Closing a Coinbase account takes about five minutes if your wallet is empty, but longer if you have holdings or pending transactions
To close your Coinbase account, you log in, go to Settings, select Close Account, and confirm. Coinbase will delete your account data within 90 days. The catch: you must withdraw or sell all cryptocurrency holdings first, cancel any active orders, and resolve any pending deposits or withdrawals. If you have a balance in your USD Coin Wallet or any other asset, the close button will not appear until that balance is zero.
The process differs slightly depending on whether you use Coinbase.com (the main platform) or Coinbase Wallet (the self-custody app). This guide covers the main Coinbase.com account closure, which is what most people need.
Key Takeaways
- You cannot close your account while you hold any cryptocurrency or fiat currency balance—you must sell or withdraw everything first.
- Pending deposits, withdrawals, or open orders will block account closure, so cancel or complete all transactions before you start.
- Coinbase deletes your account data within 90 days of closure, but you should download your transaction history before closing if you need it for tax records.
- If you have a Coinbase Wallet separate from your main account, closing your Coinbase.com account does not affect it.
- Two-factor authentication must be enabled on your account to close it, so if you have lost access to your 2FA method, contact Coinbase Support first.
Sell or withdraw all your cryptocurrency holdings
Before you can close your account, your balance in every asset must be zero. Log into Coinbase.com and go to your Wallet or Portfolio tab. Look at every coin or token you hold—Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, anything. You have two options for each: sell it for USD, or withdraw it to an external wallet.
Selling is faster if you do not need the coins anymore. Click the asset, select Sell, enter the amount, and confirm the transaction. The USD will land in your Coinbase USD Wallet within minutes. Withdrawing takes longer—typically one to five business days depending on your bank—but keeps your coins in your control if you plan to use them elsewhere.
If you have a very small balance (dust) in a coin worth less than the withdrawal fee, selling is usually your only practical option. Check Coinbase's withdrawal fees for each asset before you decide.
Cancel pending transactions and open orders
Any order you have placed but not yet filled will block account closure. Go to your Orders tab and look for anything marked Open, Pending, or In Progress. This includes limit orders waiting to execute, recurring buys scheduled for the future, and staking rewards that have not yet been claimed.
Click each open order and select Cancel. For recurring buys, go to Settings > Recurring Purchases and turn off any active subscriptions. If you have pending deposits from your bank, you can either wait for them to complete or contact your bank to cancel the transfer—Coinbase cannot reverse a deposit once it has left your bank account.
Pending withdrawals must complete before you close. If a withdrawal is stuck or delayed, contact Coinbase Support with your transaction ID. Do not close your account while a withdrawal is in flight, because you may lose access to track it.
Download your transaction history before you close
Coinbase will delete all your account data 90 days after closure. If you need your transaction history for taxes, accounting, or personal records, download it now. Go to Settings > Statements and select the date range you want. Coinbase will email you a CSV file with all your trades, deposits, and withdrawals.
This file is important if you file taxes and have reported cryptocurrency gains or losses. The IRS may ask for proof of your cost basis and sale prices, and Coinbase will not provide this information after your account is closed. Keep the CSV file in a safe place for at least seven years.
Navigate to Settings and select Close Account
Once your wallet is empty and all transactions are complete, log into Coinbase.com. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the Settings page and look for the Close Account option. Click it.
Coinbase will ask you to confirm your identity and reason for closing. You may be asked to enter your password or verify your identity with two-factor authentication. If you have lost access to your 2FA method (your phone, authenticator app, or security key), you will not be able to close your account online—contact Coinbase Support instead and they can help you regain access or close it manually.
Confirm closure and wait for deletion
After you click Close Account, Coinbase will send a confirmation email to the address on file. Open that email and click the link to confirm. Your account will be marked for closure immediately, but Coinbase takes up to 90 days to fully delete your data from their servers.
During this 90-day window, you can still log in and reactivate your account if you change your mind. After 90 days, your account and all associated data are permanently deleted. You can create a new Coinbase account with the same email address after closure is complete, but it will be treated as a fresh account with no history.
What happens to your Coinbase Wallet if you close your main account
Coinbase Wallet is a separate product from your Coinbase.com account. Closing your Coinbase.com account does not affect Coinbase Wallet. If you use Coinbase Wallet to hold cryptocurrency in self-custody (meaning you control the private keys), that wallet will continue to exist and function after your main account is closed.
However, if you have linked your Coinbase Wallet to your Coinbase.com account for convenience, that link will break after closure. You will still be able to access your Wallet using your recovery phrase, but you will lose the ability to buy or sell directly from the Wallet app using your Coinbase account. If you want to keep using Coinbase Wallet, make sure you have your recovery phrase written down before you close your main account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my account after I close it?
You can reactivate your account within 90 days of closure by logging in and following the prompts. After 90 days, your account is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. You can create a new account with the same email, but it will have no history or connection to your old account.
What if I have a pending deposit when I try to close?
Pending deposits will block account closure. You can either wait for the deposit to complete or contact your bank to cancel the transfer before it reaches Coinbase. Once a deposit arrives at Coinbase, you must withdraw or sell it before closing.
Do I need to close my account to stop using Coinbase?
No. You can simply stop logging in and using the platform. Closing your account is only necessary if you want Coinbase to delete your personal data and transaction history. An inactive account does not cost anything and does not require action.
What if I forgot my password or lost access to my 2FA?
Contact Coinbase Support through the Help Center on Coinbase.com. You will need to verify your identity using the email address and phone number on file. Support can help you regain access to your account or close it manually if you cannot log in.
Will closing my account affect my taxes?
Closing your account does not change your tax obligations. You are still responsible for reporting all cryptocurrency gains and losses for the years you held assets. Download your transaction history before closing so you have proof of your trades and cost basis if the IRS asks.