What can I do about this clause?

{'method': 'WEB_FORM', 'recipient': 'https://help.coinbase.com/en/contact-us', 'difficulty': 'MODERATE', 'action_type': 'DISPUTE_FEE', 'instructions': 'If you are charged a fee you did not agree to, contact Coinbase support through the Help Center immediately. Document the transaction, the fee charged, and the fee schedule in effect at the time. If unresolved, file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.', 'deadline_days': None, 'deadline_hours': None}

Which regulatory agencies enforce this type of clause?

{'agency': 'CFPB', 'reason': "The CFPB has UDAAP authority over Coinbase's fee disclosure and modification practices and accepts complaints about unexpected or inadequately disclosed financial service fees", 'complaint_url': 'https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/'}, {'agency': 'FTC', 'reason': 'The FTC can investigate unilateral fee modifications as unfair or deceptive trade practices under Section 5 of the FTC Act', 'complaint_url': 'https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/'}

What is the severity of this clause?

ConductAtlas classifies this Unilateral Fee Modification clause as medium severity. Severity reflects the magnitude of rights affected, the breadth of users impacted, and the degree of discretion the platform retains.

Do other platforms have similar clauses?

Yes. ConductAtlas has identified similar Unilateral Fee Modification clauses across approximately 1 other tracked platforms. You can compare how platforms differ on this clause type in the cross-platform comparison view.

Unilateral Fee Modification — Coinbase

What it is

Coinbase can change the fees it charges you and the terms of this agreement, and simply by continuing to use the platform after receiving notice, you legally agree to those changes.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Coinbase can increase trading fees, spread fees, or add new charges at any time by providing notice and updating its website, and your continued use of the platform — even for a single transaction — counts as your legal agreement to pay those new fees.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.

Dispute a Fee

If you are charged a fee you did not agree to, contact Coinbase support through the Help Center immediately. Document the transaction, the fee charged, and the fee schedule in effect at the time. If unresolved, file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

Why it matters (compliance & risk perspective)

Continuing to use Coinbase after a fee change constitutes automatic legal acceptance of new fees, even if you were unaware of the specific change — meaning you could be charged higher fees without ever actively agreeing to them.

View original clause language

We may amend or modify this Agreement by posting the amended Agreement to Coinbase's website or notifying you via email. Your continued use of the Services following the effective date of any such modification will constitute your acceptance of the modified terms. Coinbase's fee schedule, accessible through the Coinbase website, is subject to change at Coinbase's discretion.

Institutional analysis (Compliance & legal intelligence)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Unilateral contract modification clauses in consumer financial services contracts are subject to scrutiny under CFPB UDAAP authority (12 U.S.C. § 5531), FTC Act Section 5 (15 U.S.C. § 45) for unfair or deceptive practices, and California Consumer Legal Remedies Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1770). Electronic notification of contract amendments is governed by the E-SIGN Act (15 U.S.C. § 7001 et seq.) and must meet specific consent and delivery requirements. State money transmitter laws in several jurisdictions require advance notice periods for fee changes.

🔒

Compliance intelligence locked

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

Watcher $9.99/mo Professional $149/mo

Watcher: regulatory citations. Professional: full compliance memo.

Applicable agencies

CFPB

The CFPB has UDAAP authority over Coinbase's fee disclosure and modification practices and accepts complaints about unexpected or inadequately disclosed financial service fees
File a complaint →
FTC

The FTC can investigate unilateral fee modifications as unfair or deceptive trade practices under Section 5 of the FTC Act
File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information

Document

Coinbase User Agreement

Entity

Coinbase

Document last updated

March 24, 2026

Tracking information

First tracked

March 20, 2026

Last verified

April 9, 2026

Record ID

CA-P-002479

Document ID

CA-D-00047

Evidence Provenance

Source URL

https://www.coinbase.com/legal/user_agreement/united_states

Wayback Machine

View archived versions →

SHA-256

28b08bdc2391062cc0b1b467b0c8cfeb1e19b51011dcce671448d97947da4585

Verified

✓ Snapshot stored ✓ Change verified

How to Cite

ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Coinbase | Document: Coinbase User Agreement | Record: CA-P-002479
Captured: 2026-03-20 06:40:29 UTC | SHA-256: 28b08bdc2391062c…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/coinbase/coinbase-user-agreement/unilateral-fee-modification/
Accessed: April 24, 2026

Classification

Severity

Medium

Unilateral Fee Modification