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Coinbase is insured against theft and electronic compromise in an amount that exceeds the average value of online bitcoin it holds at any given time. Specifically, Coinbase's insurance policy would respond in the event that bitcoin stored in Coinbase was lost or stolen as a result of a breach of our physical security, cyber security, or as a result of employee theft.
Coinbase has held this insurance since November 2013 with highly rated carriers (S&P rating of A+ or A.M. Best Rating of A XV or higher).
This insurance policy does not cover damages resulting from a specific user's loss, such as the losses resulting from a compromise of the customer login credentials. Coinbase's insurance also contains standard policy exclusions (e.x. force majeure). Should information regarding this coverage materially change, we’ll update this and other relevant pages in a timely manner.
Coinbase has held this insurance since November 2013 with highly rated carriers (S&P rating of A+ or A.M. Best Rating of A XV or higher).
This insurance policy does not cover damages resulting from a specific user's loss, such as the losses resulting from a compromise of the customer login credentials. Coinbase's insurance also contains standard policy exclusions (e.x. force majeure). Should information regarding this coverage materially change, we’ll update this and other relevant pages in a timely manner.
As we know riots and strikes are included in the standard force majeure clause. Can a dramatic rise of bitcoin price be interpreted as a riot against government fiat money? Or the choice to use only bitcoin instead of fiat be interpreted as a strike?
That is an interesting thought. It's a stretch, but TPTB will make any stretch to cover their asses. (e.g., Not that long ago, the doctrine of 'crime of money laundering' did not even exist.)
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How is Coinbase insuring customer bitcoins? Is it by FDIC? Who are the underwriters?
I don't know who the underwriters are specifically, but one might be able to learn by trawling though insurance companies' annual reports - listed as a potential risk. I'm pretty certain however that it is not FDIC. They only ensure fiat, 'cause they can get it printed to cover systemic losses.