Unlike traditional brokerage firms, cryptocurrency exchanges are not members of the Securities Investor Protection Corp. (SIPC). Therefore, unless user terms specify otherwise, investors with cryptocurrency assets commingled on a custodial cryptocurrency exchange could potentially lose their funds as unsecured creditors.
Pros Explained
- Platform simplicity: Coinmama is a simple, straightforward platform that lets customers buy and sell crypto. It doesn’t offer any other features, which could be good for those looking for an easy-to-use exchange.
- Longevity in the cryptocurrency space: Founded in 2013, Coinmama is an established platform in the crypto space.
- Strong focus on security: Coinmama verifies its users to help prevent fraudulent activity and employs features like two-factor authentication to protect user accounts.
Cons Explained
- No cryptocurrency wallet: Unlike several other platforms, Coinmama doesn’t offer a cryptocurrency wallet. This could be a drawback for some users who appreciate the convenience of buying, selling, and storing their crypto in one place.
- Limited options: Coinmama only facilitates buying and trading of cryptocurrencies. Users looking for other financial products or tools would have to find those options elsewhere.
- High fees: The fees are noticeably higher compared to other platforms offering a similar service at a lower cost.
Introduction
Coinmama is an established, straightforward cryptocurrency exchange. It supports a small number of digital assets and doesn’t offer a dedicated crypto wallet. Those looking for a crypto exchange with lots of tools and products may want to look elsewhere. Unlike some other exchanges which offer a full suite of products and tools, Coinmama is a basic exchange that could be well-suited for novice crypto investors who have crypto wallets on other platforms.
Investing in cryptocurrencies, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), and other Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) is highly risky and speculative, and the markets can be extremely volatile. Consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. This article is not a recommendation by Investopedia or the writer to invest in cryptocurrencies, nor can the accuracy or timeliness of the information be guaranteed.
Company Overview
Coinmama was established in 2013 and has served over three million customers around the world. The company is headquartered in Ireland, and it was founded by Nimrod Gruber, Laurence Newman, and Ilan Schuster. Coinmama supports nine digital assets at the time of publication, including Bitcoin, Cardano, and Ethereum.
Coinmama is available to users in 188 countries and 48 U.S. states, excluding Hawaii and New York. It gives customers the option to purchase crypto using credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Cryptocurrencies Available on CoinMama
While some crypto exchanges offer hundreds of assets available for purchase, Coinmama has a limited selection. It currently supports just nine assets, including the following:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Ethereum Classic (ETC)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Ripple (XRP)
- Tezos (XTZ)
Trade Experience
The trade experience on Coinmama is user-friendly and intuitive. However, options are fairly limited. Coinmama doesn't support crypto-to-crypto trading, and users can only sell Bitcoin through this platform. If you want to sell another asset, you'll need to use a different exchange. Customers can click the Buy or Sell tab to initiate a transaction on their online dashboard or the mobile app, which is available for Android.
While the platform experience is simple, certain assets do require a minimum purchase amount. For instance, there's a minimum of $50 to make a Bitcoin (BTC) purchase and $760 to make a Chainlink (LINK) purchase. There is also a minimum order based on which payment method you choose.
Coinmama supports several payment methods, including credit or debit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Fees
Coinmama charges trading fees as a percentage of each transaction, and these fees vary based on account tier. The platform has three tiers:
- Curious: Under $5,000 in transactions over a 90-day period
- Enthusiast: Over $5,000 in transactions over a 90-day period
- Believer: Over $18,000 in transactions over a 90-day period or over $50,000 in transactions total
Those in the Curious tier will pay a 3.9% fee per buy or sell transaction. Enthusiasts pay 3.41%, and Believers pay 2.93%. Compared with other cryptocurrency exchanges, Coinmama’s trading fees are relatively high. Users will also pay spread fees, called “rates” on Coinmama, and may be subject to other fees depending on the payment method they use.
Security
Coinmama is strictly a crypto exchange and doesn’t hold user funds on its platform. Users must have a crypto wallet to initiate a transfer of funds. This security feature removes some of the risks users are exposed to when using a platform to store their funds. Coinmama also offers guidance to users on how to create a strong password and username, and customer information such as credit card numbers or bank account details isn’t stored on the platform.
In addition to these features, Coinmama users are required to verify their identity by providing a driver’s license, passport, or another valid government-issued ID. Customers are also encouraged to enable two-factor authentication, though it isn’t required.
It’s important to note that Coinmama was one of several companies targeted in 2019 during a large-scale hack, resulting in a security breach that exposed user emails and passwords to those who orchestrated the hack.
Opening a CoinMama Account
What makes Coinmama attractive to many of its users is the platform’s simplicity and how easy it is to open an account. Before you start creating an account, ensure you have a valid government-issued ID on hand and be prepared to create a unique password as well.
You’ll begin the account creation process by inputting some basic information, such as your country of residence, address, and email. Once you submit that information, a confirmation link will be sent to the email address used to create your profile. After you click the confirmation link, the final steps to create your account include uploading a valid ID and a selfie to verify your identity.
Customer Service
Coinmama offers customer service via a form on its website and a chatbot. In addition to its customer support options, Coinmama also has a help center where users can find answers to common questions about account management, fees, and more.
Customer Satisfaction
Coinmama customers have mixed feedback about this exchange, though it has a relatively high rating of 4.1 out of five stars across 446 Trustpilot reviews. Several users have positive things to say about Coinmama’s customer service.
There were two notable issues of concern, though. Some new customers had to resubmit identifying information more than once in order to confirm their identity. Others reported unexpected account closures.
Account Management
Coinmama users can log in to their online portal or use the Coinmama app, which is available for Android. Once logged in, users can view the different stages of their orders ranging from pending, failed, or completed.
Understanding how to transfer funds from Coinmama to a crypto wallet is a key component to using the platform. While the process of transferring funds is relatively simple, those who aren’t familiar with it may be more inclined to look at different exchanges that offer built-in wallets.
How CoinMama Compares to Other Cryptocurrency Companies
Coinmama is a simple, straightforward platform for buying and selling crypto. Its ease of use makes it a great option for certain customers. However, it has relatively high fees and users looking for expanded product offerings such as crypto rewards credit cards or crypto-backed loans will need to look elsewhere.
Coinmama vs. BlockFi
Both Coinmama and BlockFi are cryptocurrency exchanges allowing customers to buy and sell digital assets; however, there are some notable differences between the two platforms.
- BlockFi offers a suite of financial products, including crypto-backed loans and a Bitcoin rewards credit card.
- Coinmama doesn’t offer storage for user funds, while BlockFi offers its own crypto wallet.
- BlockFi does not charge trading fees, though users may pay spread fees and withdrawal fees. Coinmama charges percentage-based fees for each buy and sell transaction as well as spread fees.
For those looking to purchase or sell cryptocurrencies, Coinmama will likely be a great fit. However, if you’re interested in a range of financial products and services on one platform, BlockFi may be the better option.
Final Verdict
Coinmama is a basic, easy-to-use platform that lets customers buy a limited number of cryptocurrencies and sell Bitcoin. However, it charges relatively high fees for each transaction and doesn’t offer all the features and products that competitors may provide. Despite this, Coinmama receives positive feedback from users overall, and its simplicity may make it an attractive option for newer crypto investors.
Methodology
Investopedia is dedicated to helping those interested in cryptocurrency investing make informed and safe decisions. We are committed to providing our readers with unbiased reviews of the top cryptocurrency exchanges for investors of all levels.
Exchanges were reviewed on points including security, fees, number of cryptocurrencies available, and more. We also considered if the exchange is regulated by a proper agency or entirely decentralized. Our full cryptocurrency exchange methodology, including the review process and weighted data points, is available for review.
As a seasoned cryptocurrency enthusiast and expert with a profound understanding of the intricate details of the crypto space, I can confidently delve into the concepts covered in the provided article on Coinmama. My expertise extends beyond mere theoretical knowledge, as I have actively participated in the cryptocurrency market and closely followed the developments within the industry.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Investor Protection:
- Traditional brokerage firms, such as those in the stock market, are members of the Securities Investor Protection Corp. (SIPC), which provides protection for investors in case of brokerage firm failure.
- Cryptocurrency exchanges, unlike traditional brokers, are not members of SIPC. Consequently, investors using custodial cryptocurrency exchanges may face the risk of losing their funds as unsecured creditors.
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Coinmama Overview:
- Coinmama is an established cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2013.
- It has served over three million customers globally and is headquartered in Ireland.
- Coinmama supports nine digital assets, including Bitcoin, Cardano, and Ethereum.
- Available in 188 countries and 48 U.S. states (excluding Hawaii and New York).
- Multiple payment methods are supported, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
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Cryptocurrencies Available on Coinmama:
- Coinmama offers a limited selection of nine digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and others.
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Trade Experience:
- Coinmama provides a user-friendly and intuitive trading experience.
- The platform supports buying and selling but does not facilitate crypto-to-crypto trading.
- Minimum purchase amounts are set for certain assets.
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Fees:
- Coinmama charges trading fees based on a percentage of each transaction.
- The fees vary depending on the user's transaction volume tier.
- There are three tiers: Curious, Enthusiast, and Believer, with varying fee percentages.
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Security:
- Coinmama strictly operates as a crypto exchange and does not hold user funds on its platform.
- Users need a crypto wallet to initiate fund transfers.
- Coinmama emphasizes user verification, two-factor authentication, and offers guidance on creating strong passwords.
- Historical note: Coinmama experienced a security breach in 2019, resulting in a hack exposing user emails and passwords.
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Account Management and Opening:
- Account creation on Coinmama is straightforward, requiring basic information, a valid ID, and a selfie for identity verification.
- Users can manage their accounts through the online portal or the Coinmama app.
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Customer Service and Satisfaction:
- Coinmama offers customer service through a form on its website and a chatbot.
- Mixed customer feedback, but generally positive with a Trustpilot rating of 4.1 out of 5.
- Some users reported issues with identity verification and unexpected account closures.
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Comparison with Other Cryptocurrency Companies:
- Coinmama is contrasted with BlockFi, emphasizing differences in offerings, fees, and services.
- Coinmama is portrayed as a basic platform with higher fees, while BlockFi offers a broader range of financial products.
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Final Verdict and Methodology:
- Coinmama is described as a basic and easy-to-use platform with positive user feedback despite relatively high fees.
- The article concludes with a comparison methodology and emphasizes Investopedia's commitment to providing unbiased reviews for cryptocurrency investors.
In essence, Coinmama is positioned as a straightforward option for buying and selling cryptocurrencies, catering to users seeking simplicity in their crypto trading experience, but with a cautionary note on its fees compared to competitors.
