- Examples of State-Level Lawsuits Against Coinbase
- Disputes Over Staking Regulations and Privacy Rules
- Why Does It Matter for the U.S. Crypto Industry and Market?
Coinbase has raised concerns that individual states are stretching the definition of securities laws in ways that conflict with federal law and pose significant risks to the crypto industry. In a letter, the company’s Chief Legal Officer stressed that such practices stifle innovation and ultimately harm users.
Examples of State-Level Lawsuits Against Coinbase
The complaint highlights a case brought in April 2025 by the Oregon Attorney General, accusing Coinbase of trading unregistered securities. The issue: this same activity is considered legal under federal law, creating a direct legal clash. Similar lawsuits have emerged in California, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.
Disputes Over Staking Regulations and Privacy Rules
Coinbase also criticizes state bans on staking services introduced without hearings or public debate, as well as Maine’s new requirement to disclose transaction recipient data. The exchange argues that these measures infringe on user rights and undermine core principles of financial privacy.
A History of Clashes with U.S. Regulators
Coinbase’s regulatory struggles go back years. In 2022, the company formally asked the SEC to clarify how securities laws apply to cryptocurrencies but received no response. By 2023, Coinbase filed suit against the SEC, demanding official guidance. Instead, the regulator continued its aggressive enforcement actions without offering a clear regulatory framework.
Call for Unified Federal Regulation
Coinbase is urging the Department of Justice and Congress to establish a single, federal-level legal standard—one that would supersede conflicting state measures. Such a framework, the company argues, would create fair, transparent rules for the crypto market and restore legal certainty.
Why Does It Matter for the U.S. Crypto Industry and Market?
Taken together, these disputes reveal a deep systemic rift in U.S. crypto regulation: unclear and overreaching federal rules on one side, fragmented and often harsh state-level measures on the other. Coinbase is pushing for a unified, transparent, and adaptive legal framework that would let the industry grow without constant legal risks and regulatory battles. This, the company insists, is crucial if the U.S. wants to maintain its leadership in the global crypto economy and protect the interests of everyday users.
