Bitstamp, Bittrex, Poloniex and Other Exchanges vs Coinbase
Short answer: Many "X vs Coinbase" searches are about platforms that have shut down, left the US or changed owners. Of the names below, Bitstamp (now owned by Robinhood) and Blockchain.com are still realistic options to compare; Bittrex, LocalBitcoins and itBit's retail service are gone; Poloniex, Xapo and Bitfinex don't serve US residents; Abra halted US retail trading; Glidera was absorbed by Kraken; and CEX.IO serves only some states. Check each section for what to do today.
Status at a glance
| Platform | Status for US users (Nov 2026) | Compare with Coinbase today? |
|---|---|---|
| Bitstamp | Operating; acquired by Robinhood (June 2025) | Yes |
| Bittrex | Shut down (US 2023; Global Dec 2023) | No |
| Poloniex | US trading ended Nov 2019 | No |
| CEX.IO | Serves only some US states | Maybe, check your state |
| LocalBitcoins | Shut down Feb 2023 | No |
| Abra | US retail trading halted after 2024 settlements | No |
| Xapo | Xapo Bank doesn't accept US persons | No |
| Glidera | Acquired by Kraken (Dec 2016) | No, compare Kraken instead |
| itBit | Paxos retired legacy retail itBit services | No |
| Blockchain.com | Operating exchange and wallet | Yes |
| Bitfinex | Doesn't allow US persons | No |
Bitstamp vs Coinbase
Bitstamp is one of the oldest crypto exchanges, known for a focused list of major coins and an order book. Robinhood completed its acquisition of Bitstamp on June 2, 2025, for about $200 million. Like Coinbase Advanced, Bitstamp uses maker/taker fees rather than an app spread for order-book trades; check its current fee schedule against Coinbase's. Coinbase lists many more assets and adds staking and a self-custody wallet app. If you like Robinhood's ecosystem, see Robinhood vs Coinbase. Comparing three ways? Our Kraken vs Coinbase page covers the third common name.
Bittrex vs Coinbase
Bittrex was a popular altcoin exchange, especially in 2017. Bittrex's US business wound down in spring 2023 and filed for Chapter 11 on May 8, 2023; Bittrex Global stopped trading on December 4, 2023. There's nothing to compare today. Old "buy on Bittrex, sell on Coinbase" strategies no longer apply. For coins you used to find there, read coins not on Coinbase.
Poloniex vs Coinbase
Poloniex was another early altcoin hub, once owned by Circle. Trading for US customers ended on November 1, 2019, when Poloniex was spun out to a non-US entity. US users should not try to access it. Coinbase, Kraken or Binance.US are the realistic US alternatives; see Binance vs Coinbase.
CEX.IO vs Coinbase
CEX.IO is a long-running exchange that serves US users in only some states; we couldn't verify a current state list, so check CEX.IO's site for your state before signing up. Compare its card and bank-funding fees on its preview screen with Coinbase's. Coinbase has broader US coverage and more features, while CEX.IO may suit people in supported states who want an alternative order book.
LocalBitcoins vs Coinbase
LocalBitcoins was a peer-to-peer marketplace where people bought and sold bitcoin directly with each other, often with cash or bank transfer. It announced its shutdown on February 9, 2023 and suspended trading on February 16, 2023. Coinbase was always a different model: a company that sells to you directly, with identity verification. If peer-to-peer appeals to you, be very careful of scams, and consider a regulated exchange plus a self-custody wallet for privacy-conscious storage.
Abra vs Coinbase
Abra was an app for buying crypto and earning interest through Abra Earn. In June 2024, Abra settled with 25 US states (up to $82.1 million to be returned to US customers) and reached a settlement with the SEC over Abra Earn; US retail trading was halted. Like BlockFi and Voyager, it's a reminder that yield products carry extra risk. For US retail users, Coinbase or another US-licensed exchange is the option.
Xapo vs Coinbase
Xapo started as a bitcoin wallet and vault known for cold storage, and many 2014–2017 comparisons pitted it against Coinbase. Today it operates as Xapo Bank in Gibraltar, and its notices say it does not serve US persons. US users comparing storage options should look at hardware and software wallets vs Coinbase instead. If you still hold bitcoin at Xapo from years ago, contact Xapo through its official site about withdrawing.
Glidera vs Coinbase
Glidera was a service that let people buy bitcoin with a bank account and send it straight to a wallet of their choice, integrated into wallets such as Mycelium. Kraken acquired Glidera in December 2016, with plans to rebrand it as Kraken Direct. For a current comparison, see Kraken vs Coinbase.
itBit vs Coinbase
itBit was the exchange run by Paxos, the company behind regulated stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure. In 2023 Paxos announced it would focus on enterprise clients and retire legacy itBit services for retail users. If you had an itBit account, check the email tied to it and Paxos's support pages. For retail buyers, Coinbase, Kraken or Gemini are today's comparisons.
Blockchain.com vs Coinbase
Blockchain.com (formerly Blockchain.info) offers both an exchange and a wallet, which is why "blockchain wallet vs Coinbase" is a common search. The key question is custody: Blockchain.com offers both custodial accounts and a self-custody (DeFi) wallet, much as Coinbase pairs its exchange with the separate self-custody Coinbase Wallet app. Coinbase is a public company with a larger asset list; compare both apps' fees on their preview screens. See Coinbase Wallet vs Coinbase for the custodial vs self-custody split.
Bitfinex vs Coinbase
Bitfinex is a large international exchange known for margin trading and deep liquidity. Its official support pages state that US citizens and residents may not use the platform or open accounts. For US traders who want an advanced order book, the options are Coinbase Advanced, Kraken Pro and similar US-licensed platforms.
Bottom line
Most of these names are history for US users. If you're in the US, the live comparisons are Coinbase vs Bitstamp, Blockchain.com, CEX.IO (in supported states) and the major exchanges on our compare hub. Whichever you use, check the fee on the preview screen and keep long-term holdings in custody you trust.
One more pattern stands out in old "X vs Coinbase" threads from 2017: people hopping exchanges to catch a hot run, often near a market top. The platform mattered far less than the timing. Our timing guide covers that side.
FAQ
Is Bitstamp better than Coinbase?
Bitstamp has a long track record and an order book with maker/taker fees, and it's now owned by Robinhood. Coinbase lists more assets and offers more features such as staking. Compare current fee schedules for the amount you plan to trade.
Coinbase vs Bitstamp vs Kraken: which is cheapest?
All three offer order-book trading with maker/taker fees that fall with volume. Check each official fee page; Kraken Pro's lowest tier is 0.40% maker / 0.80% taker, and Coinbase Advanced's is commonly reported as 0.40% maker / 0.60% taker.
Can I still use Bittrex or LocalBitcoins?
No. Bittrex shut down in 2023, and LocalBitcoins suspended trading in February 2023.
Can US residents use Bitfinex, Poloniex or Xapo?
No. Bitfinex's terms bar US persons, Poloniex ended US trading in 2019, and Xapo Bank does not serve US persons.
Is Blockchain.com the same as a blockchain wallet?
Blockchain.com is a company that offers an exchange and wallets. "Blockchain wallet" in searches usually means its wallet app. The term "blockchain" itself just refers to the underlying ledger technology.
Sources
- Robinhood — Completes acquisition of Bitstamp (checked Nov 2026)
- Circle — Trading for US Poloniex customers has ended (checked Nov 2026)
- The Block — LocalBitcoins shuts down (checked Nov 2026)
- CryptoSlate — Abra settles with US states (checked Nov 2026)
- Xapo Bank — Company and membership FAQ (checked Nov 2026)
- CoinDesk — Kraken acquires Glidera (checked Nov 2026)
- Paxos — FAQ: Retiring itBit retail users (checked Nov 2026)
- Bitfinex — US residents FAQ (checked Nov 2026)
- Kraken — Fee schedule (checked Nov 2026)