PROOFOFCUSTODY
Scores
Incidents
Learn
About
Get the Report
PROOFOFCUSTODY

The independent scoring system for Bitcoin custody. Every platform scored and ranked.

$1B+ in assets under custody expertise

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

PLATFORM SCORES
All ScoresCompareMethodologyIndependence StandardDataCustody Assessment
LEARN
Bitcoin 101Custody GuidesCustody InsuranceIs Your Setup Safe?Custody TimelineIncidentsFAQQuiz
COMPANY
AboutAuthorsEditorial IndependenceChangelogCorrections
RESOURCES
PodcastPressReport
CONNECT
Twitter / XLinkedInYouTubehello@proofofcustody.io
2026 Proof of Custody. Published by Onramp Bitcoin. Editorial Independence.PrivacyTermsproofofcustody.io
Back to Scores
Head-to-Head Comparison

Onramp vs Coinbase Custody

Scores last updated September 27, 2026

90
Onramp
ADistributed
Multi-Institution Custody
61
Coinbase Custody
CSPOF
Single Custodian
Onramp leads overall with a score of 90/100. Onramp wins in 6 categories, Coinbase Custody wins in 0.
Custody & SecurityEase of UseFeesFeaturesTransparencySupportOnrampCoinbase Custody
Category
Onramp
A
Coinbase Custody
C
Overall Score
90
61
Custody & Security
35% weight
97
70
Ease of Use
20% weight
87
55
Fees
15% weight
84
50
Features
10% weight
88
55
Transparency
10% weight
90
72
Support
10% weight
80
55

Who each is for

Fit follows the custody model, not the brand.

Onramp

Multi-institution custody

Separate institutions each hold a key under their own ceremony; no one of them can move funds.

A good fit for
  • Holders who want independence to be structural rather than a personal discipline — the separation survives your attention span, your health, and your heirs
  • The person planning for a non-technical survivor: the heir works with institutions and documents, not devices and dice
  • Advisors, trusts, and family offices that need no-single-point-of-failure custody they can explain to a fiduciary
The wrong choice for
  • Holders whose definition of bitcoin includes holding a key personally — you do not hold one, and no amount of structure changes that
  • Small balances: institutional fee floors make no sense under six figures
  • Privacy maximalists: multiple regulated institutions know the position
  • Anyone who wants to be able to move coins alone at 2am — the design goal is precisely that nobody can
Coinbase Custody

Exchange / single custodian account

One company holds the keys; you hold a claim on the company.

A good fit for
  • First purchases and small balances, where losing the amount would sting but not change your life
  • Active traders who need the coins next to the order book
  • Anyone still deciding — parking funds briefly at a reputable exchange beats a rushed self-custody setup you have not tested
The wrong choice for
  • Life-changing amounts: you are an unsecured creditor in the failure case, and every era of our incident registry includes this exact loss
  • Long horizons: platform risk compounds with time in a way price risk does not
  • Anyone whose plan for the provider failing is 'they seem too big to fail' — that was said of every name in the registry
Category Breakdown
Custody & Security
35% of overall score
97
Onramp
vs
70
Coinbase Custody
Ease of Use
20% of overall score
87
Onramp
vs
55
Coinbase Custody
Fees
15% of overall score
84
Onramp
vs
50
Coinbase Custody
Features
10% of overall score
88
Onramp
vs
55
Coinbase Custody
Transparency
10% of overall score
90
Onramp
vs
72
Coinbase Custody
Support
10% of overall score
80
Onramp
vs
55
Coinbase Custody
Fee Comparison
Onramp
$250/mo
Min: $100K
Coinbase Custody
0.50% annual + setup
Min: $500K
Custody Features
Onramp
Multisig
Multi-Institution
No Single Point of Failure
Segregated Accounts
Proof of Reserves
Insurance
Regulated Custodian
No Physical Exposure
Multi-Jurisdiction
Inheritance
Segregated Insurance
IRA
Lending
Buy/Sell
Dynasty Trusts
Coinbase Custody
✕Multisig
✕Multi-Institution
✕No Single Point of Failure
Segregated Accounts
✕Proof of Reserves
Insurance
Regulated Custodian
No Physical Exposure
✕Multi-Jurisdiction
✕Inheritance
✕Segregated Insurance
✕IRA
✕Lending
Buy/Sell
✕Dynasty Trusts
Our Analysis

Onramp vs Coinbase Custody: What the Data Shows

Onramp and Coinbase Custody both operate in the dedicated custody space, but they take fundamentally different approaches to how your bitcoin is held. In our scoring model, Onramp holds a commanding lead at 90/100 (A) compared to Coinbase Custody at 61/100 (C). That 29-point gap reflects real, measurable differences in how each platform handles custody, fees, and transparency.

Where Each Platform Wins

Custody and security — the most heavily weighted category in our methodology at 35% — tilts 27 points toward Onramp (97 vs. 70). Onramp eliminates single points of failure in its custody architecture, while Coinbase Custody relies on a model where one compromised entity could put your bitcoin at risk. On fees, Onramp wins by 34 points. Onramp charges $250/mo compared to 0.50% annual + setup at Coinbase Custody. Over a multi-year holding period, fee differences compound — a point worth considering for long-term accumulators.

The Custody Question

Here's the key difference: Onramp has no single point of failure (Multi-Institution Custody), while Coinbase Custody does (Single Custodian). This matters because a single-point-of-failure model means one compromised entity — whether through a hack, insolvency, or government action — could result in total loss of funds. History has proven this risk is not theoretical. FTX, Celsius, and BlockFi all represented single points of failure for their users.

Bottom Line

Onramp is the clear choice here, outscoring Coinbase Custody by 29 points across our six-category methodology. Keep in mind these platforms target different audiences — Onramp is built for institutions & hnw, while Coinbase Custody serves institutions. One thing to watch with Coinbase Custody: massive honeypot. single point of failure at unprecedented scale.. The data speaks for itself — but always verify our methodology and do your own due diligence before moving bitcoin to any platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Onramp or Coinbase Custody?

Based on our six-category scoring methodology, Onramp scores higher at 90/100 compared to 61/100. The biggest differentiator is custody security, which accounts for 35% of the overall score. However, the right choice depends on your individual needs — review the category breakdown above.

Is Onramp safe for storing Bitcoin?

Onramp scored 97/100 on custody and security in our methodology. It has no single point of failure, distributing custody across multiple entities. Its custody model is classified as Multi-Institution Custody. Always verify these details and do your own research.

Does Coinbase Custody have a single point of failure?

Yes. Coinbase Custody uses a Single Custodian model, which means a single compromised entity could put your bitcoin at risk. This is a structural concern for long-term holders.

What are the fees for Onramp vs Coinbase Custody?

Onramp charges $250/mo. Coinbase Custody charges 0.50% annual + setup. Onramp scored 84/100 on fees versus 50/100 for Coinbase Custody in our methodology.

Frequently asked questions
Which is better for inheritance, Onramp or Coinbase Custody?+

Onramp offers dedicated inheritance or beneficiary features. Coinbase Custody does not advertise a dedicated inheritance feature. Match the mechanism, whether beneficiary designation, trust titling, or key inheritance, to your estate plan.

Which has insurance, Onramp or Coinbase Custody?+

Onramp carries insurance of up to $100 million per incident, through Lloyd's of London. Coinbase Custody's custody insurance is not publicly disclosed. Custody insurance covers specific named events up to shared limits, not price loss or every failure mode. Verify current terms before relying on coverage.

Which requires me to hold my own keys, Onramp or Coinbase Custody?+

Onramp manages keys for you; you hold none. Coinbase Custody manages keys for you; you hold none. This is the core structural difference to weigh.

Onramp Full ReviewCoinbase Custody Full Review