What happens when you delete your Coinbase account

Deleting your Coinbase account removes your access to the platform and closes your wallet. Before deletion, you must withdraw all cryptocurrency and cash to an external wallet or bank account — Coinbase will not hold funds after your account is gone. The deletion is permanent and cannot be undone, so you lose access to your transaction history and any pending orders.

The process takes a few minutes to complete, but Coinbase may take up to 90 days to fully remove your personal data from their servers. During that time, you cannot create a new account using the same email address. If you have a Coinbase Card linked to your account, it will be deactivated when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • You must move all cryptocurrency and cash out of your Coinbase account before deletion, or the funds will be lost.
  • The deletion process happens in your account settings under "Close Account" and takes only a few minutes to finish.
  • You cannot use the same email address to create a new Coinbase account for 90 days after deletion.
  • Any Coinbase Card you have will stop working when ready once your account is closed.
  • Coinbase will keep your transaction records for tax and legal reasons even after your account is deleted.

Withdraw all your money before you delete

Log into your Coinbase account and go to your portfolio. For each cryptocurrency you own, click the coin name, then click "Send" to move it to an external wallet address. You will need the receiving wallet's address — this is usually a long string of letters and numbers that you copy from the other wallet app or service. Double-check the address before confirming, because cryptocurrency sent to the wrong address cannot be recovered.

For cash in your Coinbase account, go to "Withdraw" and select your linked bank account. Enter the amount and confirm the transfer. Bank withdrawals usually take one to five business days. Wait for all transfers to complete and show as finished in your transaction history before moving to the deletion step.

If you have any pending buy or sell orders, cancel them first. Open each order and select "Cancel" — this prevents the order from filling after you have already moved your funds.

Find the close account option in settings

Open Coinbase and sign in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Settings." On the left side menu, click "Close Account." Coinbase will show you a summary of your account status and ask you to confirm that all funds have been withdrawn.

If you still have cryptocurrency or cash in your account, Coinbase will not let you proceed. Go back and complete all withdrawals, then return to this screen. The system will not move forward until your balance is zero.

Confirm the deletion and verify your identity

After confirming that your account is empty, Coinbase will ask you to verify your identity one more time. This is a security step to prevent someone else from deleting your account without permission. You may need to enter a code sent to your email address or phone number, or answer security questions you set up when you created the account.

Once you pass verification, Coinbase will show a final confirmation screen. Read the warning carefully — it will tell you that deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed. Click "Close Account" to complete the process. Your account will be closed when ready, though Coinbase will take up to 90 days to remove your data from their systems.

What to do if you cannot access your account

If you forgot your password, click "Forgot password?" on the Coinbase login page. Coinbase will send a reset link to your email. If you no longer have access to the email address you used to sign up, you will need to contact Coinbase support before you can delete the account.

Go to Coinbase's help center and select "Contact Us." Choose the reason that matches your situation — usually "Account and login" — and describe that you cannot access your account and want to close it. Coinbase support can help you regain access or delete the account on your behalf, though this process may take several days.

Recovering your transaction history after deletion

Coinbase keeps records of all transactions for tax reporting and legal compliance, even after your account is deleted. If you need a copy of your transaction history for tax purposes, read it before you delete your account. Log in, go to "Reports," and select "Downloads" to get a CSV file of all your activity.

If you delete your account and later need your transaction records, contact Coinbase support with your former account email address. They can provide a copy of your transaction history, though this may take longer than if you had downloaded it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen my Coinbase account after I delete it?

No, deletion is permanent. You can create a new account using a different email address when ready, but you cannot use the same email for 90 days. Your old account data and transaction history will not transfer to a new account.

What happens to my Coinbase Card when I delete my account?

Your Coinbase Card will be deactivated when ready and cannot be used. If the card has a balance, that balance is lost. You should remove the card from any apps or services that have it saved before you delete your account.

Will deleting my account affect my taxes?

No, but you should read your transaction history before deletion. The IRS requires you to report all cryptocurrency transactions, and Coinbase keeps records even after your account closes. Having your own copy makes tax filing easier.

What if I have a pending withdrawal when I try to delete?

Coinbase will not let you delete your account while a withdrawal is in progress. Wait for the withdrawal to complete and appear in your transaction history, then return to the close account screen.

Can someone else delete my account if they have my password?

Coinbase requires identity verification before deletion, so a password alone is not enough. However, if someone has access to your email or phone number, they could reset your password and complete the verification. Enable two-factor authentication on your account to prevent this.