How to verify a business account on Coinbase? (Institutional setup)

Eligibility Requirements for Institutional Verification

1. The entity must be legally registered as a corporation, limited liability company, trust, or similar recognized structure in its jurisdiction.

2. A valid government-issued business registration certificate, tax identification number, and articles of incorporation must be submitted.

3. At least one authorized representative must hold a verifiable role such as CEO, CFO, or compliance officer with documented authority to bind the organization.

4. The business must demonstrate active operations through bank statements, audited financials, or service contracts dated within the last 90 days.

5. Entities operating in restricted sectors—including money transmission without appropriate licensing, gambling, or unregistered securities issuance—are automatically disqualified.

Document Submission Protocol

1. Upload high-resolution color scans of all corporate formation documents, ensuring full visibility of seals, signatures, and issuance dates.

2. Provide a signed letter on official letterhead confirming the names, titles, and ownership percentages of all beneficial owners holding 25% or more equity stake.

3. Submit certified copies of passports or national ID cards for each authorized signatory and ultimate beneficial owner.

4. Include recent utility bills or lease agreements showing the registered business address—PO boxes and virtual office addresses are rejected unless accompanied by notarized affidavits of physical presence.

5. Attach evidence of regulatory standing: FinCEN registration confirmation, state money transmitter license numbers, or equivalent foreign equivalents verified via public registry links.

Compliance Interview Process

1. A scheduled video call is conducted with at least two designated representatives using Coinbase’s secure conferencing platform.

2. Interviewers validate identity through real-time document presentation and facial biometric matching against uploaded ID files.

3. Questions focus on fund sourcing, custody arrangements, trading volume projections, and internal AML/KYC policy documentation.

4. Screenshare verification of the organization’s treasury wallet infrastructure may be requested, including cold storage setup details and multisig key distribution logic.

5. All responses are recorded and cross-referenced with previously submitted written materials; inconsistencies trigger immediate escalation to the institutional risk review team.

Funding and Operational Activation

1. Upon approval, the account receives a unique institutional wallet address with segregated on-chain identifiers distinct from retail counterparts.

2. Initial deposits require wire transfers originating exclusively from bank accounts matching the legal name and address on file—third-party or intermediary routing is blocked.

3. API keys are issued only after completion of hardware security module (HSM) integration testing and signing key attestation reports.

4. Transaction limits scale dynamically based on verified monthly volume history and custodial asset balances reported via quarterly attestations.

5. All withdrawal requests undergo dual-layer authorization: one signature from an operations lead and a second from a compliance officer, both authenticated via FIDO2 security keys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a Delaware LLC formed solely for crypto investment qualify?Yes—if it holds active management agreements, tax filings, and demonstrates operational substance beyond passive holding.

Q: Is a notarized translation required for non-English documents?Yes—certified translations must include the translator’s full credentials, seal, and statement affirming accuracy under penalty of perjury.

Q: What happens if ownership changes post-verification?All changes exceeding 10% equity transfer or executive appointment must be reported within 72 hours using Form COIN-INST-AMEND, triggering revalidation of updated signatories.

Q: Are offshore entities accepted?Entities domiciled in jurisdictions on the FATF Grey List or subject to OFAC sanctions are rejected outright, regardless of local licensing status.