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Coinbase expanded its terms to address protocol upgrades called Asset Transformations and established new procedures for handling them. The updated language introduces defined terms for 'Asset Transformation' (protocol upgrades changing a Digital Asset version) and 'Coinbase Supported Migration' (Coinbase's facilitation of transfers to newer versions). Critically, the revised terms now state that customers hereby instruct Coinbase to conduct these migrations on their behalf at times and in manner Coinbase solely determines appropriate, and that Coinbase shall not be liable for losses resulting from inability to transfer assets during such migrations or from the Asset Transformation itself.
The updated terms establish procedures for handling protocol upgrades and define Coinbase's role in migrating customer assets to new versions. Under the revised language, by maintaining a Coinbase account, customers are deemed to have instructed Coinbase to conduct Coinbase Supported Migrations on their behalf at times and in manner Coinbase solely determines appropriate. The agreement further states that Coinbase shall not be liable or responsible for any loss resulting from inability to transfer Digital Assets during a migration or from the Asset Transformation itself. This expands Coinbase's authority to act without advance notice while eliminating liability for migration-related losses.
The updated terms grant Coinbase explicit unilateral authority to conduct protocol upgrade migrations on customer assets without per-migration consent, while disclaiming liability for losses during these transfers. This expands Coinbase's operational control over customer assets and eliminates a potential avenue for customer recourse if migrations result in losses, making the terms of asset custody and migration procedures materially more favorable to Coinbase.
→ The updated terms will apply to your account automatically; Coinbase will conduct asset migrations at its sole discretion without per-transaction consent or advance notice.
→ If assets cannot be transferred during a migration or losses occur due to an Asset Transformation, Coinbase disclaims liability as stated in the updated agreement.
This is the 4th significant Rights Removal change Coinbase has made since ConductAtlas began monitoring.
ConductAtlas has recorded 6 material changes to this document over 138 days of monitoring (since March 2026). An additional minor or cosmetic changes were excluded.
Across all monitored documents, Coinbase has made 7 significant changes.
3 of Coinbase's significant changes have been classified as negative for consumers.
Establishes Coinbase's authority to migrate customer assets to new protocol versions at Coinbase's sole discretion.
Customers are deemed to instruct Coinbase to conduct migrations on their behalf by maintaining an account; no per-migration consent required.
Coinbase disclaims liability for losses from inability to transfer assets during migrations or from Asset Transformations themselves.
This change record describes what was added, removed, or modified in the document. Analysis reflects what the updated agreement states or permits. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Applicability may vary by jurisdiction. Methodology
You are agreeing in advance that Coinbase can move your assets to new protocol versions without asking permission each time.
If you lose money because your assets cannot be transferred during an upgrade, Coinbase says it has no responsibility.
Coinbase now has documented authority to make asset transformation decisions on behalf of customers without advance notice.
Coinbase revised its terms to formalize procedures for digital asset migrations during protocol upgrades (Asset Transformations). The change adds explicit definitions, a pre-authorization clause treating continued account use as customer instruction to conduct migrations at Coinbase's sole discretion, and a broad liability waiver covering losses from inability to transfer assets or from the transformation itself. Institutional customers with accounts at Coinbase should review whether their vendor agreements, compliance frameworks, or audit procedures require visibility into asset migration decisions and outcomes. The liability waiver may affect how enterprise customers model operational risk around protocol changes.
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Analyst $49/moConductAtlas provides verified policy intelligence sourced directly from platform documents. All analysis is intended to support, not replace, legal and compliance review. Record CA-C-003917.
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