cryptocurrency exchange solutions to their client base. Businesses that are part of the Corporate Affiliate Program earn 5o% of the net trading fees from all the customers that sign up through the business’s affiliate link. 

    Digital Surge provides the business with a unique partner domain and landing page as well as customized API where necessary. The affiliates also have a localized dedicated account manager. When customers sign up through an affiliate link, they are directed to the Affiliate’s dedicated landing page and domain. Affiliate commissions are paid on the 15th of the following month.

    Unique Features of Coinbase

    Coinbase Wallet Extension

    Coinbase Wallet
    The Coinbase wallet extension is a noncustodial browser wallet extension that allows Coinbase users to store their cryptocurrencies and interact with different decentralized applications in the DeFi space.  The Wallet extension supports all Ethereum-based wallets. With the wallet, users can access yield lending products, and interact with NFT marketplaces. Asides from the storage of cryptocurrencies, the Coinbase browser extension can also be used to buy, hold and sell NFTs.

    Coinbase Card

    This is a prepaid Visa card that enables users to make money online and in-store purchases using cryptocurrencies from their Coinbase trading account balance. Cardholders can crypto or AUD with the Coinbase Card anywhere Visa cards are accepted worldwide. 

    The card is available to all Coinbase users who stake crypto on the platform in eligible countries. No credit checks are required for the card. Cardholders are also not required to pay any annual or spending fees for the card. 

    Coinbase cardholders can earn crypto rewards in every eligible purchase made with the Coinbase Visa card. Transactions made with the Coinbase card can be tracked from the Coinbase app. Users can secure their Coinbase card with a security PIN or two-factor authentication. They can also freeze their cards if they lose their card.

    Coinbase Advanced Trade

    This is a trading platform created for advanced traders. Coinbase Advanced Trade is different from the regular Coinbase trading platform. It gives users access to advanced trading features that are not available on the regular trading platform. Coinbase Advanced Trade is a replacement for Coinbase Pro. All Coinbase Pro users will be moved to the Advanced Trade platform. 

    Coinbase Advanced Trade gives users access to advanced order types, staking, interactive charts, borrowing debit cards, and dApp wallets. Advanced Trade users also have access to low trading fees and all market pairs supported by Coinbase. They can also earn up to 7% APY on eligible cryptocurrencies including Ethereum, Algorand, Tezos, Cosmos, and USD Coin

    Coinbase Earn

    Coinbase users can earn free crypto rewards for learning about specific cryptocurrencies. Users are expected to learn about cryptocurrencies by watching educational videos after which they are required to take a quiz. At the end of the quiz, the learner is rewarded with a small amount of the cryptocurrency they learned.

    Winner in Unique Features

    Coinbase wins in unique features as it has more features tailored towards meeting the need of users both within and outside the crypto space.

    Digital Surge vs. Coinbase: Cryptocurrencies Available

    Cryptocurrencies Available on Digital Surge

    Cryptocurrencies available on Digital Surge

    Digital Surge supports over 300 cryptocurrencies. Supported cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Solana, XRP, Cardano, Litecoin, Terra, Dogecoin, Avalanche, Binance Coin, Dogecoin, USD Coin, Matic Network, Polkadot, Bitcoin Cash, Avalanche, Tetra USD, etc.

    Cryptocurrencies Available on Coinbase

    Coinbase supports more than 160 cryptocurrencies. Supported cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Gala, Shiba Inu, Solana, Polkadot, Chainlink, Uniswap, Avalanche, Dogecoin, USD Coin, Litecoin, ApeCoin, etc.

    Winner in Crypto Availability

    Digital Surge wins. It supports more cryptocurrencies than Coinbase.

    Digital Surge vs. Coinbase: Can You Buy and Sell NFTs?

    Can You Buy and Sell NFTs on Coinbase?

    Coinbase NFTs Marketplace

    Yes, you can buy and sell NFTs on Coinbase via the Coinbase NFT marketplace which hosts several types of NFTs including metaverse, domain names, collectibles, and art. The marketplace features Ethereum as its payment method and supports MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, and Wallet Connect. That said, Coinbase NFT now allows users to mint NFTs on its platform (it didn’t previously). This means that if you intend to sell NFTs on Coinbase you can mint your creation on the platform and then list it for sale.

    Winner in NFTs Availability

    Coinbase easily wins in NFT availability. Digital Surge does not support NFTs.

    Digital Surge vs. Coinbase: Fees

    Digital Surge Fees

    Digital Surge Fees compared to other exchanges

    Digital Surge charges users a flat fee of 0.50% for buying and selling crypto including trigger orders. For marketplace trading fees, it charges between 0.10% and 0.50% depending on your 30-day trading volume:

    • 0.50% for trades up to $100K
    • 0.40% for trades between $100K to $250K
    • 0.30% for trades between $250K to 500K
    • 0.20% for trades ranging from $500K to $1M
    • 0.10% for transactions over $1M

    Digital Surge does not charge withdrawal fees for AUD withdrawals. But for crypto withdrawals, users will need to pay a dynamic network fee. 

    For deposit fees, bank transfer via PayID, and cryptocurrency, payments are free. POLi deposit fees range from $2 to $3.30.

    Coinbase Fees

    Coinbase charges users using the Maker and Taker model. It uses a tiered fee structure. The fee charged decreases based on the trade volume of the user per month. 

    Pricing Tier: $0 – $10K

    • Taker Fee: 0.60%
    • Maker Fee: 0.40%

    Pricing Tier: $10K – $50K

    • Taker Fee: 0.40%
    • Maker Fee: 0.25%

    Pricing Tier: $50K – $100K

    • Taker Fee: 0.25%
    • Maker Fee: 0.15%

    Pricing Tier: $100K – $1M

    • Taker Fee: 0.20%
    • Maker Fee: 0.10%

    Pricing Tier: $1M – $15M

    • Taker Fee: 0.18%
    • Maker Fee:0.08%

    Pricing Tier: $15M – $75M

    • Taker Fee: 0.16%
    • Maker Fee: 0.06%

    Pricing Tier: $75M – $250M

    • Taker Fee: 0.12%
    • Maker Fee: 0.03%

    Pricing Tier: $250M – $400M

    • Taker Fee: 0.08%
    • Maker Fee: 0.00%

    Pricing Tier: $400M+

    • Taker Fee: 0.05%
    • Maker Fee: 0.00%

    Stable Pairs

    Taker Fee: 0.001%

    Maker Fee: 0.00%

    Fiat Deposit and Withdrawal Fees

    Credit/Debit Card or Bank transfer via PayID (The payment option for Australians): 3.99% plus 0.5% transaction fee.

    Winner in Fees

    Both crypto exchanges charge high fees. So this round is a draw.

    Digital Surge vs. Coinbase: Payment Methods

    Digital Surge Payment Methods

    The Digital Surge cryptocurrency exchange supports 3 deposit methods including bank transfer via PayID, POLi, and cryptocurrency deposits. That said, in recent times some customers have complained about deposit problems on the platform.

    Coinbase Payment Methods

    Coinbase gives Australian users 2 deposit methods: Bank transfer via PayID and credit/debit cards.

    Winner in Payment Methods

    Though Coinbase and Digital Surge offer flexible payment options for Australian users, Coinbase wins here as users can no longer deposit on Digital Surge.

    Digital Surge vs. Coinbase: Security

    Digital Surge Security

    Digital Surge cryptocurrency exchange is regulated by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre. It stores customers’ funds in both hot and cold storage wallets. It conducts regular security updates and reviews to ensure the security of users’ funds. All passwords are hashed and salted and users’ accounts are protected with 2FA authentication.

    Coinbase Security

    Coinbase-australia-Security

    Coinbase cryptocurrency exchange Australia is registered with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). It stores 90% of customers’ funds in cold storage. All Coinbase accounts are secured with unique passwords and two-factor authentication. Coinbase users can also store their assets in the Coinbase Vault.

    Winner in Security

    Coinbase wins as it offers more security than Digital Surge.

    Digital Surge vs. Coinbase: Earn/Staking Rewards

    Digital Surge Earn/Staking Rewards

    You can earn up to 21% APY on the Digital Surge cryptocurrency exchange. The exchange supports 13 crypto assets for staking: Solana, Secret, Protocol, Tezos, TRON, Kava, Flow, Polkadot, Cosmos, Algorand, Cardano, Kusama, MATIC, and Mina Protocol.

    Coinbase Earn/Staking Rewards

    With Coinbase Earn, users can earn up to 6.85% APY on eligible crypto assets. Supported cryptocurrencies for staking include Cosmos, Algorand, DAI, Ethereum, Tether, USD Coin, Tezos, Solana, and Cardano.

    Winner in Earn/Staking Rewards

    Digital Surge wins as it offers higher APYs and more assets than Coinbase.

    Digital Surge vs. Coinbase: Usability

    Digital Surge Usability

    The Digital Surge exchange offers an easy-to-use trading interface. Their interface is streamlined so users don’t have to flounder on the dashboard searching for how to purchase cryptocurrencies. However, due to the FTX crash, Digital Surge currently only offers limited usability.

    Coinbase Usability

    Coinbase caters to both beginners and advanced users. The exchange also offers educational resources that help complete crypto novices get a hang of the industry. Advanced users can benefit from its Advanced Trade platform which offers features like limit orders, charts, and a live order book. Coinbase also offers a mobile app that’s available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

    Winner in Usability

    Coinbase wins in usability. The platform caters to both advanced and beginner users.

    Digital Surge vs. Coinbase: Customer Service

    Digital Surge Customer Service

    Information on their website shows that Digital Surge only provides customer support via live chat. Users can also find helpful information in the Help Center and the educational hub.

    Coinbase Customer service

    The Coinbase customer support team can be contacted via phone, email, or by submitting a support ticket. Coinbase users with complaints can chat with the virtual assistant through the chat feature on the website. They can also get the required information from the help center.

    Winner in Customer Service

    Coinbase is the winner. It has more support channels than Digital Surge.

    Conclusion: Final Verdict

    Coinbase wins the war. Even though Digital Surge offers more cryptocurrencies, higher staking rewards, enables users to pay bills and offers more compatible deposit options for Australians. The exchange in recent times has experienced usability complaints from users as they find it hard to withdraw from the platform as it slides into admistration.

    Overall Winner

    Coinbase wins in general.

    FAQ

    Most frequent questions and answers

    Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange is the biggest competitor to Coinbase. Unlike Coinbase, Binance offers competitive trading fees.

    Currently, Coinbase is one of the most popular crypto exchanges.

    Dan Rutter and Josh Lehman co-founded Digital Surge.

    Storing your cryptocurrency in a hardware wallet is safer than Coinbase.

    Yes, all users get a free personal wallet after registering.

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