Hawaii opens to Coinbase following regulatory clarity
Crypto trading on Coinbase is now available in Hawaii.
Coinbase, the largest publicly traded crypto exchange in the U.S., has officially launched its services in Hawaii. This move follows recent regulatory changes by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Financial Institutions, which have clarified the situation for crypto firms operating in the state.
In 2017, Coinbase left Hawaii due to new regulations requiring crypto companies to obtain a license and maintain fiat reserves or “permissible investments” equal to all held cryptocurrencies— a requirement unique to Hawaii. However, this mandate has since been lifted, and crypto companies no longer need a state money transmitter license to operate in Hawaii.
Aloha, Coinbase!
Hawaii residents can now buy, sell, and manage crypto through Coinbase’s platform, gaining access to a wide range of digital assets and services, including recurring buys, price tracking, and international asset transfers.
Coinbase also offers staking services, enabling users to earn up to 12% APY on select assets and up to 5.20% in rewards by holding USDC.
Faryar Shirzad, Coinbase’s Chief Policy Officer, highlighted the expansion’s significance, noting that it reflects the company’s commitment to compliance and to providing secure, user-friendly crypto services in the U.S. and internationally.
“We’ve worked diligently with local authorities to ensure we can enter the Hawaii market, and welcome their innovative, responsible approach, which aligns with our goal of providing a safe and compliant environment for all,” Shirzad said.
Shirzad emphasized that the launch in Hawaii marks an important step in Coinbase’s mission to increase economic freedom globally. Advanced tools are also available for experienced traders, including access to over 500 spot trading pairs with low fees, charting powered by TradingView, and powerful APIs.
This article has been updated to reflect the fact that Coinbase previously operated in Hawaii until 2017.
