The basic steps to transfer from Coinbase to your bank
To move money from Coinbase to your bank account, you first convert your cryptocurrency to US dollars (or your local currency) on Coinbase itself, then initiate a withdrawal to the bank account you've already connected to your Coinbase profile. Coinbase calls this a "bank transfer" or "ACH transfer" depending on the speed you choose. The process takes place entirely within the Coinbase app or website — you do not need to contact your bank or use a separate service.
The money goes from your Coinbase cash balance to your bank account in one to five business days, depending on which transfer method you pick. Your bank account must be in your own name and must be registered with Coinbase before you can withdraw to it. If you have not yet connected a bank account to Coinbase, you will need to do that first — it takes a few minutes and requires your routing number and account number.
Key Takeaways
- You must convert cryptocurrency to dollars on Coinbase before withdrawing to your bank; Coinbase does not send crypto directly to most bank accounts.
- Your bank account must be registered with Coinbase in advance, which requires your routing number and account number from a check or your bank's website.
- ACH transfers (the standard option) are free but take one to five business days; faster transfers cost a fee and arrive within one business day.
- Coinbase holds some new accounts for a waiting period before allowing withdrawals, so if you just created your account, check the app for any restrictions.
Converting your cryptocurrency to dollars on Coinbase
Before you can withdraw money to your bank, you need a dollar balance in your Coinbase account. If you own Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another cryptocurrency, you must sell it first. Open the Coinbase app or website, find the asset you want to convert, and select "Sell" or "Convert." Coinbase will show you the current price and the amount in dollars you will receive. Review the amount, confirm the sale, and the dollars appear in your Coinbase cash balance when ready.
If you already have dollars in your Coinbase account — perhaps from a previous sale or a deposit — you can skip this step and move directly to the withdrawal. You can check your cash balance by looking at your account overview or portfolio page in the app.
Connecting your bank account to Coinbase
If this is your first time withdrawing from Coinbase, you need to link a bank account. Go to your Coinbase account settings, find "Payment Methods" or "Linked Accounts," and select "Add a Bank Account." Coinbase will ask for your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or log into your bank's website and look for account details or routing information.
After you enter these details, Coinbase may send two small test deposits to your bank account (usually less than one dollar each) to confirm you own the account. Your bank will show these deposits within one to two business days. Once they arrive, you return to Coinbase, enter the amounts of those deposits, and your bank account is verified. This verification step protects both you and Coinbase by confirming the account is yours.
Some banks and account types cannot receive ACH transfers from cryptocurrency exchanges. If Coinbase rejects your bank account during linking, contact your bank to ask whether they accept ACH transfers from exchanges, or try a different account if you have one.
Choosing between standard and faster withdrawal speeds
Once your bank account is connected and verified, Coinbase offers two main withdrawal options. The standard option is an ACH transfer, which is free and takes one to five business days. The faster option, sometimes called "when ready" or "Express," costs a fee (usually between $0.50 and $2.50, depending on the amount) and arrives within one business day, often the same day you request it.
For most people, the free ACH transfer is the right choice — the fee for speed is usually not worth it unless you need the money urgently. If you are withdrawing a large amount, the fee may be a small percentage of your total, so do the math before choosing. Coinbase will show you the exact fee before you confirm the withdrawal.
Weekends and bank holidays can delay even "when ready" transfers, because the banking system itself does not process transfers on those days. If you initiate a withdrawal on Friday evening, it may not arrive until Monday or Tuesday, even with the faster option.
Starting the withdrawal from Coinbase
Open the Coinbase app or website and navigate to your cash balance or account overview. Select "Withdraw" or "Send," then choose "Bank Account" as your destination. Coinbase will show you the bank account you have linked (usually the last four digits and bank name). Select that account, enter the dollar amount you want to withdraw, and choose your transfer speed — free ACH or faster paid option.
Review the details one more time: the amount, the receiving bank account, and any fees. Once you confirm, the withdrawal request is submitted and you will see a confirmation number. Coinbase will also send you an email confirming the withdrawal. At this point, the money is on its way to your bank, and you cannot cancel it — so make sure the amount and account are correct before you hit confirm.
What to do if your withdrawal is delayed or rejected
Most withdrawals arrive within the timeframe Coinbase promised, but occasionally they are delayed. If your money has not arrived after five business days (or one business day for the faster option), log into Coinbase and check the status of your withdrawal. Coinbase shows each withdrawal as "pending," "completed," or "failed." If it shows "completed," the money has left Coinbase and the delay is on your bank's end — contact your bank to ask where it is.
If Coinbase shows "failed," the withdrawal did not go through. This usually happens because your bank rejected the transfer — often because the account was closed, the routing number was wrong, or your bank does not accept transfers from cryptocurrency exchanges. Coinbase will send you an email explaining why it failed. If your bank rejected it, you can try linking a different account or contact your bank to ask why they rejected the transfer and whether they will accept future ones.
If you initiated a withdrawal and then changed your mind, you cannot stop it once Coinbase has processed it. You can only cancel a withdrawal while it is still in "pending" status in the Coinbase app.
Limits on how much you can withdraw
Coinbase sets withdrawal limits based on how long you have had your account and how much you have traded. New accounts often have lower limits — sometimes as low as $100 or $500 per day — and the limit increases over time and with account activity. You can check your current withdrawal limit in your Coinbase account settings under "Limits" or "Account Limits."
If you want to withdraw more than your current limit allows, you have two options: wait for your limit to increase naturally as your account ages, or contact Coinbase support to ask whether they will raise your limit. Some users see their limits increase automatically after 30 or 60 days of account activity. There is no may provide Coinbase will raise your limit if you request it, but it does not hurt to ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw directly from Coinbase without converting to dollars first?
No. Most banks do not accept cryptocurrency transfers, so Coinbase requires you to sell your crypto for dollars before withdrawing. You must complete the sale on Coinbase, and then the dollars can move to your bank account.
How long does it really take for the money to show up in my bank account?
ACH transfers usually arrive in one to three business days, though Coinbase says up to five. Faster transfers often arrive the same day or next business day, but weekends and holidays pause the process. If you withdraw on a Friday, expect the money Monday or Tuesday at the earliest, even with the faster option.
What if I entered the wrong bank account number when I linked my account?
If you have not yet withdrawn, you can delete the incorrect account from your payment methods and add the correct one. If you already withdrew to the wrong account, contact Coinbase support when ready with your withdrawal confirmation number. They may be able to help, but there is no may provide the money can be recovered if it went to someone else's account.
Do I have to pay taxes on money I withdraw from Coinbase?
Taxes depend on whether you made a profit when you sold the cryptocurrency. If you sold crypto for more than you paid for it, that profit is taxable income. Withdrawing the dollars themselves is not a taxable event — only the sale of the crypto is. Coinbase sends you a tax report at the end of the year showing your sales, which you can use when filing your taxes.
Why did Coinbase reject my bank account when I tried to link it?
Some banks and account types do not accept ACH transfers from cryptocurrency exchanges. Contact your bank and ask whether they allow transfers from Coinbase or other crypto platforms. If they do not, you may need to use a different bank account or a different withdrawal method.