Why is my Coinbase account restricted or "under review" and how can I fix it?

Understanding Coinbase Account Restrictions

1. Coinbase imposes restrictions when automated systems detect behavior inconsistent with standard user patterns. This includes rapid deposits and withdrawals, frequent currency conversions, or logins from unfamiliar devices and locations.

2. Regulatory compliance triggers reviews when identity documentation appears incomplete, outdated, or fails liveness verification. Discrepancies between government-issued IDs and profile data often result in immediate holds.

3. Suspicious transaction histories—such as repeated small transfers to high-risk jurisdictions or interactions with sanctioned addresses—activate internal risk protocols without prior notice.

4. Third-party integrations like wallet connections or API key usage may introduce anomalies that violate Coinbase’s Terms of Service, prompting manual review.

5. Account linkage to previously flagged or terminated accounts—even through shared payment methods or device fingerprints—can trigger automatic restriction regardless of current activity.

Common Triggers for Manual Review

1. Uploading a passport with obscured metadata or edited digital signatures causes rejection during ID verification. Coinbase requires unaltered, high-resolution images captured in real time.

2. Using virtual private networks or proxy servers during onboarding creates geolocation mismatches that conflict with billing address records.

3. Receiving funds from decentralized exchange aggregators or cross-chain bridges introduces tracing complexity, leading to temporary asset freezes pending chain analysis.

4. Submitting utility bills older than 90 days violates document validity requirements, even if the information matches other verified fields.

5. Enabling SMS-based two-factor authentication while traveling internationally may generate inconsistent timestamp logs across time zones, raising fraud alerts.

Steps to Resolve an Active Restriction

1. Log into your Coinbase account via desktop browser—not mobile app—to access full support pathways and avoid cached session errors.

2. Navigate to Settings > Security > Identity Verification and re-submit all documents using natural lighting, no glare, and full document edges visible.

3. Respond directly to any email from no-reply@coinbase.com containing a case ID; replies must include that exact ID in the subject line to prevent ticket misrouting.

4. Avoid initiating new transactions, adding payment methods, or changing personal details until the review completes—any modification resets the processing queue.

5. Contact Coinbase Support only after 72 hours have passed since submission; earlier outreach adds duplicate tickets and delays resolution.

Verification Document Requirements

1. Government-issued photo ID must display full name, date of birth, expiration date, and issuing country—driver’s licenses from certain U.S. states require Real ID indicators.

2. Proof of address must be a recent bank statement, credit card bill, or government tax notice showing your name and physical residence—PO boxes and virtual mail services are rejected.

3. Selfies used for liveness checks must show clear facial features, no hats or sunglasses, and match the ID photo’s expression and head angle precisely.

4. Non-English documents require certified translations by licensed professionals—not automated tools or bilingual friends—even if text is legible.

5. Expired IDs are accepted only if expired within the last 12 months and accompanied by a secondary valid ID such as a national health card or voter registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I withdraw funds while my account is under review?No. All withdrawal functions remain disabled until the review concludes. Attempting forced withdrawals via API or linked wallets results in permanent suspension.

Q: Does clearing browser cache help lift a restriction?No. Cache deletion has zero effect on backend risk scoring. The restriction resides entirely within Coinbase’s compliance infrastructure, not client-side storage.

Q: Will using a different email address create a new unrestricted account?No. Coinbase links accounts through biometric device signatures, IP clusters, and financial instrument hashing. Duplicate registrations trigger coordinated enforcement.

Q: Are video calls required for verification?No. Coinbase does not conduct live video interviews. Any request for video verification originates from phishing domains impersonating official support.