Coinbase Issues Crucial Warning as Tokenized Bitcoin Launches

As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in the financial industry, I’ve seen my fair share of market innovations and scams alike. The recent launch of Coinbase Wrapped BTC (cbBTC) is an intriguing development that could potentially revolutionize DeFi, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance in this dynamic landscape.


Noting the recent launch of Coinbase Wrapped Bitcoin (cbBTC), Coinbase has urged caution within the cryptocurrency community due to its urgency.

Effective immediately, Coinbase is introducing cbBTC – Coinbase’s Wrapped Bitcoin – a token based on the ERC20 standard that is equivalent in value to one Bitcoin (BTC) held by Coinbase. Initially, cbBTC will be compatible with both Base and Ethereum networks, with intentions to expand support to other chains in the future.

Coinbase’s warning highlights the presence of fraudulent actors attempting to take advantage of the cbBTC launch. In its tweet, Coinbase alerted users to fraudulent actors pretending to be cbBTC.

There are numerous individuals falsely claiming to represent cbBTC. Here are the contract addresses associated with cbBTC:— Coinbase 🛡️ (@coinbase) September 12, 2024

In simpler terms, Coinbase provided the correct addresses for the recently introduced cBTC token on both Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain (Base), the platforms where the token is now available.

The warning from Coinbase highlights the importance of vigilance and the need to verify contract addresses to avoid falling victim to this type of scam.

cbBTC debuts on-chain

Through its recent launch, Coinbase has ignited a fresh chapter in Decentralized Finance (DeFi) with cbBTC – a Bitcoin equivalent that maintains a 1:1 value connection to the Bitcoin stored securely by Coinbase.

In a groundbreaking move, Coinbase could connect off-chain Bitcoin liquidity with affordable and swift financial infrastructure like Base and Ethereum for the first time.

As a crypto investor, I’m excited about the potential of wrapped assets like cbBTC. These innovative tools are expected to foster a more streamlined, interconnected, and expansive financial landscape. By bridging assets across multiple blockchains, they promise to broaden the scope and efficiency of our collective investment journey.

Coinbase’s cbBTC strives to expand financial autonomy by offering users additional methods to utilize their Bitcoins.

On Coinbase, there won’t be a distinct order book or trading pair for cbBTC. Instead, when users transfer Bitcoin (BTC) from Coinbase to an address on Binance Smart Chain (Base) or Ethereum, the BTC is instantly swapped 1-to-1 for cbBTC. Conversely, when consumers receive cbBTC in their Coinbase accounts, it gets automatically converted back into Bitcoin (BTC) at a rate of 1-to-1.

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2024-09-12 19:22