Complete Guide To Using Coinbase: Buy, Sell, Deposit, and Convert Bitcoin

Coinbase is a comprehensive and easy-to-use platform that allows you to buy, sell, and manage your cryptocurrency all in one place. Below is a detailed guide to get you started, with clear instructions for both the Coinbase website (desktop) and mobile app (iOS/Android).

Set Up Your Payment Method on Coinbase

Before you can purchase Bitcoin, you’ll need to link a payment method to your Coinbase account. This can be a Debit Card, Bank Account, or another available option.

On Coinbase Website (Desktop)

1. Sign in to Your Coinbase Account
   • Open your browser and go to www.coinbase.com.
   • Log in using your email and password.
2. Add a Payment Method
   • Once you’re logged in, scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Add a payment method”. If you don’t see this option, go to your account settings to find it.
3. Select Payment Method
   • Choose “Debit Card” (or another option like Bank Account, depending on your preference).
   • Click “Debit Card” to proceed.
4. Enter Your Payment Details
   • Enter your billing address (must match the one on your debit card).
   • Input your card details:
     • Card Number
     • Expiration Date
     • CVV (Card Verification Value)
   • Click “Add Card” to link your debit card to Coinbase.
5. Confirm the Payment Method
   • Coinbase may ask you to confirm your details. Once verified, your payment method will be successfully linked.

On Coinbase Mobile App (iOS/Android)

1. Open the Coinbase App
   • Launch the Coinbase app and sign in using your account credentials.
2. Navigate to Payment Methods
   • Tap the Settings icon (gear icon) in the bottom right corner.
   • Under “Payment Methods”, tap “Add Payment Method”.
3. Select Payment Method
   • Choose “Debit Card” (or “Bank Account” if you prefer to link your bank account).
   • Tap “Debit Card” to proceed.
4. Enter Your Card Information
   • Enter your billing address (make sure it matches the one on your debit card).
   • Input your card details (Card Number, Expiration Date, CVV).
   • Tap “Add Card” to link your debit card.
5. Confirm Your Payment Method
   • After adding your card, Coinbase will confirm the details. Once confirmed, your debit card will be linked to your Coinbase account.

Buying Bitcoin on Coinbase

Now that your payment method is set up, you can buy Bitcoin (BTC).

A. On Coinbase Website (Desktop)

1. Go to the “Trade” Section
   • On the homepage, click “Trade” in the top right corner to open the buy/sell options.
2. Click “Buy”
   • In the Trade section, click “Buy” to begin your purchase.
3. Verify Your Identity (First Time Only)
   • If it’s your first purchase, you will need to verify your identity.
   • Click “Submit ID + Photo Verification”.
   • Choose your ID type (Passport, Driver’s License, etc.), upload a photo of the ID, and take a selfie for verification.
   • This process typically takes about 2-3 minutes.
4. Select Bitcoin (BTC)
   • Once your identity is verified, choose Bitcoin (BTC) from the list of available cryptocurrencies.
5. Enter the Amount of Bitcoin to Buy
   • Enter how much Bitcoin you want to buy in terms of the crypto you want to receive.
6. Review Your Purchase
   • After entering the amount, click “Buy Bitcoin”.
   • Review the details of the purchase on the “Preview Purchase” page.
   • If everything looks correct, click “Confirm Purchase” to complete the transaction.

On Coinbase Mobile App (iOS/Android)

1. Go to the “Buy” Section
   • Open the app and tap “Buy” at the top of the screen.
2. Select Bitcoin (BTC)
   • Choose Bitcoin (BTC) from the list of cryptocurrencies.
3. Enter the Amount to Buy
   • Enter how much Bitcoin you wish to purchase.
4. Review the Purchase
   • Tap “Preview” to review the transaction details.
5. Complete the Purchase
   • If everything looks good, tap “Buy Now” to finalize your purchase. Your Bitcoin will now be credited to your Coinbase account.

Selling Bitcoin on Coinbase

Once you have Bitcoin in your Coinbase account, you can easily sell it.

On Coinbase Website (Desktop)

1. Go to the “Trade” Section
   • Click “Trade” in the top right corner of the page.
2. Select “Sell”
   • In the Trade section, click on “Sell”.
3. Enter the Amount of Bitcoin to Sell
   • Specify how much Bitcoin you want to sell.
4. Click “Sell Bitcoin”
   • Click on “Sell Bitcoin” to proceed.
5. Review and Confirm the Sale
   • Review the sale details, then click “Preview Sell”.
   • If everything looks correct, click “Sell Now” to complete the sale.

On Coinbase Mobile App (iOS/Android)

1. Go to the “Trade” Section
   • Tap “Trade” at the bottom of the screen.
2. Choose “Sell”
   • Tap “Sell” to initiate the sale process.
3. Enter the Amount of Bitcoin to Sell
   • Enter the amount of Bitcoin you wish to sell.
4. Preview the Sale
   • Tap “Preview” to review the details.
5. Complete the Sale
   • Once you’ve reviewed everything, tap “Sell Now” to confirm and complete the sale.

Depositing Cryptocurrency into Coinbase

You can deposit Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies into your Coinbase account from an external wallet or another exchange.

On Coinbase Website (Desktop)

1. Click “Assets”
   • In the left sidebar, click “Assets” to see your crypto holdings.
2. Select Cryptocurrency to Deposit
   • Select the cryptocurrency you want to deposit, such as Bitcoin (BTC).
3. Click “Receive”
   • Click on the “Receive” button to get your unique wallet address.
4. Send Crypto to This Address
   • Copy your wallet address or scan the QR code.
   • Send the crypto from your external wallet to this address.

On Coinbase Mobile App (iOS/Android)

1. Go to “Assets”
   • Tap “Assets” at the bottom of the app.
2. Select the Cryptocurrency
   • Choose the cryptocurrency (e.g., Bitcoin) you want to deposit.
3. Tap “Receive”
   • Tap the “Receive” button to get your wallet address.
4. Send Crypto to This Address
   • Copy the address or scan the QR code to send crypto from your external wallet into Coinbase.

Converting Bitcoin to Other Cryptocurrencies

Coinbase allows you to easily convert Bitcoin to other cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Litecoin, and more.

On Coinbase Website (Desktop)

1. Go to the “Trade” Section
   • Click “Trade” at the top of the page.
2. Select “Convert”
   • Choose the “Convert” option from the trade menu.
3. Select Bitcoin (BTC)
   • Choose Bitcoin (BTC) as the asset you’re converting from.
4. Choose the Cryptocurrency to Convert To
   • Select the cryptocurrency you want to convert to, such as Ethereum (ETH).
5. Enter the Amount to Convert
   • Enter the amount of Bitcoin you wish to convert.
6. Preview and Confirm
   • Click “Preview Convert” to review the details.
   • If everything looks good, click “Convert Now” to complete the transaction.

On Coinbase Mobile App (iOS/Android)

1. Tap “Trade”
   • Tap “Trade” at the bottom of the screen.
2. Select “Convert”
   • Tap “Convert”.
3. Choose Bitcoin
   • Select Bitcoin (BTC) as the asset you’re converting from.
4. Choose the Cryptocurrency to Convert To
   • Select the cryptocurrency you want to convert to, such as Ethereum (ETH).
5. Enter the Amount to Convert
   • Enter the amount of Bitcoin you wish to convert.
6. Preview and Confirm
   • Tap “Preview Convert”, then tap “Convert Now” to complete the conversion.