Key Highlights
- Coinbase has reopened account registration for users in mainland China.
- Chinese users can complete identity verification using a valid passport.
- The exchange requires all new users to complete mandatory KYC before accessing services.
Crypto exchange Coinbase has quietly reopened account registration for users in mainland China, allowing individuals to create accounts and complete identity verification using passports, according to updated customer support documentation published by the exchange.
According to the official website data, the change marks a notable shift for Coinbase, which had previously restricted access for users in mainland China following the country’s sweeping crackdown on cryptocurrency trading and mining.
While the exchange now permits account registration, users must complete mandatory identity verification before gaining access to most account features.
How can Chinese users verify their accounts?
According to Coinbase’s updated identity verification guidelines, mainland China has been added to the list of supported jurisdictions for onboarding. For users registering from China, passports are currently the only accepted identity document, while no proof-of-address documentation is required during the verification process.
The exchange states that identity verification is mandatory both when creating an account and periodically afterward for recordkeeping and compliance purposes.
“Coinbase requires identity verification at account creation and periodically for recordkeeping, legal, compliance, and fraud-prevention purposes,” the company said.
The exchange also warned users to complete verification only through official Coinbase domains and advised against submitting identification documents via email.
What does the new onboarding process require?
Coinbase said newly registered accounts will have limited functionality until identity verification is completed. The process requires users to upload government-issued identification through Coinbase’s secure verification portal, after which the exchange typically reviews applications within 24 hours.
To improve accessibility, Coinbase also allows users to continue the verification process on mobile devices by scanning a QR code if their desktop or laptop cannot access a camera. The company emphasized that verification requests will only appear through official Coinbase channels.
Part of Coinbase’s broader global expansion
The decision to reopen account registration for users in mainland China comes as Coinbase continues expanding its regulated presence in international markets.
Earlier this month, the exchange secured a UK regulatory licence allowing it to offer stocks and derivatives alongside cryptocurrencies, marking another step in its strategy to become a full-service financial platform rather than a crypto-only exchange.
Coinbase said the UK authorization enables it to broaden its product offerings under a regulated framework, giving customers access to traditional financial assets alongside digital assets through a single platform.
The latest developments indicate Coinbase is continuing to expand its regulated services across multiple jurisdictions while broadening access where permitted under its compliance framework.
Coinbase’s move raises questions
Coinbase has not announced a broader return to the Chinese market, nor has it indicated that trading services are being actively marketed to mainland residents. However, the updated onboarding policy suggests the company is once again allowing Chinese users to establish verified accounts under its global compliance framework.
Whether the move is intended to serve Chinese nationals living overseas, prepare for future regulatory changes, or simply standardize global onboarding procedures remains unclear.
For now, Coinbase’s decision represents a notable expansion of account access in a jurisdiction that remains one of the world’s most restrictive markets for cryptocurrency activity.
Also Read: Digital Euro Takes Major Step as ECB Selects 36 Payment Providers
