How to Make Money on Coinbase: A Beginner’s Guide
What Is Coinbase?
Coinbase is a secure online platform that allows users to buy, sell, transfer, and store cryptocurrencies. Its mission is to create a global open financial system and become the go-to platform for converting digital assets into local currencies.
Is Coinbase Beginner-Friendly?
Absolutely. Coinbase offers a clean, intuitive interface designed for users new to crypto. It simplifies the process of buying and selling digital currencies, eliminating the need to manage external wallets or navigate complex decentralized exchanges.
Does Coinbase Report to the IRS?
Yes. Coinbase issues 1099-MISC forms to U.S. users who earn over $600 in crypto rewards or staking in a given tax year. However, these forms do not include capital gains or losses—you’ll need to track those separately for tax reporting.
What Do You Need to Open a Coinbase Account?
To sign up for Coinbase, you’ll need:- To be at least 18 years old
- A government-issued photo ID (passport cards not accepted)
- A smartphone or computer with internet access
- A mobile number that can receive SMS
- The latest version of Chrome or the Coinbase app (with an up-to-date operating system)
Ways to Earn Money on Coinbase Easily
Coinbase is one of the world’s largest and most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges, serving over 56 million users across 100+ countries. As a fully licensed and regulated platform, it provides a secure environment for trading and managing digital assets.
One of the easiest ways to earn on Coinbase is through Coinbase Earn, a program launched in 2018. This feature rewards users for learning about different cryptocurrencies.
Here’s how it works:
Eligible users watch short educational videos that explain how specific cryptocurrencies function. Afterward, they take a quick quiz to test their knowledge. Once completed, users receive free crypto directly in their Coinbase wallet.
Why Users Love Coinbase Earn for Free Crypto
Coinbase Earn is popular among users because it lets them earn free cryptocurrency while learning about how it works. The process is straightforward: watch short educational videos about selected cryptocurrencies, then take a quick quiz or complete a simple task to verify your understanding.
This program is especially valuable for beginners, offering a risk-free way to build both crypto knowledge and digital assets. It not only helps users make money with Coinbase but also equips them with key insights into crypto trading and blockchain technology.
Eligible Coinbase users can access a range of learning modules focused on approved crypto assets. By completing these lessons, users unlock rewards in the form of crypto, which is deposited directly into their Coinbase wallet.
- Users earn free crypto.
- Coinbase gets compensated by the crypto project or issuer (e.g., Compound or EOS).
- Asset issuers gain exposure for their projects through one of the largest crypto platforms.
How Much Can You Earn on Coinbase Earn?
With Coinbase Earn, users can make between $1 and $12 per lesson, depending on the cryptocurrency and its availability. While the rewards may seem modest at first, completing all available lessons can add up to a meaningful amount. Since its launch in 2018, users have earned over $100 million worth of crypto through this program.
It's important to note that these earning opportunities are limited—both in availability and eligibility. Not all users will have access to every offer, and campaigns often run for a short period.
The actual value of your earnings depends on the market price of each cryptocurrency at the time you receive it. While the number of tokens awarded remains fixed, their dollar value fluctuates based on market conditions.
You can also boost your earnings by referring others. Coinbase offers a referral bonus of $10 in crypto for each person who signs up through your link and completes their first Coinbase Earn lesson.
Note: While Coinbase Earn allows you to receive free cryptocurrency, it’s important to understand that the value of these assets can fluctuate significantly over time. There is no guarantee that the crypto you earn will retain or increase in value—it may even decrease. It's always wise to monitor the market and make informed decisions when holding, exchanging, or withdrawing your rewards.
How to Join and Earn with Coinbase Earn
There are two main ways to start using Coinbase Earn: by receiving a referral or applying directly through your Coinbase account. Either path requires meeting certain eligibility criteria.
Option 1: Join Through a Referral Link
- Have (or create) an eligible Coinbase account
- Reside in a country where the featured cryptocurrency is supported on Coinbase.com or Coinbase Pro
- Complete at least one learning module tied to the referral offer
Option 2: Apply Directly Through Your Coinbase Account
- Reside in a country eligible for Coinbase Earn (Coinbase is expanding support to more regions)
- Complete full identity verification to reach the highest account level
- Comply with internal compliance and anti-fraud checks (including account uniqueness)
- Maintain only one active Coinbase account
In some cases, due to high demand or limited availability, you may be placed on a waiting list. Approval can take time, especially when reward campaigns are temporarily paused or full.
Keep in mind that not all cryptocurrencies are available through Coinbase Earn. For instance, Bitcoin is currently not included in the program. Rewards are limited and based on availability, so check back regularly for new opportunities.
Why Coinbase Earn Is Worth Your Time
Simple, Educational, and Accessible
Coinbase Earn stands out for its ease of use, especially for beginners. The platform offers a smooth onboarding experience through its user-friendly mobile app, available on both Android and iOS. New users can quickly download the app, create an account, and apply to start earning by learning.
Coinbase partners with top-tier asset issuers to deliver well-designed, easy-to-understand educational content. This makes it an ideal platform for newcomers to the crypto space, offering valuable insights while guiding users through the basics of digital currency.
Trusted and Regulated Platform
Coinbase is widely regarded as one of the most secure and reputable cryptocurrency exchanges. It supports a range of well-vetted digital assets and consistently ranks among the most liquid exchanges worldwide, giving users added confidence when trading or investing.
The platform also supports multiple fiat payment methods, allowing users to fund their accounts using credit/debit cards, PayPal, bank transfers, or SEPA payments—making crypto purchases simple and accessible for first-time investors.
Start Earning Crypto with No Investment
One of the biggest advantages of Coinbase Earn is the ability to build your crypto portfolio without spending money. By simply watching short videos and completing quizzes, you can earn small amounts of various cryptocurrencies.
- Stored for future value
- Exchanged for other cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin)
- Cashed out to your local currency
Final Verdict: Is Coinbase Earn Worth It?
Coinbase Earn remains one of the easiest and most beginner-friendly ways to start earning cryptocurrency. Instead of just reading about blockchain concepts, users engage with interactive lessons that explain real-world use cases and the technical foundations of each token—then get rewarded for answering related questions.
Our conclusion: Coinbase Earn is an excellent entry point for anyone new to crypto. It allows users to gain practical knowledge while building a small portfolio—risk-free. This learn-and-earn approach not only helps newcomers feel more confident in the blockchain space but also prepares them to make smarter investment decisions in the future.
Yes. Once you complete a lesson and receive your crypto reward, it is credited to your Coinbase wallet instantly. You can hold it, trade it for another cryptocurrency, or withdraw it to fiat (e.g., USD, EUR), though withdrawal to fiat may include transaction fees depending on your country and payment method.
No. Coinbase strictly enforces a one-account-per-user policy. Creating or using multiple accounts to access additional rewards violates Coinbase’s terms of service and may result in suspension or permanent ban of all associated accounts.
Coinbase Earn supports a rotating selection of cryptocurrencies, depending on active campaigns and availability. Some past offerings have included Stellar (XLM), Compound (COMP), The Graph (GRT), and Amp (AMP). Bitcoin (BTC) is currently not part of Coinbase Earn. Visit the Earn page regularly to discover new eligible assets and lessons.
No, the crypto you earn does not expire once it’s deposited into your wallet. However, the campaigns themselves are time-limited, and availability may change, so it’s best to complete lessons as soon as they become available.
Coinbase Earn is available in many countries, but access depends on local regulations and support for specific assets. To check your eligibility, log into your Coinbase account and visit the Earn section. If you see no active campaigns, you may be on a waitlist or currently ineligible based on your location.