Coinbase: availability and regulation
Coinbase operates in more than one hundred countries and is a publicly listed United States company. It holds a Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) licence in the European Union through Luxembourg and is registered in the United States and the United Kingdom. Availability and products vary by country.
Information, not advice. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify the current rules with a qualified local professional and the official regulator before acting.
Coinbase is a cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2012 and headquartered in the United States, where it is publicly listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker COIN and led by chief executive Brian Armstrong. As of June 2026 it is available to residents of more than one hundred countries, including the United States, and it holds a Markets in Crypto Assets licence granted in Luxembourg that lets it serve the European Economic Area. A smaller set of jurisdictions is restricted. Availability, products, and registrations vary by country, so check what applies where you live.
What Coinbase is
Coinbase is a cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2012 and operated by Coinbase Global, Inc. It offers spot trading, a broad set of crypto assets, and in some markets additional products such as staking, a stablecoin, derivatives, and a card programme. The company has been led by chief executive Brian Armstrong since it was founded, and it became a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq in 2021 under the ticker COIN.
The platform is custodial, which means Coinbase holds the assets in your account on your behalf rather than handing you the private keys. The company also offers a separate self custody wallet product for users who prefer to control their own keys. Funding methods, supported assets, and features differ from one country to another.
Fees are charged on a tiered maker and taker basis on its advanced trading product, with simpler flat pricing on its basic buy and sell flow. Exact pricing and the product mix change over time, so confirm the current schedule and what is offered to your country on the platform before trading.
Registrations and regulatory position
- European Union. Coinbase holds a Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) authorisation granted by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in Luxembourg, which it has used to serve clients across the European Economic Area through a Luxembourg entity. Coinbase has described itself as the first large United States exchange to obtain a MiCA licence (as of June 2026).
- United States. Coinbase operates in the United States as a money services business and holds money transmitter licences in numerous states. It also offers regulated futures through an affiliate registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The wider United States market structure for crypto remained the subject of legislation in Congress (as of June 2026).
- United Kingdom. Coinbase is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for anti money laundering purposes and operates in the United Kingdom under the FCA financial promotions regime (as of June 2026).
- Restricted jurisdictions. Coinbase blocks access from a number of countries to comply with sanctions and local law, and the exact list changes. Confirm whether your country is supported on the platform before signing up (as of June 2026).
Each registration is stated as of 21 June 2026. Licences, registrations, and the position under each framework change. Confirm the current status on the regulator register and with the platform before acting.
Where Coinbase is available
As of June 2026 Coinbase is available to residents of more than one hundred countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, most of the European Economic Area, Australia, and many markets across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The exact set of products offered, from spot trading to staking and derivatives, varies by country and by local authorisation.
A set of jurisdictions is restricted, including those subject to international sanctions, and certain products are limited in particular markets. Because availability and the product mix vary by country, the country pages on this site track the position market by market.
Coinbase is available in many countries, including the United States, but it is one of several platforms and availability depends on where you live. Compare the exchanges that are genuinely available in your country before you choose.
Regulator and sources
The relevant regulators differ by market: the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in Luxembourg for the MiCA authorisation, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, and United States authorities including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and state regulators.
- Coinbase, public information on its licences and registrations.
- Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Luxembourg, and the Coinbase announcement of its MiCA licence.
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), United Kingdom, register of registered cryptoasset firms.
- United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission, public filings and registers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coinbase legal to use?
In many countries Coinbase is a registered provider rather than a banned service, and as of June 2026 it holds a Markets in Crypto Assets licence in the European Union, is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, and operates as a money services business in the United States. Its status differs by country, so check your local rules.
Is Coinbase available in the United States?
Yes. As of June 2026 Coinbase is available to United States residents, where it is a publicly listed company and operates as a money services business with state money transmitter licences. The products available can differ by state, so confirm the current position before acting.
Does Coinbase hold a MiCA licence?
Yes. As of June 2026 Coinbase holds a Markets in Crypto Assets authorisation granted by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier in Luxembourg, which it uses to serve clients across the European Economic Area. Confirm the current scope with Coinbase and the regulator before acting.
Does Coinbase hold my crypto for me?
Yes. The main Coinbase platform is custodial, so it holds the assets in your account on your behalf. Coinbase also offers a separate self custody wallet for users who prefer to control their own private keys. This is general information, not advice.
Where can I check Coinbase registrations directly?
Coinbase publishes information about its licences and registrations, and each named regulator keeps a public register, such as the CSSF in Luxembourg and the FCA in the United Kingdom. Those primary sources are the most current way to confirm the position before acting.
Rules change frequently. Exchange availability, registrations, and the rules that govern them can change at short notice and vary by region, and the United States market structure for crypto is still developing. The position on this page is dated 21 June 2026. Confirm the current status with the named regulator and the platform before you act.
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