BNB is now part of the Coinbase roadmap for possible listing on the American largest cryptocurrency exchange.
Following years of avoiding tokens associated with other exchanges, the move marks a significant change in Coinbase’s approach. It also coincides with a larger industry discussion around listing fairness and transparency.
With this move, Coinbase Exchange enters a continuing discussion of who gains from the way top centralised exchanges list tokens. Critics have long argued that Coinbase prioritised smaller, less established projects with lower trading volume over major blockchain assets like BNB, Tron, and Bitcoin Cash.
Coinbase executives retorted that rather than prioritising competitive alignment, their selection process placed more emphasis on compliance, decentralisation, and investor protection.
Furthermore, Coinbase departs from its long-standing prudence towards coins associated with competitors by introducing the Binance Coin. Launched in 2017, BNB is the gas and governance token that supports the BNB Chain ecosystem.
Thanks to high network activity and institutional inflows, it has risen more than 70% since the beginning of 2025. It is also currently the fourth-largest cryptocurrency in the world by market capitalisation, ahead of Solana and XRP.
Coinbase Takes an Unusual Action
At 4:45 p.m. UTC on October 15, Coinbase Markets made the announcement. This indicated that BNB was now part of the exchange’s “Blue Carpet” roadmap. The roadmap publicly identifies tokens om consideration for future listing.
Being on the roadmap indicates intent once technological integration and enough market-making assistance are achieved. However, it does not ensure that trading will start.
The timing surprised the industry. The action took place just hours after Coinbase announced its Blue Carpet program, which promises no listing costs and more openness in the eligibility assessment process for digital assets.
The same day, Binance faced more criticism when CJ Hetherington, the CEO of Limitless Labs, stated that the company requested token allocations in exchange for listings. Binance has categorically refuted these allegations.
As it navigates increasing regulatory scrutiny and a rapidly consolidating exchange ecosystem, Coinbase indicates in this most recent roadmap update that it is prepared to modify its competitive stance and reevaluate its listing philosophy.
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