Coinbase enables account registration for mainland China users via national ID verification, marking a significant market expansion.
Regulation & Gov ·
Coinbase has begun allowing account registration for mainland China users through national identification verification, representing a shift in the exchange's approach to the market. The platform now accepts national ID and domestic addresses for account verification purposes, moving away from prior requirements that mandated passport documentation and Hong Kong addresses.
This change modifies Coinbase's onboarding criteria specifically for users in mainland China, lowering friction for account creation in a region where crypto services have faced regulatory constraints. The relaxed verification framework suggests the exchange is positioning itself to capture users in a market where access to international platforms has historically required additional documentation steps.
It remains unclear whether this expansion reflects a broader regulatory shift in China toward crypto activity, a targeted Coinbase business decision, or coordination with Chinese authorities. The announcement does not specify the timeline for this change, geographic limitations within mainland China, or whether additional compliance frameworks apply to these accounts post-registration.