This analysis describes what Coinbase's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
The updated terms expand Coinbase's authority to liquidate customer assets without notice to cover clearinghouse losses. Previously, liquidation was authorized only if you failed to pay for securities purchased or failed to deliver securities sold. The revised language now also permits liquidation if a transfer of securities into your account at CCM fails or is reversed. This means the platform can use your property to cover losses stemming from incoming transfer failures, in addition to settlement failures on your own trades. The authorization continues to require only that CCM make a demand for payment to Coinbase, without notice to you.
View change record →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.
View change record →The updated terms now explicitly disclose Coinbase's fee structure for California residents, establishing a $10 maximum fee for transactions under $200 and a 6% maximum for larger transactions, though actual fees displayed at checkout may be lower based on payment method, order size, market conditions, and location. The revised agreement also clarifies that virtual currency transactions may be irreversible and provides links to procedures for reporting unauthorized transactions, updating contact information, and accessing transaction receipts. Coinbase commits to providing California residents at least 14 days' prior notice of material changes to fees or terms affecting their accounts.
View change record →How other platforms handle this
If 25 or more claimants seek to file arbitrations raising similar claims and are represented by the same counsel...all cases must be resolved in arbitration using bellwether and, if necessary, batched proceedings...
in the event that there are 100 or more individual Requests of a similar nature filed against Chegg by or with the assistance of the same law firm...within a 30 day period...the AAA (1) will administer the arbitration demands in batches of 100 Requests per batch...
If 25 or more claimants submit Informal Notices or Demands ... the AAA's Mass Arbitration Supplementary Rules ... shall apply, and all of the cases must be resolved in arbitration under the process described in this Section 17(h).
"You and we agree to abide by this Batch Arbitration provision in the event that: (a) there are twenty-five (25) or more individual arbitration demands of substantially similar nature filed... (b) such arbitration demands are filed with the assistance of the same law firm...Excerpt from Coinbase's User Agreement
Coinbase's User Agreement includes a mandatory arbitration clause that most users may not have reviewed. Here is what the clause states and how the opt-out process works.
561 arbitration provisions across 197 platforms. ConductAtlas tracks how dispute resolution is being restructured across the internet.
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The clause states: “You and we agree to abide by this Batch Arbitration provision in the event that: (a) there are twenty-five (25) or more individual arbitration demands of substantially similar nature filed... (b) such arbitration demands are filed with the assistance of the same law firm...”
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 206 platforms. See the full comparison.
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