Welcome to Coinbase Support

Wallet activation is a security measure designed to protect your funds and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Here's why this process exists:

• Security verification: The activation fee helps verify that you are the legitimate owner of the wallet and prevents unauthorized access.
• Network requirements: Some blockchain networks require a minimum balance or activation fee to create and maintain wallet addresses.
• Anti-fraud protection: This process helps prevent fraudulent activities and ensures compliance with financial regulations.
• Account verification: The fee confirms your identity and links your wallet to your verified Coinbase account.

Once activated, you'll have full access to transfer, trade, and manage your cryptocurrency assets securely.

Bitcoin transfers can remain pending for several reasons, and transfer enablement fees serve important purposes:

• Network congestion: High transaction volume on the Bitcoin network can cause delays in processing.
• Low transaction fees: Transactions with lower fees may take longer to be confirmed by miners.
• Security holds: New accounts or large transactions may have additional security review periods.
• Transfer enablement: This fee activates your account's transfer capabilities and ensures compliance with banking regulations.
• Priority processing: The enablement fee can help prioritize your transaction in the network queue.

Most transfers complete within 24-48 hours after the enablement fee is processed. You can track your transaction status in your account dashboard.

Wallet activation timing depends on several factors, but here's what you can typically expect:

• Standard processing: Most wallet activations complete within 1-3 business hours after fee confirmation.
• Network confirmation: The activation fee must be confirmed on the blockchain, which can take 10-60 minutes.
• Account verification: Additional verification steps may add 2-24 hours to the process.
• High volume periods: During busy times, activation may take up to 24-48 hours.
• Weekend/holiday delays: Processing may be slower during non-business hours.

You'll receive email notifications and in-app alerts once your wallet is fully activated. If activation takes longer than 48 hours, please contact our support team.

Gas fees are an essential part of blockchain transactions and serve several important functions:

• Network operation: Gas fees compensate miners/validators who process and secure your transactions on the blockchain.
• Transaction priority: Higher gas fees can help your transactions get processed faster during network congestion.
• Smart contract execution: Complex operations like token swaps or DeFi interactions require gas to execute properly.
• Network security: Gas fees help prevent spam transactions and maintain network integrity.
• Separate from activation: Gas fees are blockchain-level costs, separate from Coinbase's activation fees.

Gas fees vary based on network demand and transaction complexity. Coinbase displays estimated gas costs before you confirm any transaction, so you can make informed decisions.