Litigation Finance Journal recently reported that Coinbase became the first US-based cryptocurrency company to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court. The June decision has been announced, and with a 5-4 majority in favor of Coinbase, the high court ruled “that an interlocutory appeal about one matter (arbitrability) bars the district court from proceeding on another (the merits).”


CoinDesk says the ruling is a distinct legal victory for Coinbase, one that could impact future lawsuits against all companies in the United States. For over a century, the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) has been part of user agreements to protect corporations from risk and expense associated with court battles to resolve customer claims. The decision does not represent any high-court conclusions on cryptocurrencies, outside of Coinbase being one of the associated parties.  

A lower court decision from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California denied Coinbase’s arbitration agreement approach. On appeal, the Ninth Circuit denied Coinbase’s motion to halt hearings while appeal is in progress. 

The Supreme Court’s decision in favor of Coinbase effectively stays any trial proceedings while appeal is in progress.