Coinbase has announced a new fee structure for large USDC-to-USD conversions, applying a 0.1% charge on net swaps above $5 million within any rolling 30-day window, beginning August 13, 2025. This marks the first time the exchange is monetizing its previously free stablecoin off-ramping service.
This move comes amidst challenges from declining revenue—Coinbase’s trading volumes dropped by 39% in Q2, and overall earnings missed expectations, resulting in a 15% stock drop and the announcement of a $2 billion convertible bond issuance.
Social media users voiced frustration, likening the new fee to traditional bank charges. Ryan Sean Adams, co-founder of Bankless, highlighted concerns over future increases:
“What if this dropped to $10k. Feels like bank fees again.”
Hmmm…why
— RYAN SΞAN ADAMS – rsa.eth 🦄 (@RyanSAdams) August 6, 2025
I don’t love the precedent here. What if this dropped to $10k. Feels like bank fees again @coinbase.
$1 USD = $1USDC right? pic.twitter.com/l9easdJM2t
In response, Coinbase emphasized that the fee is part of an “experiment” aimed at evaluating how pricing affects USDC off-ramping, noting that similar or higher fees are already charged by competitors.
The fee structure targets a loophole exploited for arbitrage: users were converting USDT to USDC to off-ramp for free—USDT carries an exit fee, so swapping to USDC avoided that cost. Industry analysts, including influencer Cobie, acknowledged this strategic shift to safeguard USDC liquidity.
Despite this change, Coinbase continues to push its “everything exchange” strategy, reinforcing its reliance on stablecoins amid a shifting financial and competitive landscape.
What new fee is Coinbase introducing?
Coinbase will impose a 0.1% fee on USDC-to-USD conversions surpassing $5 million in net volume over any 30-day period, effective August 13, 2025.
Why is Coinbase implementing this fee now?
The change is a response to declining revenue and external competitive pressures, particularly to curtail arbitrage caused by USDT’s exit fee and to help manage liquidity and operational costs.
Is this fee applicable to all users?
No—it only affects high-volume traders and institutions exceeding the $5 million net conversion threshold. Retail users conducting smaller conversions remain unaffected.
