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Is Coinbase safe?

Coinbase, Inc. (parent: Coinbase Global, Inc., Nasdaq: COIN) · Last updated Oct 19, 2026
81/100Strong signals

At a glance

81/100 · Strong signals
  • ClarityCheck score81/100 · Strong signals
  • US availabilityAvailable in the US
  • NY BitLicense / trust charterYes (NYDFS list)
  • Proof of reservesAudited filings (no PoR)
In short

US-listed public company with NY BitLicense, CFTC-registered derivatives arms and a 2023 NYDFS settlement. Available in all 50 states, including New York (Coinbase, Inc. holds a NY BitLicense).

Score breakdown

  • US money-transmission licensing25/25
    FinCEN MSB registration (5) + state licence coverage: broad (20)
  • Higher-tier US oversight20/20
    NYDFS BitLicense/trust charter yes (10); CFTC-registered affiliate yes (5); SEC-registered broker-dealer or SEC-reporting parent yes (5)
  • Reserves & financial transparency10/20
    Audited financials filed with the SEC yes (10); proof of reserves not found (0)
  • Enforcement record (last 5 years)20/25
    Starts at 25. Criminal plea: none found (0); regulatory penalties ≥ $1M: 1 (−5 each, max −15). Dismissed or closed cases don't deduct.
  • Security incidents (last 3 years)6/10
    Starts at 10. Theft of ≥ $100M: none found; disclosed customer-data breach: yes (−4)

How the score works →

Custody

Coinbase Custody Trust Company holds a New York limited purpose trust charter (NYDFS).

Registrations & licences

5 facts
  1. Official sourceOct 19, 2026 · FinCEN

    Coinbase, Inc. appears in FinCEN's MSB registrant list (checked Oct 19, 2026).

    FinCEN MSB Registrant Search (full registrant export) ↗
  2. Company / third-partyOct 19, 2026 · Coinbase

    Coinbase, Inc. publishes state money transmitter licences across US jurisdictions, including New York, Texas and Florida.

    Coinbase: Licenses & Disclosures ↗
  3. Official sourceOct 19, 2026 · NYDFS

    NYDFS lists Coinbase, Inc. with Virtual Currency and Money Transmitter Licenses (granted 2017-01), and Coinbase Custody Trust Company with a Limited Purpose Trust Charter (2018-10).

    NYDFS: Virtual Currency Businesses, regulated entities list ↗
  4. Official sourceOct 19, 2026 · CFTC

    Coinbase Derivatives, LLC is a CFTC-designated contract market (DCM).

    CFTC: DCM filing 43304, Coinbase Derivatives, LLC ↗
  5. Company / third-partyOct 19, 2026 · Coinbase

    Coinbase Financial Markets, Inc. is a futures commission merchant (FCM) registered with the NFA.

    Coinbase Financial Markets ↗

EU (MiCA)

1 fact
  1. Official sourceOct 19, 2026 · ESMA

    Coinbase Luxembourg S.A. is authorised as a MiCA crypto-asset service provider (CSSF, Luxembourg), notified 20/06/2025.

    ESMA interim MiCA register: authorised crypto-asset service providers (CASPS.csv) ↗

Enforcement & legal history

2 facts
  1. Official sourceJan 4, 2023 · NYDFS

    NYDFS settlement: $100 million ($50M penalty + $50M compliance investment) over AML/KYC and compliance failings, Jan 4, 2023.

    DFS announces $100 million settlement with Coinbase ↗
  2. Official sourceFeb 27, 2025 · SEC

    SEC civil case against Coinbase dismissed by joint stipulation on Feb 27, 2025 (a policy decision, not a ruling on the merits).

    SEC Announces Dismissal of Civil Enforcement Action Against Coinbase ↗

Security incidents

1 fact
  1. Official sourceMay 14, 2025 · SEC EDGAR

    May 2025: Coinbase disclosed that bribed overseas support staff accessed customer data (ID images, masked financial data, account data; not passwords, private keys or funds). It estimated $180M–$400M in costs.

    Coinbase Form 8-K, May 14, 2025 ↗

Reserves & transparency

1 fact
  1. Official sourceOct 19, 2026 · SEC EDGAR

    Public company: Coinbase Global files audited annual reports (10-K) with the SEC. We found no Merkle-tree proof-of-reserves.

    SEC EDGAR: Coinbase Global filings ↗

Coinbase questions

Is Coinbase safe?

ClarityCheck scores Coinbase 81/100 (Strong signals) on public regulatory and transparency signals: US-listed public company with NY BitLicense, CFTC-registered derivatives arms and a 2023 NYDFS settlement. This is not a solvency rating or a guarantee.

Is Coinbase available in the US?

Available in the US. Available in all 50 states, including New York (Coinbase, Inc. holds a NY BitLicense).

Is Coinbase licensed in New York?

Yes. NYDFS lists a BitLicense or trust charter for Coinbase's entity (checked Oct 19, 2026).

Not legal, financial or investment advice. The CLARITY Act is not law. Facts are from the linked sources as checked on Oct 19, 2026; please tell us if anything is out of date.