Cryptocurrency users holding Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Ripple (XRP), or Stellar (XLM) were met with unexpected news when Coinbase Wallet announced the removal of support for these four major digital assets. While the decision doesn’t affect trading on the main Coinbase exchange, it signals a strategic shift in how the platform manages its non-custodial wallet services. This move raises important questions about usage trends, user access, and the long-term viability of certain blockchains within mainstream crypto ecosystems.
What Are BCH, ETC, XRP, and XLM?
Before diving into why these tokens are being removed, it's essential to understand what they represent in the broader crypto landscape.
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) emerged in 2017 as a hard fork of Bitcoin, designed to address scalability issues by increasing block sizes. The goal was faster transactions and lower fees—making it more practical for everyday payments. Despite early enthusiasm, BCH has struggled to gain widespread adoption compared to Bitcoin.
Ethereum Classic (ETC) is the continuation of the original Ethereum blockchain following a contentious hard fork in 2016 after the DAO hack. While Ethereum moved forward with changes that reversed the hack’s effects, Ethereum Classic upheld the principle of "code is law," maintaining an unaltered ledger. Though ideologically significant, ETC has lagged behind Ethereum in developer activity and ecosystem growth.
Ripple (XRP) is closely tied to Ripple Labs, a company focused on revolutionizing cross-border payments. Unlike decentralized cryptocurrencies, XRP is largely controlled by its parent organization and functions as a bridge currency for financial institutions seeking faster and cheaper international transfers compared to traditional systems like SWIFT.
Stellar (XLM) shares many similarities with XRP. Developed by the Stellar Development Foundation, it aims to connect financial institutions and enable seamless cross-border transactions using blockchain technology. XLM emphasizes inclusion and interoperability between fiat and digital currencies, particularly in underserved markets.
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Why Is Coinbase Wallet Removing These Cryptocurrencies?
The official reason cited by Coinbase is low usage. An update to the Coinbase Wallet Supported Assets page confirmed that BCH, ETC, XRP, and XLM would be phased out due to minimal user engagement within the wallet app.
It's crucial to clarify that this change only impacts Coinbase Wallet, the non-custodial mobile application that allows users to manage their own private keys and interact with decentralized applications (DApps). It does not affect trading capabilities on Coinbase.com or Coinbase Advanced Trade, where all four cryptocurrencies remain available for buying, selling, and holding.
Non-custodial wallets require ongoing maintenance for each supported blockchain—ranging from node infrastructure to security updates and DApp compatibility. Supporting underused networks diverts resources from more actively used chains like Ethereum, Solana, or Polygon. By streamlining supported assets, Coinbase can enhance performance, reduce costs, and improve user experience across higher-demand platforms.
When Will Support End? What Happens to My Crypto?
Support for BCH, ETC, XRP, and XLM was officially removed from Coinbase Wallet on December 5, 2022. However, this does not mean your funds are lost or inaccessible.
Your assets remain secured by your recovery phrase—the 12- or 24-word backup key generated when you first set up your wallet. As long as you have this phrase, your crypto still exists on the respective blockchains.
To view or transfer these assets after January 2023, you must import your recovery phrase into another non-custodial wallet that supports these networks.
Recommended alternatives include Trust Wallet, MetaMask (for ETC), Atomic Wallet, or Exodus, all of which continue to support these tokens. Simply restore your wallet using your recovery phrase in one of these apps, and your holdings will reappear.
Failure to act means you won’t be able to interact with these assets through Coinbase Wallet moving forward—but again, your crypto isn’t gone; it’s just no longer accessible via that specific interface.
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Do These Cryptos Have Low Trading Volumes?
While Coinbase cites low usage within its wallet app, trading volume for these coins across the broader market tells a different story.
According to data from CoinMarketCap:
- XRP has consistently ranked among the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap and sees daily trading volumes ranging from $600 million to over $3.9 billion, depending on market conditions.
- Ethereum Classic (ETC) regularly records daily volumes between $100 million and $400 million, with occasional spikes during market volatility.
- Even Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Stellar (XLM) maintain substantial liquidity across global exchanges.
This suggests that while these assets remain actively traded elsewhere, they simply aren't seeing significant interaction within the Coinbase Wallet ecosystem—particularly in terms of DApp usage, token swaps, or DeFi participation.
The takeaway? Low usage on one platform doesn’t equate to irrelevance in the wider crypto economy. However, for service providers like Coinbase, resource allocation must align with actual user behavior.
What This Means for Crypto Users
Coinbase’s decision reflects a growing trend among major platforms: prioritizing efficiency and user demand over token inclusivity. While removing support for well-known assets may seem drastic, it underscores a shift toward optimizing infrastructure for high-engagement networks.
For users, this serves as a reminder of core crypto principles:
- Self-custody matters: Relying solely on third-party apps for access can create risks when support changes.
- Recovery phrases are critical: Never lose access to your seed phrase—it’s the only way to recover your assets across wallets.
- Diversify your tools: Using multiple compatible wallets ensures continued access regardless of platform updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I still trade BCH, ETC, XRP, and XLM on Coinbase?
A: Yes. These cryptocurrencies are still fully supported on Coinbase.com and Coinbase Advanced Trade. You can buy, sell, and hold them there without interruption.
Q: Does this mean my crypto is gone if I use Coinbase Wallet?
A: No. Your funds are not lost. They remain on the blockchain and can be accessed by importing your recovery phrase into another compatible non-custodial wallet.
Q: Which wallets support BCH, ETC, XRP, and XLM after the removal?
A: Trust Wallet, Exodus, Atomic Wallet, and MetaMask (for ETC) all support these tokens. Always verify network compatibility before importing your recovery phrase.
Q: Why would usage be low in Coinbase Wallet but high on exchanges?
A: Many users keep coins on exchanges for trading rather than using them in DApps or decentralized finance. Coinbase Wallet is primarily used for interacting with Web3 apps, which may explain lower engagement with these particular tokens.
Q: Will Coinbase ever add these back?
A: There’s no official indication. Re-addition would depend on renewed user demand and integration feasibility.
Q: Is this a sign that these cryptos are failing?
A: Not necessarily. Market presence and trading volume suggest ongoing relevance. This move reflects platform strategy—not token failure.
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Final Thoughts
The delisting of BCH, ETC, XRP, and XLM from Coinbase Wallet is less about the value of the tokens themselves and more about usage patterns within a specific product. It highlights how even prominent cryptocurrencies can face ecosystem limitations based on real-world engagement.
For investors and users, this event reinforces the importance of understanding where and how you store your digital assets—and why self-custody remains a foundational principle in decentralized finance.
As the crypto space evolves, expect more platforms to make similar decisions based on data-driven insights. Staying informed and prepared ensures you remain in control—no matter where the market shifts next.