News View Non-AMP

What Led to Coinbase’s $36 Million Fine? Uncovering the Truth

Published by
Qadir AK

Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, has been hit with a $36 million fine by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) in the Netherlands for violating regulations. DNB stated that Coinbase has a substantial amount of users from Northwest Europe and has not been compliant.

The fine marks the largest penalty ever imposed on a cryptocurrency exchange. It is a significant blow to Coinbase, which has become one of the most well-known and respected names in the crypto industry.

DNB further clarified that Coinbase did not register with the DNB that monitors Anti-money laundering activities in the country. According to Dutch law, cryptocurrency companies should register with the bank first. This law was passed in May 2020 to check money laundering and terrorism using cryptocurrencies which can be anonymous. 

DNB said that Coinbase had failed to implement proper anti-money laundering and know your customer procedures. As AML and KYC are important to prevent the use of digital currencies for illegal activities, failure to comply has severe repercussions. They did not comply with the regulations over the time period extending from November 2020 to August 2022. 

Coinbase has time till March 2, 2023, to appeal to the central bank on the fine. 

Earlier this Jan 2023, Coinbase was fined $50 million by the New York State Department of Financial Services for breaking laws against money laundering. They also had to spend an extra $50 million over 2 years to fix U.S. security compliance and other regulations.

What this fine would mean to the crypto industry?

Coinbase’s $36 million fine serves as a reminder of the importance of compliance in the cryptocurrency industry. The company has stated that it will cooperate with the regulator and take all necessary steps to ensure that it is compliant with regulations in the future. Other cryptocurrency exchanges should also take note of the fine and ensure that they are following all regulations to avoid similar penalties.

Qadir AK

Qadir Ak is the founder of Coinpedia. He has over a decade of experience writing about technology and has been covering the blockchain and cryptocurrency space since 2010. He has also interviewed a few prominent experts within the cryptocurrency space.

Trust with CoinPedia:

CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:

All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

Sponsored and Advertisements:

Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.

Recent Posts

XRP Set to Dominate Asia’s Tokenized Rewards Market by 2026

XRP is stepping into a larger role in Asia’s digital economy. By 2026, reports say…

October 5, 2025

Exclusive: Can Ethereum Price Hit $5000? Bitwise Strategist Says THIS

Ethereum (ETH) is trading at $4,531, up 1.6% in the last 24 hours, with a…

October 5, 2025

Best Crypto to Buy in October: Whales Flock to MoonBull’s Exclusive 11,800% ROI, While Polkadot and Monero Surge

Best crypto to buy in October has become the hot question for traders, investors, and…

October 5, 2025

What’s the Best Crypto to Buy After ADA’s Failure, Experts Hint at MUTM for Quick 10x

As ADA fights to keep going, investors are looking for crypto projects that offer both…

October 5, 2025

Last 48 Hours: XRP Tundra Presale Promises Ethereum-Style Returns for Early Crypto Investors

Ethereum’s early investors are often cited as the most fortunate in crypto history. During its…

October 5, 2025

ETH Price Prediction: Cardano Holders Snap Up Remittix Presale Tokens After Altcoin Goes Viral

A surprising trend has continued to emerge, with market watchers reporting large liquidations and capital…

October 5, 2025