The basic steps to transfer from Coinbase to your bank account

To move money from Coinbase to your bank account, you first convert any cryptocurrency you own into US dollars (or your local currency) on the Coinbase platform itself. Then you initiate a withdrawal to a bank account you have already connected to your Coinbase profile. Coinbase calls this a "bank transfer" or "ACH transfer" depending on the speed you choose. The money lands in your bank account in one to five business days, depending on which method you pick.

The process requires two things upfront: a Coinbase account with a verified identity, and a bank account linked to that Coinbase profile. If you have not yet linked a bank account, you will need to do that first — Coinbase will ask for your routing number and account number, the same information you would give an employer for direct deposit.

You cannot withdraw cryptocurrency directly to a bank account. Your bank does not accept Bitcoin or Ethereum. You must sell the cryptocurrency for dollars first, then withdraw those dollars. This is an important step that confuses many people new to cryptocurrency platforms.

Key Takeaways

  • You must convert cryptocurrency to US dollars on Coinbase before you can move money to your bank — banks do not accept cryptocurrency directly.
  • Your bank account must be linked to your Coinbase profile before you can withdraw, which requires your routing number and account number.
  • Coinbase offers two withdrawal speeds: standard ACH (one to five business days, free) and faster transfers (one business day, with a fee).
  • Coinbase holds your account for a security review the first time you link a bank, which can delay your first withdrawal by a few days.
  • Daily and weekly withdrawal limits explore to your account, and these limits increase as Coinbase verifies more information about you.

Converting your cryptocurrency to dollars on Coinbase

Open the Coinbase app or website and go to your portfolio. Find the cryptocurrency you want to convert — Bitcoin, Ethereum, or whatever you hold. Click on it and look for a "Sell" or "Convert" button. Coinbase will show you the current price and ask how much you want to sell. You can sell all of it or just part of it.

When you confirm the sale, Coinbase when ready converts that cryptocurrency into US dollars and adds those dollars to your Coinbase cash balance. This happens when ready. You now have dollars sitting in your Coinbase account, not cryptocurrency. This is the money you will withdraw to your bank.

Coinbase charges a fee for selling cryptocurrency — usually between 1% and 2% of the amount you sell, though the exact fee depends on your account type and payment method. This fee is deducted from the amount you receive. If you sell $1,000 worth of Bitcoin and the fee is 2%, you will have $980 in your Coinbase cash balance.

Linking your bank account to Coinbase

If you have not already connected a bank account, go to your Coinbase settings and find the "Payment Methods" or "Linked Accounts" section. Select "Add a Bank Account" and choose whether you want to link via ACH (the standard method in the United States) or wire transfer (faster but less common for personal accounts).

Coinbase will ask for your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or by logging into your bank's website or calling the bank directly. Enter these details and confirm. Coinbase will then send two small test deposits to your bank account — usually under $1 each — to verify that the account is yours.

Check your bank account in one to two business days. You will see two deposits with names like "COINBASE" and small amounts. Log back into Coinbase and enter these two amounts to confirm the account is linked. Once confirmed, your bank account is permanently connected to your Coinbase profile and you can withdraw to it anytime.

The first time you link a bank account, Coinbase may place a temporary hold on your account for security review. This usually lasts a few days. You cannot withdraw during this hold, even if you have dollars in your Coinbase balance. This is normal and happens to most new users.

Withdrawing dollars to your bank account

Once your bank account is linked and any security hold has lifted, go to your Coinbase cash balance and click "Withdraw." Select your linked bank account as the destination. Coinbase will show you two withdrawal options: standard ACH and faster transfer.

Standard ACH withdrawal is free and takes one to five business days. This is the slowest option but costs nothing. Faster transfer (sometimes called "when ready" or "next business day") costs a fee — usually $0.50 to $2 depending on the amount — and arrives in one business day or sometimes the same day. Choose whichever fits your timeline and budget.

Enter the amount you want to withdraw. Coinbase will show you the final amount after any fees. Confirm the withdrawal. The money leaves your Coinbase account when ready and begins traveling to your bank. With standard ACH, expect it to land in one to five business days. With faster transfer, it usually arrives within one business day.

Once the withdrawal is initiated, you cannot cancel it. If you made a mistake with the amount or the destination account, contact Coinbase support right away — they may be able to stop it if it has not yet left their system, but this is not may provide.

Understanding withdrawal limits and holds

Coinbase sets daily and weekly limits on how much you can withdraw. New accounts typically have lower limits — often $1,000 to $5,000 per day — and these limits increase as you verify more information with Coinbase (like your phone number, address, and government ID). The exact limits vary by account and change over time.

You can check your current withdrawal limit by going to your account settings and looking for "Limits" or "Withdrawal Limits." If you need to withdraw more than your limit allows, you have two options: wait until the next day or week for your limit to reset, or contact Coinbase support to request a temporary increase (they may or may not grant it).

Coinbase also places holds on withdrawals in certain situations — for example, if you just added a new bank account, if you recently changed your password, or if your account triggered a security review. These holds typically last a few days. You will see a notification in your Coinbase account explaining the hold and when it will lift.

What happens if your withdrawal fails or gets stuck

Occasionally a withdrawal fails — your bank rejects it, or it gets stuck in Coinbase's system. If this happens, Coinbase will notify you in the app and the dollars will return to your Coinbase cash balance. The most common reason for failure is a mismatch between the account number you provided and the account at your bank, or a bank account that is closed or frozen.

If your withdrawal fails, double-check that your bank account number and routing number are correct. Log into your bank's website or call the bank to confirm. Then try the withdrawal again. If it fails a second time, contact Coinbase support with your transaction ID — they can investigate whether the problem is on their end or your bank's end.

Withdrawals can also get stuck if your bank is processing them slowly. Standard ACH transfers can take up to five business days, and weekends and holidays do not count. If your withdrawal has been pending for more than five business days, contact both Coinbase and your bank to find out where it is.

Fees and costs to expect

You will pay fees at two points: when you sell cryptocurrency on Coinbase, and when you withdraw dollars to your bank. The selling fee is built into the price Coinbase shows you and is usually 1% to 2%. The withdrawal fee depends on which method you choose: standard ACH is free, and faster transfer costs $0.50 to $2.

Some banks also charge fees for receiving ACH transfers, though most do not. Check with your bank if you are unsure. If your bank charges a fee, it will be deducted from the amount that lands in your account, not added on top.

If you use a wire transfer instead of ACH, the fees are higher — usually $10 to $25 — and your bank may also charge a fee to receive it. Wire transfer is rarely the best choice for moving money to a personal bank account unless you need the money the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for money to show up in my bank account?

Standard ACH withdrawal takes one to five business days. Faster transfer takes one business day or sometimes the same day. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days. If your withdrawal was initiated on a Friday, the earliest it can arrive is Monday or Tuesday.

Can I withdraw cryptocurrency directly to my bank account without selling it first?

No. Banks do not accept cryptocurrency. You must sell your cryptocurrency for US dollars on Coinbase first, then withdraw those dollars. This is a required step with every cryptocurrency platform.

What if I entered the wrong bank account number when I linked my account?

If you have not yet withdrawn, go to your payment methods and delete the incorrect account, then add the correct one. If you have already withdrawn to the wrong account, contact Coinbase support when ready with your transaction ID. They may be able to recover the funds, but this is not may provide.

Why is my withdrawal on hold and when will it be released?

Coinbase places holds for security reasons — usually after you link a new bank account, change your password, or trigger a fraud review. The hold typically lasts a few days. You will see a notification in your Coinbase account with the expected release date. If the hold lasts longer than stated, contact Coinbase support.

Is there a limit to how much I can withdraw per day?

Yes. New accounts have daily withdrawal limits, usually $1,000 to $5,000 per day. These limits increase as you verify more information with Coinbase. Check your account settings to see your current limit. If you need to withdraw more, you can wait for your limit to reset the next day, or contact Coinbase support to request an increase.