Connecting Coinbase
This guide walks you through connecting your Coinbase account to TradeStaq for automated trading.
Overview
Coinbase is one of the most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges, offering:
- Spot Trading - Major cryptocurrency pairs
- High Security - US-regulated, publicly traded company
- Fiat On-ramps - Easy USD, EUR, GBP deposits
- Beginner Friendly - Simple interface
- Institutional Grade - Coinbase Prime for advanced users
Prerequisites
Before connecting Coinbase:
- Coinbase Account - Create at coinbase.com
- ID Verification - Complete identity verification (required for API access)
- 2FA Enabled - Two-factor authentication must be active
- TradeStaq Account - Sign up at tradestaq.com
Important: Coinbase vs Coinbase Advanced
TradeStaq connects to Coinbase Advanced Trade (formerly Coinbase Pro). If you only have a basic Coinbase account, your funds will automatically be available in Advanced Trade.
Step 1: Access API Settings
- Log in to coinbase.com
- Click your profile icon → Settings
- Navigate to the API tab
- Or go directly: coinbase.com/settings/api
Step 2: Create API Key
- Click + New API Key
- Select the accounts you want to grant access to:
- Select your trading portfolios
- Typically "Default Portfolio" is sufficient
Step 3: Configure Permissions
Required Permissions
| Permission | Status | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| View | Required | View balances and portfolios |
| Trade | Required | Place and manage orders |
| Transfer | Not Needed | Never enable for bots |
Setting Permissions
Select these scopes:
- ✅
wallet:accounts:read- View account balances - ✅
wallet:trades:read- View trade history - ✅
wallet:orders:read- View orders - ✅
wallet:orders:create- Place orders - ✅
wallet:orders:cancel- Cancel orders
Do NOT select:
- ❌
wallet:transactions:send- Withdrawals - ❌
wallet:addresses:create- Create deposit addresses - ❌ Any transfer/send permissions
Step 4: Security Settings
- API Key Nickname: Enter
TradeStaq Trading Bot - IP Whitelist (Optional): Add TradeStaq's IP addresses for extra security
- Complete 2FA verification
Step 5: Copy API Credentials
After creation, Coinbase displays:
- API Key - Your public identifier
- API Secret - Private key (shown once only)
API Key: xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx
API Secret: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
IMPORTANT: Save the API Secret immediately. You cannot view it again.
Step 6: Connect to TradeStaq
- Go to TradeStaq Dashboard
- Click Exchanges → Add Exchange
- Select Coinbase from the list
- Enter your credentials:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Give it a memorable name (e.g., "Coinbase Main") |
| API Key | Paste your API Key |
| API Secret | Paste your API Secret |
| Account Type | Spot (only option for Coinbase) |
- Click Connect Exchange
Step 7: Verify Connection
After connecting:
- Check the status shows Active (green indicator)
- Verify your balance is displayed correctly
- Test by viewing available trading pairs
Supported Features
| Feature | Support |
|---|---|
| Market Orders | ✓ |
| Limit Orders | ✓ |
| Stop Orders | ✓ |
| OCO Orders | ✓ |
| Futures | ✗ (not supported) |
| Margin | ✗ (not available) |
Note: Coinbase is spot-only. For futures trading, use another supported exchange.
Trading Pairs
Available Pairs
Coinbase offers major cryptocurrency pairs including:
- BTC pairs: BTC/USD, BTC/EUR, BTC/GBP
- ETH pairs: ETH/USD, ETH/EUR, ETH/BTC
- Major alts: SOL/USD, AVAX/USD, DOT/USD
- Stablecoins: USDC/USD, DAI/USD
Pair Naming
Coinbase uses standard naming conventions:
- Spot:
BTC-USD,ETH-USD - In TradeStaq, displayed as:
BTC/USD,ETH/USD
Security Best Practices
Do's
- ✅ Use hardware key 2FA if available
- ✅ Enable login notifications
- ✅ Use a unique, strong password
- ✅ Review connected apps periodically
- ✅ Enable IP whitelist for API keys
Don'ts
- ❌ Never enable withdrawal/transfer permissions
- ❌ Never share API credentials
- ❌ Never store keys in unsecured locations
- ❌ Never use the same key for multiple services
Coinbase-Specific Notes
Trading Fees
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Maker | 0.4% - 0.6% |
| Taker | 0.6% |
Fees decrease with higher volume. Check Coinbase for current fee schedule.
Fiat Currency Support
Coinbase supports multiple fiat currencies:
- USD, EUR, GBP
- Direct bank transfers available
- Instant deposits with linked accounts
Advanced Trade Features
- Real-time market data
- Advanced order types
- Trading view charts
- Portfolio tracking
Troubleshooting
API Key Rejected
Solutions:
- Verify key and secret are copied correctly
- Ensure no extra spaces or characters
- Check API key hasn't been revoked
- Verify 2FA is still enabled on account
Permission Denied
Solutions:
- Check all required permissions are enabled
- Verify the API key has trade permissions
- Ensure selected accounts match trading account
Balance Not Showing
Solutions:
- Confirm funds are in Advanced Trade portfolio
- Check API key has view permissions
- Wait a moment and refresh the connection
Order Rejected
Solutions:
- Verify sufficient balance for trade
- Check order meets minimum size requirements
- Ensure trading pair is available on Coinbase
Connection Timeout
Solutions:
- Check internet connection
- Verify Coinbase status page for outages
- Try disconnecting and reconnecting
Coinbase Status
Check Coinbase system status:
API Documentation
For advanced users:
- Coinbase API Docs: docs.cdp.coinbase.com
Next Steps
- Paper Trading - Practice risk-free
- Creating a Bot - Set up your first bot
- Custom Strategies - Write trading strategies
- Exchange Overview - Compare all exchanges
Strategies available on Coinbase
Deploy any of these 4 automated strategies on Coinbase.