Coinbase can change how much it charges you at any time by posting a notice on its website, and if you keep using the service after that, you've automatically agreed to the new fees.
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
This clause grants unilateral modification authority to the service provider without advance notice requirements or consent mechanisms. It establishes that fee changes take immediate effect rather than requiring a future effective date or providing a transition period.
The updated terms establish a new arrangement for USDC designated as 'Secured USDC' in connection with the Coinbase One Card. Under the revised language, if you designate USDC in your wallet as Secured USDC, you agree that Coinbase may transfer that amount to a third party designated as the secured party, and you will be restricted from withdrawing or transferring those funds. Additionally, the secured party's instructions to Coinbase regarding those assets take priority over any conflicting instructions you provide. The agreement states that you consent to all such permitted transfers. This arrangement operates independently of amounts owed to Coinbase, meaning Secured USDC will not be debited to satisfy debts you owe to Coinbase.
View change record →The updated terms eliminate language that previously allowed Coinbase to restrict your withdrawals if you designated USDC as Secured USDC and to comply with third-party secured party instructions without your consent. Under the revised agreement, Coinbase will not transfer, loan, or otherwise handle your Supported Digital Assets except as required by law or as you instruct. This means the One Card Secured USDC mechanism is no longer integrated into the core asset protection clause, and users no longer face withdrawal restrictions or loss of instruction authority tied to that designation. If you currently hold Secured USDC under a separate One Card cardholder agreement, that agreement remains in effect but is no longer cross-referenced in the main User Agreement's asset protection section.
View change record →The updated terms establish a new exception to the prior prohibition on transferring user digital assets. Previously, Coinbase stated it would not transfer assets except as required by law or per user instruction. The revised language now permits Coinbase to transfer USDC designated as 'Secured USDC' to third parties pursuant to a Coinbase One Card cardholder agreement. Users who elect to use this feature agree they will be restricted from withdrawing or transferring the secured portion, and they consent to Coinbase following instructions from a designated secured party without further user approval, even if those instructions conflict with the user's own orders to Coinbase. The full terms of this arrangement are stated to be in Appendix 4, which is not included in this summary.
View change record →Removal of fee-specific language and replacement with broader 'Unilateral Amendment Clause' suggests fees are now part of general agreement modifications rather than standalone provisions.
View full change record →Consumers face the risk of paying higher fees without active notice, as the agreement permits Coinbase to make immediate fee changes effective upon website posting rather than requiring direct notification to users or a meaningful opt-out period.
How other platforms handle this
Stripe may revise these General Terms, the Services Terms, and the Fees at any time by posting updated versions to our website or notifying you by email. The updated version will be effective as of the time it is posted or, if we notify you by email, as stated in the email. Your continued use of the...
We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting a notice on our website or sending you an email at least 30 days before the changes take effect. Your continued use of the Services after the changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the new Term...
You acknowledge that you have read these Terms of Use, and accept, understand and will be bound by such terms and conditions. You further acknowledge that these Terms of Use contain a pre-dispute arbitration clause.
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"Coinbase reserves the right to change its fee structure and fees at any time. Such changes will be posted on our website and will become immediately effective. Your continued use of the Coinbase Services after the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of such changes.— Excerpt from Coinbase's Coinbase User Agreement
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Unilateral modification clauses in consumer financial contracts are scrutinized under FTC Act Section 5 (15 U.S.C. § 45) for unfair or deceptive practices and under CFPB UDAAP authority (12 U.S.C. § 5531). State money transmission laws in some jurisdictions require advance notice of material fee changes. CCPA and state consumer protection statutes may require clear disclosure of material contract changes.
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This clause grants unilateral modification authority to the service provider without advance notice requirements or consent mechanisms. It establishes that fee changes take immediate effect rather than requiring a future effective date or providing a transition period.
Consumers face the risk of paying higher fees without active notice, as the agreement permits Coinbase to make immediate fee changes effective upon website posting rather than requiring direct notification to users or a meaningful opt-out period.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 1 platforms. See the full comparison.
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