Crypto Exchange Coinbase Waives Fees for Converting Between USDC and Fiat, Eyeing Global Audience

The company hopes the move will encourage wider global adoption of the stablecoin it helped invent.

AccessTimeIconOct 20, 2022 at 5:04 p.m. UTC
Updated May 9, 2023 at 4:00 a.m. UTC

Publicly traded crypto exchange Coinbase (COIN) will waive commission fees for USD coin (USDC) sales and purchases made in any fiat currency in a push to promote the wider global adoption of its stablecoin, it said in a blog post Thursday.

The company's policy change is effective immediately.

  • How Blackbird Brings Dining Experiences On-Chain
    00:54
    How Blackbird Brings Dining Experiences On-Chain
  • How On-Chain Consumer Products Represent an Industry Shift
    18:43
    How On-Chain Consumer Products Represent an Industry Shift
  • Bitcoin Hovers Near $65.5K; Cross-Chain Bridge Wormhole Debuts at $3B Valuation
    02:25
    Bitcoin Hovers Near $65.5K; Cross-Chain Bridge Wormhole Debuts at $3B Valuation
  • Large Cap Fiat-Backed Stablecoins Depegged Over 600 Times in 2023: Moody’s Analytics
    05:04
    Large Cap Fiat-Backed Stablecoins Depegged Over 600 Times in 2023: Moody’s Analytics
  • “Users usually have to pay fees in the process of converting their local currency into USDC, and this is a barrier to broader international adoption,” the post read. “The way to correct this, and accelerate adoption of USDC internationally, is by establishing global parity for all users.”

    Coinbase’s decision to promote USDC (which it issues as a co-founder of the Centre Consortium) comes at a time when inflation is on the rise globally, with consumers in rich countries and poor feeling the heat of rising prices. That has prompted some to move their volatile fiat currencies into stablecoins such as USDC, which is pegged in value to the U.S. dollar.

    The push to accelerate global adoption follows reports that USDC’s market share is falling in part because of pressure from Binance, a crypto exchange that has been aggressively promoting its own stablecoin as an alternative to USDC.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Elizabeth Napolitano

    Elizabeth Napolitano was a news reporter at CoinDesk.