Just In: Bit Global Files Lawsuit Against Coinbase Over WBTC Delisting

American crypto trading platform Coinbase Global Inc. is in the spotlight after Bit Global named it a defendant in a new lawsuit. Bit Global, a professional digital asset custody and management solutions provider, claimed Coinbase unlawfully delisted its WBTC token so it could promote the rival cbBTC.

The Bit Global Stance Against Coinbase

In the 36-page filing, Bit Global accused Coinbase of 8 offenses including but not limited to monopolization, trade libel and the violation of the Lanham Act. The custodian firm said Coinbase delisted WBTC as it is a major competitor to its own rival, the cbBTC.

The plaintiff argued that Coinbase has listed many memecoins which unlike WBTC have no inherent value other than jokes. It also reaffirmed that delisting WBTC in place of these memecoins proves the exchange did not make the move based on any defined listing standards.

“Like all the centralized tech giants before it, Coinbase gives lip service to the innovation of a decentralized world,” the firm’s lawsuit reads. “But in the case of wrapped Bitcoin, Coinbase viewed it as just another cash grab.”

Kneupper & Covey, the law firm representing Bit Global said the wBTC delisting comes with no room for appeal. It argued this move forces Coinbase’ wBTC users to accept cbBTC in violation of both Federal and State laws.

Coinbase launched the cbBTC token on Base in September and has been driving the development of the token. Notably, the trading platform launched cbBTC on Solana last month, a prove of its growth.

Demands and Legal Twist Around Coinbase

As part of the suit, Bit Global is asking for $1 billion in damages from the trading platform for hurting the wBTC market. Beside this, the firm wants the court to declare the delisting of the wrapped Bitcoin asset as illegal and to prohibitive the exchange from proceeding with it.

In the case that it deems it fit, it wants the court to refer all matters triable to trial the jury.

While Coinbase Exchange is facing a ngative legal challenge, it won a big one against the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission (FDIC) earlier this week. The court ruled against FDIC’s heavy redactions in the duo’s ongoing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) case.

Effectively, the court asked the agency to revise the redactions, setting a deadline of January 3 to provide Coinbase with the required documents.