Derivatives trading on Coinbase is available to UK customers who are classified as Professional Clients. Retail clients can't trade crypto derivatives under UK financial regulations.
Eligibility criteria
In addition to completing a knowledge assessment, you must meet at least 2 of the following 3 criteria and provide documentary evidence to be able to qualify as a Professional Client:
Criteria | Acceptable documentation |
|---|---|
Have traded leveraged products at least 40 times in the past 12 months with at least 5 trades per quarter, notional exposure of at least £5,000 per transaction. | • Broker or account statements
|
Hold an investment portfolio over EUR 500,000 including cash and financial instruments. | • Bank or brokerage statements (dated within the last 3 months)
|
Worked in a professional role requiring knowledge of derivatives products for at least 1 year. | Either: or • Description of your role plus one of the following: and • Proof of employment duration evidenced by one of the following: |
Application process
To apply for Elective Professional Client classification:
Sign in to your Coinbase account or open the Coinbase app.
Go to Derivatives and select Check eligibility.
Complete a knowledge assessment about trading.
You must answer 4 of the 5 questions correctly to pass. After 2 failed attempts, you'll need to wait 24 hours before retrying.
Follow the prompts to confirm your tax, employment, and financial information.
You may also be asked to verify your identity.
Confirm you meet at least 2 of the 3 eligibility criteria, then upload the supporting documentation.
We'll notify you by email once a decision has been made. Applications are typically reviewed within 2 business days, but may take longer. If approved, you’ll need to review the protections that will be lost as a result of being classified as a professional client (see below), and confirm that you understand and want to be classified as a professional client.
Once you’re classified as a Professional Client, it is your responsibility to notify Coinbase if there are any changes that may affect your categorization.
Changes to your protections as a Professional Client
Professional Clients receive a different level of regulatory protection than Retail Clients. Before accepting classification, you'll be shown the specific changes to your protections, including:
Communications and financial promotions may be less tailored to your needs.
Best execution factors may be weighted differently.
The Financial Ombudsman Service may not be available to you.
Consumer Duty obligations may apply differently in our dealings with you.
You have the right to request a change in classification at any time by contacting support.
See Annex A of our terms for further details on the protections lost by being classified as a Professional Client.
CB Payments Ltd (CBPL) is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for investment services (FRN: 1045733). CBPL will receive and transmit orders to affiliates or third-parties for execution. See the Best Execution Policy for details.
CBPL is also authorized by the FCA under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 for the issuing of electronic money, and registered as a cryptoasset business (FRN: 900635).