GriffNode 
Coinbase Commerce vs GriffNode: which is better for merchants?
The short answer: Coinbase Commerce and GriffNode both let you accept crypto, but they differ on one structural thing that outweighs every feature — who holds your money and whether you must verify your identity to get paid. Coinbase Commerce's modern flow is custodial and tied to a Coinbase account with identity verification, charging about 1% per transaction. GriffNode is non-custodial: funds settle straight to your own wallet, there is no KYC, and there is no percentage cut per transaction. If keeping control of your funds matters most, GriffNode wins; if you are already deep in the Coinbase ecosystem, Coinbase Commerce is convenient. See the side-by-side comparison.
The core difference: custody and KYC
Coinbase Commerce's modern flow routes payments through Coinbase, which means a hosted, custodial experience and Coinbase-account identity requirements. GriffNode is non-custodial by design: you connect an extended public key (xPub), it generates a fresh receiving address per payment, and funds go customer to your wallet, directly. GriffNode never holds your money and cannot spend it — an xPub can only derive public addresses, never authorize a withdrawal.
Because GriffNode never custodies funds, there is no KYC. Signup is an email and a password.
Coinbase Commerce vs GriffNode side by side
| Feature | GriffNode | Coinbase Commerce |
|---|---|---|
| Custody | Non-custodial — direct to your wallet | Custodial — funds flow through Coinbase |
| KYC | None (email + password) | Coinbase account / identity verification |
| Per-transaction fee | 0% (flat monthly plan) | 1% |
| Chargebacks | None (on-chain settlement) | None (on-chain settlement) |
| Coins | BTC, ETH, LTC, DOGE, DASH + USDT/USDC | Coinbase-supported assets |
| Integration | Hosted checkout, payment links, QR, invoicing, API + SDKs | Hosted checkout + API |
Why the fee model matters more than it looks
A percentage fee scales with your success — the more you sell, the more you pay. Coinbase Commerce charges around 1% per transaction. GriffNode's flat monthly pricing means a high-volume month doesn't cost you more in fees, so your effective rate falls as you grow. We break the math down in crypto payment gateway fees explained.
Is non-custodial actually safer?
It's the opposite of risky — there is no central pot of merchant funds for an attacker to hack or for a company to freeze. With GriffNode, even in a worst-case breach your funds can't be touched, because the gateway never holds them. With a custodial flow your money sits in someone else's balance until they release it, which is exactly the model that leads to holds and account reviews. For more on this, see the best no-KYC crypto payment gateway guide.
Who should pick which
Choose Coinbase Commerce if you're already deep in the Coinbase ecosystem and comfortable with its account model and per-transaction fee.
Choose GriffNode if you want funds to land in a wallet only you control, no identity verification to start, flat fees, and a freeze-proof rail that no processor can touch. If you've ever been frozen by Stripe or PayPal, this is the model built for you. Setting up a store? See how to accept crypto on WooCommerce or add crypto to Shopify.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Coinbase Commerce and GriffNode?
Custody. Coinbase Commerce's modern flow routes payments through Coinbase and requires a verified Coinbase account, so it holds your money first. GriffNode is non-custodial — funds settle straight to a wallet you control, with no KYC.
Does Coinbase Commerce require KYC?
Yes. Its modern flow runs through a Coinbase account, which requires identity verification. GriffNode requires no KYC because it never holds your funds, so you sign up with just an email and password.
Which has lower fees, Coinbase Commerce or GriffNode?
Coinbase Commerce charges about 1 percent per transaction, so cost rises with your sales. GriffNode charges 0% per transaction on a flat monthly plan, so your effective rate falls as volume grows.
Can I move from Coinbase Commerce to GriffNode without downtime?
Yes. Run GriffNode alongside your current setup using a payment link or hosted checkout page, then shift volume over at your own pace. There is no all-at-once cutover.
Are there chargebacks with either gateway?
No. Both rely on final on-chain settlement, so once a crypto payment confirms it cannot be reversed the way a card chargeback can.
Bottom line
Both accept crypto. Only one makes sure the money is yours from the second it's paid, with no KYC and no percentage cut. Try GriffNode free, or keep comparing with our best no-KYC crypto payment gateway guide.
What GriffNode costs
GriffNode charges a flat monthly fee and takes no percentage of your sales. Starter is free, Business is $49 a month and Professional is $129 a month. Process $1,000 or $1,000,000 and the price does not change. See the pricing page for what each plan includes, or work out what your current processor is really costing you with the crypto fee calculator and the chargeback cost calculator.