Ripple CTO Explains Bitcoin Price Spread on Coinbase
Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, has joined a public discussion on X about the pricing gap in Bitcoin trades on Coinbase.
The exchange recently showed a wide spread during early Monday’s market volatility.
One user highlighted a price mismatch:
“Bitcoin is currently $103,500. If you want to buy on Coinbase, they charge $104,500. If you want to sell, it’s $101,950.”
Bitcoin Swings Over $5,000 in Volatile Session
The complaint came as Bitcoin briefly surged to $107,137, then plunged to $102,105, triggering confusion and frustration among retail users. The post quickly gained attention, prompting Schwartz to step in and clarify.
Broker vs. Exchange Pricing: What’s the Difference?
In response, Schwartz asked:
“Are you placing offers on their order book, or are you using them as a broker to buy and sell?”
His point: Coinbase operates in two modes—as an exchange with a visible order book, and as a brokerage service with built-in spreads and fees. Users may pay more when using the broker route for speed and simplicity, but it comes at a higher cost compared to placing direct market orders.
Schwartz Sheds Light on Platform Mechanics
The CTO’s comment drew praise for helping users understand how different transaction methods affect pricing. In volatile markets, those spreads can widen significantly, as seen during Bitcoin’s rapid ups and downs.
For investors, the takeaway is clear: understanding how you’re trading matters—especially on platforms that offer both brokerage and exchange services.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta has been a part of the team since 2021 and has solidified his position with a thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication to his work and a “detective-like” mindset. He not only covers a wide range of trending topics, he also creates reviews, PR articles and educational content. His work has also been referenced by other news outlets.
