Coinbase Hit by Record Law Enforcement Requests and Privacy Woes

Coinbase saw a 19% rise in law enforcement requests, reaching 12,716 globally, with 53% from outside the US. France's requests surged 111%. Most inquiries were criminal-related, amid growing regulatory scrutiny and privacy concerns.

Coinbase reported a record 12,716 law enforcement and government information requests globally between October 2024 and September 2025, marking a 19% year-over-year increase. Over half of these requests (53%) originated outside the United States, with France experiencing a dramatic 111% surge, making it the third-largest source after the US and UK. The majority of requests (95%) were related to criminal investigations, while only 5% concerned civil or administrative matters. The US, Germany, France, the UK, and Australia accounted for about 80% of all requests. Notably, Germany saw a 5% decrease, while the UK and Spain posted double-digit increases. Coinbase emphasized its commitment to user privacy, reviewing each request individually and providing only necessary information. The rise in requests coincides with increased regulatory scrutiny and recent security incidents, including a major data breach in May affecting over 69,000 users and resulting in significant financial damages and legal actions. Coinbase’s European and UK subsidiaries also faced regulatory penalties for compliance failures.