What Was GDAX?
GDAX is the former name of the cryptocurrency exchange run by Coinbase, a popular broker for bitcoin and other digital assets. Unlike the in-app purchases available through the Coinbase wallet, GDAX was aimed at professional traders with tools to track price movements and set complex buy and sell orders.
The exchange was launched in 2015 under the name Coinbase Exchange and later rebranded to Global Digital Asset Exchange (GDAX). In 2018, GDAX was again rebranded to Coinbase Pro but kept its original functionality. In 2022, the exchange was rebranded once more, becoming Coinbase Advanced Trade. Although GDAX was launched with only a handful of major cryptocurrencies, Coinbase Advanced Trade now allows trading in hundreds of different virtual assets.
Key Takeaways
- GDAX was the name of a cryptocurrency exchange launched by Coinbase in 2015. It is now known as Coinbase Advance Trade.
- GDAX was popular as one of the few reliable exchanges where U.S. traders could trade bitcoin directly for fiat currencies.
- Unlike the Coinbase wallet app, GDAX/Coinbase Advance Trade is tailored for active traders, with sophisticated tools for tracking markets and setting buy/sell orders.
- Prices on GDAX/Coinbase Advance Trade tend to be more favorable than buying directly from Coinbase.
- In 2016, Coinbase began adding new assets to GDAX/Coinbase Advance Trade that were not yet available on the Coinbase wallet app. The exchange now hosts thousands of digital assets.
History of GDAX
In 2015, Coinbase, one of the leading bitcoin companies in the United States, began to consider ways to expand its offerings. While the Coinbase wallet offered a simple interface for buying bitcoin, it had much less functionality than more traditional exchanges. In addition, the company charged a wide bid/ask spread that made the Coinbase prices less favorable than market prices.
In order to appeal to both types of customers, the company set up two separate exchanges. Less experienced buyers could continue to buy bitcoin directly from Coinbase, with a user-friendly interface tailored for more "casual" users. There was also a new exchange for more active traders, with sophisticated features such as price charts and limit orders. Originally called Coinbase Exchange, this was later rebranded to GDAX, then Coinbase Pro, then Coinbase Advanced Trade.
GDAX Tradable Asset Expansion
Beginning in 2016, GDAX allowed trading in assets that were not yet available on the ordinary Coinbase wallet. It introduced new assets such as litecoin and ether on the exchange as a sort of test. There are now hundreds of assets being traded on Coinbase Advanced Trade.
GDAX also provided Coinbase users with more advanced functionality, such as price charts, an open order book, and the ability to set market and limit orders. These functions made it possible for traders to predict trends through technical analysis, although they were likely to confuse less experienced buyers.
GDAX (Coinbase Advance Trade) vs. Coinbase
Coinbase Advanced Trade, as the name suggests, is designed for professional traders or those who trade more than a few times a week. This means that prices are lower on Coinbase Advanced Trade because the higher trading volume brings in more revenue for the company.
Coinbase charges a wide spread on wallet purchases, resulting in prices that are several percentage points worse than the open market. The exchange operates on a maker-taker fee model, with the exchange charging up to half a percent from each buyer or seller.
Coinbase Advanced Trade offers more advanced trading options than the Coinbase wallet, but many users prefer the simple interface of the Coinbase wallet, with only one price to buy and one price to sell. Assets can easily be moved from the wallet to the exchange, allowing traders to access much better prices on the exchange.
Is Coinbase Pro Being Phased Out?
Coinbase Pro was rebranded in 2022, becoming Coinbase Advanced Trade. It offers the same services as Coinbase Pro.
Does Coinbase One Apply to Advanced Trading?
Coinbase One is the exchange's monthly subscription service. It does not include Advanced Trade.
Can I Trade Futures on Coinbase?
Coinbase Advanced Trade customers can trade crypto futures contracts on the exchange.
The Bottom Line
Coinbase is one of the most well-known cryptocurrency exchanges globally. Its original exchange was called the Global Digital Assets Exchange (GDAX), but it has been rebranded several times. In 2022, it was rebranded to Coinbase Advanced Trade, its latest name (as of December 2023).
The comments, opinions, and analyses expressed on Investopedia are for informational purposes only. Read ourwarranty and liability disclaimerfor more info. As of the date this article was written, the author does not own cryptocurrency.
