Coinbase to Delist Non-Compliant Stablecoins by 2024

As a seasoned researcher with a keen interest in the intersection of finance and technology, I find Coinbase’s proactive stance towards regulatory compliance to be both impressive and strategic. Having closely observed the cryptocurrency market for years, it is evident that the landscape is rapidly evolving, and companies like Coinbase are setting the stage for a more regulated and secure environment.


As a crypto investor, I’ve just learned that Coinbase Global Inc. is planning to remove all non-compliant stablecoins from their European platforms by the close of 2024. This means that by next year’s end, only those stablecoins that adhere to the necessary regulations will be available on these platforms.

This move stems from the imminent enforcement of the MiCA regulations by the European Union, designed to create a unified regulatory structure for cryptocurrencies throughout the EU.

By December 31, 2024, the MiCA regulations will be fully implemented. This means that companies issuing stablecoins must obtain electronic money authorization within the European Union (EU). This step aims to strengthen supervision and guarantee consumer protection across the European Economic Area (EEA).

Coinbase is planning to remove stablecoins that don’t conform to the new MiCA regulations. They will notify users about this transition in November and offer alternatives for switching their holdings to compliant coins like USDC from Circle, demonstrating their leadership in adhering to regulatory standards within the cryptocurrency industry.

In simple terms, the rules governing financial transactions (the regulatory landscape) are likely to significantly influence the market for digital currencies known as stablecoins in Europe. Notably, prominent companies like Tether Holdings Ltd., who issue the USDT stablecoin, might encounter challenges because they have not yet secured the necessary approval to function under the updated European Union regulations.

The potential legal force could persuade additional cryptocurrency platforms to adopt MiCA regulations, thereby altering the landscape of stablecoins.

Other digital currency platforms such as OKX, Bitstamp, and Uphold are taking steps to restrict access to coins that don’t meet regulations, suggesting an emerging pattern of regulatory alignment within the cryptocurrency sector.

In spite of stringent conditions, the appeal of MiCA-compatible stablecoins such as USDC remains on an upward trajectory. Circle’s latest alliance with MHC Digital, extending USDC into Australia and the Asia Pacific area, underscores this growing trend.

Speaking on a related topic, Coinbase’s top legal officer, Paul Grewal, expressed worries about the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its irregular approach to legal matters in several cryptocurrency cases. He pointed out that the SEC’s ambiguous stance on whether digital-asset transactions are classified as securities has led to perplexity and industry uncertainties due to conflicting messages.

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2024-10-04 19:00