Why the Guide Was Released
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong published a detailed guide on X in response to growing questions about how cryptocurrencies are approved for trading on the exchange. The move was intended to make the listing process clearer and more transparent for project teams, developers, and the broader community.
We get a ton of questions about how and why assets get listed on Coinbase. To be more transparent we wrote a guide on how it all works.
TL;DR: listings are free and merit-based. Every asset is evaluated against the same standards.
Link in replies. pic.twitter.com/HmqQDt6085
— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) September 12, 2025
The guide emphasizes that token listings are free, merit-based, and reviewed under consistent standards, with every application going through the same evaluation.
The Five-Step Listing Process
According to Coinbase, assets go through a structured pipeline before being listed:
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Application Submission: Projects begin with an online questionnaire covering team background, white papers, tokenomics, audits, and technical resources.
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Business Evaluation: The exchange assesses demand, adoption, and integration feasibility.
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Core Reviews: Legal, compliance, and technical security assessments ensure that the asset meets regulatory and operational requirements.
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Issuer Communication: Coinbase coordinates with applicants through email and video calls to clarify details.
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Trading Rollout: Approved assets are phased in with deposits, auction-based price discovery, and finally full trading.
The full timeline varies but generally falls under 30 days from initial review to public listing, though complex projects may take longer.
Core Reviews That Matter
Every listing must pass three critical reviews:
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Legal Review: Determines whether a token qualifies as a security under regulatory frameworks.
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Compliance Review: Examines token distribution, liquidity, and on-chain activity for risks of financial crime.
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Technical Security Review: Audits code quality, consensus design, network resilience, and custody safety.
These reviews form the backbone of Coinbase’s process, ensuring that tokens are not only viable but also safe for public trading.
Factors That Influence Approval Speed
While the process is standardized, some assets move faster than others. Tokens built on Ethereum, Base, Solana, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, or Avalanche generally integrate more quickly. In contrast, projects on new or unsupported blockchains require custom engineering, which extends the timeline.
Common delays include:
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Incomplete documentation or missing audits.
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Excessive centralization of control.
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Public statements raising regulatory risk.
Market Considerations
Beyond compliance and security, Coinbase evaluates market health. Factors include trading volume, liquidity, total value locked (TVL), number of active wallets, community engagement, and the reputation of the development team.
Rollout Phases
Once approved, tokens follow a structured rollout:
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Deposits Only: Users can transfer tokens to Coinbase.
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Auction Phase: Orders are collected for at least 10 minutes to establish a fair opening price.
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Full Trading: Pairs go live for broader market participation.
Conclusion
Coinbase’s listing guide outlines a system designed to balance openness with due diligence. With consistent reviews and structured rollouts, the process aims to support innovation while maintaining safeguards for traders and investors.
