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 your assets without notice. Previously, Coinbase could liquidate your property only if you failed to pay for securities you purchased or failed to deliver securities you sold through CCM. The revised language adds a new trigger: if a transfer of securities into your CCM account fails or is reversed, Coinbase can now liquidate your property to cover any losses CCM suffers as a result. This means your assets may be liquidated for reasons beyond your direct control, such as a failed inbound transfer initiated by a third party or a reversal by the sending institution.
View change record →The updated terms authorize Coinbase to automatically transfer your digital assets to a newer protocol version when an 'Asset Transformation' occurs, and you are now instructing Coinbase to conduct these 'Coinbase Supported Migrations' at Coinbase's sole discretion. The terms also establish that Coinbase shall not be liable for any loss resulting from your inability to transfer assets during a migration or from an Asset Transformation itself. This means Coinbase can execute asset transfers without advance notice and without bearing responsibility for any resulting losses, even if the transfer fails or the new asset version performs differently than the original.
View change record →The updated terms introduce a new Direct Deposit feature that allows eligible users to receive paychecks and government benefits directly into their Coinbase Account and optionally convert those funds into digital assets through recurring automatic purchases. The terms state that Coinbase will not charge setup or maintenance fees and will waive trading fees on Direct Deposit conversions, though spreads may apply. However, the terms also establish that digital assets are not FDIC-insured, can appreciate or depreciate relative to USD, and that Coinbase reserves the right to set, modify, or reject transfer limits at its sole discretion. You can enroll by providing your employer or government payer with the virtual account and routing numbers Coinbase provides, and you can change your asset allocation at any time through the Coinbase app.
View change record →How other platforms handle this
We will not be responsible for failure to fulfill any obligation due to causes beyond our control.
Teladoc Health shall not be liable for any failure to perform its obligations hereunder where the failure results from any cause beyond Teladoc Health's reasonable control, including, without limitation, mechanical, electronic, or communications failure.
We are not responsible if you cannot access the Services properly or at all because of any event out of our control, for example...the performance of any software or operating system running on your device...
"Any breach by Coinbase of the User Agreement due to abnormal or unforeseen circumstances beyond Coinbase's reasonable control, which would have been unavoidable despite Coinbase's efforts to stop it...Excerpt from Coinbase's User Agreement
Get the weekly coverage letter
Companies change their terms without announcing it. We capture governance documents, compare each new version with the last, and publish what changed, with the source text behind it. One email a week on what we found and what we could not reach.
The clause states: “Any breach by Coinbase of the User Agreement due to abnormal or unforeseen circumstances beyond Coinbase's reasonable control, which would have been unavoidable despite Coinbase's efforts to stop it...”
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 281 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Coinbase.