Coinbase Wallet has announced the discontinuation of support for several cryptocurrencies, including Ripple (XRP) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH), citing low user engagement across these networks. Effective December 5, 2022, the self-custody wallet will no longer provide access to these assets directly within its interface. This decision impacts users' ability to interact with decentralized applications (DApps) on these networks through the wallet.
Despite this change, users retain full ownership of their assets. The move is not a delisting in the traditional exchange sense but rather a withdrawal of technical support for specific blockchain networks. Users holding XRP, BCH, Ethereum Classic (ETC), or Stellar (XLM) in their Coinbase Wallet can still recover their funds using their recovery phrase in another compatible non-custodial wallet.
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Why Did Coinbase Wallet Drop These Cryptocurrencies?
The primary reason behind this shift is low network usage. While Coinbase Wallet continues to support major ecosystems like Ethereum and all EVM-compatible chains—including BNB Chain, Polygon, Solana, and Arbitrum—the company found minimal activity on certain legacy networks.
In an official statement released on its support page, Coinbase clarified:
“As of December 5th, 2022, Coinbase Wallet will no longer be supporting the following assets and networks due to low usage: BCH, ETC, XLM and XRP.”
This strategic pivot reflects a broader industry trend where wallet providers streamline functionality to focus on high-demand blockchains that power decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and Web3 applications.
For users, this means they can no longer send, receive, or interact with these tokens directly via the Coinbase Wallet app after the cutoff date. Attempting to do so could result in lost funds if proper precautions aren’t taken.
What Happens to My XRP or BCH Holdings?
Your crypto is not lost—it remains accessible through your private keys or recovery phrase. Since Coinbase Wallet is a non-custodial solution, users maintain control over their assets at all times.
To access your holdings in unsupported cryptocurrencies like XRP or BCH post-deadline:
- Export your 12- or 24-word recovery phrase from the Coinbase Wallet app.
- Import it into a third-party wallet that supports the relevant network (e.g., Trust Wallet for BCH, Ledger Live for ETC).
- Verify your balance and proceed with transactions as needed.
It’s crucial to use only trusted, open-source wallets during this migration process to avoid phishing scams or fund loss.
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The Ripple (XRP) Context: Regulatory Challenges and Community Resilience
The removal of XRP support adds another layer to the ongoing narrative surrounding Ripple Labs and its legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Since the SEC declared XRP a security in late 2020, many U.S.-based platforms—including Coinbase—paused trading or wallet support for the token.
However, recent developments have shifted momentum. Coinbase publicly supported Ripple by filing an amicus curiae brief in the lawsuit, arguing that clear regulatory guidelines are essential for innovation in the crypto space.
Despite years of litigation, XRP maintains strong community backing and market presence. As of 2025:
- XRP ranks among the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
- It holds a market cap of approximately $19.55 billion.
- The price hovers around $0.389, showing modest gains amid broader market fluctuations.
This resilience underscores that while infrastructure support may wane temporarily, asset value and utility often persist—especially when backed by global adoption and real-world use cases in cross-border payments.
Other Affected Networks: ETC and XLM
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) isn't the only forked asset affected. Ethereum Classic (ETC), the original Ethereum chain that continued after the 2016 DAO hack split, also faces reduced visibility due to declining developer activity and lower transaction volumes compared to Ethereum.
Similarly, Stellar (XLM), designed for fast and low-cost international money transfers, has seen limited traction in DeFi ecosystems despite partnerships with financial institutions. Lower user demand likely contributed to its exclusion from continued wallet support.
These decisions highlight how evolving user behavior shapes product development in Web3 tools—wallets must prioritize networks where users spend time and transact frequently.
How This Affects Decentralized App (DApp) Access
One major consequence of dropping network support is the loss of seamless DApp integration. Users previously able to connect their Coinbase Wallet to DApps on Ripple or Bitcoin Cash networks will now need alternative solutions.
For developers building on these chains, this signals a potential decline in accessibility for mainstream users unless other wallet providers step in to fill the gap. However, niche communities and specialized tools may continue supporting these ecosystems independently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does Coinbase Wallet deleting support mean my coins are gone?
A: No. Your assets remain on the blockchain. You can recover them using your recovery phrase in a compatible wallet.
Q: Can I still trade XRP or BCH on Coinbase.com?
A: Wallet support and exchange listing are separate. While wallet integration ended in 2022, Coinbase.com may still list these assets for trading—check current availability on the exchange.
Q: Which wallets support XRP, BCH, ETC, and XLM?
A: Consider options like Trust Wallet, Exodus, Atomic Wallet, or hardware solutions like Ledger and Trezor, which maintain broader network compatibility.
Q: Is this a sign that these cryptocurrencies are failing?
A: Not necessarily. Reduced wallet support reflects usage trends but doesn’t equate to project failure. Many factors influence long-term viability beyond single-platform integrations.
Q: Will Coinbase Wallet add these back in the future?
A: Possible, but only if user demand significantly increases. For now, focus remains on high-activity chains driving DeFi and NFT innovation.
Q: How do I know if my crypto wallet supports a specific network?
A: Always check the official documentation or settings section of your wallet app before transferring funds. Sending crypto to an unsupported chain risks permanent loss.
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Final Thoughts: Adapting to a Dynamic Crypto Landscape
The crypto ecosystem evolves rapidly. Infrastructure decisions like Coinbase Wallet’s withdrawal from certain networks reflect practical responses to user behavior and technological priorities.
For investors and users, this reinforces the importance of self-custody awareness, multi-wallet strategies, and staying informed about platform updates. Relying solely on one service—even a major one—can expose you to operational risks when policies change.
As decentralized finance matures, flexibility and interoperability will become key. Whether you're holding XRP for remittance use cases or exploring legacy chains like ETC, understanding how to navigate shifting support landscapes ensures your digital assets remain secure and accessible.
By embracing tools that offer broad blockchain compatibility and robust security features, users can future-proof their portfolios against similar changes—no matter which network comes next.