Verdict: FALSE
Claims that Coinbase sold H-1B visas while cutting US jobs are unsupported and conflict with US immigration rules. Under the US Citizenship and Immigration Services system, visas are issued by the government and cannot be sold or transferred by companies.
The firm’s planned layoffs, affecting about 14% of staff, are tied to restructuring and increased use of artificial intelligence, not immigration practices. References to an “H-1B coin” also lack any verified listing and appear to stem from misinterpreted online posts.
The Claim
A viral claim has circulated on social media alleging that Coinbase was “selling H-1B visas” while cutting US jobs. The post linked the company’s recent layoffs to immigration practices, but there is no evidence to support that connection. Coinbase has said the job cuts relate to restructuring and broader market conditions in the United States.
The claim emerged after Coinbase confirmed an internal memo outlining layoffs affecting about 14% of its workforce. The post by X user who goes by the name Libs of TikTok further suggested the company used H-1B visas to replace US employees. However, US law does not allow companies to sell visas, and Coinbase has not announced any such practice.
What the Rules Show
The H-1B programme runs under the US Citizenship and Immigration Services framework. It allows US employers to sponsor foreign workers in specialised roles. However, employers must file petitions, meet wage requirements, and receive approval before hiring. Visas remain government-issued permissions and cannot be traded or sold by companies.
USCIS also requires Form I-129 approval before any worker starts employment. Hence, companies cannot sell or transfer H-1B visas on their own. A review of Coinbase’s public platforms also shows no product or service related to visa sales or immigration offerings.
The viral post also mentioned a so-called “H-1B coin” linked to Coinbase. However, no verified listing or product exists on the exchange matching that claim. As a result, the reference appears to come from misread screenshots and unrelated market charts.
What’s Actually Happening
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed yesterday that the company will cut about 14% of its workforce. In a post on X, he said the decision reflects market pressure and the growing use of artificial intelligence across operations. He also noted that automation has changed how teams build software and manage internal workflows.
Armstrong outlined additional restructuring measures, including fewer management layers and the introduction of “AI-native pods.” The company described the changes as an internal redesign of operations rather than a shift linked to immigration hiring. Based on reported figures, the cuts affect roughly 700 employees.
The Bottom Line
Claims linking Coinbase’s layoffs to visa sales rely on misinterpreted information and lack factual support. US immigration rules make such practices impossible.
The workforce reductions instead reflect restructuring and broader industry changes as firms adapt to automation and cost pressures.
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