Step-by-Step Guide: Building a Coinbase Clone with Adalo

Building a cryptocurrency exchange app traditionally requires months of development time, specialized blockchain expertise, and a substantial budget. From user authentication and KYC verification to portfolio management and transaction processing, the complexity of these interconnected systems presents a significant barrier for entrepreneurs and startups looking to enter the crypto space.

That's where Adalo comes in. Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms. AI-assisted building and streamlined publishing enable launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months. This means you can prototype and validate your Coinbase-style exchange concept rapidly, focusing on user experience and core functionality while leveraging external APIs for blockchain integration when needed.

Why Adalo Works for Building a Crypto Exchange App

Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This makes it an excellent choice for building a Coinbase-style crypto exchange app, where users expect seamless access across their phones, tablets, and desktops without you having to maintain separate codebases.

For a cryptocurrency app, native app store distribution is essential. Users need push notifications for price alerts, transaction confirmations, and security updates—features that keep them engaged and informed in the fast-moving crypto market. With Adalo, you can deliver that professional, native experience while prototyping your core exchange functionality quickly and cost-effectively.

This guide walks you through creating a cryptocurrency exchange-style app using Adalo’s platform. While bespoke crypto exchanges can take months and substantial budgets, a no-code approach lets you prototype core flows—registration, KYC capture, portfolio view, buy/sell orders (off-chain accounting), and payments—in weeks. You can even publish the same app to the web, native iOS, and native Android with Adalo, all without writing a line of code or rebuilding anything.

Important: This guide implements a custodial/off-chain balance model in Adalo. On-chain deposits/withdrawals and blockchain signing/broadcasting require external services via External collections or Custom actions.

Setting Up Your Adalo Account for Crypto App Development

Step 1: Create Your Adalo Account

1. Visit Adalo.com and sign up.
2. Verify your email.
3. Create New App → choose Mobile App.
4. Name your project (e.g., “CryptoExchange”).
5. Start from Scratch (no crypto-specific template).

Step 2: Choose Your Plan

Review Adalo pricing for current plan features and publishing eligibility.

• Free: prototype/testing.
• Starter / Professional / Team / Business: check the live page for publishing, API features, limits, and add-ons. For API-heavy crypto apps, use Professional or above (required for Custom actions).

Step 3: Configure Your App Theme

Pick a trustworthy palette (navy/green), set typography, spacing, and corner radii, then continue into the builder.

Building the Database Structure

Step 4: Create the Users Collection

Database → Users → add properties:

• Full Name (Text), Phone Number (Text), Profile Image (Image)
• KYC Status (Text): “Pending”, “Verified”, “Rejected”
• Document Type/Number (Text), Date of Birth (Date), Country (Text)
• Two Factor Enabled (True/False)
• Account Balance USD (Number), Total Trades (Number)
• Created Date (Date & Time – automatic)

Step 5: Create the Wallets Collection (Off-Chain)

+ Add Collection → “Wallets”

• Coin ID (slug) (Text), Symbol (Text), Balance (Number)
• Address (display) (Text) if using external custody
• QR Code (Image), Created Date (Date & Time)

Step 6: Create the Transactions Collection

+ Add Collection → “Transactions”

• Transaction ID (internal) (Text)
• Type (Text): “Buy”, “Sell”, “Deposit”, “Withdraw”
• Cryptocurrency (Text), Amount (Number)
• Price Per Unit (Number), Total USD (Number), Fee (Number)
• Status (Text): “Pending”, “Completed”, “Failed”, “Cancelled”
• Payment Method (Text)
• Blockchain TX Hash (Text – only if using on-chain flows via external API)
• Created Date (Date & Time), Completed Date (Date & Time)

Step 7: Create the Market Prices Collection

+ Add Collection → “Market Prices”

• Coin ID (slug), Symbol, Cryptocurrency (name)
• Current Price USD, 24h Change %, Market Cap, Volume 24h
• Last Updated (Date & Time)

Step 8: Set Up Database Relationships

• Users ↔ Wallets: One User → Many Wallets
• Users ↔ Transactions: One User → Many Transactions
• Wallets ↔ Transactions: optional Many-to-One (for wallet-specific logs)

Database guide

Designing the User Authentication System

Step 9: Build the Welcome Screen

Logo + tagline, and buttons to Create Account and Login.

Step 10: Create the Sign Up Screen

Form (Users): Email, Password, Full Name, Phone, Country (+ Terms checkbox).
Submit actions: Create User → navigate to KYC or dashboard.

Email verification: Implement via Custom actions or automation (e.g., SendGrid) using Adalo’s tutorial: verification email. There is no always-on “automatic” verification—configure it in your flow.

Step 11: Build the Login Screen

Email/Password → Login.
If Two Factor Enabled is true → route to 2FA Verification.

Step 12: Implement Two-Factor Authentication (TOTP)

Create 2FA Setup and 2FA Verification screens.

• Generate a TOTP secret server-side (via external API) and display it as a QR.
• Users add it to Authy/Google Authenticator; verify 6-digit codes on login via Custom actions.
  
  

See TOTP overview (industry standard). OWASP Mobile

Step 13: Create KYC Verification Flow

KYC Verification screen (Users update): document type/number, DOB, front/back images, selfie → set KYC Status = Pending and notify admin.

Compliance: In most jurisdictions, exchanges must implement KYC/AML and obtain required registrations/licensing. Requirements vary—consult regulators and counsel. FinCEN • FATF guidance

Creating the Cryptocurrency Dashboard

Step 14: Build the Main Dashboard

• Total Portfolio Value = Σ(wallet balance × current price).
• Market Overview list (Market Prices): symbol, name, price, 24h change, etc.
• Nav: My Wallets, Trade, Transactions.

Step 15: Connect to Price APIs

Use External collections or API component to connect to CoinGecko.
Endpoint: /coins/markets (vs_currency=usd, order=market_cap_desc).
Mapping (correct):

• id → Coin ID (slug) (e.g., “bitcoin”)
• symbol → Symbol (e.g., “btc”)
• name → Cryptocurrency (name)
• current_price → Current Price USD
• price_change_percentage_24h → 24h Change %
• market_cap → Market Cap
  Refresh via a timer pattern or screen revisit.

Step 16: Create Portfolio Analytics

Portfolio screen: list user wallets with amount held, current value, % of portfolio, and 24h P/L.
Add charts via Component marketplace.

Building Buy and Sell Functionality

Step 17: Create the Trading Screen

Tabs for Buy and Sell.

• Buy: choose crypto, show price, amount, cost, fee, final total, payment method.
• Sell: choose crypto (wallets with balance > 0), show proceeds and fee.

Step 18: Implement Order Processing

Validations: balance checks, KYC Status = Verified.
On submit: create Transaction (Pending) → Order Confirmation → on confirm:

• For off-chain trades: update balances and mark Completed with an internal Transaction ID.
• For on-chain withdrawals/deposits: use your custodian/blockchain API via Custom actions; store the returned blockchain hash.

Step 19: Integrate Payment Processing (Fiat → App Balance)

Install Stripe or Marketplace Payments (for multi-party payouts). Configure keys and create a charge to fund USD balance; on success, complete the transaction flow.

Fees: In the U.S., online card pricing is typically 2.9% + $0.30 per successful charge; fees vary by country and payment method. Stripe pricing

Designing Wallet Features

Step 20: Build the Wallets Screen

List user wallets: icon, balance, USD value, and + to add a wallet record.

Step 21: Wallet Details Screen

Show coin name, balance, value, optional display address/QR (if using custody).
Actions: Deposit, Withdraw, Transaction History.

Step 22: Deposit Flow (If Using External Custody)

Display “Send to this address” details returned by your custody API.
Monitor incoming TX via External collections; on confirmations, update balance and notify the user.

Step 23: Withdrawal Flow (If Using External Custody)

Form: recipient address, amount, network fee, priority.
Validate balance, run 2FA, call custody API via Custom actions, then update status as confirmations arrive.

Implementing Security Features

Step 24: Security Settings

Add toggles for 2FA, change password, and notification preferences.

Step 25: Rate Limiting (App Logic)

Track failed attempts in Users; lock after threshold and notify. (Business logic in Adalo database + actions.)

Step 26: Data Protection Notes

Adalo provides authentication and HTTPS; consult current materials for data-protection details and handle secrets carefully. See Mobile app security (OWASP) and Adalo’s security best-practice content.

Do not store private keys in Adalo; use dedicated key management/custody.

Step 27: Activity Logs

Create an Activity Log collection (action, IP/device, time, status).
Log sensitive actions and show a recent history screen.

Testing Your Crypto Exchange App

Step 28: Create Test Data

Seed test users (KYC states, 2FA on/off), wallets, and transactions.
Use Stripe test cards for payment tests.

Step 29: Test Core Workflows

• Registration & KYC: Sign up → submit KYC → verify notifications.
• Trading: Buy/Sell flows; balance updates.
• Wallet ops: (if using custody) deposit/withdraw on testnets.
• Security: 2FA, lockout thresholds, password resets, activity logs.

Step 30: Performance Optimization

Compress images, limit list sizes, and cache price data. See Optimize performance and consider External collections for large datasets.

Publishing Your Crypto Exchange App

Step 31: Prepare for Launch

Switch to production keys (Stripe, price data, custody), set push notifications, and add legal pages (Privacy, Terms, Risk, Fee schedule). Set up support flows.

Step 32: App Store Submission

• iOS: Join Apple Developer Program ($99/year) and follow Adalo’s iOS guide.
• Android: Pay $25 one-time and follow Adalo’s Android guide.

Step 33: Web App Deployment

Configure a custom domain via web aapp publishing; set SSL and DNS, then test responsiveness.

Platform Limitations and Workarounds

Real-Time & Background Limits

• Adalo doesn’t provide native background tasks or true live sockets; “live” price changes require screen revisit or a timer-based refresh.
• For real-time price streams, order books, or background polling, integrate an external service via Custom Actions or External collections.

On-Chain Operations

• Adalo cannot sign/broadcast blockchain transactions natively. Use a custody/node provider via Custom actions; store the returned blockchain hash for on-chain deposits/withdrawals.
• Never store private keys in Adalo—use dedicated custody or key management.

Scalability

• Very large datasets (prices, ticks, ledgers) should live in an external store. Use External collections and follow Optimize performance (limit list sizes, progressive loading, image optimization).

Compliance & Risk

• KYC/AML, licensing/registration, sanctions screening, and travel-rule obligations vary by jurisdiction. Treat this as a custodial/off-chain prototype and connect regulated vendors as needed. See FinCEN and FATF guidance.

Workaround Strategies

• Cache ticker summaries in-app; keep full ledgers in an external DB.
• Use timers/screen revisit for “near-real-time” UI; use sockets/webhooks in external services.
• Add an Admin/Compliance screen for manual reviews and KYC status changes.
• Split roles into multi-app (Customer / Admin / Ops) when teams scale.

Cost Breakdown and Resources

Adalo Subscription

• Verify current plan features/limits on the Adalo Pricing page (publishing, API features, team seats).

Payments & Fiat On-Ramps

• U.S. Stripe reference: typically 2.9% + $0.30 per successful card charge; varies by country/method. 

Crypto Data & Node/Custody (examples)

• Market data APIs (e.g., CoinGecko/CoinMarketCap): free tiers; higher usage is metered.
• Node/custody/KYC vendors: usage-based pricing—confirm volumes and regions.

Other Services

• Notifications: built-in Push via Adalo; optional SMS/email via external providers.
• App stores: Apple Developer $99/year; Google Play $25 one-time.
• Ongoing maintenance: many teams budget ~15–25% annually (scope-dependent).

Additional Resources

• Adalo Database — collections, properties, relationships
• External Collections — connect external APIs
• Custom Actions — call third-party endpoints
• Optimize Performance — lists, images, data strategy
• Stripe Payments · Marketplace Payments
• CoinGecko Markets API — endpoint & fields
• Coinbase availability context: Investor FAQ · Prohibited regions

Coinbase operates in 100+ countries; your app’s availability depends on your licensing/compliance and vendor coverage by region.

Note: This Coinbase-style clone implements custodial/off-chain balances, market price views, buy/sell flows (off-chain accounting), fiat funding via Stripe, and KYC intake using Adalo’s features plus API integrations. For production-grade exchange capabilities—live order books, on-chain custody, automated compliance checks, and background processing—connect regulated vendors through Custom Actions/External Collections, keep lists lean, and performance-test on real devices before publishing.

FAQ